Three disparate events have caused me to reflect on whether there is enough energy and 'high octane' thinking being devoted in Australia to where new business growth and jobs are going to come from in the future.

The first was a refreshing report from the Textile, Clothing , Footwear & Leather Forum, a body of industry leaders who came together to rise above the undeniable challenges of their industry and chart a new course to capitalise on opportunities, skills and markets of the future.

One particular aspect of their strategic plan made me sit up and take notice. I refer to what their report identifies as a myth, namely that local manufacturing is central to a vibrant industry.

The report argues that globalisation and technology allows for quality manufacturing anywhere in the world, that a variety of different combinations of production processes are evident across the industry and so, manufacturing has become increasingly optional in the supply chain of some textile, clothing, footwear and leather sectors. Consequently, they conclude that local manufacturing is not a core requirement for Australian TCFL industry success, but that 'going global' and 'going niche' certainly is.

The polar opposite of this thinking is at the heart of the second report that took my attention.

It is a discussion paper from the office of ALP Senator for NSW, George Campbell, entitled "Why Manufacturing Matters". As part of the Federal Opposition's policy development deliberations, this paper has been released to prompt widespread discussion.

It puts the case for constructing a high growth strategy for Australian manufacturing by R&D and export incentives for manufacturers, investment, commercialisation and venture capital programs, support for clusters and technology parks and strategic use of government purchasing policies and sectoral plans.

The third event that prompted my reflection about Australia's future competitiveness was the announcement of a new privately funded research and development group, the Australian Innovation Association, chaired by former Coalition Government Minister, Jim Carlton.

Motivated by concern about the lack of successful research and development in Australia, this new group aims to come up with pragmatic policy proposals to boost industry investment and activity in R&D. The Australian Innovation Association say they want to redress the situation where many great Australian ideas go unrecognised and inventions are not commercialised for the benefit of the economy.

What these events have in common is their aspiration for generating a quantum leap in the capabilities and performance of Australia's business enterprises, industries and the economy as a whole.

Similarly, all are motivated by a dissatisfaction with the status quo and while first to celebrate the not insignificant number of Australian success stories, they are not lulled into thinking that this represents a long-lasting shift in the pattern of Australia's trade, industry and employment structure.

Finally, all are activists. They share an obvious conviction that those in Australian business and government can profoundly influence their own future. The precise prescriptions differ, but at their core is the imperative to reinvent Australia's place in traditional value-adding industries, where competitive advantage is created by the superiority of local know-how, market intelligence and external relationships.

Australia deserves much more of its public debate and intellectual endeavour to be devoted to this form of aspiration politics.