Speakers

'US Election Address '

Is this the most important Presidential US election in America’s history ? The “Leader of the free world” as the President is often described has enormous influence on people’s lives in the US and across the world. With six days before voting, two of Australia’s foremost commentators on US elections, Bruce Wolpe from the US Studies Centre and Tom Switzer from the Centre for independent Studies, will provide their expert insights as to what is unfolding in the election, what is occurring and why. What does a second Trump or a new Biden term look like and what are the implications for Australia? Both men are in their 70s - Mr Trump would be 74 years old at the start of his second term, while at 78, Mr Biden would be the oldest first-term president in history. And let’s not forget voters are also choosing the new 435 members of the Congress and 33 Senate seats. Will the Democrats keep off the Congress and gain control of the Senate? With Sabra Lane as moderator – this forum is essential viewing for so many reasons.

'The Palace letters and the dismissal of the Whitlam government – after forty-five years it’s time for a historical reset'

In 2016 Professor Jenny Hocking initiated legal action in the Federal Court against the National Archives of Australia, seeking the release of these ‘Palace letters’. The High Court’s landmark 6:1 decision in her favour in May 2020, that the letters were not ‘personal’ as Archives had contended, resulted in their release in full and unredacted. The High Court’s decision ended decades of royal secrecy over a key aspect of the dismissal, just what the Queen knew prior to Kerr’s decision to dismiss the Whitlam government. Professor Jenny Hocking will speak about her four-year legal battle to secure the release of these historic Palace letters, what the letters reveal, and their impact on the history of the dismissal.

'Address to the National Press Club'

'Tackling market power in the Covid-19 era and beyond'

Consumers lose out and our economy suffers when companies hold too much market power, whether they be global digital giants or companies in energy, banking, transport, telecommunications or agriculture. How should Australia address the concentration of market power in its economy, during the Covid-19 era and beyond? ACCC Chair Rod Sims will outline how Australia’s future economic success depends on recognising and acting on this issue, including in the coming battleground of consumer data.

'Post-Budget Reply'

Hon Jim Chalmers MP will deliver the 2020 'Budget-Reply Address' at the National Press Club of Australia. This event will be held under COVID-19 protocols and is not an open event for members or the public.

'Fighting the Great Recession with a Green New Deal'