Message from the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Patron, Future Summit

Australia’s ongoing prosperity brings a responsibility to ensure that no group in our society is left behind; be it our indigenous people, farmers and rural dwellers, veterans or people with a disability. How we care for the least privileged will always be an important measure of our maturity as a community.

While our present success owes much to those who have trod the path before us, we must always question the adequacy of a ‘business as usual’ approach and robustly debate new ideas that could improve our national wellbeing.

We are blessed with huge assets, including a strong economy, plentiful natural resources and a skilled and flexible workforce – assets we can use to further benefit all Australians and the region in which we live.

In so doing we must play our part in dealing with global issues such as climate change, terrorism and the availability of water, food and energy.

Innovation, excellence and leadership are critical if we are to continue to move forward positively and effectively as a nation and I know these attributes will be very much to the fore in your discussions at the Future Summit 2008.

As Patron, I encourage you to seize this opportunity to powerfully influence the nation’s future.

His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd)
Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Download the Governor-General's speech from Future Summit 2008