One people one destiny

In 1891, Sir Henry Parkes, the long-serving Premier of New South Wales, spoke of Australia becoming “one people, with one destiny.”

Parkes, who is known as the Father of Federation, was speaking about the movement in the 1880s and 1890s to federate the colonies, an event that finally brought about the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

Australia is founded on the idea that we are ‘one people, with one destiny.’

It was the catchphrase of the federation movement of the era. It was the toast at the great gatherings in aid of the cause.

Becoming and remaining ‘One People, with One Destiny’ is an ongoing endeavour.

In an era of ‘identity politics’, it is important to recall that we are ‘one people with one destiny.’

It is for this reason that I chose the expression ‘One People One Destiny’ as the title of my new book, which the political editor of The Australian newspaper, Dennis Shanahan, launched at Parliament House last evening.

As I surveyed the policy challenges of the past three decades, it struck me how much the task of nation-building is a work in progress: Hence the sub-title.

And hence the final chapter: the task ahead for the lucky country.

The challenges of population, participation and productivity, identified in the first Intergenerational Report in 2002, remain significant issues today.
An ageing population, declining productivity and inadequate participation in the economic activity of the nation still need to be addressed.

There are also other challenges that Australia faces. In the style of the Intergenerational Reports, these concerns can be described as society, security and energy sustainability.

There are many specific policies required to meet our future challenges, but these six areas – population, participation, productivity, society, security and sustainability – are the foundation of national prosperity and cohesion.   My book, One People One Destiny – A work in progress [365 pages, hb] is available through following this LINK.