I welcome the constructive approach taken by business and community
leaders who gathered in Canberra today for the first-ever Business
and Community Partnerships Round table to discuss strategies aimed
at enhancing partnerships to benefit the nation.
Australia must be prepared to meet the social challenges of the new
century that requires more effective links between Government and
the corporate and community sectors.
While the Federal Government retains the primary responsibility for
the social safety net, there is a need to further encourage the already
significant roles played by the business and community sectors in
the development of our society.
I have been encouraged by the attitudes and ideas expressed at today's
meeting. There is a readiness in the community for a more co-operative
approach, which signifies a greater civility in dealing with each
other as Australians.
I congratulate the Round Table members on their positive deliberations,
and look forward to the development of strategies designed to achieve
improved outcomes for our society.
The Round Table participants included Family Services Minister Warwick
Smith and 21 prominent Australians from the corporate and community
sectors.
Mr Smith said the Round Table meeting had agreed on a shared approach
towards developing strategies in a number of areas, including taxation,
education and the protocols for Prime Minister's Awards recognising
effective partnerships between the business and community sectors.
There was a recognition at the Round Table that this is truly an idea
whose time has come, Mr Smith said.
A lot is already happening. What we need to do now is to assist in
the creation of networks where ideas can be developed and successful
experiences exchanged. One suggestion was a website for business and
community partnerships.
There is scope for the business sector to use its resources and expertise
the help build the management and technology capacity of the community
sector. Similarly, the community sector can inform corporate Australia
of the facilities it needs, so that appropriate partnerships can be
created.
The Government has been encouraged by the willingness of both the
business and community sectors to identify areas of mutual interest
and benefit.
25 March 1998