Numbers count

Dear ,

Whether you’ve booked, or are thinking about booking, please think about how you might get your friends to come to this year’s McIlwraith Lecture because this year, more than any other, numbers count.

Just another one or two people would make a huge difference. Organising a table, even more. And if you can’t come yourself, what about sponsoring a student to attend?

A strong turnout will make an impression on David Crisafulli. It demonstrates that the Institute represents a constituency worth listening to, and magnifies the influence our policy work can have with the government. A poor turnout sends the opposite message.

The Institute was established for two major reasons: to influence public opinion and to influence government policy in favour of policies that improve everyone’s lives by releasing the power of the individual.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard non-Labor and non-Greens voters complain that when the Coalition, or the LNP, is elected, they end up in government but not in power: “They don’t do the things we elected them to do.”

Which is exactly how I feel about the federal Liberal Party after the last election.

Part of the problem is a lack of vision. But another part is that reforming governments face constant pushback from Labor’s political ecosystem of unions, superannuation funds, NGOs, media, academics and influencers.

The AIP is part of an alternative ecosystem: one that supports good government by speaking up for good policy and producing a flow of solid ideas that free-enterprise governments can use.

But no one will take us seriously if they think we are just a few people who get together for wine and antipasto a few times a year.

So the McIlwraith Lecture isn’t just a celebration of Sir Thomas McIlwraith and the contribution he made to developing Queensland. It also puts the Institute on show.

This year, let’s make a superlative show. Let’s demonstrate to David Crisafulli that he has friends who will back him when he implements good policy, offer constructive criticism when he doesn’t, and push the envelope of public opinion to make even better policy possible.

If you have friends who you think would like to come, please send them this link:

https://McIlwraith_Crisafulli.eventbrite.com.au

And, of course, if you haven’t booked yet, use the link yourself.

To book a table; sponsor a student; or sponsor a student table, email me at graham.young@onlineopinion.com.au.

The function is Wednesday, September 30, at 5:30 pm for 6:00 pm at the Amora Hotel, 200 Creek Street, Brisbane. It includes a two-course meal and all drinks, as well as influence with the Queensland government and the Queensland public.

Kind regards,

GRAHAM YOUNG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR PROGRESS