NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS 2024

Check out highlights from Australia's premier
public policy conference, CEDA's State of the Nation.


NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS 2024

Check out highlights from Australia's premier
public policy conference, CEDA's State of the Nation.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE HON. ANTHONY ALBANESE
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA 


"CEDA plays an absolutely critical role in the intellectual life of this nation. 

You need to have forums like this which can propagate ideas going forward so congratulations on once again having me here, and everyone here, decision-makers, people from the business community at this ‘State of the Nation’ Conference.

It is one of the many ways that CEDA helps drive the big ideas and shape the important debates about our nation’s future."

Read the Prime Minister's full address.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SENATOR THE HON. PENNY WONG
FEDERAL MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"We are 26 million people, from more than 300 ancestries, and home to the oldest continuing civilisation on the planet.

There is vast power in that.

The ability to see and understand every part of the world.

To reach into every part of the world and find common ground.

Yet it's also something we need to nurture... 

Nothing is more important for our future than ensuring that Australia remains a pluralist nation, welcoming different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other's humanity and for each other's right to live in peace."

Read the Senator's full address.






We need to be bold, we need to be ambitious, if our rate of 
productivity growth is going to be closer to two per cent than 
one per cent or less, we need transformation and we need 
transformative thinking. 

CEDA CEO, MELINDA CILENTO



A MORE INNOVATIVE ECONOMY

Speakers:


  • Dr Doug Hilton AO, Chief Executive, CSIRO
  • Melissa Wilson, Senior Economist, CEDA
  • Megan Wheeldon, Hydrogen, Derivatives and Industrial Decarbonisation Leader, Aurecon Australasia
  • Sam Elsom, Chief Executive Officer, Sea Forest

    "We need an Australian research and innovation system that allows us to both make these breakthroughs and build companies that are going to be parts and hearts of a new industry, employing Australians in highly skilled, high-paying jobs, driving productivity and ultimately allowing us to flourish as a community." 

    Read Dr Doug Hilton AO's full address.






















Insights and ideas

THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Speakers:


  • Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, Laureate Fellow, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education; Research , University of Technology Sydney
  • Luke Sheehy, Chief Executive Officer, Universities Australia
  • Hayley Whatman, Director Research and Policy, Foundations for Tomorrow, Social Work Student, Charles Sturt University
  • Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President, Griffith University
  • The Hon. Jason Clare, Federal Minister for Education


    "The Universities Accord makes the argument that by 2050 we are going to need a workforce where not just 80 percent have finished school, but also have a TAFE or university qualification.

    And that if we don’t, it will be like driving with the handbrake on.
    We will be slower, poorer and less productive than we otherwise would be.

    The converse is also true. If we hit that 80 per cent target the economic dividend is real."

    Read the Hon. Jason Clare's full address.






EXTRACTING MORE FROM MINING: RARE EARTHS

  • Grant Wilson, Executive Chair, Tivan
  • Dino Otranto, Chief Executive Officer, Fortescue
  • Vanessa Torres, Chief Operating Officer, South32
  • The Hon. Madeleine King, Federal Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia


    "There are many Australians that have no connection to the resources operations of WA or Queensland or in the Hunter Valley. They may have never been to a mine site and they haven't been able to see how sophisticated and innovative mining is.

    And as a result, many may not understand how their lives have benefited from the resources industry and how much our modern lives depend upon it.

    And indeed, how modern and technologically advanced modern mining is."

    Read the Hon. Madeleine King's full address.



THE AUSTRALIA-US RELATIONSHIP


  • Erika Olson, Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy in Australia
  • David Lipson, Political Editor, ABC
  • Victoria Cooper, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre














KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE HON PETER DUTTON
FEDERAL LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

"Nuclear is a proven technology. It has application in most major economies in the world or others have signed up to it...countries including France...because without they know they don't have a critical path to net-zero by 2050."

THE ELECTRIFICATION OF EVERYTHING

  • Saul Griffith, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Rewiring Australia
  • Ian Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
  • Lena Parker, General Manager, Energy Solutions, Ventia
  • Marc England, Chief Executive Officer, Ausgrid




RESKILLING FOR AI

  • Professor Genevieve Bell AO, Vice Chancellor and President, Australian National University
  • Jo Dooley, General Manager, Enterprise Commercial , Microsoft Australia and New Zealand
  • Dayle Stevens OAM, Executive Data and AI, Telstra
  • Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency
  • Melinda Cilento, Chief Executive, CEDA


SUPPORTING CEDA TO DRIVE THESE DISCUSSIONS

MAJOR SPONSOR


SUPPORTING SPONSORS