Liberals Looking to the 21st Century

How are Liberals viewing the next fifty years? What do they see as the future of our society? What will change - what will stay the same? This is a collection of articles by forward-thinking Liberals on what they see as the way of the future. Do you have anything to contribute or do you have a comment on this page? Please send your contributions to victor.perton@parliament.vic.gov.au. 

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Australian Liberalism in the 21st Century Article by former Tasmanian Liberal Leader, Hon. Tony Rundle, MHA May 1999. "Our future does not lie in short term fixes, but in looking ahead and in embracing the challenges and changes of the new millenium."

Our Changing Future Speech by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett MP, March 1999 "Picture this - it is the year 2060."

Dateline 2010 Article published in the Constitutional Centenary Foundation Newsletter by Victor Perton MP, March 1999.
"It's now several years since the Referendum on an Australian Republic was passed."

The Relevance of Liberalism in the New Millennium Speech by Dr David Watson MLA, QLD Liberal Leader, 22 April 1999. "As we look ahead to the new century, we need to decide what sort of approach we are going to take to the world."

Liberal Party State Council Policy Forum (Queensland) Speech by Dr David Watson MLA, 17 April 1999.
"Sixteenth century politician Francis Bacon said - They that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils. Today is about looking for new remedies."

Building a Sustainable Environment Speech by Senator Robert Hill, Federal Minister for the Environment, May 6, 1999
"We must learn to live sustainably. We must learn to take the income from our natural assets - not continue to diminish the capital."

Building a Stronger and Fairer Australia: Liberalisation in Economic Policy and  Modern Conservatism in Social Policy   Address by the Prime Minister, John Howard, to the 'Australia Unlimited Round Table' 4 May 1999
"Australia's record as one of the most democratic, tolerant, open and fair-minded communities in the world needs to be further enhanced by ensuring that all Australians, irrespective of race, colour, beliefs, gender or country of origin have an equal right to fulfilment of their talents and potential."

Closing Address at Liberal Party 47th Federal Council, Canberra, July 4 1999
Address by the Prime Minister, John Howard
"Unique almost amongst  centre-right parties in the democratic world, the Liberal Party of Australia is the trustee of two great traditions within Australian politics and Australian public life and debate. It is the trustee of both the conservative tradition and the Liberal tradition."

Valuing Education
Address by Stephen O'Doherty, Liberal Member for Hornsby, Shadow Minister for Community Services and Disability Services, Shadow Minister for Ageing, 11 August 1998. Stephen O'Doherty was Shadow Education Minister when he gave this address.
"Education’s role in securing the welfare and future of young people was among the first priorities of our nation. Like the building, education endures - not because of the bricks and mortar but because of what they represent. Its true foundations are not of rock, but of values. Like good foundations those core values which underpin education - and the development of our society - are solid and unchanging."

Education in the 21st Century, from a Liberal Perspective
Piece by Dr Kevin Donnelly. Dr Donnelly is a Melbourne-based education consultant and a member of the Chatham Branch of the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party. He can be contacted at kevind@netspace.net.au

Public Administration in the New Democratic State
Speech by The Hon. Dr David Kemp MP, Minister Assisting The Prime Minister For The Public Service
Address to the 1997 National Conference of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Canberra, 21 November 1997. The speech was published in the Australian Journal of Public Administration, Vol 57(2) 1998.
"A central role of the public service in a democracy is to consider ideas, understand and interpret the future, and give expert advice to governments about the strategies that will best deliver the outcomes of democratically elected governments."

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The Continuing Vision (1901 to 1990)
Liberalism in the 1990s

Updated by Eleanor Brooker 30th July 2001