Monday, 31 July 2017

A Great Honour

I have done many exciting things in the past few weeks and another is about to come my way.  At the end of last week I was invited to be a member of an expert panel to a House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation. This has been my principal research field for the last 30 years, which has led to my being a Fellow of two Institutes, and I've my hand in the game right up to the present.

Indeed, I spent a couple of hours last Wednesday morning discussing these issues at Sydney's University of Technology with a good colleague, Lee Pugalis and we even debated submitting an Australian Research Council request early next years connected with this theme. And I'm even discussing with two other colleagues, one in Melbourne and the other in Adelaide, organising a conference session on similar themes.

So my appointment is perhaps not so surprising after all. Then, on the other hand, I have long argued that Australia's approach to regional development has largely not realised expectations, for a whole lot of uncomfortable reasons. Such ideas might have permeated parliament because back in 2000 I was asked to write a report on the subject by the Department of the Parliamentary Library for circulation to all Members and Senators. I am forbidden to report in this blog what I'm likely to say to the Select Committee, some ten members of Parliament from across the political spectrum. And I've just signed a form provided by Hansard to that effect.

Thus I'll turn up at Parliament in Canberra next Monday morning to commence my new on-going role. It's a longish journey by UK standards, as Canberra - our national capital - is almost 800 km (500 miles) from Armidale by road one-way, using the inland route. I guess you're expecting at least one photo, so here's my destination. By the way, I'll have to fly there and back and not drive the 1600 kms.

Image result for Australia Parliament House Picture

AS

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