Democrats leader Lyn Allison (a participant in the 2020 summit’s Sustainability stream) has written a scathing letter about the 2020 summit.

In summary:

• She alleges that the Coal industry participants were able to scotch ideas like banning new Coal fired power stations until Carbon Capture schemes are proven effective and put into operation. This is because the groups worked on consensus rather than majority opinion. Anything disagreed upon was diesregarded.
• Discussion groups suggestions had to be worded in a particular way, excluding words like “must”, “should”.
• Groups were prevented from suggesting targets.
• The convenor of the Sustainability stream ruled out meaures for increasing use of rainwater tanks claiming that they are more energy intensive than desal!
• The wording of ideas discussed and agreed upon was changed overnight after the summit.

You can read the full article by Lyn Allison on the 2020 summit here >>

I have my own concerns about the 2020 summit. These discrepancies were not reported by the media. I wonder whether this had anything to do with those reporting on the summit also being participants? (as reported by ABC’s MediaWatch.) I have a sneaking suspicion that this 2020 summit was more about generating media for the government than actually tackling the issues.

It is interesting that just today, Kevin Rudd has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the public service can give frank and fearless advice. It is interesting however that his very own Government has decided to prevent some of the discussions at the 2020 summit from giving just that (a frank and fearless view of what needs to be done to advance Australia in the coming years.)

Your response: