No quick fix to our complex problems

Hong Kong people are frustrated and impatient for action to tackle issues like housing affordability, poverty and the environment. It is not surprising that some people were disappointed with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's first policy address. As one critic in the Chinese press essentially said, "C. Y. has had 10 months, and yet this is all he comes up with".

Clearly, the last government failed to live up to expectations. We may need quick fixes in some areas. But the policy address was about long-term policy progress. To that end, committees are being formed to recommend policy reforms in land supply, working-hours legislation and other, often difficult, areas. As someone who chairs one of these committees, I would like to say how I see this process working.

First, let's take a look back. For the first four of those 10 months, the chief executive-elect was not in office. He attempted to pave the way towards change by preparing for government restructuring, but opposing lawmakers prevented it by filibustering.

In the subsequent six to seven months, his team has accomplished things. It has imposed a zero quota for mainland women giving birth here. It implemented higher welfare payments for the elderly poor. It announced big upgrades to facilities for less mobile pedestrians on our streets. Some new faces, with strong personal commitment to their fields, have joined the policymaking ranks.

These were specific responses to specific problems, rather than a new vision.

A frustrating aspect of government in an open, rules-based system like ours is that leaders cannot make something happen at the push of a button. For example, some people would have liked the policy address to include full legislation on working hours, taking immediate effect.