Fed: GG outlines Rudd government priorities to parliament=5

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2008
Fed: GG outlines Rudd government priorities to parliament=5

Maj-Gen Jeffery said building a world-class education system was central to the government's
productivity agenda.

"The government's long-term ambition is to produce the best educated workforce in the
world," he said.

"The rest of the world is not standing still as they invest billions into human capital.

"The government is committed to a plan of action to prevent Australia falling further
behind against critical global benchmarks."

Maj-Gen Jeffery said advanced infrastructure was critically important to raising long-term
productivity and the government, working with states and territories, would focus on better
coordination of public infrastructure planning and investment.

He said Infrastructure Australia would be established to improve planning and coordination
of Australian transport, water and energy infrastructure.

The government would also work with the private sector to build a high-speed national
broadband network, the critical infrastructure platform of the 21st century.

The governor-general said the government intended to foster a culture of innovation
through strengthening investment in creativity and knowledge generation, establishing
the Enterprise Connect Network.

"The office of the chief scientists will once again become a full-time position," he said.

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KEYWORD: PARLY GG 5 CANBERRA

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