The Australia to 2050 report highlights something that is well understood by South Australians, that infrastructure plays a key role in long-term economic expansion.

Most Australians would ask why is it that Schapelle Corby gets sentenced to 20 years for importing marijuana, Abu Bakar Bashir gets 30 months for participating in the murder of nearly 100 Australians,

It is a kick in the guts for the families of those 88 Australians, young Australians, who were murdered in Bali. It's just plain wrong.

Australians are a passionate lot. We are also a very practical lot.

On Australia Day 2010, as we enter this second decade of the 21st century, Australians can be optimistic about our future, but we cannot afford to mistake optimism for complacency.

We are moving toward recognition of the first Australians in the Australian constitution.