Last updated by Admin, August 10, 2009

Event Date:  31 July 2009

Register Now for the Chifley Ideas Space

The Chifley Research Centre is joining with Australia's other progressive think-tanks and leading journalists, activists and academics from Australia and abroad to present two days of discussion and dialogue on the challenges facing Australia and how progressives can respond.

Part of Labor's National Conference Fringe program, the Chifley Ideas Space has two full days of seminars and presentations, with an emphasis on engaging progressive Australians on how we shape our nation's future.

Keynote presentations will be delivered by British commentator Will Hutton, best known for Guardian columns and his seminal work The State We're In, which was hugely influential in reshaping British social-democracy and public policy. He will be joined by respected columnist from The Australian, Paul Kelly, and Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to discuss how progressives across the world are responding to the global recession.

The Ideas Space is also privileged to be hosting Obama campaign Manager Jeff Blodgett with think-tank partner Catalyst. Jeff Blodgett has worked on numerous presidential campaigns and was campaign director for the crucial swing state of Minnesota. He'll share some of his experiences with Obama and talk about how progressives can campaign on their values and win.

We'll also be hosting forums aimed at tackling some of the pressing challenges facing Australia like building the green, low-carbon economy of the future, tackling infrastructure under-investment, helping to boost participation in politics from young Australians and responding to the need to provide global justice through real development.

Hosted at the Harbour's Edge venue, right in the heart of Darling Harbour, it's both close to the ALP National Conference and close to major Sydney attractions.

Registration is free and breakfasts and lunches provided to delegates. Get in early now to guarantee your place.

FULL CHIFLEY IDEAS SPACE PROGRAM

Friday 31 July

7.30 - 9.00am Building 21st century infrastructure (breakfast provided)
Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese will be joined by leading members of the infrastructure business community to discuss infrastructure financing and provision and the critical role it will play
in helping the Australian economy on the road to recovery.

9.15 - 11.00 am Politics and the brain: how neuroscience can improve our body politic
with the Hon Lindsay Tanner and Neil Lawrence, architect of Labor 2007 ad campaign, look at how context affects the decisions we make.

Presented in conjunction with Per Capita

12.45 - 2.00pm Responding to the global recession
Join Treasurer Wayne Swan, respected British economic commentator and author Will Hutton and The Australian's Paul Kelly to discuss progressive policy responses to the global financial crisis.
Presented by the Chifley Research Centre

2.00 - 3.30pm Winning with Obama
Catalyst welcomes Minnesota director for the Obama Campaign Jeff Blodgett.

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