Resources in the Asian Century”, Darling Harbour Convention

“Australia in the Asian Century ” is the first large-scale official look in the twenty first century at economic change in Asia and how it affects Australian opportunities and challenges. At the same time, it is the first comprehensive look in the twenty first century at determinants of and constraints on Australian economic performance and at policies that can improve performance. It is ambitious in its vision for Australia in an environment shaped by continued economic success in Asia. When the paper was released last October, I expressed the hope that it would reboot the Australian conversation about our country’s future. Many Australians—maybe all who are thoughtful about our country’s future—have been troubled by the raucous and ignorant shouting that has crowded out serious discussion of national policy in recent years. The White Paper provides us with an opportunity to talk differently. So far, that opportunity hasn’t been used much. Taking up that opportunity is the spirit in which I will comment on the analysis embodied in and the objectives defined by the White Paper. I will focus especially on the challenge that making the most of Australia’s Asian opportunity presents to economic management i