Public talk: Big Ideas and debunking conservative arguments
Wednesday 19 February from 6pm to 7:30pm
The science can be clear. The facts can be beyond dispute. But winning the policy debate is rarely straightforward.
Last year, Australia Institute Press published its first title, presenting 32 big ideas to improve the nation, from some of the country's leading economists, lawyers, scientists and writers.
Join contributing authors Richard Denniss, Amy Remeikis and Greg Jericho will discuss their chapters and show you how to change minds by debunking partisan arguments and using evidence persuasively.
Submit your questions and arguments for our panel, and they will workshop retorts live on stage.
Our book, What's the Big Idea? will be available for sale at the event, with a book signing following the talk.
Panel details
Richard Denniss is the Executive Director of the Australia Institute, a prominent Australian economist, and public policy commentator. His chapter, "No Backbone", debunks the myth often repeated by commentators and lobbyists – that the fossil fuel industry as the "backbone" of the economy. Denniss makes clear no economy has a backbone, let alone one made by a single, harmful, and outdated industry.
Amy Remeikis is Chief Political Analyst of the Australia Institute, and one country’s most respected political journalists. Her chapter, "If Australia Could be Brave", describes Australian politics as a bucket of crabs, each pulling the other down back into the bucket. Amy asks what could be achieved if we were brave instead, seizing our place in the world to made real change for good.
Greg Jericho is Chief Economist of the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and a Walkley award winning journalist. His chapter, "Wage Growth is Good", shows wage growth is not a trap for the economy, but something that tangibly improves the lives of people who work.
The event will be MC'd by Alice Grundy, Managing Editor of The Australia Institute Press.
This event is presented by The Australia Institute. The State Library of NSW is the venue for this event; however, all content is presented by The Australia Institute who should be contacted with any enquiries about the event.