MEDIA RELEASE
20 November 2009
Future of Australia takes centre stage at World Economic
Forum event in Dubai
More streamlined and focussed regional cooperation will help the Asia-Pacific maintain peace and
prosperity in challenging times, according to a report presented to Global Agenda Councils by a panel
of eminent Australian business, academic and government leaders in Dubai today.
Future of Australia committee chair, Michael Roux, presented two separate reports to 700
international delegates gathered for the World Economic Forum event.
"The first report takes an overview of the economic and productivity challenges facing Australia in the
context of the global financial crisis, the continuing rise of China and India and the relative stagnation
of the US," Mr. Roux says.
"The second report addresses security in the Asia Pacific region, in light of new and old forces that
endanger the region's three-decade record of peace and prosperity.
"Both reports identify that we are at a critical hinge point for Australia and our region. The Global
Financial Crisis has reset the table by accelerating the growth of new economies, China and India
especially, when indexed against the US and Europe. Much of that story has played out on Australia's
doorstep.
"The economic and security ramifications of this realignment have yet to play out, but Australia cannot
afford to become a victim of events - and that would happen if there were that kind of geographical
shift in regional focus towards East Asia recommended in recent times by the Japanese Prime
Minister," Mr. Roux said.
The Report on "Enhancing Security in the Asia-Pacific Region" acknowledges that the current
framework for regional co-operation is "untidy and inefficient".
"The report proposes that an expanded East Asian Summit -- including the US, along with the 16
member countries, including Australia -- may achieve a greater level of coherence on regional security
matters than what currently exists," Mr. Roux said.
"One of the most startling achievements over the past fifty years has been the economic growth in our
region.
"The next fifty years will almost certainly witness a parallel rise in geopolitical power. These reports
underline a view that Australia needs to be an assertive regional leader in order to mitigate the risks
and maximise the opportunities presented by global realignment taking place all around us," Mr. Roux
said.
ENDS
Michael Roux is available for interview.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Michael Roux, please contact Emma Martin
at Mendleson Communication on 03 9827 0422, or email emma@mendleson.com.au
About the Australian Davos Connection (ADC)
The ADC is a wholly Australian, non-political, not-for-profit leadership organisation which brings
together leaders from business, government, the public sector, academia and the broader community
to improve their understanding of key issues affecting Australia.
The ADC was originally founded in 1996 to promote the World Economic Forum (WEF) within
Australia, promote Australia's interest within the broader WEF community, and share the richness of
ideas within the WEF community to a wider Australian audience.
The organisation also aims to:
Promote business excellence by encouraging policy debate on global issues;
Improve the quality of leadership;
Enhance Australia's position in the region and the world;
Encourage Australian leaders to help improve the quality of life of all Australians;
Encourage Australia to play a responsible, and leadership role where appropriate, within the
global community; and
Expose Australian leaders to international experts and key international leaders.
About Michael Roux, Chairman, ADC
Michael Roux is Chairman, ADC; Asian Markets, KPMG; Roux International Pty Ltd;
RI Group; Victorian Opera and a Director of St James Ethics Centre and Great Barrier Reef Research
Foundation.
He is also senior advisor to the World Economic Forum, Chair of Global Agenda Council on Future of
Australia, Member of the CII / WEF Indian Business Advisory Committee, Member of the WEF Asian
Strategy Group, advisor to the President of Rwanda, Member of the Rwandan Presidential Advisory
Council, Honorary Consul-General for the Republic of Rwanda, Member of Clinton Global Initiative,
Member of Yale University Advisory Board for the Center for Sustainability and Member of Faculty
Advisory Board for Faculty of Business & Economics, Monash University.
Previously, he was Vice-Chairman of Citigroup, Director of Deutsche Bank, Director of Deutsche Asset
Management, Deputy Secretary of the Victorian Treasury, Director of the Office of State Owned
Enterprises and Director of the Office of Trade and Investment.
He has also been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Accident Commission,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accident Compensation Commission, Chairman and Managing
Director of the Road Traffic Authority, Executive Chairman of the Victorian Government Housing
Authority and Director General of the Department of Employment and Training.
He has served on the Board of VicUrban, Asialink, the State Library of Victoria, the Victorian
Employment Committee, the Victorian Technology Advisory Committee, the Victorian Apprenticeship
Commission, the Smith Family Victorian Committee, the McFarlane Burnett Centre, the Heide
Museum of Modern Art and was a member of the Council of the Victorian State Opera and the Opera
Australia Council.
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