I never thought I'd hear a Prime Minister extolling quality childcare, early learning and maternal health as their priority idea for the 2020 Summit.

PM Rudd has done just that. It may not be the equivalent of President Kennedy's vision to put "man on the moon" -- as one commentator suggested -- but it's probably just as hard to achieve and a lot less expensive.

I'm a big believer in consultative forums and engaging the community (not just the best and brightest) in deliberations about our future. For that alone, I support the notion of a 2020 Summit and its precursors: the Jewish Symposium and the Youth Summit.

Even Hamish and Andy (of radio and Rove fame) held an "Ideas Bonanza for the 2020 Summit" which included such gems as the caramel and chocolate in caramello koalas should be available separately and the winning lotto numbers should be reduced from 6 to 4.

Of course, the challenge is to prioritise (my guess is the lotto numbers won't change); respond to (Rudd pledges he will); and implement the ideas. Some of us wonder why the impressive goal of Early Childhood Centres should be a pipedream before 2020 or is this simply Prime Ministerial populism?

In the spirit of the summit, I submit my ten ideas -- in no particular order, some bigger than others – but some to throw into the mix.

Paid Maternity Leave:
A suite of reforms is needed for better work/life balance (from breastfeeding breaks at work to more flexible employment), but the priority must be paid maternity leave. It costs half the baby bonus and ensures a women's continuing connection with the workforce, superannuation and taxation.

National security:
Annual global military expenditure is more than $1.2 trillion. Recruitment and retention is more difficult, countries are more economically interdependent, and weapon systems are more complex and expensive. This means maintaining a capable sovereign military is an increasingly expensive proposition. By 2020, Australia could have opened dialogue with like-minded nations such as New Zealand and Canada to consider the pros and cons of a common defence force and whether it would allow the same or better capability for less outlay from each nation.

Alternative vehicles:
The Government could provide subsidised registration and free inner city parking for alternative vehicles; allow them to use transit and bus lanes; and exempt them from toll charges. They could be subject to a 100% tax write down for business and attract the lowest level of insurance premium.

Foreign Aid spending:
Increase Australia's aid spending level as a percentage of Gross National Income.

Tax breaks for time volunteered:
Volunteers are often unrecognised, while philanthropists with means get lauded with praise. We should create tax breaks for people who volunteer for approved causes based on how many hours they spend volunteering.

Science and technology:
Our researchers should be able to access a simplified system of support for national innovation, with less red tape and compliance requirements for researchers. Why not a big, flexible support scheme for basic discovery research, another for commercial or applied innovation, and a third scheme where the government galvanises innovation by setting specific challenges for research institutions and companies to solve?

Environment, taxation and trade:
We could determine sales taxes on the basis of the 'sustainability' of the goods and services on which they are levied. For example, sales taxes on cars based on a Green Vehicle rating or similar.

Higher Education:
Abolish fees for public education.

Neighbourhood justice:
The court system is formidable, confusing and often costly. We need to rethink the way we approach the administration of the law. Are hierarchical courts with antiquated customs and rules of procedure the best way to punish, rehabilitate and solve disputes? ‘Neighbourhood justice centres’, where different courts and alternative dispute resolution centres are co-located with social services, legal service providers, and health referral facilities, would make for a more efficient and productive justice system for all.

Social impact reporting:
Privacy, environmental and gender equality impact statements for all new bills, similar to human rights impact statements that are required under the Victorian Charter.