Full Story Back to Back Barries: roundtable reforms, and diplomatic rows
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Aug 22, 2025 Journalist and author George Megalogenis joins Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry to explore the recent economic roundtable in Canberra and its potential impact on government reforms. They discuss the historical effectiveness of productivity summits and draw parallels to current political tensions. The trio tackles intergenerational inequity, examining how reforms will affect younger generations while critiquing existing support structures. They also delve into Australia's diplomatic relations, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with Israel and its ramifications.
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Roundtable As Policy Positioning
- The productivity roundtable was framed as positioning and pre‑political messaging rather than instant big reforms.
- Jim Chalmers aims to litigate the case for reform over months, not deliver a single dramatic overhaul.
Consent Is Central To Successful Reform
- Reform politics now requires winning public consent and offering trade‑offs, not unilateral big bangs.
- Recent history shows reforms fail when leaders try to impose complex changes without bringing the electorate along.
Do Small, Named Reforms First
- Prioritize incremental fixes like reducing red tape and 'tell us once' data sharing to cut delays.
- Name practical programs to create political momentum and ensure follow‑through.