The ideas gathered here are paul’s current thinking on how we make life easier, healthier, and fairer for everyone.
At the centre is a simple belief: if we want different outcomes, we have to be willing to redesign the systems that produce the ones we have. That means being honest about what is not working, clear about what we want instead, and practical about how change actually happens.
These posts are not finished answers. They are proposals, offered in good faith to spark debate, invite critique, and test what works. As the conversation grows, the ideas will be refined. Community priorities will surface. The agenda will take clearer shape.
Consider this an open invitation. Read, push back, and add your voice.
Oh, and you might spot the term “po” in the subtitle to most posts.”Po” is the late Edward de Bono’s thinking tool for introducing deliberate provocations used to suspend judgment, challenge established patterns of thinking, and stimulate creative ideas that would not emerge through conventional logic.
What would it take to scale efforts to prevent suicidal distress, reduce suicide rates, and improve support systems in Tasmania?
Po: Could we work together to build better systems and supports to significantly reduce suicide rates in Tasmania? Can we aspire to the zero suicide goal in our state?
What would it take to provide “startup incubator-like” support to “sole traders” working in the NDIS and My Aged Care in Tasmania?
Po: Could Tasmania lead the nation in the delivery of a suite of supports to help sole traders run sustainable micro-businesses and address low business literacy, isolation, and burn out.
What would it take to make winter heating more affordable and address a root cause of ‘energy poverty’ in Tasmania?
Po: Could Tasmania deliver "affordable warmth" to vulnerable groups by retro-fitting poorly insulated and energy inefficient homes?
What would it take to improve disclosure rules for Councillors in local government in Tasmania?
Po: Could the City of Launceston ensure disclosure of Councillor's allowances, income source, affiliations, and meeting logs occur in each Meeting Agenda?
What would it take to better protect the private information of Australians from secret data harvesting by big tech companies?
Po: Could more robust privacy legislation, and greater community awareness, better protect citizens in this age of surveillance capitalism?
What would it take to support everyone in Launceston to feel a sense of connection and belonging?
Po: Could the people of Launceston address social isolation and loneliness together; becoming a city of better-connected people, with deeper bonds, and greater resilience?
What would it take to support every Tasmanian to have the highest standard of care at the end of their life?
Po: Could Tasmania lead the nation in resourcing and delivering "best in class" palliative care and end-of-life supports?
What would it take to scale investment in fall prevention programs in Tasmania and support all seniors to age safe and well?
Po: Could investment in strength training programs for seniors improve quality of life and avoid the suffering and economic costs of falls?
What would it take to transform residential aged care into more “home-like” communities across Tasmania?
Po: Could Tasmania lead the way by scaling the use of the Green House Model of aged care and foster a higher quality of life for our senior citizens?
What would it take to increase the rate of all Centrelink payments and reduce poverty and inequality across Australia?
Po: Could we lift around 3.3million Australians, including over 760,000 children, out of poverty for good by increasing income support payments?
What would it take to increase participation in community bike riding in the City of Launceston?
Po: Could we accelerate initiatives to make Launceston more bike friendly, and improve health through an increased number of people riding in our region?
What would it take to improve the sustainability and comfort of all cold, damp and energy inefficient homes in Tasmania?
Po: Could the introduction of Energy Performance Certification for all homes in Tasmania support the development of targeted retro-fitting programs?
What would it take to establish an annual multi-faith festival in the City of Launceston?
Po: Could an annual multi-faith festival build increased tolerance and respect for the diversity of religious and non-religious views in our City?
What would it take to transition to an Australian republic with an Australian Head of State?
Po: Could we change our Constitution, become a Republic and have an Australian as our Head of State by 2035?
What would it take to introduce the Junior Citizen of the Year Awards across the City of Launceston?
Po: Could we acknowledge the rich contributions of school age children to our community through an annual award?
What would it take to establish an annual Social Justice Lecture in the City of Launceston?
Po: Could an annual lecture focused on human rights and social justice promote stronger and deeper civic engagement?
What would it take to ensure gambling companies return stolen money to victims?
Po: Could a change to gambling control laws in Tasmania see money that is stolen and lost via gambling returned to victims?
What would it take to attract more international film and TV projects to Tasmania?
Po: Could a production hub at Mac Point and a suitable attraction strategy put Tasmania in front of the world?
What would it take to make the fight against high inflation fairer?
Po: Could a temporary increase in the portion of employee wages directed to retirement savings be a fairer way to tame inflation than increasing interest rates?
What would it take to increase sporting infrastructure in the City of Launceston’s suburban parks?
Po: Would new basketball and netball courts installed in our suburban parks boost participation in exercise?
