Over the weekend, Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced the 2020 Summit to address challenges facing Australia. In doing so he said:

“I think it’s time for a new approach to the nation’s long term future… [There has been] too much short-termism in the past, let’s get on with it and look out to the next decade and beyond…

“In harnessing the ideas and energies of the nation, let’s look beyond the ranks of ministers, politicians and public servants as well, and see what the rest of the nation has to say.”

In an encouraging move, Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson has thrown his party’s support behind the summit. It appears that in 2008, bipartisanship has a chance of functioning! At least on this issue.

Now, it appears time to put appropriate thought leaders into the public eye so that they might be among the 1000 Australians selected to take part in the Summit.

The Australian Tech community, and it’s practitioners working in the Internet and Web industries in particular think this is a great idea. This blog will be a place for the community to host that discussion. There’s Stephen Collins for access as a blog author.

Serious question: is it in 2020? Why is it named that?

It's the next decade and a bit - what do we want Australia to be like in 2020.

AHhhhhh

What do you think are the key challenges in the tech area?

... programming the VCR?

Ha! Too easy.... even I can do that!