3. Taskforce's interim Discussion Paper overtly invited public contributions:
In Oct 2008 the Taskforce released a Discussion Paper which -
II. proposed adopting a 'learning by doing' approach.
The Minister for Health and Ageing's 'Forward' noted inter alia:
"Do you have alternative or better ideas, and if so what are they? All parts of the community have a role to play, be they individuals and families, communities and industry, and of course federal, state and territory governments. No one sector alone can deal with the prevention agenda – we must act in concert and take responsibility for actions within each of our domains. So your views will be vital to the next stage of development of a truly national prevention strategy. I encourage you to provide input at this important time."
"This discussion paper provides the first step in the development of the Strategy. We have proposed targets for three key areas of prevention - obesity, tobacco and alcohol, together with priorities and recommended policies and programs. We have also identified the support structures and measurements needed to ensure that the key priorities are met and that there is proper monitoring and evaluation.
A series of questions have been put forward in this paper. The Taskforce is keen to hear your responses and to have your input as we work towards developing the Strategy.
Throughout the paper, an emphasis is placed on working together. We invite all - individuals, community groups, government and non-government organisations and industry groups - to participate by making a submission on how we can make Australia the healthiest nation by 2020. We suggest you take the questions in this paper as a starting point, although we welcome your views on other issues."
4. Philip Johnston accepted the above invitations from Minister for Health & Ageing and Chairperson of Taskforce to submit his "views" which the Minister asserted was ".....vital to the next stage of development of a truly national prevention strategy":
Retired infrastructure banker, Philip Johnston has participated all his adult life in rigorous sports including baseball, cricket, cycling, annual ocean swims, kayaking and hiking (also completed two National IronMan Triathlons), with like-minded local 'exercise junkies' and experienced, first hand, the enormous value of Local Community Common Bond Support Groups. Prior to retiring in 2007, he administered syndicates of debt providing bankers' financial interests in several major infrastructure projects from the late '80s to 2006 for Commonwealth Bank, working on major projects which started with a detailed document known as an Information Memorandum and often ended say 5 years later with the construction of a major new piece of Greenfield infrastructure ie. Sydney Harbour Tunnel, or the major overhaul of existing Brownfield infrastructure ie. Long Bay Goal. Bankers try to only lend to infrastructure projects that are going to achieve a positive return. Hence, they require massive detailed analysis incl financial modelling prior to committing hundreds of millions of dollars to new infrastructure projects. Cross City Tunnel, Lane Cove Tunnel and Asia Pacific Rail Transport are three Greenfield projects where bankers got it wrong by grossly over estimating forecast patronage in their base case financial models.
Phil Johnston has attracted an average of 10 cyclists to +100km hilly bike rides around the perimeter of Sydney each fine weather Sunday since 1996 in a local Bicycle User Group, Muggaccinos.com, and evidenced several hundred fellow cyclists draw back on the skills they learnt during their Youthful Exuberance Growth Phase, from 3 to around 11 years of age, in order to Materially Alter Lifestyle because Recreational Exercise Activity is Fun and Addictive. He knows many other organisers of local rigorous recreational exercise groups, whom he has discussed Risk Management with to mitigate sporting accidents.
In July 2008 Mr. Johnston posted his initial three business plans on a CD ROM to members of the National Preventive Health Taskforce. These were set out in an Information Memorandum format deployed by investment bankers keen to attract debt providers for a prospective Brownfield infrastructure project.
Mr. Johnston views Australia's 22 million population as Human Brownfield Infrastructure and, under his YELP First Business Plan, by injecting Capex to enable Recreational Exercise Consultants to assist Interested Adults to commence one of 15 Recreational Exercise Activities, drawing upon Existing Human Resources using Existing Recreational & Competitive Exercise Infrastructure, he contends will achieve a tenfold return on Capex expended within five years in treating the Taskforce's Lifestyle Related Chronic Diseases which will Improve Personal Health And Fitness, achieve Positive Lifestyle Changes, enhance QOL, thereby Compressing Morbidity, Increasing Productivity, Extending Labour Force Participation generating Increased Tax Contributions, increased GDP and reduced Health Care Costs.