Love you all to come and have a say. The index for the 2020 summit is http://www.bangthetable.com/australiasummit

Check it out. If you like it, invite others to come to the Oz Ideas wiki.

What also concerns me is the statement that “more than 400… sent application forms.” Sorry, which forms are these? Where were they distributed? Where were they even announced?

This goes back precisely to the selection criteria I discussed.

As an aside, I’ve just registered the domain topic9.com.au and will soon set up a blog covering the topic 9: “he future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.” I’ve posted an initial announcement and call for contributors, but won’t get it happening properly until tomorrow night.

I’m sure they are all worthy folks, but really they all have one thing in common, relative access to the halls of power already, all successful and thought leaders to be sure, but still the usual suspects, where is the diversity this was supposed to bring to the table?

For every Kate Blanchett we lose some unsung hero from the community who might be able to bring a different perspective to the table with the added effect of introducing the halls of power to someone new who might just challenge the status quo in a way the Blanchetts of Australia cannot.

As a cyclist and someone seriously interested in transport issues I wouldn’t want to see the NRMA’s Alan Evans at the table, why? Because he does nothing to advance soft transport issues, especially those that might interest cyclists, Evans works actively against our interests, but because he’s with the NRMA his voice would have more weight at the table despite the fact that he’s about furthering a single interest that will have a declining place in Australia’s future transport mix.

In his place I’d rather see a community activist like Fiona Campbell, long a passionate advocate for cycling, public transport and a reorganisation of our cities along lines that would advantage those in place of the personal motoring that is strangling our cities.

But I go on…….

Sydney has:
* Other big business.
* More capital.
* More people, more resources (?)
* Air hub.

That being said, lots of momentum in Brisbane and it’s an hour closer to Asia and USA. Plus it’s the Data Portability centre of the world with Chris Saad there and now even Cam’s going http://twitter.com/cameronreilly/statuses/678706722

I don’t think Ballarat or Adelaide can do it without serious, serious effort and money.

To be top 5 you are up against;
* Silicon Valley
* New York
* Dallas
* Ireland
* Israel
* Shanghai
* Bangalore/Mumbai
* Vancouver
* London
* Amsterdam
* Tallinn (Estonia)

Sydney has momentum on its side.

(of course I’m biased, very happy to try Brisbane, although it’s an hour from the beach…)

Sydney’s transport system and other infrastructure like water is at breaking-point. Growth should be encouraged elsewhere.
Sydney is already very expensive, which could discourage younger folk moving there/
Regional stagnations is an issue also to be tackled at the Summit. A Hub in another city kills another bird with that stone.

Ballarat is a little over an hour from Melbourne and could be a good choice. Nice symbolism of the Hub as a second gold rush.

Adelaide certainly needs growth, and already has good digital infrastructure in the CBD and a creativity-positive environment.

Any others?