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Louise McKenzie

Biography:

Louise McKenzie, is an Executive with ExxonMobil in Australia.  She joined the company fourteen years ago following completion of her Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Melbourne. During this time she has undertaken engineering, strategic planning and management roles in oil and gas production operations, both in Australia and the USA. She currently lives in Melbourne with her husband and son.

Statement:

When I think of the challenges for Australia over the next fifteen years, it leads me to consider the world we want our children to experience as adults.

My vision is that they will be part of a country that is a respected member of the global community. It will be recognised for its leadership, innovative technology, and strong multicultural framework. It will be a country that affords its population access to essential services and infrastructure, and remains known as one of the "most livable" places on earth.

To achieve this we must first acknowledge that the world continues to change at a rapid pace. Our challenge will be to engender a culture that continually seeks to improve, that anticipates and embraces necessary change.  

First we must make a very honest and realistic self-assessment. It is essential to understand our strengths but equally our weaknesses, and undertake to address the latter. Whilst it is impossible to fully predict the future, we can identify and analyse trends and issues that are likely to affect us in the long term. Based on this knowledge we can develop our vision for Australia underpinned by a credible plan to move us forward with solutions that are scientifically, economically and socially viable.

We must be intolerant of discrimination in any form; instead we must make all Australians proud of the great diversity of our population, and the strength that affords us.

It will be important to define our future place in the global economy and deliver quality goods and services in order to strengthen our commercial networks. Whilst Australia does not have the scale to dominate markets, this should not diminish our achievements, or indeed our ability to achieve global leadership in key areas.

Australia has a long history of innovation and resourcefulness, continuing to leverage these strengths will be important. Technology will play a key role in meeting the many local and international challenges such as access to water, energy, and managing our environment. Capturing the full potential offered by advances in technology will require a strong emphasis on education to build and maintain a skilled workforce for the future, with a focus on growing our technical capabilities.  

It will also be essential for us to build on our relationships with our many global partners - self sufficiency is unlikely to be a credible option.

To achieve all this government, industry and our communities must continue to work together, and remain committed to achieving a positive balance between economic, environmental and social priorities. It may require new avenues to engage key stake-holders in reality based debate. Australians are recognised worldwide for their ability to engage in open and honest discussion, so we are well prepared.  

Ultimately implementing a shared vision for Australia will take strong steadfast leadership that is firmly focused on our long-term future.