Carnegie Conversations: Ideas for a Better Australia

Overview

There's lotsa bonza stuff in Straya. But let's face it, team, we could be doing a tad better. If you want to get chatting about how to make this happen, get yourself along to the Sydney Opera House on May 3 for a new talk series dubbed 'Ideas for a Better Australia'.

Created by the crew responsible for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas and All About Women, the all-day event will feature five sessions, each committed to a different issue. 'Freedom of Speech', hosted by Chris Berg and Julian Burnside, will tackle the murky and complex topic of saying whatever you like — whether you're a journalist who's discovered dodgy operations in the secret intelligence sector or a citizen who defends the right to be offensive. Meanwhile, a panel made up of Rebecca Huntley, Benjamin Law, Tony Windsor and Ann Sherry will take on the rather infinite subject, 'What's wrong with politics?'. Why do we keep on electing leaders we dislike, even though we know our health, education and environment are in their hands?

The final three sessions are 'Which Australia?' with Mark Colvin, Nick Bryant, Rebecca Huntley and Marcia Langton; 'Doing Good' with Peter Singer and Ann Sherry; and 'Young and Old' with Jan Owen, Holly Ransom, Everald Compton and Andrew Charlton.

Tix are selling faster than Tony Abbott's popularity is dropping, but for now, both full day and single session passes are available.