Alistair Coe: ACT Leader of the Opposition
Elizabeth Kikkert: Shadow Minister for Families, Youth and Community Services & Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Michael Pettersson: ACT Labor Member for Yerrabi
Engineers Australia Staff; Members and Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
My name is John McIntosh; and I am a Loud and Proud Chartered Professional Engineer; Fellow; and National President of Engineers Australia.
Thank you for joining us today at the National Museum of Australia, for the launch of Engineers Australia’s flagship publication –
The State of the Engineering Profession.
And what better day to do this, than on the Global Day of the Engineer!
Today – around the world – we celebrate the profession, and the many, countless ways engineers impact our lives.
Every time I speak publically, I make it a point of saying that Engineering is a Nobel Profession. I emphasize this largely because, unlike any other profession, we have the responsibility for creating Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Sustainable communities.
This is not just another slogan, but a justifiable characterisation of a profession that is dedicated to benefitting our community.
That has to be our Number One priority!
In making this point, let me evoke the words of Sir John Monash, a Civil Engineer who became the Australian Military Commander during the First World War.
In fact, some of you may know that he initiated the first celebration of ANZAC Day, which we commemorate each year on the 25th of April.
“Adopt as your fundamental creed that you will equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community”
At Engineers Australia, we hold in the highest regard, a Code of Ethics that articulates the standards by which we are intent on serving the community …
… ensuring that our Members regard the pursuit of academic and engineering excellence, not just as the pinnacle of their career, but what they strive to achieve each and every day.
As the peak body representing the engineering profession – a body we proudly boast, is the trusted voice of the profession – we have a duty of supporting our political decision-makers with the best technical engineering advice available.
Let me be clear in what is the role of the Engineer. Ours is not to make political decisions, but to afford the best technical engineering advice, when duly requested.
And so this brings us to today’s launch:
The State of the Engineering Profession is an examination of policies designed to meet the very ideals I spoke of earlier – creating happy, healthy, prosperous and sustainable communities.
We look at the drivers of prosperity: That is, Innovation and Productivity.
We focus on the bedrock of all industries: ENERGY security and affordability.
We highlight the importance of infrastructure as the CONNECTOR of business to local and international markets.
We value DEFENCE engineering as central to our defence force capability.
And all the while, we assess the capability of the engineering workforce required to meet the challenges that continue to confront us as a Nation.
This Report also provides thought-provoking recommendations that can be discussed and debated among governments and, most importantly, the constituents who helped elect them.
If, by your very presence here today, you accept the concept that Engineers are Problem Solvers, then – Ladies and Gentlemen – I call upon all of you to BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.
After reading the contents of this Report and listening to the insights of our eminent speakers this afternoon – Elisa Martinez-Marroquin; Glenn Keys and Rear Admiral Michael Uzzell – I would like you to think of the many ways you can support Engineers Australia in our work with governments, industry, and academia, to create the future we all espouse – for ourselves, our children and our children’s children.
Finally, let me congratulate Brent Jackson and his team for producing what is really a fascinating insight into The State of the Engineering Profession – a profession that touches all of our lives; every-day, in every-way.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you.
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