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<v Chair>Welcome to Adelaide, the capital city of Australia.

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<v Chair>And to the Festival of Ideas, which of course was born in this extraordinary town,

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<v Chair>which on matters cultural and intellectual always punches well above its weight.

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<v Chair>Tonight, shortly, I'll introduce you to this panel of people sitting here,

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<v Chair>looking like the Nuremberg judges or perhaps like the Last Supper.

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<v Chair>I won't do so yet. I shall do so later when we begin that part of the evening,

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<v Chair>when we're going to be discussing more or less how the world will end with a bang or a whimper

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<v Chair>in the great smorgasbord of anxieties and dramas and dangers and perils that we're confronting.

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<v Chair>What is the worst? And I suppose it's going to be, if you like, an auction of apocalypses.

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<v Chair>But that is later.

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<v Chair>First of all, ladies and gentlemen,

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<v Chair>we are...

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<v Chair>I would like to remind us all that we're on Kaurna land and we should never forget it.

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<v Chair>And I would like to introduce you to the man for whom this event...

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<v Chair>Well, it's an honour of him and he deserves every honour that we can heap upon him.

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<v Chair>As Tim Flannery was saying to me a few minutes ago,

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<v Chair>how many people have saved a hundred million lives?

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<v Chair>He's the sort of Christian who are...

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<v Chair>One of those rare Christians, I'm afraid,

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<v Chair>who I think Jesus Christ might approve of.

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<v Chair>And I think he's worth the Australian equivalent of the saying to it,

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<v Chair>which, as you know, is 10 out of 10 and a koala stamp.

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<v Chair>His name is Basil Hetzel and he's had an extraordinary life,

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<v Chair>as you'll read in the bio notes in the program.

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<v Chair>But let me tell you some of it.

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<v Chair>In fact, I have to because there's also a radio audience who aren't sitting with us here tonight.

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<v Chair>He was born in London in 1922,

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<v Chair>educated at Adelaide Schools, the University of Adelaide Medical School.

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<v Chair>And then he began a lifelong commitment to be a liberal socialist,

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<v Chair>combining this with Christianity.

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<v Chair>And, of course, it sits comfortably, he insists, with his scientific life.

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<v Chair>In fact, he argues that Christianity has given him a greater depth of understanding

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<v Chair>and has, in fact, enhanced his approach to his science.

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<v Chair>He resisted an early inclination to train as a psychiatrist,

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<v Chair>and pursued that career as a medical scientist.

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<v Chair>And he had three years as a Fulbright Fellow in New York.

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<v Chair>His early research interests were the physical effects of psychological stress

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<v Chair>and also thyroid hormones.

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<v Chair>Science and Christianity would intersect

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<v Chair>and confirmed his personal belief that medical diagnosis and treatment

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<v Chair>must address not only the physical person,

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<v Chair>but also the less tangible emotional and spiritual self.

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<v Chair>His career has been marked by innovation and collaboration.

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<v Chair>And I would suggest that you do ruffle through this immense CV

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<v Chair>to see the immense amount of work he has done,

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<v Chair>influencing and improving the lives of two billion people,

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<v Chair>at the risk of iodine deficiency, for example, in over 130 countries.

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<v Chair>He's been from the White House to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,

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<v Chair>from remote highland villages and PNG,

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<v Chair>to the United States.

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<v Chair>He's been to Kathmandu, always with the same message,

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<v Chair>that for the minimal cost of iodizing salt for human and animal consumption,

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<v Chair>great health and economic benefits will flow.

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<v Chair>He's a great advocate for public health.

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<v Chair>And as you'll see, he's an unassuming man

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<v Chair>who has a dogged persistence and determination to do

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<v Chair>and convince others of what must be done

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<v Chair>to make the world a better place.

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<v Chair>Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Dr. Basil Hetzel, AC.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Thank you, Philip, for that very generous introduction.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is indeed a great honor for me to open this fourth Festival of Ideas.

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<v Basil Hetzel>What a great event it has become.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Well established in Australia and beyond,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and shows to the world Adelaide's life of the mind.

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<v Basil Hetzel>We have an excellent program ahead of us over the next three days,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and I applaud this emphasis on practicality,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and on the practical issues, what is to be done.

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<v Basil Hetzel>What ideas do we have to help us,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and how can we put these ideas into action?

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<v Basil Hetzel>My lifelong concern has been with health,

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<v Basil Hetzel>particularly for the last 40 years in public health.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The health of groups and communities,

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<v Basil Hetzel>both in Australia and overseas,

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<v Basil Hetzel>in our neighbor nations to the north,

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<v Basil Hetzel>particularly at Papua New Guinea, Indonesia,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and China.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I want to take up some current problems

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<v Basil Hetzel>which pose public health challenges that require action.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Let me, however, digress for a moment

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<v Basil Hetzel>on this issue of being a Christian intellectual.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It has been a feature of my life.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I've had good friends and professors,

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<v Basil Hetzel>notably in New York,

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<v Basil Hetzel>Paul Tillich,

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<v Basil Hetzel>who stimulated my mind

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<v Basil Hetzel>to the position that indeed

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<v Basil Hetzel>our current situations raise questions.

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<v Basil Hetzel>There's always a question there

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<v Basil Hetzel>which can possibly be met by a Christian solution.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This was what led me to move into the field of public health

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<v Basil Hetzel>following my experience in Papua New Guinea

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<v Basil Hetzel>from 1964,

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<v Basil Hetzel>when I first became involved with the problem of iodine deficiency

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<v Basil Hetzel>as a cause of brain damage

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<v Basil Hetzel>and then the subsequent development

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<v Basil Hetzel>of a global public health program of prevention.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I see scientific discovery as part of the revelation of God.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The remarkable results of scientific discovery,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which we witness every day,

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<v Basil Hetzel>reassure us that we can understand the world,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and the universe in which we live.

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<v Basil Hetzel>As our Australian cosmologist, Paul Davies,

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<v Basil Hetzel>also advisor to this festival,

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<v Basil Hetzel>says,

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<v Basil Hetzel>we are truly meant to be here.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is, of course, a remarkable thing

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<v Basil Hetzel>that this washing machine has just hit a comet.

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<v Basil Hetzel>A very remarkable mathematical achievement,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which indicates, indeed,

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<v Basil Hetzel>there is something in the universe where we share.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Our mind is somehow or other able to grapple

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<v Basil Hetzel>with the nature of the universe.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I want to take up some current problems

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<v Basil Hetzel>which pose public health challenges that require action.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And the first one is economic rationalism and the bottom line.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Now, as many of you know, economic rationalism refers

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<v Basil Hetzel>to the reduction of humanity

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<v Basil Hetzel>to economic man.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Also known as neoconservatism in North America

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<v Basil Hetzel>and neoliberalism in Europe.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is a philosophy which supports a morality

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<v Basil Hetzel>based on belief in market forces

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<v Basil Hetzel>and the pursuit of short-term profit.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The question of profit for whom is not asked.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The one concern is with money rather than people.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And there's certainly no concern about the consequences

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<v Basil Hetzel>of commercial action.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The bottom line refers to the bottom line

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<v Basil Hetzel>on the balance sheet drawn up to demonstrate

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<v Basil Hetzel>the state of profit or loss of the company.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And it is, of course,

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<v Basil Hetzel>the only reference point for economic rationalism.

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<v Basil Hetzel>There are two recent Australian examples of companies

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<v Basil Hetzel>where pursuit of the bottom line to the exclusion of all else

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<v Basil Hetzel>has led to major human disasters.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I refer to the BHP October 2020

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<v Basil Hetzel>which was a big one.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The first was the Octeti mine in New Guinea

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<v Basil Hetzel>and James Hardy, producer of asbestos products

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<v Basil Hetzel>for the construction industry.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The Octeti mine has destroyed a large area

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<v Basil Hetzel>of the western province of Papua New Guinea,

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<v Basil Hetzel>grossly contaminated and not habitable.

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<v Basil Hetzel>A significant proportion of the local community

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<v Basil Hetzel>has been deprived of their livelihood.

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<v Basil Hetzel>There's been no serious attempt to protect the environment

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<v Basil Hetzel>because of the exclusive preoccupation

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<v Basil Hetzel>with the bottom line.

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<v Basil Hetzel>In the case of James Hardy,

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<v Basil Hetzel>large numbers of workers at the asbestos mining site

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<v Basil Hetzel>in Western Australia have contracted the fatal diseases

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<v Basil Hetzel>of asbestosis or mesothelioma.

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<v Basil Hetzel>These effects of asbestos have been known for over 50 years,

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<v Basil Hetzel>but James Hardy made no adequate arrangements

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<v Basil Hetzel>for compensation for these workers

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<v Basil Hetzel>until recently forced by public opinion

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<v Basil Hetzel>in the trade unions, state and federal government.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The behaviour of both these companies

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<v Basil Hetzel>indicates a total disregard for human values

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<v Basil Hetzel>related to the health of the exposed workers

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<v Basil Hetzel>and also the environmental impact.

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<v Basil Hetzel>In the light of such experiences,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which are regrettably worldwide,

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<v Basil Hetzel>especially in developing countries,

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<v Basil Hetzel>a new concept has been put forward

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<v Basil Hetzel>by the British environmentalist John Elkington,

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<v Basil Hetzel>the triple bottom line.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This refers to both the social and environmental

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<v Basil Hetzel>responsibility in addition to profit

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<v Basil Hetzel>to make a triple bottom line.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Now I believe that the triple bottom line

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<v Basil Hetzel>should now be universally recognised

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<v Basil Hetzel>by commercial undertakings,

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<v Basil Hetzel>should involve management staff and shareholders.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Let me now turn to inequalities in health.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I begin with the Aboriginal community.

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<v Basil Hetzel>As is well known, there is a 20 year difference

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<v Basil Hetzel>in the life expectancy in the Aboriginal community

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<v Basil Hetzel>for both sexes compared to the non-Aboriginal population

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<v Basil Hetzel>in Australia.

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<v Basil Hetzel>My experience is that there is a great potential

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<v Basil Hetzel>for leadership among the dedicated

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<v Basil Hetzel>black and white health professionals,

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<v Basil Hetzel>including nurses, doctors, educators and others

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<v Basil Hetzel>involved in health care for the Aboriginal community,

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<v Basil Hetzel>already working in this field throughout Australia.

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<v Basil Hetzel>However, they have only limited opportunities

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<v Basil Hetzel>in the small scattered communities of Australia,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which is the area that they serve.

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<v Basil Hetzel>They should come together in a national professional organisation

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<v Basil Hetzel>which could take on a national leadership role

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<v Basil Hetzel>which is so much needed.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Another urgent problem is that of childhood obesity.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Great concern because it's a precursor

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<v Basil Hetzel>of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus

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<v Basil Hetzel>in later life, as I think many of you will be aware.

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<v Basil Hetzel>There's been a rapid increase in childhood obesity

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<v Basil Hetzel>since 1990 in association with increased hours

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<v Basil Hetzel>of television exposure.

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<v Basil Hetzel>For children, up to two to five hours a day

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<v Basil Hetzel>exacerbated by advertisements for fast foods

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<v Basil Hetzel>of high carbohydrate and fat content.

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<v Basil Hetzel>There's also been a coincident decrease

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<v Chair>in physical activity.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Our research work indicated that children were motivated

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<v Basil Hetzel>to improve their physical activity by keeping a record

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<v Basil Hetzel>of their running times.

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<v Basil Hetzel>They became more interested in their lifestyle

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<v Basil Hetzel>to improve their performance.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Now that the computer is available,

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<v Basil Hetzel>children can use it to keep their own records.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It has been found that the computer becomes

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<v Basil Hetzel>a significant other, interacting with the students

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<v Basil Hetzel>to motivate them with improved self-esteem

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<v Basil Hetzel>and social skills.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This program known as the Human Race

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<v Basil Hetzel>has been running in the last three years

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<v Basil Hetzel>and over 50 primary schools in South Australia,

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<v Basil Hetzel>some schools interstate, and has aroused interest overseas

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<v Basil Hetzel>in the UK and Canada.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is now, I'm glad to say, going to be introduced

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<v Basil Hetzel>to all schools in the disadvantaged social inclusion program

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<v Basil Hetzel>of the present Labor government with Commonwealth support.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And I really believe that this program should introduce

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<v Basil Hetzel>to all schools in the state.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Finally, a word on global poverty.

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<v Basil Hetzel>In an address in Trafalgar Square in March 2005,

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<v Basil Hetzel>Nelson Mandela said,

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<v Basil Hetzel>like slavery and apartheid,

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<v Basil Hetzel>poverty is not natural.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is man-made, and it can be overcome

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<v Basil Hetzel>and eradicated by the actions of human beings.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is a gesture of self-sacrifice.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is an act of justice.

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<v Basil Hetzel>It is the protection of a fundamental human right,

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<v Basil Hetzel>the right to dignity, and a decent life.

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<v Basil Hetzel>While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.

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<v Basil Hetzel>As many of us are aware, global poverty is now receiving

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<v Basil Hetzel>more attention in the United Nations system.

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<v Basil Hetzel>And a recent report by the economist Jeffrey Sachs,

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<v Basil Hetzel>advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN,

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<v Basil Hetzel>lays out plans for achieving this

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<v Basil Hetzel>in a book recently published and available here.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Emphasis is on setting deadlines for specific,

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<v Basil Hetzel>often simple projects that have been proven to work.

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<v Basil Hetzel>One of these projects is the elimination of brain damage

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<v Basil Hetzel>due to iodine deficiency,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which has been recognised by the World Bank

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<v Basil Hetzel>as a significant factor in world poverty.

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<v Basil Hetzel>For the past 20 years, with international colleagues,

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<v Basil Hetzel>I have been fully engaged

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<v Basil Hetzel>in the development of a global program within the UN system

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<v Basil Hetzel>for the elimination of brain damage due to iodine deficiency.

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<v Basil Hetzel>We have established an international NGO

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<v Basil Hetzel>based here in Adelaide for 16 years,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which now comprises 700 multidisciplinary professionals

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<v Basil Hetzel>from more than 100 countries.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This NGO provides scientific expertise

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<v Basil Hetzel>for an informal global partnership,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which includes the people and governments of 130 countries,

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<v Basil Hetzel>with a total at-risk population of

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<v Basil Hetzel>in excess of 2 billion.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This partnership also includes WHO, UNICEF and AusAID,

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<v Basil Hetzel>has been supporting this venture from the beginning,

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<v Basil Hetzel>and I am indeed very grateful to all of you

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<v Basil Hetzel>as Australian taxpayers for the support of AusAID,

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<v Basil Hetzel>which made this possible.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Significant progress has been made

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<v Basil Hetzel>with iodine salt coverage of two-thirds of households worldwide

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<v Basil Hetzel>by the year 2000.

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<v Basil Hetzel>This is an example of the work

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<v Basil Hetzel>of success in bridging the gap

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<v Basil Hetzel>between our knowledge and its application.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I believe this model of an independent expert NGO

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<v Basil Hetzel>working with people and governments through the UN

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<v Basil Hetzel>with the agencies is relevant to other global health,

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<v Basil Hetzel>social and environmental problems.

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<v Basil Hetzel>The efficient application of science and technology

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<v Basil Hetzel>has assumed new urgency in today's world.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I hope this

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<v Basil Hetzel>Adelaide Festival of Ideas

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<v Basil Hetzel>will be a significant contribution to bridging this gap.

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<v Basil Hetzel>I express on your behalf my thanks to the organisers

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<v Basil Hetzel>and best wishes for a successful festival.

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<v Basil Hetzel>Thank you very much.

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<v Chair>As a non-believer,

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<v Chair>it's been rather difficult for me in recent years

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<v Chair>because I've discovered that the only left-wingers left

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<v Chair>are Josephine nuns, Jesuits and our distinguished guest.

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<v Chair>Thank you very much.

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<v Chair>That was terrific.

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<v Chair>Thank you.

