Australia 2020 Summit - Options for the future of Indigenous Australia

Here are "Options for the future of Indigenous Australia" items accepted by the Australian Government in its "Responding to the Australia 2020 Summit" on 22 April 2009:

Australia's Indigenous people experience unacceptable disadvantage. Through the Closing the Gap strategy, the Government is taking action to address Indigenous disadvantage and is focusing on achieving the following targets agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG):

• close the life expectancy gap within a generation

• halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade

• halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for children within a decade

• halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade

• provide access to early childhood education for all four years olds in remote communities within five years

• halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 attainment or equivalent attainment rates by 2020.

The Government recognises that achieving these targets will require sustained action across all levels of government and all sectors.

Some of the key themes that were raised by the Indigenous Stream during the 2020 Summit included formal constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, establishing bipartisan dialogue between Indigenous people and government, valuing the cultural history and knowledge of Indigenous people, closing the gap in all areas and achieving better social and economic outcomes. The issues faced by Indigenous Australians were also a clear priority for many other streams across the Summit. Ideas and aspirations for the future of Indigenous Australia were also raised by the Health Stream, Creativity Stream, Sustainability Stream, Communities Stream, Productivity Stream, Governance Stream and Rural Stream.

The Indigenous Stream developed a broad range of ambitions, themes and ideas that have influenced and guided the Government's policy in this area, including:

• Indigenous cultural education and knowledge centre - Indigenous culture is a critical part of Australia's identity and strengthening it is a core element of sustaining a strong and healthy Indigenous community. It was a prominent theme at the Summit and was raised across multiple streams. The Government agrees that the celebration of Indigenous culture in this way will complement and contribute to its core development policies for Indigenous Australia. An Indigenous Knowledge Centre would build on the current role played by the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and could:

  • Become a national gathering place for the celebration and discussion of Indigenous culture, in a physical or 'virtual' sense

  • Become a reference point for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

  • Engage in research to harness traditional knowledge to support sustainable management of country

  • Support the education and understanding of Indigenous culture and affairs across Australia and preserve Indigenous heritage

As the first step in the establishment of a centre, the community will be consulted on its form.

We are therefore initiating a feasibility study to engage the Indigenous and wider communities and existing institutions to develop options for the most effective way to strengthen and support Indigenous culture.

• Council of Australian Governments Working Group on Indigenous Reform - Many of the ideas raised at the 2020 Summit supported the development of reforms recently agreed by COAG at their November 2008 meeting. At this meeting, all Australian Governments backed up their commitment to closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage with $4.6 billion in initiatives across early childhood development, health, housing, economic development and remote service delivery.

The following tables provide the Government's response to the ideas raised by the Indigenous Stream at the 2020 Summit.

Key ideas being taken forward by the Government

Topic	2020 proposed ideas	Government response
Indigenous Early Childhood Development	Focus on early intervention/prevention for early childhood. Establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Fund to tackle long term problems through the development of services to redress unmet need. Re-establish and reinvigorate multi-functional childcare centres. Place a child health nurse in every school, and give young mothers and their babies in the community access to this service. Develop an education policy framework that provides genuine choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their parents and can integrate health strategies in an early childhood intervention strategy. Share information about good practices, so as to keep families functioning well and staying together.	Agree in-principle. In October 2008, the Council of Australian Government's (COAG) first National Partnership (NP) was agreed, covering Indigenous Early Childhood Development. Through the agreement, the Commonwealth and the states and territories will work together to improve the early childhood outcomes of Indigenous children. The National Partnership comprises $564.6 million of joint funding over six years to address the needs of Indigenous children in their early years, and reflects many of the ideas raised at the Summit. As part of the initiative, 35 Children and Family Centres in areas of high Indigenous population and disadvantage will be established across Australia to deliver integrated services that offer early learning, child care and family support programs. The funding will also increase access to ante-natal care, teenage reproductive and sexual health services, and child and maternal health services for Indigenous Australians. COAG has agreed to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood education. In July 2008, COAG agreed to the development of a National Early Childhood Development Strategy during 2009. The strategy will provide the framework for a comprehensive approach to early childhood, including for assisting vulnerable children. Broader issues on family support will also be considered by the Australian Social Inclusion Board and the work on the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.
Health and Learning Compacts	Health and Education - introduce individual learning and health compacts (case management) for each Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child to ensure that children who need help receive it promptly and effectively.	Agree. In the 2008-09 Budget, the Government committed $56.4 million over four years to expand intensive literacy and numeracy programs in schools. This funding will include support for teachers to enable them to prepare and maintain individual learning plans for every Indigenous student up to Year 10.
Additional Schooling Support Also raised by: Productivity	A new education framework should be established. The following could be included in the framework: Availability of high quality education, including boarding schools and hostels Access to away-from-home foster families to stay with at weekends for students away from home Funding through ABSTUDY, private school scholarships, government funding and community schooling Encourage high-performing young professionals to work as teachers alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators in remote schools Expand ABSTUDY to all post-secondary Indigenous students to facilitate engagement with education and ultimately the workforce Introduce 500 'Mabo Scholarships' for Indigenous students in research and higher level degrees similar to the Endeavour scholarships.	Agree in-principle. The Government is introducing a range of new support mechanisms for Indigenous education options. In 2008, the Government committed $20 million over three years from 2009-10 as a contribution towards secondary scholarships for Indigenous students to attend boarding schools. The funds will be managed by the Australians Indigenous Education Foundation, with additional funds which more than match the Government contribution expected to be raised from corporate, philanthropic and private sources over the life of the initiative. The Government is also providing $10 million to leverage private and state funding for six existing Clontarf Academies, six new academies from 2009-10, and a further three new academies from 2010-11. The additional funding represents the first stage of a long term commitment by the Government to helping the Clontarf Foundation to expand its network of academies throughout Australia. This initial $10 million investment will enable Clontarf to expand its services in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and other interested states. In the 2008-09 Budget, the Government also committed $28.9 million over four years to construct and operate three new boarding colleges for Indigenous secondary students in the Northern Territory. The National Education Agreement agreed by COAG in November 2008 includes a focus on outcomes for Indigenous students, with a particular focus on literacy and numeracy. Enhanced arrangements for teaching and school leadership are being progressed through the Improving Teacher Quality and Low Socio-Economic Status National Partnership Agreements, including increased opportunities to gain qualifications that form part of pathways into teaching for Indigenous education workers.
National Indigenous Health Equality Council	Establish a comprehensive health strategy to eradicate diseases such as trachoma and to tackle alcohol and drugs.	Agree. The Government is strongly committed to achieving health equality for Indigenous Australians. The National Indigenous Health Equality Council was launched in July 2008 to assist in developing and monitoring health-related goals to support the Government's commitments on improving Indigenous life expectancy and reducing child mortality. The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) is also in the process of making recommendations regarding long term macro reforms to improve Australia's health system (including for Indigenous and rural communities). These recommendations should be finalised in mid-2009. The Government has committed funding to states and territories to provide additional drug and alcohol rehabilitation services to Indigenous communities, and is providing funding to tackle high rates of smoking. COAG is also working to ensure that the Closing the Gap targets are being supported across a range of financial arrangements between the Commonwealth and state governments. The National Healthcare Agreement agreed by COAG in November 2008 includes a commitment to achieving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians comparable to the broader population. The Indigenous Health National Partnership also provides an additional $1.6 billion over four years to expand primary health care and targeted prevention activities to reduce chronic disease for Indigenous Australians.
Eradicate Trachoma in Indigenous Children Also raised by: Helath	Eradicate trachoma amongst Indigenous children within five years through a comprehensive health strategy. This could include a national hand-washing campaign in Indigenous communities.	Trachoma is a preventable and treatable disease which still causes blindness in an unacceptable number of Indigenous Australians. The Government has committed $58.3m to expand eye and ear health services for Indigenous Australians. This includes $16m to address trachoma.
Indigenous Economic Development Strategy Also raised by: Productivity	Economic Development Strategy - recognise the importance of jobs and make improvements to private philanthropic and business partnerships with Indigenous enterprises, greater corporate participation via incentives such as tax concessions. Provide tax incentives and concessions to encourage higher levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement in private enterprise and entrepreneurship. Some groups and individuals cautioned that tax incentives and concessions need careful consideration because they do not always achieve the desired results. Provide incentives to encourage people to move into employment. Include incentives for self-help and development of skills that support independence in government funding. Explore options and opportunities for increased employment of Indigenous people in the private sector. Establish an entrepreneurial fund, Indigenous Business Alliance clusters, corporate partnerships, performance targets and performance indicators in government contracts involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises. Conduct a national review of Indigenous businesses and an annual survey of them. Improve the skills of local people, particularly Aboriginal people, before importing labour. Establish a national awards scheme for organisations proactive in training and employing Indigenous people.	Agree in-principle. On 29 November 2008, COAG agreed to a five year National Partnership on Indigenous Economic Participation. The Commonwealth and state governments will invest $228.8 million to assist up to 13,000 Indigenous Australians in obtaining employment. This National Partnership will contribute to meeting the national target set by COAG in March 2008 to halve the gap in Indigenous employment outcomes within a decade. The reforms to the Community Development Employment Program, the Indigenous Employment Program and the new Job Services Australia (to be introduced on 1 July 2009) include a strong focus on job readiness and skills development for Indigenous people. Under the reforms to the Indigenous Employment Program, a high profile program will be created that recognises and supports significant achievements in Indigenous employment. The Prime Minister has pledged Government support to the Australian Employment Covenant, a private sector initiative to create 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians announced by the CEO of Fortescue Metals Group, Mr Andrew Forrest. The Government is also developing a wider Indigenous Economic Development Strategy to provide a framework to guide government investment and to work with Indigenous Australians and the corporate sector to increase Indigenous participation in employment and business. This strategy is expected to be finalised in late 2009. In addition, the Government is currently conducting a wide-ranging review of Australia's tax system, including incentives for workforce participation and skill formation.
Indigenous Employment	Exploring options and opportunities for increased employment of Indigenous people in the private sector. Improving private philanthropic and business partnerships with Indigenous enterprises and encouraging greater corporate participation with incentives such as tax concessions. Recognising the importance of jobs and encouraging people to move into employment.	Agree. From 1 July 2009, the Government is introducing new employment services called Job Services Australia, and reforms to the Indigenous Employment Program and to the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP), that include a strong focus on job readiness and skills development for Indigenous people.. On 30 October 2008, the Prime Minister pledged the Government's support to the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC), a private sector initiative to create 50,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians announced by the CEO of Fortescue Metals Group, Mr Andrew Forrest. The AEC reflects the Summit's recognition of the importance of increasing employment opportunities for Indigenous people. Under the AEC the Government will make resources available to: Coordinate and facilitate training to the appropriate job standards of the employing industry Facilitate post-placement and mentor support for eligible Indigenous Australians in guaranteed AEC jobs Help with the take up of AEC jobs by eligible Indigenous job seekers through referral, placement and support services. The Australian Employment Covenant will also be supported by Job Services Australia and reforms to the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program and the Indigenous Employment Program, as well as the wider Indigenous Economic Development Strategy to be further developed in 2009.
Indigenous Reform - Remote Service Delivery	Better coordination of services between the states and territories and the Commonwealth. Renewed emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delivery models. The creation of a 'clearing house' in the form of a database that includes all Indigenous programs, to provide a central link in the Indigenous community for the provision of services. Develop service delivery mechanisms that are people-centred and convenient. For example, a 'one-stop-shop' community hub where services are delivered by people who are able to coordinate across governments and agencies and are not confined to their service 'silo'.	Agree in-principle. On 29 November 2008, COAG agreed to a new National Partnership on Indigenous Remote Service Delivery to improve the delivery of services in 26 remote Indigenous locations. The Commonwealth and state governments are providing $291.2 million over six years to improve access to services by Indigenous Australians in remote areas. The employment services being introduced through Job Services Australia from 1 July 2009 include arrangements to enhance collaboration and cooperation across services, including Service Level Agreements between Job Services Australia service providers and Community Development Employment Project program (CDEP) organisations where this operate. To further build understanding of effective Indigenous initiatives, the Government is providing funding in 2008-09 for a Closing the Gap clearing house through agreed joint funding arrangements with the states and territories. The clearing house will operate as a knowledge management service run by research specialists. It will provide a central repository of evidence and links to a range of existing data that can be accessed by interested stakeholders. It will build an evidence base that details effective, successful interventions to address Indigenous disadvantage.

Government Accountability	New independent mechanisms with teeth and sanctions to monitor accountability of governments, with significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement. Assess senior public sector managers' performance against Indigenous-specific outcomes and indicators. Build accountability, reporting and monitoring in Indigenous policy initiatives, either through: establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Productivity Commission, involving significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation or building on existing frameworks, such as the Productivity Commission having responsibility to monitor, be a 'watchdog' and report on progress	Agree in-principle. The Government has already accepted and established accountability at the highest level through the annual Prime Ministerial statement on Closing the Gap. On 29 November 2008, COAG agreed to the National Indigenous Reform Agreement (NIRA) which sets out the objectives, outcomes, outputs, performance measures and benchmarks that all governments have committed to achieving in order to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. The COAG Reform Council will report to the Prime Minister on the performance of all jurisdictions in relation to each National Agreement, and independently assess whether performance benchmarks have been achieved before an incentive payment to reward nationally significant reforms under a National Partnership is made. Commonwealth, state and territory treasurers also agreed in January 2008 to the development of a national framework for reporting expenditure on services to Indigenous Australians, including expenditure from all funding sources on both Indigenous-specific and mainstream services, with an emphasis on 'on the ground' service provision. The Productivity Commission acts as the secretariat for this framework.
Senate Estimates Committee on Indigenous Matters	Build accountability, reporting and monitoring in Indigenous policy initiatives by establishing a parliamentary committee, possibly a Senate estimates committee, to examine government expenditure directed to the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Such a committee should be able to scrutinise expenditure in the areas of health education, policing law enforcement, and employment services.	On Friday 24 October 2008 and 27 February 2009, the Senate's Community Affairs Committee held special hearings on Indigenous matters. This followed a Senate resolution on 26 August 2008 where the Senate agreed to provide for future estimates hearings to include a separate time for a hearing on Indigenous matters. The national performance reporting framework being developed by the COAG also aims to increase accountability for and improve reporting and monitoring of Indigenous policy initiatives.

National Indigenous Representative Body	Establishment of a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative body. It should be established after considering the nature of its role and relationship with government, the corporate sector and the wider community, and the options for its structure.	Agree. The Government is committed to creating a National Indigenous Representative Body to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people a voice in national affairs. This will not involve the re-establishment of an ATSIC-style body or the transfer of legislative power. Extensive consultation was held in 2008 with Indigenous and wider communities. A second phase of consultation is being led by an independent steering committee of Indigenous leaders, convened by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Recommendations from the steering committee to the Government are expected in July 2009.
UN Declaration of Rights	Support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.	Agree. The Government publicly stated its support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 3 April 2009.
Indigenous Memorial Service	Hold a memorial service to commemorate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served in or demonstrated exceptional courage in war.	A commemorative event of this nature has been held annually since 1999. A memorial service was also held on 9 July 2008 at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Memorial in Canberra, as part of the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) celebrations throughout Australia. The service combined Indigenous culture with traditional military culture and honoured the Indigenous men and women who played an active role in protecting Australia in times of war and peace.

Australia 2020 Summit - A long term national health strategy

Here are "A long term national health strategy" items accepted by the Australian Government in its "Responding to the Australia 2020 Summit" on 22 April 2009:

Australia is fortunate to have a health system which has delivered, in international terms, very good health outcomes due to Medicare, a strong public hospital system, and a high quality workforce. However, the challenges which our health system faces are substantial. Health costs are rapidly increasing, due to expensive technologies, higher pharmaceutical costs and increasing community expectations. Australia's ageing population also poses great challenges to the health system, generating the need to provide increasing levels of aged care and support in a system already under pressure. Australia is also experiencing the increasing burden of preventable chronic disease such as diabetes. The Government has made health a major priority in its first term and is committed to delivering national policy solutions that are socially and economically sustainable. This agenda is being progressed through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) as part of a wide range of health reforms currently under consideration.

Participants in the Health Stream at the 2020 Summit agreed on the need to have a health system integrated at all levels, focused on both illness and wellness, drawing on the latest technological advances and research to deliver improved health outcomes for all Australians by 2020. These ideas covered a broad range of themes, including healthy lifestyles, health promotion and disease prevention, the health workforce and service provision, addressing health inequalities, and future challenges and opportunities in health and health research. The ideas from the Summit have made a significant contribution to the Government's health policy.

The Health Stream developed a broad range of ambitions, themes and ideas that have influenced and guided the Government's policy in this area, including:

• National Plan to Boost Organ and Tissue Donation - The Government's National Plan to Boost Organ Donation is a $151.1 million national reform package to boost the number of life-saving organ transplants for Australians.

• National Healthcare Agreement - In November 2008, COAG agreed to an historic package of broad reforms of the health and hospital system. Under a new National Healthcare Agreement and associated national reform proposals, the Government will provide $64.4 billion in funding over five years. This includes an increase to the Healthcare Specific Purpose Payment of $4.8 billion over the forward estimates period, and a package of health reforms in priority areas totalling $3.9 billion. One important reform is the Preventative Health National Partnership to improve the health of all Australians, which includes the establishment of a national preventative health agency. Other reforms include the Indigenous Health National Partnership, which expands primary health care and targeted prevention activities, and the Hospital and Health Workforce Reform National Partnership, providing the single largest investment in the health workforce ever made by Australian governments as well as improvements to hospital efficiency, sub-acute care and emergency department services.

• Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology - The Government is committed to supporting research where Australia is on the leading edge of innovation as a crucial investment in our nation's future. One such area is research into the bionic eye, which is a critical advancement for millions of vision impaired Australians and promises the development of technologies to translate into other areas of need. Australia is already a world leader in bionics based on our expertise in the bionic ear. The Government is committed to conducting a competitive grants process to fund this important work.

The following tables provide the Government's response to the ideas raised by the Health Stream at the 2020 Summit.

Key ideas being taken forward by the Government

Topic	2020 proposed ideas	Government response
Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology	Promote better commercialisation of intellectual property, by taking the lead in developing innovative health technologies, such as inventing a 'bionic eye' by 2020.	As discussed at the 2020 Summit, the Government is committed to supporting research where Australia is on the leading edge of innovation. One such area is research into the bionic eye, which is a critical advancement for millions of vision impaired Australians and promises the development of technologies to translate into other areas of need. Australia is already a world leader in bionics based on our expertise in the bionic ear. The Government is committed to conducting a competitive grants process to fund this important work.
Preventative Health - Healthy Food and Living Also raised by: Rural	Making healthy food choices easy (e.g. delivering 'fast fruit' to primary schools, fresh food to Indigenous communities, banning junk food advertising to children, regulating allowable content of unhealthy ingredients). Healthy food leads to healthy nations. Model of food labelling (traffic light), label all food ingredients including trans-fats. Use positive social marketing to encourage healthy living by making poor health habits expensive and healthy living habits less expensive. Provide incentives to employers/schools to introduce healthy food exercise. Develop a physical activity pathway for all Australians at all stages of life. Introduce physical activity every day - 30 minutes throughout the workforce. Design healthier buildings and neighbourhoods. Develop health and lifestyle plans for every city. Develop a wellness rating scheme for all suburbs, towns and cities. Abolish duty-free alcohol and cigarettes into Australia.	The Government agrees that helping Australians to make healthier choices is an important goal. Not all of these ideas will necessarily be adopted in achieving that goal. In November 2008, COAG agreed to a Preventative Health National Partnership (to which the Australian Government contributes funding of $872.1 million over 6 years) to support a range of nutrition, physical activity, obesity and smoking initiatives, including: Access to services for children to increase physical activity and improve nutrition Provision of support for workplaces and local communities to provide physical activity and healthy living programs. Rewarding States and Territories for achieving specified targets in the areas of healthy weight, healthy eating, physical activity and smoking. The Preventative Health Taskforce will also be providing evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on health programs and strategies. The Taskforce will develop a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009, which is likely to address some or all of the issues raised by the 2020 Summit.
Preventative Health - National Agency and Strategy	Introduce a National Preventative Health Agency, based on the VicHealth model, to commission research, design interventions based on evidence, develop and deliver preventative health policy, and implement marketing and public health campaigns. Investigate successful preventative health interventions from overseas and consider incentives, including financial ones, to encourage lifestyle changes - for example, to give up smoking or drugs. Commission the National Preventative Health Agency to develop research and evidence to help employers establish healthier work places. Establish a new preventative health strategy across life, with a major focus on Indigenous Australians. Establish a whole-of-life wellness model incorporating whole-of-life activity pathway. Establish a health and education task force charged with identifying risk profiles (for example chronic illness, disabilities, Indigenous people, remote and the ageing population. Expand existing national literacy and numeracy assessments to include physical fitness and health literacy, supported by 'catch-up' programs for 'high-risk' children, delivered away from healthy peers. Establish health literacy programs. Promote healthy lifestyles and education. Remunerate health practitioners to provide lectures in schools or to community groups. Establish performance indicators and mandatory curriculum for health and wellbeing in schools, including the ethics of health care.	Agree in-principle. The Government is committed to improving preventative health outcomes. In November 2008, the Commonwealth and the states agreed to a Preventative Health National Partnership to improve the health of all Australians, with the Australian Government providing funding of $448.1 million over four years, and $872.1 million over six years, starting from 2009-10. This funding supports elements such as: Increased access to services for children to increase physical activity and improve nutrition Provision of support for workplaces and local communities to provide physical activity and other risk modification and healthy living programs National marketing campaigns to increase public awareness of the risks associated with lifestyle behaviour and its links to chronic disease Enabling infrastructure, including a national preventative health agency, surveillance program, workforce audit, eating disorders collaboration, partnerships with industry and a preventative health research fund. The Preventative Health Taskforce, established by the Government in April 2008, will also be providing evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on health programs and strategies. The taskforce will develop a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009. The Government has introduced Healthy Kids Checks to give every four year old child in Australia a basic health check to see that they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school.
COAG Health and Ageing Working Group - Information and Reporting	Use health system information to improve the quality of decision making and policy development, including: Combine data held by governments and specialist colleges with state hospital data to look at the effectiveness of treatment outcomes Reduce the system input and output data to focus on consumer and community outcomes, to provide better targeted treatments Establish a system of allowing reporting positive outcomes in the health system. Health Performance Measurement Conduct a health audit to identify the programs that are working well and those that are not. Introduce measurement of national level of key public health outcomes to determine what is being achieved in public health. Measure performance indicators based on the patient's experience of the care received. Develop national outcomes data to drive resource allocation. Measure citizens' wellbeing as a health performance indicator and report these outcomes to hold Governments accountable for the wellbeing of their citizens. Develop a clever health system; coordinate health and service organisations with a national framework of targets, measures audited with a regional focus. Establish zero-tolerance stretch targets in health care.	Agree in-principle. Leveraging critical performance indicators is crucial to improving health care outcomes. In November 2008, the Commonwealth and the states and territories agreed to an outcomes based policy and reporting framework that will report against preventable disease and injuries; timely access to GPs, dental and other primary health care professionals; life expectancy, including the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; waiting times for services; and net growth in the health workforce. The COAG Reform Council will report progress against these performance measures annually, commencing in 2009-10. In addition, the Commonwealth and the states and territories agreed to the introduction of Activity Based Funding to provide the basis for more efficient use of taxpayer funding of hospitals and for increased transparency in the use of those funds. It will also allow comparisons of efficiency across public hospitals. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Bureau of Statistics also regularly produce health statistics and report on outcomes in health.
COAG Health and Ageing Working Group - E-Health	Introduce an individual e-health record, plus 'Healthbook' (like Facebook) for Australians to take ownership of their health and to electronically share health information. Develop incentives to improve the uptake of e-health. Introduce national online access to a system of health information for tertiary, secondary and primary health care providers and individuals. Improve genomic diagnosis and treatment: for example, making gene space part of the 'Healthbook' concept. Introduce a universal health card with universal information.	Agree in-principle. The Summit recognised the importance of e-health, and in November 2008, COAG agreed to the continued funding of $218 million (50:50 cost shared between the Commonwealth and the states) to the National E-Health Transition Authority. The authority is a not-for-profit company established by the Australian, state and territory governments to develop better ways of electronically collecting and securely exchanging health information. For example, it is working on standardising certain types of healthcare information to be recorded in e-health systems. The authority will continue to operate until June 2012.
Medical Benefits Schedule	Review the Medical Benefits Schedule to examine the need for GP appointments for repeat prescriptions.	Agree in-part. In the 2008-09 Budget, the Government extended the period for which a repeat prescription can be written for patients with chronic conditions from six months to twelve months.
Develop Hospital Based Schedule	Develop a hospital-based schedule similar to the Medical Benefits Schedule.	In November 2008, COAG agreed to introduce Activity Based Funding for hospitals. Activity Based Funding will enable governments and hospital managers to monitor and compare performance; drive technical efficiency in the delivery of hospital related services; and enhance public accountability by increasing the transparency of the relationship between funding and the services provided. The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission will also report on future reform options.
Health Institutes/ Organisations	Establish national institutes for key issues such as cancer and mental health. This could be done under the National Health and Medical Research Council, but ensuring that a range of input factors are brought together.	The Government will provide $5.1 million over three years to support the work of the National Centre for Gynaecological Cancers. The National Health and Medical Research Council also already supports heath and medical research on key areas at a national level.
National Indigenous Health Equalities Council and National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission	Create a Health Equalities Commission, responsible for monitoring not delivering services, with a focus on disadvantaged and Indigenous communities. Establish a National Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing.	Agree. The National Indigenous Health Equality Council was announced at a summit convened in March 2008. The Council was launched and members appointed in July 2008. The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission is also in the process of making recommendations regarding long term macro reforms to improve Australia's health system (including for Indigenous and rural communities). Their final report is expected in mid-2009.
Eradicate Trachoma in Indigenous Children Also raised by: Indigenous	Eradicate trachoma amongst Indigenous children within five years through a comprehensive health strategy. This could include a national hand-washing campaign in Indigenous communities.	Trachoma is a preventable and treatable disease which still causes blindness in an unacceptable number of Indigenous Australians. The Government has committed $58.3m to expand eye and ear health services for Indigenous Australians. This includes $16m to address trachoma.
Australian Medical Research Institutions Partnerships - Indigenous Health	All major Australian research institutions to have responsibility for developing partnerships with Indigenous communities to build the Indigenous health and medical research skill base and focus research on addressing major Indigenous health problems.	Agree in-part. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations funds the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, which involves a number of major research institutes with expertise in Aboriginal health. To further build understanding on effective Indigenous initiatives, in 2008-09 the Government has provided funding for a Closing the Gap Clearing house and agreed joint funding arrangements with state and territory governments. The clearinghouse is a knowledge management service, run by research specialists, which provides a centralised repository of information, resources and networks that can be accessed by interested stakeholders.

Oral/Dental Health Strategy	Oral health promotion to have a national approach and well-known interventions such as fluoridated water to be put in place. Oral health to be on the preventative health agenda.	Agree. The Australian Government is promoting oral health in a number of ways: The new Medicare Teen Dental Plan delivers the Government's election commitment to provide financial assistance to families to encourage teenagers to care for their teeth by having annual check-ups and to maintain good oral health habits once they leave home. The program commenced on 1 July 2008 The Government intends to close the chronic disease dental scheme in order to make funding available for the Australian Government Dental Health Program which will provide funding to the states and territories to address waiting lists for public dental services The existing National Oral Health Plan has been endorsed by state and territory health ministers and commits to extending the fluoridation of public water supplies to communities across Australia with populations of 1,000 or more.
National Plan to Boost Organ and Tissue Donation	Improve Australia's organ and transplantation rates.	Agree. The Summit noted the importance of improving transplant rates, and on 2 July 2008, the Government announced a $151.1 million national reform package, including new funding of $136.4 million over four years, to boost the number of life-saving organ transplants for Australians. This package provides a nationally coordinated and integrated approach which, as international comparisons have shown, is the best way to achieve a significant and lasting increase in the number of life-saving and transforming transplants.
Inter-Governmental Agreement on National Registration and Accreditation Also raised by: Rural	Develop and implement a system of common accreditation and registration for all health professionals. Establishment of a national system for registration of medical professionals.	Agree. In March 2008, COAG agreed to create a single national registration and accreditation system for health professions to create a more flexible, responsive and sustainable health workforce. The system will be in place by July 2010, initially for ten health professions.
Hospital and Health Workforce Reform	Create a self-sufficient and flexible health workforce for Australia with competence-based training for accreditation. Develop a model to guide where additional undergraduate training places are needed to support the health workforce. Consider doubling the number of medical students or upskilling the defence force to assist with workforce shortages. Develop a model to deliver clinical training for the health workforce in communities. Examine prescribing rights for non-physicians - for example, allow physiotherapists with appropriate qualifications to prescribe from a limited range of drugs for which they are qualified. Review whether savings would be generated by allowing non-GPs to treat and prescribe medicines within the extent of their competence. Examine whether nurse practitioners could support health care provision in aged care. Develop nationally accredited, multi-disciplinary, competency-based modular training for health professionals supported by an appropriate legislative framework. Consider training older people so they can join the health workforce. Consider offering mature workers a 50 per cent salaried position and allow them time for education, training and research. Establish a second tier of providers (non-traditional) such as those who could take blood pressure readings. Train health professionals in caring. Improve support for health workers by providing administrative support that allows them to do their job and reduces red tape. Cascade health professionals into organised teams as appropriate.	The Government is committed to delivering a more flexible and responsive healthcare workforce. Accordingly, the Australian Governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement in March 2008 to develop and implement a new single national registration and accreditation system, initially for ten health professions. In November 2008, the Commonwealth and the states also committed to an unprecedented reform package of $1.6 billion - the single largest investment in the health workforce ever made by Australian governments. The package comprises $1.1 billion of Commonwealth funding and $539 million in state funding, and includes almost $500 million to support the expansion of undergraduate clinical training places, and directly subsidise clinical training for undergraduate medical, nursing and allied health students. The Government will establish a National Health Workforce Agency to drive a more strategic, long-term plan for the health workforce The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (NHHRC) will also make further recommendations regarding long term reform to the health and hospital workforce and is due to report to Government in June 2009.

Health Workforce - Aged Care workforce	Undertake a review of the training and funding of aged care workers. Train specialised health care teams to care for older people in the community.	The Government is committed to delivering a more flexible and responsive healthcare workforce. The aged care workforce will be supported by the $1.6 billion reform package for the health workforce agreed to by COAG in November 2008 - the single largest investment in the health workforce ever made by Australian governments. This is also supported by the Government's $138.9 million plan to bring extra nurses and midwives into the Australian health workforce. The plan includes cash bonuses for people no longer working as nurses or midwifes to return and work in a public or private hospital, or residential aged care home.
Office for Youth Also raised by: Communities	Create a child and young person's commission (or similar body) to allow education, social and health issues to be coordinated. Create a Commissioner for Children and Youth and establish a cohesive national youth policy that includes all departments and covers all areas, including health, education, participation and the rights of children.	The Office for Youth was established in September 2008 to lead the Australian Government's youth affairs reform agenda and to create and promote opportunities for the engagement and greater participation of young people in Australian society. In addition, the Government has launched the Australian Youth Forum, which aims to engage young people and the youth sector in ongoing public discussion and facilitate their input into policy and decision making about issues that affect their lives.
Environmental Health - Water Research	Support research and technology for clean water in Australia and the region (in the face of climate change).	Agree. CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship already undertakes research on 'clean water' for Australia. The Flagship program aims to achieve a tenfold increase in the economic, social and environmental benefits from water by 2025.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Also raised by: Rural	Support kitchen gardens in schools to enable school children to see how food is grown and experience truly fresh food Each child should be required to produce a real or virtual primary product' in order to better understand its origin and appreciate the effort and resources needed to produce it.	Agree in-principle. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program was launched by the Minister for Health and Ageing on 21 August 2008. The National Program will see up to 190 primary schools across Australia receive grants to build kitchens and gardens. Within four years, around 20,000 Australian primary school children in Years 3 to 6 will experience growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing fresh food each week, laying the foundations for a life time of healthy food choices.
National Health and Medical Research Council priority-setting	Include key health issues on the research agenda, for example obesity and mental health. Improve consultation between the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Consumers Health Forum to determine research that would be valuable for communities.	Agree in-principle. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is already focusing on national health priorities, including obesity and mental health. The NHMRC undertakes extensive consultation in setting priorities that best meet Australia's needs. The NHMRC also has a representative on its board to consider the needs of consumers.
Children and Family Centres Also raised by: Productivity	Parents' and Children's Centres - integrated, regionally based, health and wellness centres for children. Joining up initiatives in early life (testing, intervention) - integrated primary care centres for children. Childhood development should be supported through a place-based culture that offers integrated services and community support. Children one-stop centres.	In October 2008, COAG agreed to the first National Partnership covering Indigenous Early Childhood Development. As part of the initiative, 35 Children and Family Centres will be established across Australia to deliver integrated services that offer early learning, child care and family support programs. At its July 2008 meeting, COAG agreed to the development of a broad national strategy for early childhood development. The strategy will set the direction for collaborative early childhood reform across the Commonwealth and states and territories. The strategy will be considered by COAG in 2009 and will include consideration of integrated service delivery approaches. The Australian Government is also investing $114.5 million over the next four years to establish, as a first phase, early learning and care centres, including six autism specific centres. Where states and territories are interested in partnering with the Australian Government to create integrated service models, the Government will pursue opportunities to deliver a broader range of services within these centres. The Government will also work in partnership with other private providers to establish these centres.
Review of Medicare Benefits Schedule Primary Care Items	Expand opportunities for providing 'health checks' within the Medical Benefits Schedule. Use primary health care infrastructure for health screening; use GPs for a health check.	The Government has introduced Healthy Kids Checks to give every four year old child in Australia a basic health check to see that they are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school. The Government is also undertaking a review of the primary care items listed by the Medicare Benefits Schedule, which is expected to be completed by mid-2009. The review will consider health checks with a view to improving efficiency. There may also be related recommendations from the Preventative Health Taskforce in June 2009.
National Binge Drinking Strategy	Implement a program to combat alcohol abuse. Redefine the unacceptable: change community views on alcohol use, similar to the change that has occurred with tobacco use. Bring the impact of alcohol abuse to the public's attention.	The Government has prioritised and targeted alcohol abuse among young Australians through the introduction of the National Binge Drinking Strategy, a $53.5 million initiative. In addition, the Commonwealth is working with states and territories through COAG on other strategies to address broader alcohol abuse, including looking at responsible service of alcohol, secondary supply of alcohol to minors and closing hours. COAG is expected to consider further developments in 2009.

Australia 2020 Summit - Population, sustainability, climate change, water and the future of our cities

Here are "Population, sustainability, climate change, water and the future of our cities" items accepted by the Australian Government in its "Responding to the Australia 2020 Summit" on 22 April 2009:

Climate change and sustainability issues are some of the greatest economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time. As the driest inhabited continent on earth, Australia experiences severe drought and water shortages and is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Australia also has a carbon intensive economy and reducing carbon emissions will be challenging. The Government believes that meeting this challenge is critical and is committed to the reduction of greenhouse pollution in Australia, as well as actively preparing for an altered climate in the near future.

Participants in the Sustainability Stream at the 2020 Summit agreed that Australia should aspire to be a leader in taking effective action on climate change and water management, with environmental issues integrated into household, business and government decision making. Other key ideas included a robust national emissions trading scheme, a focus on a healthy Australian ecology, incorporation of environmental considerations into economic assessments and the development of sustainable cities.

The Sustainability Stream developed a broad range of ambitions, themes and ideas that have influenced and guided the Government's policy in this area, including:

• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme - The Government is committed to a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme commencing in 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper was released on 15 December 2008 and outlines the design of the national emissions trading scheme, including a mid-term target range of a 5 to 15 per cent reduction in emissions below 2000 levels by 2020. This sets Australia on a path to achieve its long term goal of a 60 per cent reduction in emissions from 2000 levels by 2050.

• Intergovernmental Agreement on the Murray-Darling Basin Reform - The Government is working hard to secure water supplies and restore the Murray-Darling Basin to a sustainable footing. On 3 July 2008, the Australian, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and the Australian Capital Territory governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under the IGA, governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide management and planning, through new structures and partnerships. On 4 December 2008, the Federal Parliament passed the Water Amendment Bill 2008, giving effect to crucial reforms on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. As part of the Government's Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, the Government has agreed to accelerate water purchases for the environment and targeted infrastructure investments.

• Skills for the Carbon Challenge - The Government recognises that equipping workers and businesses with skills for sustainability will be essential if Australia is to take the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon economy. The new Skills for the Carbon Challenge program will accelerate the response of both industry and the tertiary education sector to climate change by auditing current skills gaps, investing in training infrastructure and providing incentives for industry to take up skills for sustainability.

The following tables provide the Government's response to the ideas raised by the Sustainability Stream at the 2020 Summit.

Key ideas being taken forward by the Government

Topic	2020 proposed ideas	Government response
Climate Change - Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Also raised by: Economy	Introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme and transition to clean energy technologies. Invest in a carbon tax to create internationally competitive markets, such as reinvesting in research and development of clean technology. This would give domestic industry a chance to solve national problems, obtain an international advantage, and use the solution to create further export opportunities. Establish a National Climate Strategy for transforming Australia to a green economy with technologies that could be exported globally. Establish institutions for the long term management and oversight of carbon risk - a single, independent clean energy authority, in the manner of the Reserve Bank of Australia. 'Climate-proof' the economy, remove anomalies and inconsistencies in planning, zoning, building codes, inefficient and distorting taxes, subsidies and regulations.	The Government is committed to a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) commencing in 2010. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper was released on 15 December 2008 and outlines the design of the national emissions trading scheme, including a mid-term target range of a 5 to 15 per cent reduction in emissions from 2000 levels by 2020. The 5 per cent reduction represents an unconditional commitment by Australia to reduce emissions even if no international agreement to do so is reached. This sets Australia on a path to achieve its long term goal of a 60 per cent reduction from 2000 levels by 2050. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper proposes that a scheme regulator be created with powers to monitor compliance, educate liable entities, investigate suspected non-compliance and initiate enforcement action if necessary. The scheme is specifically designed to link with international developments in this area.
Climate Change - Personal Carbon Footprint	Before 2020 all Australians should have the tools to enable them to measure and manage their personal carbon footprints. This could include access to smart meters for energy and water consumption. Introduce a Green tick (similar to the Heart Foundation tick) as a mechanism to educate consumers on the environmental impact and carbon intensity of their consumption choices. Track sustainability performances with something visible that will help people change their behaviour.	Agree in-part. In the CPRS White Paper, the Government committed to supporting households by delivering energy efficiency measures and providing consumer information so that households can save on their energy bills. In the 2008-09 Budget the Government also committed $14 million to implementing a 10-star energy labelling system for appliances and introducing minimum greenhouse and energy standards for appliances. Furthermore, in June 2008, the Government committed to a staged approach for the national roll-out of smart meters. The Government is currently working with the energy industry and the states and territories to develop and implement national standards for these meters to ensure that compatible technologies are used across Australia.
Climate Change - Low-emissions Energy Also raised by: Productivity	Direct further investment into research, development and deployment to enable a low-emissions energy revolution. Create a national clean energy portfolio of several flagship projects - in 'natural advantage' categories such as agriculture, clean coal and renewable sources of energy.	Agree. Reflecting many of the ideas raised at the Summit, the Government has already announced a number of new initiatives to develop a low-emissions economy: The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, which will commence in 2010, will create incentives for low-emissions technology The Government has made a commitment to 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020 through the expanded national Renewable Energy Target The National Low Emissions Coal Council and Carbon Storage Taskforce have commenced development of the $500 million National Low Emissions Coal Initiative Australia is leading a Global Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative, committing $100 million per annum to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage technology The $500 million Renewable Energy Fund is supporting the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy in Australia The $150 million Energy Innovation Fund is supporting critical clean energy technology research in areas such as solar power The $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package will deliver up to $1,600 in ceiling insulation to home owner-occupiers or a rebate on the costs of installing a solar hot water system. It will also provide help for renters, with a rebate of up to $1,000 for landlords on the costs of insulating rental properties. This package will result in ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million homes The Australian Government has also allocated $240 million over four years to establish a Clean Business Australia partnership with Australian business and industry for tackling climate change.
Climate Change - Linking with Regional Partners	Link with regional partners to address climate issues.	Agree. Australia is already working with partners, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, on practical actions that contribute to the global effort to respond to climate change. Since 2002, seven bilateral partnerships have been established with China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK and the European Union, under which more than 70 projects have been undertaken. Examples of international programs include the International Forests Carbon Initiative (IFCI), International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative and Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP).
Climate Change - National Climate Adaptation Strategy Also raised by: Rural	'Climate-proof' the economy: not just thinking 'locking up' areas, include carbon offsets, biodiversity banking, stewardship, and caring for country. Valuing and caring for biodiversity are essential. Fundamentally change the approach to agriculture by recognising the new opportunities and services climate change might bring.	Agree in-principle. The Government recognises the importance of preparing Australia for the impacts of unavoidable climate change and will continue to improve the nation's capacity to adapt to climate change through the COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water. The $130 million Australia's Farming Future initiative will assist primary producers to adapt to climate change. Both COAG and the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council have identified biodiversity as a priority for climate change adaptation. The Government is taking action to address the impacts of climate change on biodiversity through activities such as the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The Government has increased funding for Australia's National Reserve System, a nation-wide network of reserves established to protect Australia's environment. This network is part of the Government's Caring for our Country initiative which focuses on achieving a healthy, protected and well-managed environment.
	Establish a website that progressively charts climate change impacts across Australia. Establish an independent Australian Climate Information Authority to disseminate evidence-based information rather than advocacy.	Agree in-principle. Existing data published by the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and of the Australian Climate Change Science Program maps the impacts of climate change across Australia. In addition the Department of Climate Change website provides information on the impacts of climate change across Australia. Work continues on assessing the impacts of climate change across Australia, including through the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Skills for the Carbon Challenge	Introduce a world-class climate change education program that includes developing applied science capacity, green economy skills and training, a clean energy corps, and 'eco-education' embedded in school curricula. Facilitate investment in technology, infrastructure and industry skills to achieve greater diversity in supply. Foster multi-disciplinary cross-industry training and skills development in the water industry - including hydrology, climatology, ecology and economics.	Agree. The Government recognises that equipping workers and businesses with skills for sustainability will be essential if Australia is to take the opportunities presented by a transition to a low carbon economy. The new Skills for the Carbon Challenge program will accelerate the response of both industry and the tertiary education sector to climate change by auditing current skills gaps, investing in training infrastructure and providing incentives for industry to take up skills for sustainability. This program reflects many of the ideas discussed at the Summit.

Water Management and Reform Also raised by: Rural	Expand use of a wider range of market mechanisms to acquire over-allocated water. Determine the process for the community to define the objectives and trade-offs to achieve sustainability. Identify key environmental assets and defining objectives and measurable criteria for system health and water quality. Improve scenario planning to take account of future system changes. Undertake research into the most efficient way of moving water around Australia. Undertake institutional and market reform based on water systems, not state boundaries, with participatory governance that engages the local community. Streamline the regulation of water markets. Improved water security for existing users. Facilitate investment in technology, infrastructure and industry skills to achieve greater diversity in supply. Support institutional and market reform - including proper pricing for water and competitive access for the private sector in delivery and distribution. Implement a demand management strategy, including standards for water infrastructure, fixtures and appliances. Increase the level of water sourced from climate-resilient supply options over time. Foster multi-disciplinary cross-industry training and skills development in the water industry - including hydrology, climatology, ecology and economics. Provide additional water infrastructure (including new dams) across Australia through a national program funded jointly by government and the private sector. Deliver innovative, efficient and cost-effective water savings and modernisation programs in established agricultural areas.	Through its $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative, the Government is funding infrastructure projects to secure water supplies through recycling, desalination, urban stormwater harvesting and improving the efficient use of water. The initiative includes: The $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure program to improve irrigation efficiency The $1 billion National Urban Water and Desalination Plan to support desalination, water recycling and stormwater reuse. In rural areas, the Government is working with the states and territories to improve key irrigation infrastructure to minimise system losses and enhance the efficient use of water. In addition, the Government has funded the $82 million Groundwater Action Plan: $50 million - Groundwater Assessment Initiative $2 million - Knowledge and Capacity Building $30 million - Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. In July 2008, the Australian, New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and the Australian capital Territory Governments signed the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under the IGA, governments committed to a new culture and practice of Basin-wide management and planning, and to a new approach to partnerships with the community. In November 2008, COAG agreed to a number of initiatives to improve the operation of water markets and trading through faster processing of temporary water trades, and to coordinate water information and research through the development of national water modelling strategy and a national water research strategy. On 4 December 2008, the Federal Parliament passed the Water Amendment Bill 2008, giving effect to crucial reforms on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin.
Urban Sustainability - National Energy Efficiency Strategy Also raised by: Communities	Introduce an energy efficiency strategy for every sector (leveraging our natural advantages - at low cost). Climate-proof low-income households - for example using compact fluorescent light globes, low-flow shower roses, and home energy audits. Include specific measures in climate change strategies to support low-income households to adjust (for example, funding for household modifications). Take a methodical approach to rolling this out locally (for example, house-to-house approach, tradespeople going street by street) and increase local employment and opportunities for community enterprises to implement this. Include the agriculture and energy sectors (high-emission sectors), with all buildings to be green by 2020 and flow-ons to all other parts of the economy.	In October 2008, COAG agreed to develop a National Strategy for Energy Efficiency to help households and businesses prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The strategy includes options for the development of national legislation for appliance energy performance standards to reduce transaction costs for business. The Government is considering further action in this area. The Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper sets out a new package of financial assistance for Australian households worth around $6 billion a year to be funded from the sale of carbon pollution permits. In addition, the $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package will provide up to $1,600 for installing ceiling insulation for Australian home owner‑occupiers and $1,000 for installing insulation in private rental properties. This package will result in ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million homes.
National Waste Policy Also raised by: Productivity	Create a closed-loop economy to create a zero-waste society - a manufacturing system that deals with its own waste, minimising its ecological footprint. Recognise the need to reduce landfill, perhaps through providing credit for landfill avoidance, reducing the cost of recycling, everything produced being recycled as far as possible, and resource recovery with waste as a feedstock for other industries. This would reduce energy costs. Consider the 'Factor 10' concept to reduce resource consumption (that is, reduce our impact by a factor of 10 by 2020 and support collaboration and cooperation by a factor of 10). Transform the ecological footprint of the built environment by taking the lead on national planning, building and product standards to minimise waste and energy consumption in our homes and in our neighbourhoods.	The Government is giving priority to the development of a National Waste policy, which is scheduled to be released in 2009. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will also cover landfill sites, creating new incentives for efficient waste management.

Sustainable Cities Also raised by: Communities	Lead a nationally consistent approach to urban and regional planning which drives water efficiency and reductions in emissions; i.e. a National Sustainable Cities Program. This could be supported by the implementation of tax and other policies that encourage the use of public transport relative to other modes of transport. Development of an urban design strategy for all towns and cities, including physical infrastructure, that would encourage social connectedness. Rethink urban design to encourage social connectedness. National Sustainable Cities Program - water efficiency. Undertake a national agenda to plan for cities and population through establishment of a planning commission type organisation that sets goals and targets for cities. Improve public transport for people to access opportunities for work, recreation and community involvement.	Agree in-principle. The Government is providing urban planning policy leadership through the creation of the Major Cities Unit within the Infrastructure portfolio, announced on 30 April 2008. This Unit's task is to identify opportunities where federal leadership can make a difference to the prosperity and sustainability of our cities and the wellbeing of their residents. The Water for the Future initiative and COAG's further work on urban water, water efficiency and sustainable buildings are also addressing this issue. In November 2008, COAG agreed to the adoption of the enhanced national urban water reform framework to improve the security of urban water supplies. Australia's Future Tax System Review will also consider the issues of fuel, roads and transport, including the efficiency of existing taxes. It will explore possible opportunities to move to more targeted taxes and user charges that promote the efficient use of transport networks.
Consumer Information - Environmental Hubs for Consumers	Create environmental hubs where consumers can go for information and answers.	Agree. The Government's new $3 million One Stop Green Shop initiative will provide the Australian community with a single 'window' to all government environmental programs for sustainability at home.

Metrics - Sustainable Company Reporting	Encourage regular company reporting against sustainability indicators.	Agree in-principle. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 established a regulatory framework for Australian corporations to report greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, removals and offsets, and energy consumption and production from 1 July 2008. In addition, almost 4,000 facilities from a range of industries report annually to the National Pollutant Inventory. The Energy Efficiency Opportunities program requires mandatory energy efficiency reports for Australia's largest energy users. In February 2009, COAG agreed to consider at its next meeting improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings, through new building requirements, improving national consistency and the phase-in of mandatory disclosure of the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and tenancies. Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting is also becoming an accepted approach for organisations to demonstrate they have strategies for sustainable growth.
Metrics - National Water Account	Collect data necessary for developing a biennial Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-style report on the status of water systems. Publicise information on water status in annual environmental accounts.	Agree. The $450 million Improving Water Information program, announced in April 2008 and administered by the Bureau of Meteorology, will produce the annual National Water Account, supported by a national water monitoring and data collection network.

Metrics - National Environmental Accounts	Implement a set of national environmental accounts, including carbon and water accounts, to inform government, business and community decision-making. Explicitly link the environment to productivity and innovation to underpin our future competitiveness. Internalise the values from society and environment into a comprehensive reformed national accounts system. Track sustainability performance with something visible that will help people change their behaviour - environmental indicators should have the same status as economic indicators, showing trends in the ecological footprint. Apply the principle that independent measurement of key factors is crucial, but that waiting for measurement is not an excuse to do nothing. Undertake the valuation of environmental and social measures at the same level as economic measures, ensuring differentiation between 'dollarisation' and valuing.	Agree in-principle. The Government has committed to a new National Water Account maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and a new National Carbon Accounting System toolbox to support the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The Government is also looking into the establishment of a broader set of national environmental accounts. This will need to consider existing accounting mechanisms including: the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System, the National Carbon Accounting System, the new National Water Account, and water and other environmental accounts developed and published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Biodiversity - Caring for our Country Program Also raised by: Rural	Introduce a long term stewardship incentive scheme for private landowners for the provision of ecosystem services. Actively rebuild resilience in nature and societies to avoid further loss and potential catastrophic breakdown of ecosystems. Recognise and reward environmental stewardship and biodiversity banking - perhaps set targets such as 20 per cent in protected areas by 2020.	Agree in-principle but without a commitment to the targets proposed. The Caring for our Country program commenced on 1 July 2008 and seeks to achieve an environment that is healthy, well-managed and resilient, and that provides essential ecosystem services in a changing environment. The program will be delivered in partnership with private landowners, regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers and landcare groups.

Green ICT Sustainable Future for Australia 2020

The ACS will be having a wrap-up of the ICT issues from the Australia 2020 Summit, particularly ones relating to the environment, 23 April 2008 at 12 noon, in Canberra. The event is free, but you need to register online to attend:

Green ICT Sustainable Future for Australia 2020

Green ICT Special Interest Group (SIG) Meeting

The Australian Government is holding the Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House on 17 April 2008. One thousand Australians have been invited to help with a long term strategy for the Australia's future.

How can ICT be used to help with an economically and environmentally sustainable future, in the face of falling stock markets and rising sea levels?

Discussion lead by Tom Worthington, chair of the ACS's Green Technology Group and co-chair of the Open 2020 Local Summit.