From Visa in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

From Visa in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam Colley.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Yes, so my dad, who was Remington Pine, was an ophthalmologist. He had been a fly royal flying doctor in Alice Springs in the 1950s and fell in love with the idea of biology. And did that at Moorfields Hospital in London and at Rowan University and there when he came back and settled in Adelaide, where he'd grown up and was an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, he died very prematurely at the age of 59 in 1988. And so there was certainly no great synergy in taking over that role. And in my own way, continuing that legacy, which was important.

Yes, so my dad, who was Remington Pine, was an ophthalmologist. He had been a fly royal flying doctor in Alice Springs in the 1950s and fell in love with the idea of biology. And did that at Moorfields Hospital in London and at Rowan University and there when he came back and settled in Adelaide, where he'd grown up and was an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, he died very prematurely at the age of 59 in 1988. And so there was certainly no great synergy in taking over that role. And in my own way, continuing that legacy, which was important.

Welcome to the program. If you heard that voice just then and you thought, Hmm, he sounds familiar. Well, you're absolutely right. That was former member of Parliament Christopher Pyne. They're talking about his family connection to ophthalmology and eHealth that now sees him take on the role as chair of Vision 2020 Australia. Stephen Jolly recently caught up with Christopher following the commencement of his new role, as well as Vision 2020's recent 21st anniversary, and their conversation continues for the duration of the show this week. I hope you enjoy Stephen Jolly in conversation with Christopher Pyne this week on Talking Vision.

Welcome to the program. If you heard that voice just then and you thought, Hmm, he sounds familiar. Well, you're absolutely right. That was former member of Parliament Christopher Pyne. They're talking about his family connection to ophthalmology and eHealth that now sees him take on the role as chair of Vision 2020 Australia. Stephen Jolly recently caught up with Christopher following the commencement of his new role, as well as Vision 2020's recent 21st anniversary, and their conversation continues for the duration of the show this week. I hope you enjoy Stephen Jolly in conversation with Christopher Pyne this week on Talking Vision.

Hello, everyone. We're going to look for the next little while at Vision 2020 and in particular Vision 2020 Australia and to do this. I'm delighted to introduce to you the recently appointed chair of Vision 2020 Australia, the Honourable Christopher Pyne. Christopher, welcome to talk vision.

Hello, everyone. We're going to look for the next little while at Vision 2020 and in particular Vision 2020 Australia and to do this. I'm delighted to introduce to you the recently appointed chair of Vision 2020 Australia, the Honourable Christopher Pyne. Christopher, welcome to talk vision.

Stephen, thank you very much for having me. I'm looking forward to having a chat and I'm looking forward to your listeners getting to know me a bit better and a different guy.

Stephen, thank you very much for having me. I'm looking forward to having a chat and I'm looking forward to your listeners getting to know me a bit better and a different guy.

Yes. Well, I'm sure many would know you through your political career, but we might just backtrack over that for a little while to refresh memories. You were first elected to the seat of Stirling in South Australia back in 1993.

Yes. Well, I'm sure many would know you through your political career, but we might just backtrack over that for a little while to refresh memories. You were first elected to the seat of Stirling in South Australia back in 1993.

Yes, at the tender age of 25, and I retired after 26 years at the age of 51. So I spent more time in politics than out of it, which a lot of people would regard as something of a life sentence. I must say I enjoyed every minute of it, but I also enjoyed the leaving of it on my own terms, which in this country is pretty rare.

Yes, at the tender age of 25, and I retired after 26 years at the age of 51. So I spent more time in politics than out of it, which a lot of people would regard as something of a life sentence. I must say I enjoyed every minute of it, but I also enjoyed the leaving of it on my own terms, which in this country is pretty rare.

It certainly is. And actually going right back to your university days, you were heavily involved with politics, with the young libs.

It certainly is. And actually going right back to your university days, you were heavily involved with politics, with the young libs.

Yesterday, I was there the first, the day I went to Adelaide University for Orientation Day, which was at the end of 1984 and I just finished year 12. I joined the young liberals, the Burnside branch and the Liberal Party and the Adelaide University Liberal Club became president of all of those three things over the next few years and on the state executive and the federal executive and ran against John Bannon, who was the premier of South Australia in 1989 when I was 22, and when I challenged the previous member for Sturt, a guy called Ian Wilson had been in parliament for twenty four years and defeated him and went on to have what six years on the frontbench, 10 years on the backbench and many different portfolios, including in health and defence and education and industry and innovation. So I had an aged care indeed, which is pertinent to our stakeholders. I had a very exciting career.

Yesterday, I was there the first, the day I went to Adelaide University for Orientation Day, which was at the end of 1984 and I just finished year 12. I joined the young liberals, the Burnside branch and the Liberal Party and the Adelaide University Liberal Club became president of all of those three things over the next few years and on the state executive and the federal executive and ran against John Bannon, who was the premier of South Australia in 1989 when I was 22, and when I challenged the previous member for Sturt, a guy called Ian Wilson had been in parliament for twenty four years and defeated him and went on to have what six years on the frontbench, 10 years on the backbench and many different portfolios, including in health and defence and education and industry and innovation. So I had an aged care indeed, which is pertinent to our stakeholders. I had a very exciting career.

Yes, certainly and quite broad over overall that time. Tell me what was the highlight appointment for you or highlight role over those 26 years?

Yes, certainly and quite broad over overall that time. Tell me what was the highlight appointment for you or highlight role over those 26 years?

Without question, being a minister for defence and defence industry was the highlight of my political career and my cabinet career, I won because I came to a very, very important time for Australia. From a geopolitical point of view where much was changing in the Indo-Pacific from 2015, which we're experiencing today, and also a very significant change of government policy, which I helped drive with Malcolm Turnbull, which was to invest in the Australian defence industry, to have an Australian industry content as a fundamental input to capability in defence and to build our sovereign industrial capability, which after the end of the car industry. We extremely important in keeping science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs in Australia and doing that sovereign capability, which means that no matter what happens in the event of any kind of deterioration of the circumstances of the Indo-Pacific, Australia will be able to defend itself because it will be able to make its own weaponry and platforms, whether their ships or planes or missiles or ammunition. So it was a really exciting time and it's a great portfolio. The current circumstances, Stephen, because they're now arguing about money and the problem with government is that the treasurer and the finance minister always say that there's no money, which I can understand. That's their job. But the great thing about defence is we were spending a lot of money because we are increasing our spending to two per cent of GDP, which meant that we were able to make decisions and get on with it rather than arguing over pennies and pounds.

Without question, being a minister for defence and defence industry was the highlight of my political career and my cabinet career, I won because I came to a very, very important time for Australia. From a geopolitical point of view where much was changing in the Indo-Pacific from 2015, which we're experiencing today, and also a very significant change of government policy, which I helped drive with Malcolm Turnbull, which was to invest in the Australian defence industry, to have an Australian industry content as a fundamental input to capability in defence and to build our sovereign industrial capability, which after the end of the car industry. We extremely important in keeping science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs in Australia and doing that sovereign capability, which means that no matter what happens in the event of any kind of deterioration of the circumstances of the Indo-Pacific, Australia will be able to defend itself because it will be able to make its own weaponry and platforms, whether their ships or planes or missiles or ammunition. So it was a really exciting time and it's a great portfolio. The current circumstances, Stephen, because they're now arguing about money and the problem with government is that the treasurer and the finance minister always say that there's no money, which I can understand. That's their job. But the great thing about defence is we were spending a lot of money because we are increasing our spending to two per cent of GDP, which meant that we were able to make decisions and get on with it rather than arguing over pennies and pounds.

Yes, and I think the COVID times of 12 months ago is probably the only other time where money didn't seem to be an issue. But it's not really the case. Tell me when you're trying to juggle all these, these balls, really of the serious business of government, the Theatre of Parliament, looking after your electorate, communicating with the community through the media, how do you manage all those things and being able to switch from one mode to another?

Yes, and I think the COVID times of 12 months ago is probably the only other time where money didn't seem to be an issue. But it's not really the case. Tell me when you're trying to juggle all these, these balls, really of the serious business of government, the Theatre of Parliament, looking after your electorate, communicating with the community through the media, how do you manage all those things and being able to switch from one mode to another?

Well, you allude to the fact that I was the leader of the House for six years, and before that I was the manager of opposition business, which is the person who runs the attack against the government. If you're the manager of opposition business in the Parliament. Well, if you're the leader of the House, your job is to protect the government and to make sure its legislative agenda is passed through the parliament. So it's a it's a very political position and puts you in the leadership group of the government, which means you're at the centre of every decision. And when you go into politics, you want to get your hands on the levers of power to make things happen. To do that, you have to be involved in the business or the game of politics, and it's not because you enjoy the game of itself. The problem is that if you don't play it, you don't get your hands on the levers of power. Well, you

Well, you allude to the fact that I was the leader of the House for six years, and before that I was the manager of opposition business, which is the person who runs the attack against the government. If you're the manager of opposition business in the Parliament. Well, if you're the leader of the House, your job is to protect the government and to make sure its legislative agenda is passed through the parliament. So it's a it's a very political position and puts you in the leadership group of the government, which means you're at the centre of every decision. And when you go into politics, you want to get your hands on the levers of power to make things happen. To do that, you have to be involved in the business or the game of politics, and it's not because you enjoy the game of itself. The problem is that if you don't play it, you don't get your hands on the levers of power. Well, you

certainly sounded like you enjoyed it when you were working in the house.

certainly sounded like you enjoyed it when you were working in the house.

Well, I certainly enjoyed the role of Leader of the House. I really liked the parliament. I think it's it's when you think deeply about politics in Australia and most people don't. And the fact that we let us stand off in the parliament in question time or in debate, which sometimes can be very willing, is vastly preferable to changing government letting steam off in the streets or in the end of a gun. And we're one of the very few countries in the world that for 120 years has changed government many, many times without a shot being fired. It's actually an amazing achievement to most Australians take for granted. But when you read about just the most recent assassination of the president of Haiti, yes, it reminds you that we live in a country where our democracy, our parliament, is one of our greatest achievements, which you probably take most for granted. So I did enjoy the debate in the House, and I was lucky to be joined by Anthony Albanese, who also likes the debate at the House. Not a lot of people do. A lot of parliamentarians don't do that and don't enjoy it. I did. I like professor of politics and I always have since I was a debater, starting in year six at St. Ignatius College at the age of 11. I've always enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate. Mm-Hmm.

Well, I certainly enjoyed the role of Leader of the House. I really liked the parliament. I think it's it's when you think deeply about politics in Australia and most people don't. And the fact that we let us stand off in the parliament in question time or in debate, which sometimes can be very willing, is vastly preferable to changing government letting steam off in the streets or in the end of a gun. And we're one of the very few countries in the world that for 120 years has changed government many, many times without a shot being fired. It's actually an amazing achievement to most Australians take for granted. But when you read about just the most recent assassination of the president of Haiti, yes, it reminds you that we live in a country where our democracy, our parliament, is one of our greatest achievements, which you probably take most for granted. So I did enjoy the debate in the House, and I was lucky to be joined by Anthony Albanese, who also likes the debate at the House. Not a lot of people do. A lot of parliamentarians don't do that and don't enjoy it. I did. I like professor of politics and I always have since I was a debater, starting in year six at St. Ignatius College at the age of 11. I've always enjoyed the cut and thrust of debate. Mm-Hmm.

And that's a very, very different from the serious role of, well, it might be negotiating around future submarines or whatever you do in government.

And that's a very, very different from the serious role of, well, it might be negotiating around future submarines or whatever you do in government.

Well, that's right. Although this parliament is a serious business that the the policy and the decision making of being a minister is really exciting and very rewarding, satisfying. The most important job in politics is to represent your electorate. If you don't do that and don't do it well, you can't do anything else that leads you to say to all the new members of Parliament who are very ambitious. Of course, you know it's wonderful to be ambitious. But if you don't win your seat, then you actually get to do anything. Looking at the electorate, being a good local member is easily the most important role, and the second after that is trying to rise up the greasy pole as far as you can go. As Benjamin Disraeli named it, and being a cabinet minister, being able to make decisions, change people's lives, change the course of a nation is significant. And the reason why I cite defence as my most rewarding portfolio is that I did in those three years alter the strategic industrial base of the nation and whatever else happens that currently reversed. And that is a lasting legacy, which I think will make a significant difference. And the other thing that I did that I always cite as one of my favorite achievements was in the portfolio of health. When I created Headspace, the Youth Mental Health Initiative in 2006, which is a story in itself. And then, of course, everyone claims credit to Headspace. But I think when you ask if you ask Pat McGorry, who was our first CEO, or Ryan Stokes, who was our first chairman, we can all tell you how that was created. But that has made a lasting difference to people's lives in a social policy area. Very different to defense. But just as important.

Well, that's right. Although this parliament is a serious business that the the policy and the decision making of being a minister is really exciting and very rewarding, satisfying. The most important job in politics is to represent your electorate. If you don't do that and don't do it well, you can't do anything else that leads you to say to all the new members of Parliament who are very ambitious. Of course, you know it's wonderful to be ambitious. But if you don't win your seat, then you actually get to do anything. Looking at the electorate, being a good local member is easily the most important role, and the second after that is trying to rise up the greasy pole as far as you can go. As Benjamin Disraeli named it, and being a cabinet minister, being able to make decisions, change people's lives, change the course of a nation is significant. And the reason why I cite defence as my most rewarding portfolio is that I did in those three years alter the strategic industrial base of the nation and whatever else happens that currently reversed. And that is a lasting legacy, which I think will make a significant difference. And the other thing that I did that I always cite as one of my favorite achievements was in the portfolio of health. When I created Headspace, the Youth Mental Health Initiative in 2006, which is a story in itself. And then, of course, everyone claims credit to Headspace. But I think when you ask if you ask Pat McGorry, who was our first CEO, or Ryan Stokes, who was our first chairman, we can all tell you how that was created. But that has made a lasting difference to people's lives in a social policy area. Very different to defense. But just as important.

I'm Sam Kelly, and you've been listening to Christopher Pyne in conversation with Stephen Jolly on this week's episode of Talking Vision on Vision Australia, radio associate stations of Our Age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision webpage. Just start talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now, please enjoy the second half of this week's interview with Steven and Christopher.

I'm Sam Kelly, and you've been listening to Christopher Pyne in conversation with Stephen Jolly on this week's episode of Talking Vision on Vision Australia, radio associate stations of Our Age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision webpage. Just start talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now, please enjoy the second half of this week's interview with Steven and Christopher.

I'm speaking with Christopher Pyne, recently appointed chair of Vision 2020 Australia. You continue to do things that make a difference to people's lives with your involvement with Vision 2020 Australia. What drew you to Vision 2020?

I'm speaking with Christopher Pyne, recently appointed chair of Vision 2020 Australia. You continue to do things that make a difference to people's lives with your involvement with Vision 2020 Australia. What drew you to Vision 2020?

Well, Amanda Vanstone as the previous chairman and Amanda is one of my best friends, is that she's the godmother of my eldest daughter, Eleanor, and she's a great character and a tremendous person, and she was looking to exit the role of chairman, which she done for about five or six years. And of course, she knows about my family history, and she thought it might be an area that I'd be interested in. And it is. And so I was nominated and I'm very grateful to be elected. I must admit it was the one election where I had no idea what the outcome was going to be, have any control over it. I've never entered a contest where I've had no control over the outcome before, and but there will seem to go well and I was elected and I'm very much enjoying the role.

Well, Amanda Vanstone as the previous chairman and Amanda is one of my best friends, is that she's the godmother of my eldest daughter, Eleanor, and she's a great character and a tremendous person, and she was looking to exit the role of chairman, which she done for about five or six years. And of course, she knows about my family history, and she thought it might be an area that I'd be interested in. And it is. And so I was nominated and I'm very grateful to be elected. I must admit it was the one election where I had no idea what the outcome was going to be, have any control over it. I've never entered a contest where I've had no control over the outcome before, and but there will seem to go well and I was elected and I'm very much enjoying the role.

People might remember that Barry Jones was the leader with a Vision 2022 back in its early days before Amanda Vanstone.

People might remember that Barry Jones was the leader with a Vision 2022 back in its early days before Amanda Vanstone.

And now we've made Barry and Amanda, both of whom I serve within Parliament, are the two patrons of the Vision 2020, the new position we created this year. And Amanda and Barry both agreed to be the patrons so that they'll have an ongoing role with Vision 2020, which I think is important.

And now we've made Barry and Amanda, both of whom I serve within Parliament, are the two patrons of the Vision 2020, the new position we created this year. And Amanda and Barry both agreed to be the patrons so that they'll have an ongoing role with Vision 2020, which I think is important.

I understand your father played a very significant role in eHealth.

I understand your father played a very significant role in eHealth.

Yes, so my dad, who was Remington Pine, was an ophthalmologist, and he was the president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in the early 1980s, but he also was part of the driving force, if not the driving force, for the creation of the first National Glaucoma and Trachoma Survey amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the late 70s and early 80s, and appointed Fred Hollows to be the first CEO of of the body that came out of that survey, dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander glaucoma and trachoma and eye health. So he had been a fly royal flying doctor in Alice Springs in the 1950s and fell in love with the idea of biology and did that at Moorfields Hospital in London and at Rome University. And then when he came back and settled in Adelaide, where he'd grown up and was not pulmonologist. Unfortunately, he died very prematurely at the age of 59 in 1988. And so there was certainly no great synergy in taking over that role and in my own way, continuing that legacy, which is important.

Yes, so my dad, who was Remington Pine, was an ophthalmologist, and he was the president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in the early 1980s, but he also was part of the driving force, if not the driving force, for the creation of the first National Glaucoma and Trachoma Survey amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the late 70s and early 80s, and appointed Fred Hollows to be the first CEO of of the body that came out of that survey, dealing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander glaucoma and trachoma and eye health. So he had been a fly royal flying doctor in Alice Springs in the 1950s and fell in love with the idea of biology and did that at Moorfields Hospital in London and at Rome University. And then when he came back and settled in Adelaide, where he'd grown up and was not pulmonologist. Unfortunately, he died very prematurely at the age of 59 in 1988. And so there was certainly no great synergy in taking over that role and in my own way, continuing that legacy, which is important.

Christopher, how would you describe what Vision 2020 is?

Christopher, how would you describe what Vision 2020 is?

Well, Vision 2020's role is to be the national advocacy umbrella organisation. If you like the peak umbrella organisation for Eye Health, representing eye health to Australian state and territory governments with many of our stakeholders, of course, across optometry, an ophthalmologist and all the other different organisations that go into making eye health in Australia, and they have their own roles as well in their own advocacy, the government, whether it's Rand Coe or Optometry Australia and macular degeneration in Australia and so forth, and they're all doing their job and doing it well. But Vision 2020 brings together that group in the board and amongst its membership and represents an eye health to government. And we have been going 21 years and we are. We just had our 21st anniversary event in Canberra and headquartered in Melbourne with Judith Abbott as our CEO. And judging by the fact that we're still going, obviously, I think doing a reasonably good job

Well, Vision 2020's role is to be the national advocacy umbrella organisation. If you like the peak umbrella organisation for Eye Health, representing eye health to Australian state and territory governments with many of our stakeholders, of course, across optometry, an ophthalmologist and all the other different organisations that go into making eye health in Australia, and they have their own roles as well in their own advocacy, the government, whether it's Rand Coe or Optometry Australia and macular degeneration in Australia and so forth, and they're all doing their job and doing it well. But Vision 2020 brings together that group in the board and amongst its membership and represents an eye health to government. And we have been going 21 years and we are. We just had our 21st anniversary event in Canberra and headquartered in Melbourne with Judith Abbott as our CEO. And judging by the fact that we're still going, obviously, I think doing a reasonably good job

and you came out of an international organisation being formed back in 2000.

and you came out of an international organisation being formed back in 2000.

That's right. Back in 2000, many, many different good people got together and said there needed to be an international approach to e-health that back in those days, Bob McMullan, who many people will remember as a senator and as a member for Fraser in the Act. And in the House. And the interview. I also said with he would actually an international president of the organisation that came out of discussions in 2000, and each country was asked to set up their own and representative group. And the Vision 2020 was that for Australia. And so it's got a history of a very high profile and capable people have done a very good job representing a low vision and blind people in Australia and around the world and has a very obviously there are still many challenges and a continuing role for such a group.

That's right. Back in 2000, many, many different good people got together and said there needed to be an international approach to e-health that back in those days, Bob McMullan, who many people will remember as a senator and as a member for Fraser in the Act. And in the House. And the interview. I also said with he would actually an international president of the organisation that came out of discussions in 2000, and each country was asked to set up their own and representative group. And the Vision 2020 was that for Australia. And so it's got a history of a very high profile and capable people have done a very good job representing a low vision and blind people in Australia and around the world and has a very obviously there are still many challenges and a continuing role for such a group.

And people from both sides of the political political spectrum, definitely.

And people from both sides of the political political spectrum, definitely.

I mean, it's an entirely bipartisan and non-partisan area of public policy. It would be very hard pressed to find an ideological bent on improving our health for low vision and blind people. I'm sure you can try very hard to do that. Fortunately, in the last 20 odd years and there's never been a hint of politics creeping into Vision 2020. We've had Bob McMullan and Barry Jones, both Labor figures Amanda Vanstone and now many, of course, as liberal figures and and the CEOs have never had a political role, so it would be a terrible mistake for Vision 2020 to have a partisan view. The other would be the beginning of the end of the organisation.

I mean, it's an entirely bipartisan and non-partisan area of public policy. It would be very hard pressed to find an ideological bent on improving our health for low vision and blind people. I'm sure you can try very hard to do that. Fortunately, in the last 20 odd years and there's never been a hint of politics creeping into Vision 2020. We've had Bob McMullan and Barry Jones, both Labor figures Amanda Vanstone and now many, of course, as liberal figures and and the CEOs have never had a political role, so it would be a terrible mistake for Vision 2020 to have a partisan view. The other would be the beginning of the end of the organisation.

So as you guide the organisation over the next few years as chair, what are the priorities?

So as you guide the organisation over the next few years as chair, what are the priorities?

Well, the priorities for our membership and for our stakeholders have obviously got to be the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and how all the machinery of the NDIS works for low vision people in Australia, whether it's independent assessments and how it works with the aged care sector. Because of course, many of our stakeholders start to lose their vision from 65 onwards in the NDIS doesn't cater for them. So we're really pleased to see the government putting $18 billion into aged care in following the royal commission into the aged care sector. And we would like to advocate to government about how that might well be spent on things like assistive technology, allied health, better training for aged care workers, improved assessment processes for both aged care and the NDIS. That's a priority for me personally. One of the priorities is going to be about employment and low vision people. About 50 per cent of people with low vision impairment are in employment, compared to 80 per cent in the general population. And we all know and I know from my time in the House of Representatives that having a job being employed, gainfully employed is something you want to do has an enormous impact on people's self-esteem and confidence. And I think one of the things that I'd like to press forward with with the board and the CEO is how we can do more around having people with low vision, more gainfully employed in higher numbers in higher value jobs in Australia because that doesn't just have the benefit for the low vision individuals. It also has a real impact on the community in which they live and on the society in general, because an employed society with a purpose is good for everyone. So I think that's an area that I'd like to prioritize. And of course, there's always the ongoing importance of indigenous eye health. And given my father was a royal flying doctor in Alice Springs and and helped begin that process back in the late 70s and early 80s, it's a particular interest of mine and I'd like to get on the road with members of the board and other stakeholders into indigenous communities that I found as a member of Parliament. The best way to understand an issue was to go out and look at it yourself.

Well, the priorities for our membership and for our stakeholders have obviously got to be the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and how all the machinery of the NDIS works for low vision people in Australia, whether it's independent assessments and how it works with the aged care sector. Because of course, many of our stakeholders start to lose their vision from 65 onwards in the NDIS doesn't cater for them. So we're really pleased to see the government putting $18 billion into aged care in following the royal commission into the aged care sector. And we would like to advocate to government about how that might well be spent on things like assistive technology, allied health, better training for aged care workers, improved assessment processes for both aged care and the NDIS. That's a priority for me personally. One of the priorities is going to be about employment and low vision people. About 50 per cent of people with low vision impairment are in employment, compared to 80 per cent in the general population. And we all know and I know from my time in the House of Representatives that having a job being employed, gainfully employed is something you want to do has an enormous impact on people's self-esteem and confidence. And I think one of the things that I'd like to press forward with with the board and the CEO is how we can do more around having people with low vision, more gainfully employed in higher numbers in higher value jobs in Australia because that doesn't just have the benefit for the low vision individuals. It also has a real impact on the community in which they live and on the society in general, because an employed society with a purpose is good for everyone. So I think that's an area that I'd like to prioritize. And of course, there's always the ongoing importance of indigenous eye health. And given my father was a royal flying doctor in Alice Springs and and helped begin that process back in the late 70s and early 80s, it's a particular interest of mine and I'd like to get on the road with members of the board and other stakeholders into indigenous communities that I found as a member of Parliament. The best way to understand an issue was to go out and look at it yourself.

Yes, on indigenous eye health as we work across a number of areas in closing, the gap for First Nations people is that progress being made with our health?

Yes, on indigenous eye health as we work across a number of areas in closing, the gap for First Nations people is that progress being made with our health?

There is progress being made and we've certainly come a long way in the last several decades. There's no doubt about that. And but there's more to be done. I mean, we are one of the very few is that the only developed country in the world, it still has a trachoma issue. And and I think that's clearly an area that we need to be focused on eliminating trachoma entirely from our indigenous community. And so yes, there's there'll always be challenges in indigenous eye health, and I shouldn't say always, we're going to try and eliminate them. But there are challenges in indigenous health and we need to continue to focus on. So employment for low vision people, indigenous eye health, making sure that the NDIS serves people with with blindness and low vision where they have particular issues around specialty as opposed to general needs and how aged care and people who are potentially at home and not in aged care facilities because they're only 65 can be better served by government policies. These are some of the really key areas that Vision 2020 needs to focus on.

There is progress being made and we've certainly come a long way in the last several decades. There's no doubt about that. And but there's more to be done. I mean, we are one of the very few is that the only developed country in the world, it still has a trachoma issue. And and I think that's clearly an area that we need to be focused on eliminating trachoma entirely from our indigenous community. And so yes, there's there'll always be challenges in indigenous eye health, and I shouldn't say always, we're going to try and eliminate them. But there are challenges in indigenous health and we need to continue to focus on. So employment for low vision people, indigenous eye health, making sure that the NDIS serves people with with blindness and low vision where they have particular issues around specialty as opposed to general needs and how aged care and people who are potentially at home and not in aged care facilities because they're only 65 can be better served by government policies. These are some of the really key areas that Vision 2020 needs to focus on.

Well, Christopher Pyne, it's been a delight having you meet with us on talking vision today, and I'm sure people around the country are very pleased to have heard insights from you into a number of areas. The Honourable Christopher Pyne, who is now chair of Vision 2020 Australia.

Well, Christopher Pyne, it's been a delight having you meet with us on talking vision today, and I'm sure people around the country are very pleased to have heard insights from you into a number of areas. The Honourable Christopher Pyne, who is now chair of Vision 2020 Australia.

Well, thank you very much for having me, and I'm really looking forward to being at the spear tip of the advocacy for people with low vision in Australia, and I'm enthusiastically taking up the role

Well, thank you very much for having me, and I'm really looking forward to being at the spear tip of the advocacy for people with low vision in Australia, and I'm enthusiastically taking up the role

and a little tip for anyone listening who'd like to hear more of Christopher Pyne. I suggest you might like to go to YouTube and just type in Christopher Pyne Valedictory, and you'll hear a pretty priceless farewell speech to Federal Parliament from back in around April 2019. And judges wiser than me say it was a pretty classy performance and I certainly enjoyed it.

and a little tip for anyone listening who'd like to hear more of Christopher Pyne. I suggest you might like to go to YouTube and just type in Christopher Pyne Valedictory, and you'll hear a pretty priceless farewell speech to Federal Parliament from back in around April 2019. And judges wiser than me say it was a pretty classy performance and I certainly enjoyed it.

Very kind of you to say that. Thank you!

Very kind of you to say that. Thank you!

Statement Christopher Pyne and I'm Stephen Jolly.

Statement Christopher Pyne and I'm Stephen Jolly.

Thanks very much, Stephen. And now before we go, we've got just enough time for a little bit of news and information for this week and on this week's episode of Talking Vision, we've got some news about the further education bursaries that have just recently opened up for prospective students in 2022 who are blind or have low vision as of the 1st of July 2021. Applications are now open for Vision Australia's further education bursary for 2020 to eight year Vision Australia awards further education bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision. The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help the students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies. Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information and enable students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life. Since the inception of the bursary scheme in 1996, more than 440 students have been supported in their further education journey. Applications close strictly on the 30th of September 2021, and students of any age can apply for Vision Australia Further Education Bursary for further information, such as eligibility criteria, selection criteria or how to apply. Please head to the Vision Australia website and head to the Referral dropdown tab to the other benefits and funding options button, where you'll find a link to the further education bursary page under the heading assistive technology funding. Alternatively, to find out more, you can also contact Joey King at Gi-toc King Vision Australia dot org. That's Jo White I n g at Vision Australia or one word dot org, or you can email Bursary Vision Australia dot org or phone zero three eight three seven eight one double to zero. That number again zero three eight three seven eight one double to zero and that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision, Talking Vision. It's a production of Vision Australia radio, thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Toking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

Thanks very much, Stephen. And now before we go, we've got just enough time for a little bit of news and information for this week and on this week's episode of Talking Vision, we've got some news about the further education bursaries that have just recently opened up for prospective students in 2022 who are blind or have low vision as of the 1st of July 2021. Applications are now open for Vision Australia's further education bursary for 2020 to eight year Vision Australia awards further education bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision. The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help the students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies. Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information and enable students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life. Since the inception of the bursary scheme in 1996, more than 440 students have been supported in their further education journey. Applications close strictly on the 30th of September 2021, and students of any age can apply for Vision Australia Further Education Bursary for further information, such as eligibility criteria, selection criteria or how to apply. Please head to the Vision Australia website and head to the Referral dropdown tab to the other benefits and funding options button, where you'll find a link to the further education bursary page under the heading assistive technology funding. Alternatively, to find out more, you can also contact Joey King at Gi-toc King Vision Australia dot org. That's Jo White I n g at Vision Australia or one word dot org, or you can email Bursary Vision Australia dot org or phone zero three eight three seven eight one double to zero. That number again zero three eight three seven eight one double to zero and that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision, Talking Vision. It's a production of Vision Australia radio, thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Toking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking vision or one word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one 300 eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one 300 eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.