Rudd Rollcall Starts With Familiar Figures
Sun Herald
Sunday March 23, 2008
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday revealed that a media mogul, a former head of the army, a nutritionist and a Labor minister turned priest are among the 1000 chosen people for his April ideas summit.
Lachlan Murdoch, Peter Cosgrove, Rosemary Stanton and Michael Tate were the high-profile names among 20 announced by Mr Rudd as a teaser to the disclosure of the full list of 1000 participants.Nearly 8000 people pitched their credentials or were nominated in the hope of attending the two-day talkfest in Canberra on April 12-13. Former defence force chief Peter Cosgrove hopes the ideas that emerge from the discussions will help the Government's policy-making.Nominated by someone else, General Cosgrove said he could hardly sit back "like a curmudgeon" when the future of Australia's security was being discussed.The ex-army chief will sit on the panel discussing Australia's future security and prosperity. "I am an eternal optimist," General Cosgrove said. "From my point of view this will be a great opportunity to canvas opportunities for the future, and I hope the series of views from our particular group will help inform the Government."Sara Haghdoosti, 21, a Sydney University student and women's activist, said she would raise child care, paid maternity leave and the "incredible HECS debt young people are carrying" at the talks.The young Muslim student said she hoped Mr Rudd would listen to the proposals put forward during the two-day forum."It will be a great way to really talk about different issues and develop out-of-the-box policy ideas," she said.As one of 100 delegates who will sit on the panel discussing "strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion", Ms Haghdoosti said she "really hoped" the ideas formulated by each of the 10 groups would be seriously considered by the Government."If they don't, communities will organise around them and put pressure on the Government to adopt some of the ideas."Father Michael Tate, from Tasmania, was 15 years a federal politician, including six as justice minister in the Hawke Labor government. He cut a post-political diplomatic career short in 1996 to study theology at Cambridge University before being ordained a Catholic priest in 2000.The legally trained priest will participate in the panel on the future of governance.Announcing the first delegates yesterday, Mr Rudd said the steering committee, chaired by Professor Glyn Davis, had a tough job selecting the participants. The 1000 people selected will receive their invitations this week.kwalsh@sunherald.com.au
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