Events
Sign up to our list to ensure you are kept up to date with upcoming events from the Australia Institute.
February 2025
Politics in the Pub: Pros and Cons of a Minority Government
With the polls pointing to a minority government as a very real outcome of the election, what does that actually mean for Australia? One of the kingmakers of the 43rd parliament, Tony Windsor will give insights into how minority government can work, and what political traps open up, while David Pocock explains why Australians are
Policy School – Climate change and the living standards crisis
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. The Australia Institute’s Policy School is a
Juice with Tim Winton
Two fugitives, a man and a child, drive all night across a stony desert. As dawn breaks, they roll into an abandoned mine site. From the vehicle they survey a forsaken place – middens of twisted iron, rusty wire, piles of sun-baked trash. They’re exhausted, traumatised, desperate now. But as a refuge, this is the
March 2025
What’s the Big Idea?
Australia faces a myriad of challenges, with climate change, housing affordability, fraying democratic institutions, risk-averse policies and a divisive public discourse just a few of the problems we must confront. The question is, are we? Join Richard Denniss and Senator Barbara Pocock as they apply some big ideas to the future. SPEAKERS: Richard Denniss is the
Australia’s Housing Mess and How to Fix It
Australia’s favourite financial journalist, Alan Kohler, has much to say about the country’s enduring housing crisis and the solutions we need. He shares the thinking in his book The Great Divide with Richard Denniss. SPEAKERS: Alan Kohler is the Editor in Chief of InvestSMART group, and founder of The Constant Investor which was sold to InvestSMART in December
How to Fix the Housing Crisis
The Australian Dream used to be to own your own home, but young people are being increasingly locked out of home ownership. In fact, young people today are on track to be the first generation to be worse off than their parents. How did we as a nation get here and how do we fix
Australia’s Carbon Capture: Releasing Fossil Fuels’ Grip on Our Democracy
The influence of the gas and coal industry on our politicians and policymakers is an open secret in Australia. What is less well understood is why this small industry, with little economic significance, wields such apparent power and how easy it would be to free our democracy from its grip. Richard Denniss, Royce Kurmelovs, Ross
The United States: Down and Out?
The international community is busy coming to terms with the re-election of President Trump, but he is a symptom of American malaise, not its cause. Americans are neither willing nor able to save themselves from themselves – in a fundamental sense, America is down and out. But it has enormous resilience, which it needs to
Writing to Change the World
When some of the institutions fundamental to democracy are struggling both here and overseas, when it feels like progress is slipping and hard-won rights are being wound back, how can the power of writing show us a way forward? Amy McQuire, Clare Wright and Anna Spargo-Ryan offer ideas for working our way out of some
What’s the Big Idea? Alice Grundy in conversation with Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne
ABOUT THE EVENT On Tuesday 11th March at the Red Mill Distillery, Balmain, join Alice Grundy, Managing Editor of Australia Institute Press, in conversation with Australia Institute panelists, Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne who will be delving into big ideas for a better Australia from leading thinkers from Australia and around the world. The Australia Institute
Expression of Interest – The Case for Supporting Mayors and Local Governments to take Stronger Climate Action
The Australia Institute in collaboration with the Climate Mayors Initiative is hosting a conversation about why it’s smart to investment in climate action being taken in cities by local governments. Mayors and the local Councils they lead have been taking climate action in Australia and globally for over 20 years, but these voices aren’t as
Policy School – No new coal mines: a policy not a slogan
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. The Australia Institute’s Policy School is a
Policy School – AUKUS: What are the prospects for Australia’s Nuclear-powered Submarine?
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. The Australia Institute’s Policy School is a
April 2025
What’s the Big Idea? Presented by The Wheeler Centre
Australia’s leading visionaries converge for a lively and candid discussion on the bold ideas shaping Australia’s social and political future. It is easy to be captivated by global agendas and headline-grabbing moments, but shaping Australia’s future will require homegrown creativity, problem-solving and true Aussie courage. In What’s the Big Idea?, some of our leading thinkers