But more importantly, we need all our kids to have the kind of quality, broad based education which gives them the curiosity and inventiveness, problem-solving skills and flexibility to succeed in all the different tasks and opportunities of the era. For the extremely talented young people in any area we need to ensure the opportunities are available for further development of their abilities. Our governments need to be highly responsive. The task must be not to hold the future back, but to manage it for everyone's benefit. By ensuring that national policy settings are at the leading edge globally, by framing a sensible and transparent regulatory system and by ensuring an effective social infrastructure, governments can promote a national culture that is positive towards the future and capable of leading it.
Australian business has a lot to do.
It must embrace the new era and immediately start the process of adapting its whole way of business and its relationship with its customers. CEOs must take leadership roles in the task. Let me conclude. The new era in Australia is being kicked off by the end of millenium discussions such as this one tonight, by the Olympics, and it will be pushed along by our Centennary of Federation. A committed and determined Australian business community and broader society can make the next 25 years a time of fantastic opportunity and reward for all of us.