Tuesday, April 25, 2017

ANZAC Day is a Day of Remembrance


Anzac Day ‘lest we forget’ is a day of remembrance

A day we honour those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, those many who now lay at rest in foreign fields, and those who came home forever changed by a war of unimaginable attrition and carnage, a war described as the war to end all wars. Anzac Day is also a celebration of what they by their devotion, duty and bravery bequeathed us.

Those brave, selfless men and women who whether motivated by adventure, patriotism or defence of our values and right to live freely in peace are all gone now but will never be forgotten. They are indelibly fixed in our generation and will be for generations to come.

Many of those survivors joined by a new generation of Australian’s and New Zealander’s stepped back into the breech, putting themselves in harms way when 21 years later a madman tried to once again conquer the world to place it under a regressive and murderous regime. Their hard won victory saw these brave souls welcomed home as heroes by a grateful nation that showered them in glory with ticker tape parades through almost every city and town.

No war ever exposed its horrors to the public like the 1962 - 1975 Vietnam War. On nightly television while sitting in our lounge rooms we saw and heard what war did to the human body, to children, their families to people’s homes, and the overall impact it had on those innocents and soldiers alike embroiled in it. This was my war. I was too young to go while serving as a volunteer soldier in the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

Those of us too young for overseas duty in a war zone were transferred to the 5th Battalion RAR. I was honourably discharged while in C Company 5 RAR before they left for the blood soaked rice paddies and controversial hellhole that was Vietnam in 1966. 

I lost a lot of friends there, friends who served in both of these Battalions and was angered as most of us soldiers were when spat upon and called baby killers, a misguided sentiment generate by a volatile political climate and a public confronted with the nightly horrors of war that our television screens displayed.

There was no honour parade for our returning Vietnam veterans, instead they were openly vilified and ostracised until they were finally recognised for their service to of our country in 2012. To their credit and despite their long suffering undeserved stigmatization, they accepted the nation’s apology with good grace.

Our military men and women have since served in the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and currently serve in the war against ISIL.


We must never forget that at the worst of times these brave men and women who choose to place themselves in harms way are the last barrier of protection for all we value, our freedom, our families, children, friends and our chosen way of life. 

And especially for those who make the ultimate sacrifice, ‘we will remember them.’



© 2017 Bob Janssen

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Queensland Government Has Killed Off Competition To Get Its Own Way




QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT HAS KILLED OFF COMPETITION TO GET ITS OWN WAY

The Queensland government continues its well orchestrated campaign to build a Brisbane cruise ship terminal base port despite being offered a far superior and cost free proposal on the Gold Coast the details of which can be found on Facebook.

To compare the two proposals and their benefits, below is an extract from and a link to The Urban Developer story. This is followed by what is questionable about the government’s handling of what is fundamentally the future of the Gold Coast and how it effects our entire State.
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Extract:
Plans for a mega cruise ship terminal near the mouth of the Brisbane River have progressed after stakeholders reached an in principle agreement with Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Curtis Pitt said the agreement with the State Government, Brisbane City Council and Queensland Urban Utilities meant the project had taken a significant step forward in the government’s Market- Led Proposal assessment process.

‘This milestone shows this government, through our Market-Led Proposal initiatives, is in the business of creating jobs and working with the private sector to facilitate good ideas” Mr. Pitt said.

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It’s a pity that this government did not follow the same principles and self congratulatory initiatives when the Gold Coast based Breakwater Group submitted its cruise ship terminal Market-Led Proposal in December 2015.

The submission went unread, was rejected outright, and without any consideration at all, dismissed, good idea or not.

Gold Coast residents can be excused for believing that this government has once again put its political aspirations before the good of their city and for that matter the State. These political overlords still count us as a Regional Center, an extension of Brisbane not the 6th largest city in the country.

The manipulation was well done. First this government did not just move the goal posts but removed the entire playing field. Before the last election Opposition Leader now Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said; “There will be no development of Wavebreak Island or an area north of SeaWorld.” The Premier has repeated that ill considered statement and now adopted government policy ‘ad- nausea’. 

Adding insult to injury and in response to the Breakwater Group submission, Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Anthony Lynham said; ‘The people of the Gold Coast do not want a cruise ship terminal.” The Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s 72% landslide election result certainly puts paid to that assertion.

The Premier firmly hammered the final nail into the coffin when she said; “If there is a cruise ship terminal in Brisbane, I see no reason for having one on the Gold Coast.” In other words, screw you, Brisbane comes first no matter how good your offer. It’s actually an insulting statement when you consider that the Gold Coast is the tourism capital of the country with the assets and 13 million visitors last year to support that claim and reputation.

It’s not the first time a government has passed over the Gold Coast and if we let this happen it won’t be the last.

This is not about a development as the anti-everything lobby would like us to believe and should not be the lynchpin the government uses to justify its position. 

It’s about our future, our jobs, opportunity, critical infrastructure and generating security. It’s about our right and ability to compete in the tourism industry that built our city, an industry that continues to support our economy and way of life. Most of all it’s about securing the future of our children and theirs.

Competition delivers better prices, better services and generates new ideas. This government has, by manipulation and decree, circumvented competition making their Brisbane cruise ship terminal the only game in town and making a mockery of Minister Pitt’s latest statement.

To put it mildly, this is unacceptable behaviour for a government whose members are sworn to faithfully represent and govern for and on the behalf of the people.


Is it any wonder why we are increasingly disillusioned with mainstream politics? But there is a choice. We can accept the status quo and forever dance to the tune of those who would suppress our desires and ambitions or we can speak out clearly, loudly and often by all means available to us including Facebook, contacting the media and your local member. Change only happens when you make it happen while doing nothing delivers exactly that. NOTHING!


© 2017 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

What is the Breakwater Group Cruise Ship Terminal Proposal?


Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal & Associated Infrastructure 

Media Release 18th April 2017 


The Breakwater Group Cruise Ship Terminal proposal is a future building infrastructure project that delivers an all-weather port capable of berthing 4 of the largest (362m) cruise ships simultaneously, for example; ‘Royal Caribbean’s ‘Harmony of the Seas’ 5,479 passengers plus 2,300 crew. This offers the cruise ship industry the security to advertise, worldwide, the Gold Coast as a guaranteed port of call. The port is also configured to accommodate 8 Azzam class (180m) super yachts within a dedicated area of the swing basin. Strategically designed as a base port, and in that form, the proposal is projected to generate 875,000 night stays per year and achieve a $475 million income stream for the city by its second year of operation.

Long standing traffic congestion and public transport issues are addressed by new traffic signals and reconfiguration at Main Beach, creating a dual carriageway along the Spit with further connection to an underwater tunnel from the Spit to Wavebreak Island and a bridge to Brisbane Road Labrador. A dedicated easement is preserved for possible future light rail connection and a ferry terminal is constructed on the Spit and Wavebreak Island to encourage supportive water transport.

The proposal creates additional land on the Spit and Wavebreak Island, increases existing public open space that is transformed to safe, family friendly fully appointed parkland including toilets benches, barbecues, bicycle ways, pathways, parking areas, lighting, security cameras, shade trees and gazebos.

The existing pet friendly beach is relocated and enlarged and further enhanced with facilities commensurate to its use. Dog showers to remove sand and fresh water stations will be provided.
A 1km long cove protected by artificial reefs is formed on the ocean side to accommodate those visitors who, not used to turbulent surf seek calmer ocean swimming conditions. These reefs once covered by marine growth will present new and easily accessible diving sites.

This proposal is designed to replicate the great Australian surf icons of Margaret River and Angourie by purposely shaping headland outcrops and reefs to capture and hold sand in all but the most extreme weather conditions. The proposal includes provision for a first of its kind surfing stadium and arena to bring spectators closer to the world's best athletes as they compete on the high performance waves, similar to TPC Scottsdale's famous party hole the 16th.


The 31 year old sand bypass system soon in need of maintenance will be relocated and replaced with one that has the latest equipment and technology saving the city millions of dollars in ongoing costs.

To finance the entire project, the balance of the reclaimed land is sold to third party developers for mixed development to create supportive infrastructure such as international hotels, restaurants, retail and other accommodation uses. This mixed development as in any such proposal is subject to the approved consultation process. The Breakwater Group’s project is based on a design that limits buildings to a 5 story height to compliment the ambience of surrounding precincts. The Project is further designed to create a memorable and welcoming ocean gateway to the city.

All parkland, and carriageways will be handed back to government on completion.

Allowing the Breakwater Group the use of State land to construct and develop this future building infrastructure delivers the following benefits;

  • Broadens our tourism base with an all weather port that berths 4 cruise ships simultaneously, the swing basin also includes a major facility for super yachts
  • Public space is increased and transformed into safe family friendly fully appointed parkland
  • Traffic congestion issues are addressed and resolved in perpetuity 
  • Wavebreak Island is transformed into our ‘Green Heart’ when completed will become the city’s “Central Park” framed by our stunning Broadwater and the skyline of Surfers Paradise 
  • Offers new dive sites, new world class surf breaks and what will be a remarkably beautiful safe swimming cove a tourist destination on its own 
  • The existing pet friendly beach is relocated and enlarged and further enhanced with facilities commensurate to its use 
  • Introduces water transport to the Spit and Wavebreak Island 
  • Creates a self sustaining tourism and safe family friendly precinct certain to be a world class destination on everyone’s bucket list 
  • Generates over 8,500 new jobs and a long term income stream for the city and State 
  • Benefits from worldwide brochure advertising generated by the cruise ship industry to display their ports of call 
  • The project comes at no cost to the State, City or community 

The original Breakwater Group proposal was summarily rejected by the State Government when it was submitted as a Market Led Plan in December 2015. The rejection was accompanied with a comment by Minister Anthony Lynham that; “the people of the Gold Coast do not want a cruise ship terminal.” As a result, this original proposal was never presented in an objective manner to the broad community, it was effectively suppressed. 

Attempts to establish a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast since mid 2004 have turned out to become nothing short of a monumental debacle. Proponents who had made considerable capital investment in their projects were severely limited by successive government’s expression of interest briefs. Either by design or a lack of understanding of the issues involved, this frightened off potential investors. 


  • Cruise Ship Terminal proponents were given little opportunity to reassess and adapt their proposals in a way that could address well documented community objections and concerns 
  • As a consequence, and in light of the revised Breakwater Group proposal, those objections and concerns are based on concepts that are unviable and outdated rendering those objections or any public consultation process that excludes the Breakwater Group Proposal redundant 
  • By closing off the optimum areas for a cruise ship terminal and rejecting the fact that a cruise ship terminal was a core element in the former Newman government’s expression of interest, the Queensland Labor government has unilaterally denied the city and State the opportunity to make an informed choice and decision in determining its future 


Below are some of those objections raised since mid 2004 and rebuttals that address them; 

“This project is a land grab” 
No, the land is reconfigured. State owned land is increased and enhanced to become safe family friendly parkland and a cruise ship terminal facility serviced by upgraded traffic management solutions. This soft and hard infrastructure is handed back to the government on completion. The additional land set aside for commercial development is the minimum required to pay for the entire project thereby removing the need for stressed State, Council or community funding. This project delivers job creating social and economic infrastructure and is essentially a Public Private Partnership. 

This pristine land should be preserved for future generations! 
Parts of the Spit and Wavebreak island are man-made as part of the Gold Coast Seaway Project completed in 1986 and therefore do not qualify as pristine. The Breakwater Group Project not only offers a much improved public landscape but creates sustainable job prospects and infrastructure that accommodates and supports future generations. 

Cruise ship passengers do not spend significant money ashore! 
Cities that have a cruise ship terminal publish the income derived from this infrastructure, those reports contradict this claim. Each passenger that comes ashore is a potential ambassador for the city generating a personal recommendation network that is far superior in attracting visitors than any costly advertising campaign. 

What about the environmental impact? 
The Breakwater Group proposal is the least intrusive concept as it has little impact on the environmentally sensitive Broadwater while the Spit contains introduced or recently migrating flora and fauna. The Breakwater Group has designed the project and will develop it in such a manner as to ensure best practice principles that have minimum environmental impact. 

The people of the Gold Coast do not want a cruise ship terminal! 
This is an assumption based on outdated concepts that were limited by an Expression of Interest brief that failed to recognise constraints which hampered the ability to address genuine objections and concerns. By stepping outside this restrictive brief, the Breakwater Group proposal was able to address those concerns and more. This revised proposal has never gone out for broad public consultation or consideration and therefore any comment is presumptuous. Mayor Tate, the city’s biggest advocate for a cruise ship terminal, went to an election on a cruise ship terminal platform against strong opposition from the State and his mayoral opponents. He delivered a 67% majority win giving him an irrefutable mandate that contradicts the claim that the community does not want one. 

The State Government has made it a policy that there would be no development of Wavebreak Island or an area North of SeaWorld! 
If the government has implemented that policy on genuine community objections and concerns, the policy is outdated in light of the revised Breakwater Group proposal. If the government is genuine in its bid for job creation and building sustainable social and economic infrastructure it should revisit that decision and investigate the proposal in a transparent process that is open to public input and scrutiny. 

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has already put forward a compromise cruise ship terminal proposal! 
Keeping his election promise and confined by the State Government’s position Mayor Tate was left with little alternative but to put forward a compromise solution by suggesting an off shore terminal situated outside the Government’s restricted areas. This leaves the question of why should our Mayor and we be forced to accept any compromise when a potentially better prospect is put forward. Why should we pay for a moped when we can have a Ferrari for nothing? 

The project is too big! 
The Netherlands has reconfigured or reclaimed over 7,000 square kilometres of land, much of it before modern machinery was available. In the providence of Jiangsu China a project that began in 2009, 1,817 Square kilometres of land will be reclaimed and reconfigured by 2020. The list of these massive projects throughout the world is extensive. The Breakwater Group proposal only represents 2.44 square kilometres which by comparison is insignificant in scale. It is no larger than the original Gold Coast Seaway Project completed in 1986. 

Has the Breakwater Group the means to fund the project? 
There have been several proposals to establish a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast since 2004. In each case, proponents have spent millions of dollars in putting forward their concepts only to be rejected by government intervention. This has made investors extremely reluctant to commit investment in this and other projects. The Breakwater Group has been advised that funding will become available once the government indicates it is open to the establishment of a Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal. 

The Breakwater Group is a home grown Gold Coast company whose directors live, work and raised their families here. They are emotionally invested in the city’s future. One of those directors and some associated consultants held senior positions in the design and construction of the Gold Coast Seaway Project. That distinction renders the Breakwater Group first hand knowledge that supports credible insight and comment relating to the possibilities and practicalities of its cruise ship terminal proposal. 

As one Gold Coast councillor put it; “this opportunity has gone around in circles for far too many years without broad community involvement or objective open discussion.” The majority of residents would agree, they would also agree that opportunity should always be given serious consideration and not be subject to political manipulation or outright dismissal. 

The Breakwater Group proposal remains the intellectual property of the group but it welcomes exposure of its proposal to public scrutiny and appraisal allowing the broad community the opportunity to express their point of view and enter into an open public debate as to the value of the project in benefiting current and future generations. 

So what will the Breakwater Group proposal do for you? 

The Gold Coast is recognised as the tourism capital of the nation and therefore represents a significant contributor to its gross domestic product which through the trickle down effect has a positive local, state and national socio-economic impact. 
Whether we were born on the Gold Coast or came here, we all benefit from what those who came before us built. In doing so, they created the opportunities, security and lifestyle we enjoy today. Like it or not, we live in a highly competitive global market place and society and must evolve if we are to remain relevant and competitive. 
To continue enjoying that job security and lifestyle for ourselves our children and theirs, we must learn from the past by building our future today as those who came before us have done. 
The Breakwater Group project offers many benefits but its greatest long term asset can be summed up in that it creates the infrastructure and those opportunities that will serve many of our individual needs and aspirations well into the future. 



Bob Janssen
Spokesperson / Media Relations  

© 2017 Breakwater Group 

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Coast’s Visionaries Should Be Celebrated And Emulated


Jack Evans Porpoise Pool, Snapper-Rocks March-1977 © Fred-Saxon

COAST'S VISIONARIES SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AND EMULATED 

The Gold Coast’s history is peppered with those characters who, with vision and drive, created the vibrant tourism and small business capital it is today. 

Remember Jack Evans whose popular Snapper Rocks Porpoise Pool inspired the concept of Sea World. Along came Keith Williams who eventually built it to incorporate his successful Nerang River water ski show. Sir Bruce Small wrapped attractive young ladies in gold bikinis, gave them coins to feed parking meters and created an icon that attracted millions to our city. More recently Soheil Abedian built the Q1 Tower, a structure that both dominates and identifies the city’s skyline.

Gold Coast Meter Maids, 1960's

Some of them are gone now but not forgotten. They all shared a common vision in the potential of our city, understood its heartbeat, grasped opportunity when presented and despite the odds, never let go.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to live here are the beneficiaries of what they and others like them built. We, as caretakers, have a moral obligation to extend their legacy, to create opportunities and build a future for the generations to come.

There is a new crop of local visionaries, just as bold and just as determined. But society has changed for fear of change, where philosophies dominate pragmatism and where paralysis by analysis defers decisions, challenging the pioneering spirit that built our city.  

Competition and economic sustainability is no longer affected by something next door, the next city or state. It is global. What impedes progress comes from within a culture that is risk adverse expecting solid guarantees where sometimes no definitive answer can be given. 

It is the risk takers who challenge and push the envelope that take us forward. Those who take a vision mould and shape it by questioning all of its aspects, adapting and evolving it thereby turning optimism into a reality.


Opportunity should never be ignored or dismissed. Challenges, should be explored and overcome, never accepted as a signpost for defeat. History is a path that links our past to our future. By learning from history and encouraging those who have the ideas and courage to present them we can continue that journey in the confidence of a better future.


Q1 Gold Coast 


© 2017 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Remembering what it was like to be Australian


REMEMBERING WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE AUSTRALIAN


Let me indulge in a little plagiarism by borrowing a well known phrase and bringing it up to date.

There are those whose glass is half full, those whose glass is half empty and regrettably, those who have no glass at all.”

I am a proud Australian by choice, not accident of birth having emigrated here in 1950 at the age of four. Australia was a land of opportunity with a national character that believed in ‘giving it a go’. We were encouraged to be innovative, to tear apart mountains building the base blocks and opportunities for future generations. No challenge went unaddressed and failure meant rolling up the sleeves, tightening the belt and trying harder. That attitude, community spirit and work ethic built this great nation of ours.

Could we say the same today?

Between populist politics, politically correct speech, a desire to be recognised, to be liked, a fear of failure, of change, even success, our national character has atrophied.

The parameters have changed. You don’t have to be tall at all to be a victim of the tall poppy syndrome. Put forward an idea today and it attracts more knockers and negativity than support. That negativity and criticism comes under the guise of community concern and protection of the environment or future generations. Vexatious claims are the order of the day and objectivity is lost in an avalanche of misdirection, speculation and dare I say it, outright lies. 

Critics pour out of the woodwork making broad sweeping statements based on philosophies rather than substance and a hungry media gobbles it up in a social environment where controversy is high entertainment. Just look at the so called reality shows that dominate our television screens as an example. These manufactured dramas, even in cooking shows demonstrate how much our society has changed.

Even the simplest political decisions are relegated to an overflowing too hard basket. Heaven forbid that our political representatives offend anybody and with that mentality, please nobody. Backed by a growing number of advisors whose main concern is to protect the reputation and image of their bosses and not necessarily the welfare of the community, is it any wonder we get the over cautious and decision adverse representation we have. There is so much control over what is said or done that considered movement in any direction becomes a major hurdle.

Of course, we have the knee-jerk reaction, an ill considered statement or position taken under immediate pressure. Sadly, under reflection and the nature of politics such a decision is difficult to reverse no matter how beneficial the outcome. While some would consider it good governance and a sign that the politician is human and prepared to maturely and rationally address an error in judgement, others would call it a back flip which brings us back to a choice between community representation and saving personal face. 

From my perspective, as sworn to do, it is far better to redress a wrong and be respected for representing the community rather than to be liked. Not all so called back flips have negative repercussions.

We are all too busy with our lives to look too closely, to question or simply leave it to others to do so, consequently, the silent majority is subjugated by a vocal minority and a stifling political landscape. Mind you, like a breath of fresh air, there are exceptions but sadly not enough to break the malaise.

Deep within us that spirit of ‘giving it a go’ still resides. To build a better future for our children and theirs, that spirit must be awakened if we are to give them the opportunities we were given by those who came before us. Rather than give in to the knockers and negativity, challenge their assertions, become objective, become involved, speak out publicly and become the vocal majority to take this nation, its people back to the future we were meant to have. Our silence is our downfall, our voice is our redemption.

© 2016 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Has the Law Supplanted Justice


Has the Law Supplanted Justice?

One should never confuse Law with Justice. The law is carved in stone while Justice is a perception governed by the moral outlook and expectations of a society.

Society calls it the justice system. It’s a misnomer. In fact we are all subject to the legal system which society expects to meter out justice. Increasingly we are disappointed.

Based on the British system, Australian law works under the presumption of innocence where the burden of proof of guilt without reasonable doubt falls to the crown.

Over time, the law has changed. Nowhere is this change more apparent than in sentencing. The courts, for a variety of reasons have moved from punishment to rehabilitation of offenders. “Let the punishment fit the crime” no longer carries the weight it once did. It is not unusual to witness repeat offenders strut from the courts displaying utter contempt for the legal system after receiving community service orders, suspended sentences or a mere slap on the wrist. Watching this daily parade, liberally served up by the media, it is little wonder that the society has lost faith in what is unfortunately described as a justice system.

Putting offenders behind bars comes at a high cost. Be that as it may, cost is an economic consideration that should have no bearing on justice. In allowing some of these criminals out into the community because the jails are full or it is too costly to imprison them, the legal system is giving those criminals the opportunity to reoffend. That same legal system is telling society that the courts place a greater value on cost than community safety. This is not good enough!

The highly emotional Baden-Clay case would seem to be the proverbial straw that ‘broke the camel’s back’ where public outrage is demanding a review of a legal system that society no longer believe serves justice and in that context presents a real danger to the welfare and safety of the community.

We may not like what legal spokesperson Bill Potts has to say but in respect to the letter of the law he is correct in his statements. In his professional capacity as a criminal lawyer, Bill must work within the framework of the law in preserving and adhering to it. 

Clearly, society believes that the law has become a law unto itself and that those who interpret and administer it do so in a cloistered environment that is detached from society’s rightful expectations to have the law serve them by assuring justice is done and seen to be done.

Compassion, tolerance and understanding are worthy human attributes but there are those within society who use them against it to deflect the justice they deserve. Justice may well be depicted as wearing a blindfold but if she is blinded to her purpose, that blindfold should be removed.



© 2015 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Options for Climate Change


Are we doing enough to address climate change?

While the world’s governments come to terms on an effective way to address climate change, some of the lessons history provides are pushed to the background. Our planet has experienced climate change through natural occurrences since first forming an atmosphere, long before the industrial revolution and long before our predecessors began to walk. 

Reducing emissions of the various gasses that induce atmospheric warming in a way that does not negatively impact on a nation’s economy or those trapped in a low income bracket is only part of the challenge.  

Charles Darwin’s ‘survival of species’ demonstrates how various species survive by adapting to a changing environment.

In our distant past, entire societies disappeared from history. Wars were fought over arable land, water or hunting grounds as the effect of climate change reduced food resources threatening the survival of a society. Others survived by moving to a region that would sustain their lives and culture. 

As demonstrated by the European refugee crisis, today’s national borders present significant difficulties with such a mass migration. These include economic impact and cultural integration into a well established society. Should predictions prove correct, adaptation to an environment affected by climate change will rely on cooperative global trading. Each nation trades for what another cannot grow, produce or manufacture.

Our social structure is underpinned by a complex economic framework that is dependent on productivity and global trade. Today’s free trade agreements could potentially form a viable template in addressing an uncertain future.

Reverting to aggressive military or economic action is not a danger that can be ignored. Sadly, history also teaches us that we are not reluctant to using these radical options. Addressing the effects of climate change will require understanding, objective dialogue and global cooperation, if we are to avoid conflict.

There are no simple solutions. They are complex and multi faceted. Opening up the pathways to these complex solutions can have unpredictable political ramifications, scenario’s politicians tend to avoid.

‘Never start an inquiry unless you know the answer’ comes to mind.  

With nowhere to hide or isolate oneself from what is a global event this mindset must change and priority given to exploring how we can best deal with the many challenges a changing environment could present us and future generations. 

© 2015 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au 

As featured on Gold Coast and Hinterland Business Alliance website.