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Sonja Stewart

Biography:

Sonja Stewart is the Executive Director of the Communities Division within the Department of Community Services. She joined the NSW Government as Director, Strategic Projects in the Premier’s Department in January 2002 from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission where she was the NSW State Policy Manager.

Statement:

If we think about Australia in 2020 what will be the major issues that we will be reading about, debating and coming to terms with as a nation?

I think that the major challenges we will face in the next 15 years will be the direct results of our ability as a nation to take responsibility and act on issues now.

My aspiration for Australia in 2020 is for a country that is more respectful of diversity, has reduced the level of disadvantage which faces Aboriginal people and has begun to maximise economic opportunities for the benefit of all – by beginning to reduce the gap between those who have not and those who have.

There is a general level of awareness in Australians of our current economic positioning as well as those of our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region. We have an ageing population, we still have natural resources left and China is a booming economy. We have stable democracies, a good supply of human capital and excellent universities.

I would hope that in 2020 we would have taken steps to put in place policies and actions to maximise our position to our advantage and ensure that the distribution of these benefits are equitable.

On top of this general understanding there are some statistics and forecasting that we cannot ignore. There is going to be reduced GDP growth in the next 40 years and our effective labour supply will slow sharply in less than 10 years time. In terms of our ageing population most 50-64 year olds have not saved enough for a financially comfortable retirement.

The ageing Australian population should be a concern to all Australians right now. This is one issue that I fear will only get the required level of attention too late. On the other hand we have an Aboriginal population which is a growing and not an ageing population. Would it not be good policy and practice to invest in this growing asset for the good of the country?

In addition to policies and strategies to address an ageing population we also need to ensure that the gap in health and wellbeing outcomes between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population does not continue to grow in the next 15 years. The challenges that need to be addressed to achieve this are significant but not insurmountable. If in the next 15 years we could work together to break a cycle of generational disadvantage facing Aboriginal people which one would it be?

The biggest challenge we face as a nation is having an awareness as to the issues that will impact on us in the future whether that is an ageing population, improved health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal population, GDP growth, natural resource management or wealth distribution. The issue is about getting in early. Talking about the issues which will affect the future but also having actions to back these words that are achievable and demonstrable.

We live in a beautiful country with much to celebrate. We have the oldest surviving culture in the world. For such a small population we are high achievers. I look forward to meeting and working with other members of the Forum – to sharing our aspirations and more importantly to identifying strategies to overcome the challenges.