It’s time to take action.

First, a round up…

Update#1: Wayne Fitzsimmons (Anthill reader and director of Melbourne-based M-Group, which invests in IT start-ups) has managed to get his views about the scrapping of CR published in a story in The Age today. It’s definitely worth a read. Importantly, your traffic might open the eyes of The Age to this issue.

To read the article, click here.

Update#2: I’ve been invited to speak on this topic on ABC Radio National’s Breakfast Show, tomorrow at 6:40 or 7:40. I’ll do my best. Wish me luck, tune in and call in. Keep the conversation happening.

After a broadcast, they usually post the stories (click here).

And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…

As promised, it’s time to start this thing.

Tomorrow (19 June 2008), I’ll send a text message inviting readers to help me ‘Target the Toe-Cutters’.

To leave your mobile number and join the protest, click here.

The decision to cut the program was met in reference to a report completed by the Productivity Commission. Essentially, it was the been-counters under Lindsay Tanner’s portfolio that made the call.

Hence, our ROUND#1 target…

• The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

I’ll be inviting readers to call the Senator’s Parliamentary Office in Canberra (02 6277 7400), between 10am and 4pm, as Parliament will be sitting. That’s 200 calls in six hours if we all participate (you do the maths).

Of course, we need to be as courteous as possible (it’s not the poor dear on receptions fault).

Here’s what I’d like you to explain…

“My name is [insert your name] and I’d like to officially voice my concern about the unexpected closure of the Commercial Ready Program in May of this year and I hope that Minister Tanner will make funding available for an alternative grant program when Innovation Minister Kim Carr completes his Innovation Review in late July. Can you please make sure that Minister Tanner gets this message.”

The generally helpful receptionist will probably try to cut you off (particularly if you are call 50 or more) to explain that you should send a letter or email (we can do that later).

This might sound like a fairly soft and obvious message. However, many, many different people saying the same thing will make a great and immediate impression. And we want this to be the first thing brought to the Minister’s attention when he returns to his office from Parliament.

For a start, just try to get those few sentences out of your mouth, before you are cut off. Practice it first. Say it out loud.

If you are asked questions that you don’t know the answer to, politely reply, “That’s all I wanted to say. Can you make sure that he gets that message? Thanks for your time.”

Try not to mention Anthill, because I’ll play the media card post protest and see if I can get the Minister’s Media people to comment on the unexpected run of phone inquiries (get the ‘inside’ story).

Remember, this only works if a critical mass takes part. Don’t think, “With so many people involved, my call won’t be missed.” Just in case everyone things that!

Let’s just hope we make an impression.