Aussie elites narrow down ideas at summit

A sweeping summit of policy ideas on how to strengthen Australia's future ended yesterday with proposals to push for a better understanding of Asia, improve water management systems and set up a preventative health agency funded by taxes on junk food.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised the government will respond by the end of the year but there is no guarantee any of the ideas will be implemented.

Rudd, who received a standing ovation from delegates at the close of the summit, praised the event as "a very Australian" conference that was "characterized by a whole lot of good humor, a whole lot of mutual respect, and a whole lot of very classical, undeniable Australian directness."