‘A very Australian gathering’ looks to the future

A SUMMIT aimed at soliciting innovative ideas to strengthen Australia’s future ended with wide-ranging proposals, from developing a cure for blindness to a health agency funded by a junk food tax.

Some 1,000 experts, activists, politicians and celebrities put forward more than 40 proposals after two days of brainstorming.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised to respond by the end of the year, but there is no guarantee any of the ideas will be implemented. Rudd praised the event as “a very Australian gathering”.