ENGAGE Board of Reference

John Anderson

Former deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party

I profoundly believe that we should enjoy a more vigorous and engaging debate in our society about the sort of people we want to be and the sort of society we want to live in, and even more importantly what sort of world we want to pass onto our children. ENGAGE seeks to help us all build just such a debate, and we can only be the better for it.

James Crowley QC

Barrister at Law, Brisbane

Media images showing rebellion against authority, lack of social responsibility, drug taking, cruelty, and violence, appear to reflect a decline in moral values where individual preferences take precedence over community wellbeing. An acceptance of diminished social mores is sometimes reflected in the interpretation and administration of the law. ENGAGE can therefore play a vital role by encouraging the legal profession, law enforcement agencies, and governments, to review current perceptions of morality against the ever increasing destruction of absolute values and societal decay, and to provide a common code against which to measure and supervise individual and community behaviour. It can also encourage greater education of youth and greater participation of parents and role models in youth affairs.

Simon McKeon

Executive Chairman, Melbourne Office of Macquarie Capital Advisers Ltd

From a business perspective, we live in interesting times. Consumers are enquiring, like never before, about how products and services are created. And the next wave of employee and management talent, in the form of Generation Y, knows that it is in demand and requires something more than a salary and the occasional promotion. ENGAGE Australia provides a space for people from all aspects of society to have a frank dialogue about the things that matter. This is a terrific opportunity for those in business to listen, contribute and have a rain check as to whether their “licence to operate” remains valid.

Dr. Brian Millis

Principal, Christian Heritage College, Brisbane

Education plays a vital role in role in communicating to the next generation the values which we as a society depend on as the “social glue” of our civic relations. But our society often seems uncertain about the content and moral force of these essential concepts of citizenship and social responsibility, and thus finds it difficult to support their communication through our educational institutions. ENGAGE Australia stands for a restatement of those basic communal values which can make an important contribution to the health of Australian society.

Jim Wallace AM

Managing Director, Australian Christian Lobby, Canberra

Government policy affects every aspect of national life whether business, health, community or individual interaction. It is of utmost importance there is ongoing substantive dialogue between government and the communities they represent. I support the endeavours of ENGAGE Australia - we need more discussion on the issues causing the breakdown of our society.