[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] when you ask the average European to
when you ask the average European to
when you ask the average European to think about Australia they usually get
think about Australia they usually get
think about Australia they usually get very excited and to start talking about
very excited and to start talking about
very excited and to start talking about the great weather lots of Sun uluru the
the great weather lots of Sun uluru the
the great weather lots of Sun uluru the outback and of course we all have
outback and of course we all have
outback and of course we all have kangaroos in our backyard and when you
kangaroos in our backyard and when you
kangaroos in our backyard and when you brought them a bit more you’ll find that
brought them a bit more you’ll find that
brought them a bit more you’ll find that Australians are seen as a friendly love
Australians are seen as a friendly love
Australians are seen as a friendly love with a great sporting culture and some
with a great sporting culture and some
with a great sporting culture and some very livable cities however there’s also
very livable cities however there’s also
very livable cities however there’s also one thing that is much less known to the
one thing that is much less known to the
one thing that is much less known to the average European my name is some of
average European my name is some of
average European my name is some of enamels fourth and you’re probably
enamels fourth and you’re probably
enamels fourth and you’re probably wondering why is this Dutch guy talking
wondering why is this Dutch guy talking
wondering why is this Dutch guy talking to us about the rivalry between two
to us about the rivalry between two
to us about the rivalry between two Australian cities I moved to Australia
Australian cities I moved to Australia
Australian cities I moved to Australia just over eight years ago and I work for
just over eight years ago and I work for
just over eight years ago and I work for the committee from Albin which is an
the committee from Albin which is an
the committee from Albin which is an apolitical member Network that brings
apolitical member Network that brings
apolitical member Network that brings together more than 100 leading
together more than 100 leading
together more than 100 leading organizations from across melville’s
organizations from across melville’s
organizations from across melville’s business academic and community sectors
business academic and community sectors
business academic and community sectors and for the past 12 months I’ve been
and for the past 12 months I’ve been
and for the past 12 months I’ve been lucky enough to lead the Melbourne
lucky enough to lead the Melbourne
lucky enough to lead the Melbourne four-point-oh task force where together
four-point-oh task force where together
four-point-oh task force where together with our members we looked at the future
with our members we looked at the future
with our members we looked at the future of Melbourne against the backdrop of a
of Melbourne against the backdrop of a
of Melbourne against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment and it is
rapidly changing environment and it is
rapidly changing environment and it is in that context that I’d like to talk to
in that context that I’d like to talk to
in that context that I’d like to talk to you about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry
you about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry
you about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry a rivalry that’s been around for ages
a rivalry that’s been around for ages
a rivalry that’s been around for ages and often the topic of great banter
and often the topic of great banter
and often the topic of great banter which is the best city to live where
which is the best city to live where
which is the best city to live where which sport is more important or who
which sport is more important or who
which sport is more important or who serves the best coffee you can always
serves the best coffee you can always
serves the best coffee you can always count on a good discussion however
count on a good discussion however
count on a good discussion however there’s also times when the rivalry can
there’s also times when the rivalry can
there’s also times when the rivalry can turn into disputes even to the point of
turn into disputes even to the point of
turn into disputes even to the point of building an entire new city as was the
building an entire new city as was the
building an entire new city as was the case with camera in 1908 after a long
case with camera in 1908 after a long
case with camera in 1908 after a long dispute between Melbourne and Sydney of
dispute between Melbourne and Sydney of
dispute between Melbourne and Sydney of the location of Australia’s seat of
the location of Australia’s seat of
the location of Australia’s seat of government and so while rivalries can be
government and so while rivalries can be
government and so while rivalries can be great fun and even spare a bit of
great fun and even spare a bit of
great fun and even spare a bit of healthy competition there’s also times
healthy competition there’s also times
healthy competition there’s also times when it really doesn’t work in our favor
when it really doesn’t work in our favor
when it really doesn’t work in our favor and to illustrate my point I’d like to
and to illustrate my point I’d like to
and to illustrate my point I’d like to show you the following graph you’re
show you the following graph you’re
show you the following graph you’re probably thinking this must be something
probably thinking this must be something
probably thinking this must be something between Melbourne and Sydney but in fact
between Melbourne and Sydney but in fact
between Melbourne and Sydney but in fact this is something about the East and the
this is something about the East and the
this is something about the East and the West
West
West the late British economist Angus
the late British economist Angus
the late British economist Angus Medicine with some phenomenal work
Medicine with some phenomenal work
Medicine with some phenomenal work plotting out the economic history of the
plotting out the economic history of the
plotting out the economic history of the world all the way back to the year one
world all the way back to the year one
world all the way back to the year one and as you can see for the first
and as you can see for the first
and as you can see for the first eighteen of the past 20 centuries China
eighteen of the past 20 centuries China
eighteen of the past 20 centuries China and India made up more than half the
and India made up more than half the
and India made up more than half the world’s economy and so when people talk
world’s economy and so when people talk
world’s economy and so when people talk about the rise of China or the Asian
about the rise of China or the Asian
about the rise of China or the Asian century they often think about the
century they often think about the
century they often think about the phenomenal growth that we’ve seen over
phenomenal growth that we’ve seen over
phenomenal growth that we’ve seen over the last couple of decades however what
the last couple of decades however what
the last couple of decades however what we’re really witnessing is the
we’re really witnessing is the
we’re really witnessing is the re-emergence of the historical balance
re-emergence of the historical balance
re-emergence of the historical balance between the East and the West and when
between the East and the West and when
between the East and the West and when that happens Australia will be right in
that happens Australia will be right in
that happens Australia will be right in the middle of the most lucrative but
the middle of the most lucrative but
the middle of the most lucrative but also the most intensely competitive
also the most intensely competitive
also the most intensely competitive regional playing field of the 21st
regional playing field of the 21st
regional playing field of the 21st century and so today I’d like to talk
century and so today I’d like to talk
century and so today I’d like to talk about what happened here and why it’s
about what happened here and why it’s
about what happened here and why it’s important for what’s happening today and
important for what’s happening today and
important for what’s happening today and how this Melbourne Sydney rivalry fits
how this Melbourne Sydney rivalry fits
how this Melbourne Sydney rivalry fits into all of this but to do that we have
into all of this but to do that we have
into all of this but to do that we have to take a step back even further about
to take a step back even further about
to take a step back even further about 16,000 years this is the Social
16,000 years this is the Social
16,000 years this is the Social Development Index and was developed by
Development Index and was developed by
Development Index and was developed by Ian Morris from Stanford University and
Ian Morris from Stanford University and
Ian Morris from Stanford University and with Social Development Ian Morris
with Social Development Ian Morris
with Social Development Ian Morris refers to a groups ability to master its
refers to a groups ability to master its
refers to a groups ability to master its physical and intellectual environments
physical and intellectual environments
physical and intellectual environments to get things done and it’s a
to get things done and it’s a
to get things done and it’s a fascinating chart because as you can see
fascinating chart because as you can see
fascinating chart because as you can see for thousands and thousands of years
for thousands and thousands of years
for thousands and thousands of years humankind was on a very slow upward path
humankind was on a very slow upward path
humankind was on a very slow upward path early settlements Wars empires religions
early settlements Wars empires religions
early settlements Wars empires religions philosophies nothing really made it much
philosophies nothing really made it much
philosophies nothing really made it much of a dent and then about 200 years ago
of a dent and then about 200 years ago
of a dent and then about 200 years ago all of a sudden something profound
all of a sudden something profound
all of a sudden something profound happens or as Erik Brynjolfsson and
happens or as Erik Brynjolfsson and
happens or as Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee called it
Andrew McAfee called it
Andrew McAfee called it something happened that literally bend
something happened that literally bend
something happened that literally bend the curve of human history almost 90
the curve of human history almost 90
the curve of human history almost 90 degrees the Industrial Revolution the
degrees the Industrial Revolution the
degrees the Industrial Revolution the Industrial Revolution marks the decisive
Industrial Revolution marks the decisive
Industrial Revolution marks the decisive turning point for humankind where
turning point for humankind where
turning point for humankind where average incomes and population went
average incomes and population went
average incomes and population went through unprecedented and sustained
through unprecedented and sustained
through unprecedented and sustained growth and it certainly gives a whole
growth and it certainly gives a whole
growth and it certainly gives a whole new meaning to Paul Krugman’s phrase
new meaning to Paul Krugman’s phrase
new meaning to Paul Krugman’s phrase when he says that productivity isn’t
when he says that productivity isn’t
when he says that productivity isn’t everything but in the long run it almost
everything but in the long run it almost
everything but in the long run it almost is since the first Industrial Revolution
is since the first Industrial Revolution
is since the first Industrial Revolution we’ve had another a number of major
we’ve had another a number of major
we’ve had another a number of major additional developments in fact the
additional developments in fact the
additional developments in fact the World Economic Forum and others have
World Economic Forum and others have
World Economic Forum and others have identified and another three industrial
identified and another three industrial
identified and another three industrial revolutions all of which have had a
revolutions all of which have had a
revolutions all of which have had a profound impact on our societies the
profound impact on our societies the
profound impact on our societies the first one as I mentioned so the first
first one as I mentioned so the first
first one as I mentioned so the first wave of urbanization and increased life
wave of urbanization and increased life
wave of urbanization and increased life expectancy in those cities about a
expectancy in those cities about a
expectancy in those cities about a hundred years later the Second
hundred years later the Second
hundred years later the Second Industrial Revolution so enormous
Industrial Revolution so enormous
Industrial Revolution so enormous improvements in public health and
improvements in public health and
improvements in public health and sanitation and saw the rise of the
sanitation and saw the rise of the
sanitation and saw the rise of the middle class and the introduction of
middle class and the introduction of
middle class and the introduction of public education about ecology is later
public education about ecology is later
public education about ecology is later we saw the third Industrial Revolution
we saw the third Industrial Revolution
we saw the third Industrial Revolution where enormous advancements were made
where enormous advancements were made
where enormous advancements were made with the mainframe computer the personal
with the mainframe computer the personal
with the mainframe computer the personal computer and the Internet and I don’t
computer and the Internet and I don’t
computer and the Internet and I don’t think I need to explain to you here what
think I need to explain to you here what
think I need to explain to you here what an incredible impact that has made now
an incredible impact that has made now
an incredible impact that has made now most people believe we’re in this third
most people believe we’re in this third
most people believe we’re in this third Industrial Revolution but in fact we are
Industrial Revolution but in fact we are
Industrial Revolution but in fact we are at the early stages of the fourth
at the early stages of the fourth
at the early stages of the fourth Industrial Revolution where we’re seeing
Industrial Revolution where we’re seeing
Industrial Revolution where we’re seeing a fusion of physical digital and
a fusion of physical digital and
a fusion of physical digital and biological systems and as you can see it
biological systems and as you can see it
biological systems and as you can see it used to take about 100 years for the
used to take about 100 years for the
used to take about 100 years for the next Industrial Revolution to come along
next Industrial Revolution to come along
next Industrial Revolution to come along but the speed at which we are witnessing
but the speed at which we are witnessing
but the speed at which we are witnessing progress today is rapidly increasing and
progress today is rapidly increasing and
progress today is rapidly increasing and in its skill scope and complexity the
in its skill scope and complexity the
in its skill scope and complexity the fourth Industrial Revolution will be
fourth Industrial Revolution will be
fourth Industrial Revolution will be unlike anything humankind has
unlike anything humankind has
unlike anything humankind has experienced before it will profoundly
experienced before it will profoundly
experienced before it will profoundly change the way we live work and do
change the way we live work and do
change the way we live work and do business so just imagine in a few
business so just imagine in a few
business so just imagine in a few decades from now what billions and
decades from now what billions and
decades from now what billions and billions of people will be able to do
billions of people will be able to do
billions of people will be able to do when they’re connected by mobile device
when they’re connected by mobile device
when they’re connected by mobile device with almost unlimited processing power
with almost unlimited processing power
with almost unlimited processing power and storage capacity and you multiply
and storage capacity and you multiply
and storage capacity and you multiply all this but today’s emerging
all this but today’s emerging
all this but today’s emerging breakthroughs in nanotechnology robotics
breakthroughs in nanotechnology robotics
breakthroughs in nanotechnology robotics autonomous vehicles quantum computing
autonomous vehicles quantum computing
autonomous vehicles quantum computing and artificial intelligence just to name
and artificial intelligence just to name
and artificial intelligence just to name a few so you can imagine in such a world
a few so you can imagine in such a world
a few so you can imagine in such a world the ability for companies and cities to
the ability for companies and cities to
the ability for companies and cities to innovate will be absolutely crucial to
innovate will be absolutely crucial to
innovate will be absolutely crucial to their ability to compete and prosper so
their ability to compete and prosper so
their ability to compete and prosper so where does the Melbourne Sydney rivalry
where does the Melbourne Sydney rivalry
where does the Melbourne Sydney rivalry fit into all of this well let me show
fit into all of this well let me show
fit into all of this well let me show you this image this is a stunning image
you this image this is a stunning image
you this image this is a stunning image that NASA the North American Space
that NASA the North American Space
that NASA the North American Space Agency composed between April and
Agency composed between April and
Agency composed between April and October of 2012 of more than 400 images
October of 2012 of more than 400 images
October of 2012 of more than 400 images it took of the earth at night and it
it took of the earth at night and it
it took of the earth at night and it shows the nighttime light emissions of
shows the nighttime light emissions of
shows the nighttime light emissions of humanity’s greatest activity centers
humanity’s greatest activity centers
humanity’s greatest activity centers cities and today more than half the
cities and today more than half the
cities and today more than half the world’s population lives in cities and
world’s population lives in cities and
world’s population lives in cities and for years and years researchers have
for years and years researchers have
for years and years researchers have been looking into this phenomenon and
been looking into this phenomenon and
been looking into this phenomenon and then just over a decade ago three urban
then just over a decade ago three urban
then just over a decade ago three urban researchers Richard Florida Tim Holden
researchers Richard Florida Tim Holden
researchers Richard Florida Tim Holden and charlotta Melander produced a
and charlotta Melander produced a
and charlotta Melander produced a groundbreaking study into the rise of
groundbreaking study into the rise of
groundbreaking study into the rise of the mega region now mega regions are
the mega region now mega regions are
the mega region now mega regions are integrated sets of cities with their
integrated sets of cities with their
integrated sets of cities with their surrounding suburban hinterlands across
surrounding suburban hinterlands across
surrounding suburban hinterlands across which you can easily move capital and
which you can easily move capital and
which you can easily move capital and labor and up until their study we used
labor and up until their study we used
labor and up until their study we used to look at the world economy almost only
to look at the world economy almost only
to look at the world economy almost only through the lens of nation-states
through the lens of nation-states
through the lens of nation-states however with today’s globalization
however with today’s globalization
however with today’s globalization capital and labor can move a lot more
capital and labor can move a lot more
capital and labor can move a lot more freely and so national boundaries mean a
freely and so national boundaries mean a
freely and so national boundaries mean a lot lot less and this brings me to the
lot lot less and this brings me to the
lot lot less and this brings me to the really interesting part in their study
really interesting part in their study
really interesting part in their study they found that the world’s top 40 mega
they found that the world’s top 40 mega
they found that the world’s top 40 mega regions housed only 18 percent of the
regions housed only 18 percent of the
regions housed only 18 percent of the world’s population but they were
world’s population but they were
world’s population but they were responsible for two-thirds of global
responsible for two-thirds of global
responsible for two-thirds of global economic output and close to 90 percent
economic output and close to 90 percent
economic output and close to 90 percent of paths and innovation in other words
of paths and innovation in other words
of paths and innovation in other words mega regions are the central competitive
mega regions are the central competitive
mega regions are the central competitive unit so what do they look like
on the North American continent we can
on the North American continent we can see the vast Boston New York and
see the vast Boston New York and
see the vast Boston New York and Washington corridor or on the west coast
Washington corridor or on the west coast
Washington corridor or on the west coast the Cascadian corridor stretches all the
the Cascadian corridor stretches all the
the Cascadian corridor stretches all the way from Portland and Seattle right up
way from Portland and Seattle right up
way from Portland and Seattle right up to Vancouver across the Canadian border
to Vancouver across the Canadian border
to Vancouver across the Canadian border or in Southern California as pericana
or in Southern California as pericana
or in Southern California as pericana has mentioned the sprawl of Los Angeles
has mentioned the sprawl of Los Angeles
has mentioned the sprawl of Los Angeles passes right down to San Diego across
passes right down to San Diego across
passes right down to San Diego across the Mexican border into Tijuana and now
the Mexican border into Tijuana and now
the Mexican border into Tijuana and now even Tijuana and San Diego share an
even Tijuana and San Diego share an
even Tijuana and San Diego share an airport terminal into which you can exit
airport terminal into which you can exit
airport terminal into which you can exit into either country and moving across to
into either country and moving across to
into either country and moving across to Europe you can see many mega regions
Europe you can see many mega regions
Europe you can see many mega regions including Europe’s largest one the one
including Europe’s largest one the one
including Europe’s largest one the one that I grew up in stretching all the way
that I grew up in stretching all the way
that I grew up in stretching all the way from Amsterdam right down to the Ruhr in
from Amsterdam right down to the Ruhr in
from Amsterdam right down to the Ruhr in Germany across Brussels and Antwerp in
Germany across Brussels and Antwerp in
Germany across Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium and ride down to Lille in the
Belgium and ride down to Lille in the
Belgium and ride down to Lille in the north of France and moving across to
north of France and moving across to
north of France and moving across to Asia where the Asian century is being
Asia where the Asian century is being
Asia where the Asian century is being driven by the powerhouse mega regions
driven by the powerhouse mega regions
driven by the powerhouse mega regions such as the Yangtze River Delta around
such as the Yangtze River Delta around
such as the Yangtze River Delta around Shanghai which only houses 6% of China’s
Shanghai which only houses 6% of China’s
Shanghai which only houses 6% of China’s population but produces a massive 20% of
population but produces a massive 20% of
population but produces a massive 20% of that country’s economy and similarly the
that country’s economy and similarly the
that country’s economy and similarly the Pearl River Delta with its eleven cities
Pearl River Delta with its eleven cities
Pearl River Delta with its eleven cities around Hong Kong and Guangzhou soaks up
around Hong Kong and Guangzhou soaks up
around Hong Kong and Guangzhou soaks up a massive twenty percent of China’s
a massive twenty percent of China’s
a massive twenty percent of China’s foreign direct investment and that’s
foreign direct investment and that’s
foreign direct investment and that’s because it’s no longer known simply for
because it’s no longer known simply for
because it’s no longer known simply for its copycat products in fact it’s
its copycat products in fact it’s
its copycat products in fact it’s becoming a world-leading cluster of
becoming a world-leading cluster of
becoming a world-leading cluster of innovation but even Apple setting up an
innovation but even Apple setting up an
innovation but even Apple setting up an R&D centre and the economists now
R&D centre and the economists now
R&D centre and the economists now coining it’s Silicon Delta so
coining it’s Silicon Delta so
coining it’s Silicon Delta so increasingly when multinationals are
increasingly when multinationals are
increasingly when multinationals are looking to invest they are looking at
looking to invest they are looking at
looking to invest they are looking at mega regions as opposed to individual
mega regions as opposed to individual
mega regions as opposed to individual countries and so where does this leave
countries and so where does this leave
countries and so where does this leave Australia aside from the major bushfires
Australia aside from the major bushfires
Australia aside from the major bushfires that you can see in waa because math I
that you can see in waa because math I
that you can see in waa because math I composed the pictures over a number of
composed the pictures over a number of
composed the pictures over a number of months we have to zoom all the way into
months we have to zoom all the way into
months we have to zoom all the way into the East Coast to see our three capital
the East Coast to see our three capital
the East Coast to see our three capital cities Brisbane Sydney
cities Brisbane Sydney
cities Brisbane Sydney and Melbourne none of which are forming
and Melbourne none of which are forming
and Melbourne none of which are forming an integrated mega region and so that
an integrated mega region and so that
an integrated mega region and so that means our capital cities are often
means our capital cities are often
means our capital cities are often competing with each other for
competing with each other for
competing with each other for investments and in many instances simply
investments and in many instances simply
investments and in many instances simply lack the skill to play at the global
lack the skill to play at the global
lack the skill to play at the global stage and so here’s my point if we
stage and so here’s my point if we
stage and so here’s my point if we recognize that one Asia is regaining its
recognize that one Asia is regaining its
recognize that one Asia is regaining its historical prominence and that Australia
historical prominence and that Australia
historical prominence and that Australia will be right in the thick of it to that
will be right in the thick of it to that
will be right in the thick of it to that we are at the early stages of the fourth
we are at the early stages of the fourth
we are at the early stages of the fourth Industrial Revolution in which the
Industrial Revolution in which the
Industrial Revolution in which the ability to innovate will be absolutely
ability to innovate will be absolutely
ability to innovate will be absolutely crucial and three that mega regions are
crucial and three that mega regions are
crucial and three that mega regions are the central competitive unit in which
the central competitive unit in which
the central competitive unit in which economic activity and innovation thrive
economic activity and innovation thrive
economic activity and innovation thrive then maybe maybe we can start thinking
then maybe maybe we can start thinking
then maybe maybe we can start thinking about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry in a
about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry in a
about this Melbourne Sydney rivalry in a very different light so what if we were
very different light so what if we were
very different light so what if we were to imagine an Australian East Coast mega
to imagine an Australian East Coast mega
to imagine an Australian East Coast mega region a mega region not only linking up
region a mega region not only linking up
region a mega region not only linking up Melbourne and Sydney but also Brisbane
Melbourne and Sydney but also Brisbane
Melbourne and Sydney but also Brisbane and Canberra and a mega region like that
and Canberra and a mega region like that
and Canberra and a mega region like that would need powerful transport networks
would need powerful transport networks
would need powerful transport networks right now the airwaves between Brisbane
right now the airwaves between Brisbane
right now the airwaves between Brisbane Sydney and Melbourne are among the
Sydney and Melbourne are among the
Sydney and Melbourne are among the busiest in the world so we need a much
busiest in the world so we need a much
busiest in the world so we need a much better land transport network and
better land transport network and
better land transport network and high-speed rail has been talked about
high-speed rail has been talked about
high-speed rail has been talked about for ages in Australia and we need really
for ages in Australia and we need really
for ages in Australia and we need really need to start acting on the ideas that
need to start acting on the ideas that
need to start acting on the ideas that are already out there and given today’s
are already out there and given today’s
are already out there and given today’s rate of innovation we might even be able
rate of innovation we might even be able
rate of innovation we might even be able to leapfrog rail technology altogether
to leapfrog rail technology altogether
to leapfrog rail technology altogether in favor of a Hyperloop which is a pod
in favor of a Hyperloop which is a pod
in favor of a Hyperloop which is a pod in a vacuum tube traveling at a thousand
in a vacuum tube traveling at a thousand
in a vacuum tube traveling at a thousand kilometres an hour so this would see you
kilometres an hour so this would see you
kilometres an hour so this would see you from the CBD of Melbourne to the CBD in
from the CBD of Melbourne to the CBD in
from the CBD of Melbourne to the CBD in Sydney in less than an hour and I
Sydney in less than an hour and I
Sydney in less than an hour and I suspect that’s quicker than the morning
suspect that’s quicker than the morning
suspect that’s quicker than the morning commute of many of you here today
however this is not only about linking
however this is not only about linking up the capital cities far from it
up the capital cities far from it
up the capital cities far from it actually because critical to the
actually because critical to the
actually because critical to the formation of a mega region is the
formation of a mega region is the
formation of a mega region is the activation of the region’s now imagine
activation of the region’s now imagine
activation of the region’s now imagine that same Hyperloop getting you from
that same Hyperloop getting you from
that same Hyperloop getting you from Geelong to Melbourne in just four
Geelong to Melbourne in just four
Geelong to Melbourne in just four minutes or albury-wodonga in another 15
minutes or albury-wodonga in another 15
minutes or albury-wodonga in another 15 and yes I know these technologies are
and yes I know these technologies are
and yes I know these technologies are still at a very very early stage but so
still at a very very early stage but so
still at a very very early stage but so where autonomous vehicles only just a
where autonomous vehicles only just a
where autonomous vehicles only just a few years ago and that brings me to
few years ago and that brings me to
few years ago and that brings me to another aspect of connectivity an East
another aspect of connectivity an East
another aspect of connectivity an East Coast mega region would also need
Coast mega region would also need
Coast mega region would also need world-class internet successful
world-class internet successful
world-class internet successful economies in the 21st century will be
economies in the 21st century will be
economies in the 21st century will be underpinned by digital business models
underpinned by digital business models
underpinned by digital business models with a global reach and as you can tell
with a global reach and as you can tell
with a global reach and as you can tell today Australia is at the bottom of the
today Australia is at the bottom of the
today Australia is at the bottom of the top 50 in global internet speeds and
top 50 in global internet speeds and
top 50 in global internet speeds and that’s just not good enough particularly
that’s just not good enough particularly
that’s just not good enough particularly for a country that is geographically as
for a country that is geographically as
for a country that is geographically as isolated as Australia however this is
isolated as Australia however this is
isolated as Australia however this is not only an idea about economic growth
activating the region’s will also
activating the region’s will also relieve the enormous pressures on our
relieve the enormous pressures on our
relieve the enormous pressures on our capital cities which are projected to
capital cities which are projected to
capital cities which are projected to double the size of their populations in
double the size of their populations in
double the size of their populations in the next 30 years and so if we don’t
the next 30 years and so if we don’t
the next 30 years and so if we don’t have an integrated and holistic planning
have an integrated and holistic planning
have an integrated and holistic planning approach across state borders we’re
approach across state borders we’re
approach across state borders we’re certainly not going to be seeing a
certainly not going to be seeing a
certainly not going to be seeing a doubling in our life ability and finally
doubling in our life ability and finally
doubling in our life ability and finally there’s a wise old saying that says when
there’s a wise old saying that says when
there’s a wise old saying that says when goods don’t cross borders soldiers will
goods don’t cross borders soldiers will
goods don’t cross borders soldiers will and no more is his evidence than the
and no more is his evidence than the
and no more is his evidence than the continent that I grew up in for
continent that I grew up in for
continent that I grew up in for centuries and centuries the European
centuries and centuries the European
centuries and centuries the European continent was ravaged by wars between
continent was ravaged by wars between
continent was ravaged by wars between pretty much every single country on the
pretty much every single country on the
pretty much every single country on the continent and after the Second World War
continent and after the Second World War
continent and after the Second World War this ultimately led to the formation of
this ultimately led to the formation of
this ultimately led to the formation of the European Union
the European Union
the European Union when Germany and France decided to
when Germany and France decided to
when Germany and France decided to combine their coal and steel industries
combine their coal and steel industries
combine their coal and steel industries and today is practically unthinkable for
and today is practically unthinkable for
and today is practically unthinkable for Germany and France to go to war with
Germany and France to go to war with
Germany and France to go to war with each other again and so the even deeper
each other again and so the even deeper
each other again and so the even deeper global connections that an East Coast
global connections that an East Coast
global connections that an East Coast mega region would contribute to builds
mega region would contribute to builds
mega region would contribute to builds on this idea and promotes international
on this idea and promotes international
on this idea and promotes international collaboration rather than confrontation
so is melbourne sydney rivalry what if
so is melbourne sydney rivalry what if we stopped talking about why one city is
we stopped talking about why one city is
we stopped talking about why one city is better than the other and instead
better than the other and instead
better than the other and instead combine forces on the global stage
combine forces on the global stage
combine forces on the global stage what if we truly aim higher and start
what if we truly aim higher and start
what if we truly aim higher and start asking ourselves the question what can
asking ourselves the question what can
asking ourselves the question what can we do together that we can’t do alone
we do together that we can’t do alone
we do together that we can’t do alone I truly believe these ideas that I’ve
I truly believe these ideas that I’ve
I truly believe these ideas that I’ve talked about today need some further
talked about today need some further
talked about today need some further developments but I also truly believe
developments but I also truly believe
developments but I also truly believe they are an idea worth sharing with you
they are an idea worth sharing with you
they are an idea worth sharing with you today because all too often we get told
today because all too often we get told
today because all too often we get told that they’re way too difficult but that
that they’re way too difficult but that
that they’re way too difficult but that we can’t afford them but I’d like to
we can’t afford them but I’d like to
we can’t afford them but I’d like to turn that around and if all of you asks
turn that around and if all of you asks
turn that around and if all of you asks here today can we afford not to thank
here today can we afford not to thank
here today can we afford not to thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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