In the last parliamentary sitting of the year, the Albanese Government tried to rush through changes to Australian elections with the help of the Opposition. Over 20,000 Australians signed the Australia Institute’s petition calling for those changes to go to an inquiry. Instead, they were delayed until this February.

But what do these changes – the biggest in four decades – actually involve? Who stands to gain if they are legislated, and who will lose out? And why the rush to pass laws that won’t be in place until the election after next?

Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne will break down the Government’s proposed changes to election financing and campaigning, test them against the Australia Institute’s principles of fair political finance reform and discuss which reforms will ensure a level playing field and competitive elections.

The Australia Institute’s Policy School is a free webinar series designed to equip policymakers, campaigners, NGOs, and public servants with the tools to advocate for change. Learn from experts about key public policy issues, persuasive messaging, and effective communication strategies to help create a fairer, more sustainable society.

Each fortnight, you will hear from policy experts from the Australia Institute, who will take you through the key things you need to create change on critical public policy issues – like fair tax reform, electoral reform, the Australia/USA relationship, the housing crisis, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

You will learn about:

Key issues and the current policy landscape
What the evidence-based policy shows
Barriers to reform
The most persuasive arguments and key messages
How to communicate cut-through facts and data to help you change minds
At the end of policy school, you will be able to confidently advocate for what needs to be done, why it needs to be done and importantly how we can all work to achieve a more just, sustainable and peaceful society.

Hosted by Alice Grundy, Anne Kantor Fellow Research Manager, The Australia Institute

How do I sign up:

It’s FREE, but registration is essential.

You can sign up once on Zoom and choose any sessions you wish to attend.

Who should attend:

The Australia Institute’s Policy School is for anyone interested in how public policy is researched and developed, as well as how to advocate for policy change.
It is designed for policy makers, campaigners, NGOs, academics, and public servants.

Schedule:

• 30 January — Funding elections in a fair and transparent way — with Democracy & Accountability Director
• 13 February — Worker protections and industrial relations: the fight for better wages and conditions with Chief Economist, Greg Jericho
• 27 February — Climate change and the living standards crisis with Executive Director, Richard Denniss and Strategy Director, Leanne Minshull
• 13 March — No new coal mines – a policy not a slogan with Research Director, Rod Campbell
• 27 March — AUKUS: What are the prospects for Australia’s Nuclear-powered Submarine? With International and Security Affairs Director Emma Shortis and Advisor Allan Behm