Chifley Conversations

Wherever you are right now, whether it’s your home office, kitchen table or lounge room, we wanted to deliver you the sort of thoughtful policy and political discussion that you’ve come to expect from the Chifley Research Centre. 

Over the next couple of months, we will be holding a series of online events looking beyond our current crisis and debating some of the big issues facing social democracy.  

Today we are announcing the first four events in our Chifley Conversations series and I hope you will follow the links below to join us for some of these exciting events.  

Thursday 23 April – 12pm 

The Power of Speech – communication in a time of crisis 

Throughout history, societies have turned to the words of their leaders at times of crisis.  The Coronavirus Pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of clear and transparent communications.  How are Leaders and Governments around the world communicating in this crisis? What are they doing well and not so well? 

With: 

• Susan Templeman MP – Member for Macquarie.  Former media and communications trainer.   
• Sean Smith – Executive Vice President and head of the global reputation management practice at international communications agency Porter Novelli.  Former Assistant Secretary for Communications in US Department of Homeland Security. 
• Dr Suze Wilson – Senior lecturer in Leadership at Massey University, NZ.  
• Ed Coper – Executive Director and Founder of The Center for Impact Communications.  

Book your spot today.

Wednesday 29 April – 1pm 

UnTrumping America – Rebuilding American Democracy 

With Dan Pfeiffer – Presenter Pod Save America, former White House Communications Director and author of Yes We (Still) Can and Untrumping America. 

In conversation with Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre – Brett Gale.  

Book your spot today.

Tuesday May 5 – 5pm 

A Social Democratic Future? The Case for Government 

Responses to both the COVID-19 and Bushfire crises have highlighted the importance of government policies and programs in a time of crisis. However, for 40 years we’ve been told that “big government is not the answer” leading to increased distrust in the role of government. Can social democrats build on this renewed focus on the positives of government action to make a compelling case for a new social compact? 

• Van Badham – Writer and columnist for Guardian Australia.  
• Dr Marc Stears – Director, Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney. 
• Andrew Giles MP – Member for Scullin, Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Book your spot today.

Tuesday May 12 – 5pm 

The Road to Recovery 

Governments around the world have embarked on unprecedented economic stimulus packages to simply get us through the current health and economic crises.  Once the crisis is over and we are on the road to recovery what will need to be done for the long term? What does the economic catastrophe caused by COVID-19 mean for the way our economy is organised?  

• Angela Jackson – Economic Consultant at Equity Economics, Columnist for The Age.
• Dr Andrew Charlton – Director AlphaBeta Australia
• Cherelle Murphy – Senior Economist, ANZ Banking Corporation
• Dr Daniel Mulino MP – Member for Fraser, former Parliamentary Secretary to the Victorian Treasurer

Book your spot today.