Independent MP for Murray, Helen Dalton, last night delivered a resounding address at the official launch of Living Ideas, a new not-for-profit initiative designed to connect regional communities with industry, government and global expertise to solve some of the State’s most pressing challenges.
Speaking at NSW Parliament House before an audience of MPs, Ministers, corporate CEOs, architects, lawyers, and leaders across logistics, construction, AI, technology, and development, Ms Dalton likened regional Australia to gravity – essential, constant, but too often taken for granted.
“Just like gravity, regional Australia is always there, holding everything together. Without it, the rest of the nation falls apart. But because it’s so reliable, people stop noticing it. They stop valuing it. That must change,” Ms Dalton said.
She warned that NSW is facing a people crisis, not just a housing crisis, with more residents leaving the State than arriving. “Our most important resource for the future prosperity of NSW is people – and they are leaving. We cannot survive without affordable housing, strong communities and support for regional towns,” she said.
The launch was opened by Living Ideas Chairman Rob Furolo, who said the initiative would act as a resource for councils, agencies and community groups tackling challenges such as housing, infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
“Living Ideas aims to be a conduit – linking communities facing systemic challenges with the local and international leaders in industry and academia who can help solve them,” Mr Furolo said.
Living Ideas will work across NSW to foster new partnerships between capital, industry, government and communities, with the aim to ensure that local solutions are supported by world-class expertise.
Founding patron Chunhong Ke, together with the Advisory Board headed by CEO Mark Seymour, Alex Chen (a specialist in multicultural community engagement and cross-cultural collaboration), James Tong (a macroeconomic analyst and cross-sector strategist with a focus on global economic trends, regional cooperation, and investor engagement) Mark Sutton (government relations) and Simon Dulhunty (media and communications) are committed to building a platform that ensures regional and rural voices are heard and empowered.
The launch underscored the need for urgent, practical collaboration to ensure all Australian communities – particularly in rural and regional areas – can thrive in the face of population pressures, environmental challenges and infrastructure needs.
“No one person, organisation, or government can solve the challenges that confront us. But collectively, in partnership, we can make things better,” Ms Dalton said.
Ms Dalton said initiatives such as Living Ideas was welcome and she invited everyone in the room to visit her electorate – and suggesting Griffith would be an ideal place to pilot a solution.
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