ABC TV will ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to be involved in the Prime Minister’s Vision 2020 Summit next weekend.

ABC1 will cover live (EST) both the opening and closing sessions of the summit, being held at Parliament House, Canberra.

ABC2 offers live (EST) continuous coverage of all 15.5 hours of the event, which will be hosted by Phillip Williams, the Political Editor for the 7.30 Report and a former foreign correspondent. The sessions will also be streamed.

The Vision Summit, which aims to bring together the best and brightest brains, will see 1000 leading Australians debate and develop long–term options for the nation in 10 critical areas.

The Summit will be co-chaired by the Prime Minister Mr Rudd and Professor Glyn Davis, Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said “ABC TV is committed to providing all Australians with the opportunity to engage in this important national discussion.

“ABC TV has a track record of playing a vital role in bringing debates and events around national issues into every Australian’s home.

“In February this year, we broadcast the National Apology to the Stolen Generation, and in 2001 we telecast ‘Australia Deliberates - Reconciliation for the 21st Century’. In October and November 1999, we also broadcast, from old Parliament House, the ‘Australia Decides’, a deliberative poll on the Republic issue. This is a critical part of ABC TV’s role as a public service broadcaster,” said Mr Dalton.

Broadcast times:

Saturday April 19

ABC1- 8.40am EST – Opening Ceremony- 1.35 hours

ABC2 – 8.40am to 6pm live continuously EST

Sunday April 20

ABC1 – 1.25pm EST to 3.05pm – Vision Summit closing session

ABC2 – 8.55am EST to end of the closing session at 3.05pm