Ruth Forrest - Independent Member for Murchison

Speech to Tasmanian Minerals Council Conference - 10 May 2012

Tasmania has much to offer to the world and much to look forward to if we maximise our opportunities and overcome our challenges. In these 10 minutes I have, I will not focus on these specific opportunities and challenges as such, rather I seek to provide a vision and an integrated plan for the State looking toward.

I believe we need a clearly articulated plan that all Tasmanians can embrace to ensure that we, as leaders in the State leave our children and our children’s children a legacy of our time that both we and they can be proud of and enable future generations to proper and thrive.

This vision is based on, and embedded in, a theme of Creativity Sustained.

This vision and plan will see Tasmanians living in a vibrant State, a State that is recognised and experienced as the best place to live.  We will be engaged and prospering in a diverse and resilient economy and community, that enhances the quality of life for us all.

We have many natural assets, with every area of this fine State offering diversity and unique opportunities that all add to the potential in this State.

From the mineral wealth of the West Coast, to the fine food, clean air, abundant water and fertile soils of the North West and the great seafood, tourism and recreational opportunities of the East Coast.

From the specialty timbers and fine furniture we produce from our sustainable forestry industry from many parts of the State, to the wilderness of the South West and to the opportunities to display, create and explore the arts around the State and in our major cities including MONA in the South and events such as the Junction Arts Festival in Launceston, there is much to celebrate.

These are some of the opportunities that we are and can be further renowned for.  This vision for Tasmania sees our State recognised worldwide as experts in creativity as we find our place in, and are accepted as, part of the broader Asian community.

Finding creative solutions and being resilient and resourceful is part of our spirit and rich heritage of being an island state. These are our natural and prominent strengths. Strengths that bring benefits to our education, health and the social systems, that are so important to our future success.

Tasmania also has the unique features and strengths including of a culture of friendliness, something we tend to take for granted. Tasmanians are resilient, partly due to our geographic isolation and we are proud of being Tasmanian. These attributes have the potential and capability to support our creative way of life. From this friendliness and resilience comes patience and understanding, key factors that support creativity.

In a world focussed on sustainability, we have an opportunity to highlight that we are world leaders in using creativity to solve the challenges and problems we face, problems that also perplex others around the world. We will focus on what is best for us and not take a deferential approach to other States.

We say ‘yes we can’ to more opportunities rather than see barriers and become a state of positivity where every challenge creates a sustainable solution.

This is my vision for Tasmania and to achieve this I will highlight the key elements and strategic goals to sit below this vision.

Elements – strategic goals

1. To build a strong and consistent brand that is renowned around the world – we think Germany and quality, we think Swiss and precision, we think Tasmania and creativity.
2. We will create an economy that generates prosperity for all through a diverse mix of industries and activities. An economy that builds momentum in the brand, into which everyone can contribute. An economy that is resilient through cycles and seasons and generates independence and control of our future.

A future that rewards new sustainable enterprises and investment and recognises employment diversity and the social benefits of shared wealth. We will have low unemployment, high participation, with people of all ages staying in Tasmania or coming to Tasmania to access the opportunities Tasmania provides.

1. We will establish Tasmania as the world leading location recognised for the best educational standards and outcomes and the best teachers.
2. We will deliver the best health outcomes for all Tasmanians commencing pre-conception, through early childhood, adolescence, adulthood and to the end-of-life.
3. We will utilise creative approaches that enrich the value proposition of doing business in or with Tasmania from SME’s to big business – where worldwide brands would invest here to 'link' to this reputation in the same way brands use Euro to raise the perception of brand quality.
4. We will generate more creative experiences in the food and tourism industries where every operator has a clear and distinct point of difference and every offering has a reason to be renowned and get people talking.
5. We will create and promote world’s best sustainable practices in all we do, in industries that can otherwise have negative connotations – the world will recognise the best environmental practices in industry including mining and forestry, water management, aquaculture and agriculture.

Information and advice that is evidence based will be used to promote our sustainable practices in such a way these become attractions rather than a hindrance to brand reputation.

Missions – major focus

To achieve this vision Tasmania needs a plan and a major focus in four key areas.

• The best educational experiences, standards and outcomes.

Creativity will be highlighted through well resourced lifelong provision of education that promotes difference and entrepreneurial values, high levels of literacy and numeracy and is supported by education that encompasses health and financial literacy, with a focus on understanding and promoting individual strengths within the best physical and intellectual environments for learning.

How will we achieve this?

1. We will educate and employ and value the best, most highly skilled and dedicated teachers – IT’S ALL ABOUT GOOD TEACHERS! Teachers will think and share innovative new ways that improve the futures of their students unbound by unnecessary departmental pressures.
2. We will have a greater focus on creative ways of overcoming educational disadvantage and understanding how teachers and schools contribute to improving equity in education through quality teaching.
3. We will celebrate and value the knowledge and wisdom developed across the entire community, to inspire future generations to learn with a purpose, creating an environment where it’s ok to take a risk, knowing that valuable lessons can be learned this way.
4. We will cleverly use technology, not confining learners to traditional forms of education, creating a future encompassing high speed connections with leading educational facilities, research-based educational strategies and programs from around the world.

• Best health outcomes.

We will facilitate and promote the creativity needed to provide sustainable solutions within a proactive health system, with fully integrated, accessible health care, a greater focus on health promotion and illness prevention and a recognition of the contribution of health services to the GSP.

How will we achieve this?

1. We will create ‘Centres of Excellence’ around the State that avoid duplication and streamline access to care including dedicated elective surgery ‘Centres of Excellence’ that will not interrupted by emergency care.
2. We will have a single funding model that encompasses all areas of health service delivery.
3. Smoking and obesity rates will be the lowest in the world through the implementation of creative approaches to these public health issues.
4. Tasmanians will have equitable access to services, facilitated through efficient transport, accommodation and retrieval services.
5. We will, through our educational programs ensure all Tasmanians are health literate and happy, empowered to manage their own health and welbeing.

• Vibrant, diverse and resilient economy.

We will have a strong, robust, diverse and creative economy with less reliance on Commonwealth funds that will endure regardless of local and global economic climate.

How will we achieve this?

1. We will leverage off our natural strengths and support and encourage the engagement and participation of all Tasmanians to invest creatively and sustainably in the State with an ongoing focus on the social, environmental and economic benefits of their investment. This common focus provides momentum in our journey and opportunities to leverage from our international reputation.
2. We will utilise creative approaches to integrate and streamline Government structures and processes that drive efficiencies to support investment including a fully integrated Department of Infrastructure and Development that breaks down silos and supports decision making.
3. We will deliver services focussed on the primary roles and functions of State Government creating systems that are recognised globally for their effectiveness and efficiency.

• World leading application of technology.

Tasmania will be at the forefront of creativity in the development, use and application of technology across all areas of public and private activity.

How will we achieve this?

• We will invest in research and development to design and implement future uses of technology and innovative enterprises that maximise the current and emerging world leading work undertaken in Tasmania.
• We will support the many creative and world leading Tasmanian entrepreneurs that are already producing, manufacturing and designing world firsts.

Tasmania has much to offer, we already lead the world in many areas, we can be known for creativity and sustainability.  We have many natural advantages and strengths that support creativity sustained.  We can capitalise on these and we can have a bright future.  We do need to work together as we strive to be recognised worldwide as a State of experts in creativity.

Let us find those creative solutions, use our natural and prominent strengths of resilience and resourcefulness that are part of our spirit and inherent in the rich heritage we have being an island state. This will bring many benefits to our education, health and the social systems that are so important to the success of all Tasmanians now and into the future.

Creativity sustained is a vision that every individual and organisation can buy into regardless of the sector or industry area. Together each example will combine to cement Tasmania’s reputation as a State where creativity is nurtured and sustainable solutions are the basis of our success.