Laura Tingle’s latest Quarterly Essay asks what has gone wrong with political leadership in Australia? Come along to hear Laura Tingle examine political leadership in general – including profiles in courage, and cunning – as well as styles of leadership from Macron and Merkel to Keating and Obama.

Tingle will be joined in conversation by James Button.
Free, but please book here.

Join Laura Jean McKay in conversation with author Ceridwen Dovey, discussing her new book, On JM Coetzee, the fourth book in the Writers on Writers series, in which leading writers reflect on another Australian writer who has inspired and influenced them.

From South Africa to Australia, Ceridwen Dovey draws on family history to explore the Nobel Prize-winning writer’s work, tracing an intellectual heritage that has been passed from mother to daughter.

Also see a superb selection of Coetzee first editions from the Library’s Graham and Anita Anderson Collection, donated by Judge Graham Anderson.

Writers on Writers is a collaboration between independent publisher Black Inc., the University of Melbourne and State Library Victoria.

About the author

Ceridwen Dovey was born in South Africa and grew up between South Africa and Australia. Her debut novel, Blood Kin, was published in 15 countries and shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Award. Her second book, Only the animals, won the inaugural 2014 Readings New Australian Writing Award, and her new novel, In the garden of the fugitives, was published earlier this year. She writes non-fiction regularly for newyorker.com and The Monthly, and lives in Sydney.

About the host Laura Jean McKay is the author of Holiday in Cambodia and has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. 

Laura Tingle and Fleur Anderson will be in conversation on Laura's new Quarterly Essay, Follow The Leader. What has gone wrong with political leadership in Australia? And are things likely to change with a change of leader or government?

In this crisp and timely essay, Laura Tingle examines political leadership in general - some profiles in courage, and cunning - as well as styles of leadership. She looks at Macron and Merkel, Keating and Obama.

Tingle notes that leaders must command not only their country, but also their party. Where does this leave Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten? She observes that Turnbull came to power seeking to do the opposite of everything Tony Abbott did, but neither leader's approach has been seen as a success. Why? And what can Australia's next prime minister learn from this?

Laura Tingle is chief political correspondent for ABC TV's 7.30 and former Political Editor of The Australian Financial Review. She won the Paul Lyneham Award for Excellence in Press Gallery Journalism in 2004, and Walkley awards in 2005 and 2011. She is the author of Chasing the Future: Recession, Recovery and the New Politics in Australia and two acclaimed Quarterly Essays, Great Expectations and Political Amnesia.

Before joining 89 Degrees East Communications Agency as a Senior Consultant, Fleur Anderson was a senior political journalist and parliamentary sketch writer with The Australian Financial Review, a regular panellist on ABC's Insiders, Vice-President of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery and a founding member of the Canberra branch of Women in Media. Fleur Anderson is the author of On Sleep (MUP, 2018). Pre-event book signing will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.This event is in association with Dymocks Canberra and books will be available to purchase.

Award-winning writer, Ceridwen Dovey explores Nobel Prize-winner, J.M. Coetzee’s work. In conversation with The Australian’s Literart Editor, Stephen Romei. 

Acclaimed Italian-English translator, Moreno Giovannoni discussed his stunning debut novel, The Fireflies of Autumn. This is Tuscany as you have never seen it before. 

To reserve a place, please contact Wangaratta Library on 03 5721 2366, or email [email protected]

This event commences at 6:30pm. Printed tickets are not issued and your booking will be on a door list under your surname.

The Courier-Mail's Dennis Atkins is in-conversation with Laura Tingle discussing her Quarterly Essay (QE) Follow the Leader: Democracy and the Rise of the Strongman.

What has gone wrong with political leadership in Australia? And are things likely to change with a change of leader or government?

In this crisp and timely essay, Laura Tingle examines political leadership in general – some profiles in courage, and cunning – as well as styles of leadership. She looks at Macron and Merkel, Keating and Obama.

Tingle notes that leaders must command not only their country, but also their party. Where does this leave Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten? She observes that Turnbull came to power seeking to do the opposite of everything Tony Abbott did, but neither leader’s approach has been seen as a success. Why? And what can Australia’s next prime minister learn from this?

Laura Tingle is chief political correspondent for ABC TV’s 7.30. She won the Paul Lyneham Award for Excellence in Press Gallery Journalism in 2004, and Walkley awards in 2005 and 2011. She is the author of Chasing the Future: Recession, Recovery and the New Politics in Australia and two acclaimed Quarterly Essays, Great Expectations and Political Amnesia.

Meshel Laurie is a radio and television personality, and a board member in Australia for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She is a regular panelist on The Project, the author of four books and hosts two of Australia’s most downloaded podcasts.

Buddhism is a practice, not a perfect. But let’s face it; sometimes Meshel Laurie is a downright Bad Buddhist. Meshel Laurie is a radio and television personality, and a board member in Australia for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She is a regular panelist on The Project, the author of four books and hosts two of Australia’s most downloaded podcasts.

Award-winning writer, Ceridwen Dovey explores Nobel Prize-winner, J.M. Coetzee’s work. In conversation with novelist, Tegan Bennett Daylight.

To reserve a place, please contact Gleebooks Blackheath on 02 4787 6340

Buddhism is a practice, not a perfect. But let’s face it; sometimes Meshel Laurie is a downright Bad Buddhist. Meshel Laurie is a radio and television personality, and a board member in Australia for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. She is a regular panelist on The Project, the author of four books and hosts two of Australia’s most downloaded podcasts.

Les Murray is one of Australia's most celebrated poets. Hear him discuss his new and updated Collected Poems at the State Library of NSW, in conversation with State Librarian, Dr John Vallance.

David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book My Country in conversation with ABC Conversations Presenter, Richard Fidler.

David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book My Country in conversation with SBS Television's, Jenny Brockie.

David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book, My Country.

David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book My Country in conversation with ABC Brisbane Presenter, Emma Griffiths.

David Marr, one of Australia's most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, discusses his new book My Country in conversation with George Megalogenis.