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Phillip Leslie

Biography:

Born and educated in Sydney, I have spent nearly all of my working life in the Northern Territory. Initially working in education, I am currently Executive Director Sport and Recreation for the Northern Territory Government. After initial qualifications in education, I have completed the NT Government's Executive Development Program. I am currently completing a masters degree in International Management.

Statement:

I am quite optimistic about our future course as a nation.

I say this with a sense of irony, as I believe we are yet to overcome a reluctance to embrace a long term outlook. The urgency of the here and now, the instant gratification that drives our progress is not to our long term advantage. A renewed dedication to the long haul across all facets of our development is required.

Our nature is to take the undemanding path to reach our goal. We pride ourselves on cutting corners and the 'she'll be right' approach. Whilst this can be beneficial, I desire an Australia that emphasises getting it done as opposed to getting away with it. Mediocrity is triumphant as we try to get away with what we can. As a society, we can't continue our current approach of 'getting away with it' in areas as diverse as parenting, childcare, education, the environment, corporate ethics and involvement in the local community. My desire is that Australia does not accept cutting corners in key areas that directly influence our future.

Serious engagement on the values that that make us Australian is needed. What is Australian? What is un-Australian? Do our values describe how we will grow and develop to meet our future needs and desires? How do our values articulate how we will improve and develop our condition as a society?

Notwithstanding the achievements of our forebears, our shared and agreed values should not simply reflect a glorified, nostalgic past. As a mature society, we need to look beyond our sporting heroes or entertainers as our icons. I have read that life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.

To progress, our challenge is to reconcile the paradox of our historically perceived disadvantages also being the enablers to drive us forward.

• Our distance from significant economies and commensurate feelings of isolation are increasingly meaningless in a mobile, borderless and connected globe. Let's capitalize on our geographic position and our unique environment to better position ourselves in an increasingly sustainability conscious world.
• Our relatively small population has not prevented our international sporting success. Our multi faceted, easily mobilised population and talents should define us as progressive, intelligent leaders in many forms of human endeavour. Being an underdog does not 'cut it' into the future. We have no excuse for thoughtlessness.
• We are challenged to provide adequate water for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs in one of the worlds driest continents. Yet we have abundant, regular rainfall in northern Australia. We must secure our future responsible water needs.
• Our drift to urban city life does not reflect the strength and resilience in regional Australia. Borderless and connectedness mean that we can better develop capacity in regional Australia to globally function in the economy and wider society. Fundamental rather than incremental change and prioritisation is required. If regional and remote Australia gave birth to our national identity, it should occupy a front seat on the bus to the future. Our regional centres can play a significant role in an information world.

As a nation, we are young enough to develop a culture based on our inherited strengths by learning from both our own mistakes and those of others. Combined with an assertive forward-looking approach our future direction is one of world prominence.