Curate Category: Politics

What really happens behind the headlines? For 125 years, the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery has had a front-row seat to Australia’s biggest political dramas, from leadership spills to budgets and elections. Join David Speers, Katina Curtis, Natassia Chrysanthos and Dennis Shanahan as they reveal the biggest scoops, untold stories, and high-stakes moments from inside Parliament House, and explore what the future holds for political journalism.

What can we learn looking back on Australian political leadership over the last 25 years? Seven Prime Ministers, global and national tumult, dwindling support for established parties and declining public trust. Join political researchers and commentators Paul Kelly, Michelle Grattan and Paul Strangio in conversation with Ashlynne McGhee to distil key lessons needed to navigate the rocky path ahead.
 
Supported by The Conversation.

Mr Fluffy houses have had a huge impact on the Canberra community. Jum Wallner grew up in one of them and at age 54 was diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is the story of how he, his brother and his friend James O’Loghlin campaigned to get two governments to co-operate to take care of Mr Fluffy victims. It’s also a broader story about the power of optimism, friendship and learning how to become an accidental activist. As we face other community challenges, join James O’Loghlin for a timely conversation about how to galvanise action and influence government while retaining humour and a sense of what matters most in life.
Hosted by Frank Bongiorno.

With an eye on Donald Trump and Nigel Farage, Pauline Hanson is riding an orange wave, this time with the political clout of Barnaby Joyce and Gina Rinehart’s money. Ashlynne McGhee, Karen Middleton and Royce Kurmelovs look at One Nation’s power play and explore how fear of the future and nostalgia for the past explain much of what is going on. The implosion of the Coalition and fracturing of Australian politics has created an opening… what might happen next?

At the quarter-mark of the century, Australia faces big challenges at home and abroad. Growing budget pressures, some companies not contributing their fair share and a serious need for Australia to chart the right course in our national interest. Lucinda Holdforth, Richard Denniss, Bernard Keane and Alice Grundy are calling for us to face up to the problems we are passing on to future generations, plan for the future and remember instances of bold reform in our nation’s history. Bring your ideas, intellectual rigour and courage to the conversation!

Supported by The Australia Institute.

Pseudolaw, sovereign citizens and conspiracy movements have migrated from the fringes into mainstream discourse spreading alongside populist discontent. Bringing the stories and characters of these movements to life after years of research and study, Harry Hobbs, Stephen Young and Royce Kurmelovs will help us understand these trends and the responses we need to maintain our legal, democratic and social compacts.

How are debates over free speech, identity and equality of opportunity transforming our politics? It seems our media and political systems are hardening social divisions not bridging divides. Come and hear Waleed Aly, Niki Savva and Jordan McSwiney lift the lid on the rise of illiberal democracy and the raging culture wars around us.

New media has given voice to many who never had one. Join Ed Coper and Amy Remeikis as they delve into how social media outrage has become contested ground with Editor of The Monthly, Michael Williams. Posts of protest? Avenues for community building? Soundbites of truth to power? Social media provides valuable spaces. But is it also a more dangerous media vehicle for amassing divisive political power and cultural capital?