“The fog of Australian politics on climate change has obscured a fateful reality: Australia has the potential to be an economic superpower of the future post-carbon world,” argues Dr Ross Garnaut in his new book Superpower: Australia’s low-carbon opportunity.

Join us for a conversation between Dr Garnaut and Roland Rajah, Director of the Lowy Institute International Economy Program, about the role Australia can play in meeting this critical global challenge.

We have unparalleled renewable energy resources. We also have the necessary scientific skills. Australia could be the natural home for an increasing proportion of global industry. But how do we make this happen?

In this crisp, compelling book, Australia’s leading thinker about climate and energy policy offers a road map for progress, covering energy, transport, agriculture, the international scene and more. Rich in ideas and practical optimism, Superpower is a crucial, timely contribution to this country’s future.

Ross Garnaut will be in-conversation with Lenore Taylor. 

Please arrive at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start.

Launching his book on climate policy, Ross Garnaut discusses “the diabolical challenge” of policy making in this area, alongside the Hon. Bob Carr and UTS Executive Director, Social Justice, Verity Firth.

Professor Garnaut analyses the state of the argument over economics and assesses progress on slashing carbon in the current Australian context: no ambitious targets from government but a big movement by investors and a shift in markets. Might Australia pull it off? Ross Garnaut is uniquely placed to answer this and related questions.

Professor Ross Garnaut is a distinguished Professor of Economics at the Australian National University, and a Professional Fellow of Economics at the University of Melbourne. He served as Senior Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Bob Hawke (1983-1985) and as Australia’s Ambassador to China (1985-1988). He advised Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on climate change policy.

This is a free event, but bookings are required.

Join Margaret Simons for the launch of the Summer Reading Guide. Hear about her new biography Penny Wong: Passion and Principle and find all your Christmas gifts and summer reads in our perennially popular guide.

In this first-ever biography of Penny Wong, acclaimed journalist Margaret Simons traces her story: from her early life in Malaysia, to her student activism in Adelaide, to her time in the turbulent Rudd and Gillard governments, to her key role as a voice of reason in the polarising campaign to legalise same-sex marriage. What emerges is a picture of a leader for modern Australia, a cool-headed and cautious yet charismatic figure of piercing intelligence, with a family history linking back to Australia’s colonial settlers and to the Asia-Pacific.  

Margaret Simons is an award-winning journalist and the author of thirteen books, including biographies of Malcolm Fraser and Penny Wong. She won the 2015 Walkley Award for Social Equity Journalism and has been honoured with several Quill Awards for journalistic excellence.

ANU/CANBERRA TIMES MEET THE AUTHOR

Ross Garnaut will be in conversation with Frank Jotzo on Ross's new book, Superpower: Australia's Low-Carbon Opportunity, which offers a road map for harnessing Australia's renewable energy potential to become a global economic leader. Ross Garnaut notes, "The fog of Australian politics on climate change has obscured a fateful reality: Australia has the potential to be an economic superpower of the future post-carbon world".

Australia has unparalleled renewable energy resources. We also have the necessary scientific skills. Australia could be the natural home for an increasing proportion of global industry. But how do we make this happen? In this crisp, compelling book, Australia's leading thinker about climate and energy policy offers a road map for progress, covering energy, transport, agriculture, the international scene and more. Rich in ideas and practical optimism, Superpower is a crucial, timely contribution to this country's future.

This is a free event, but bookings are required. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5:30pm and again after the event. This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop and books will be available to purchase.

We are thrilled to have journalist and academic Margaret Simons talking about her book, Penny Wong: Passion and Principle. This is an extraordinary and well-considered portrait of one of contemporary Australia’s most accomplished and well-respected politicians.

This is a free event, but bookings are required.

A presentation by Prof. Ross Garnaut on how we can harness Australia’s renewable energy potential to become a global economic superpower

Australia’s leading thinker about climate and energy policy, Ross will be introducing his latest book Superpower, which offers a road map for harnessing our renewable energy potential to become a global economic leader. Weaving a tapestry of hope and opportunity, topics cover energy, transport, agriculture, the international scene and more.

Register your ticket by Sunday 10 November to go in the draw to win a copy of Superpower. 

In partnership with Asialink at The University of Melbourne, join us for a discussion on the latest Quarterly Essay, written by Peter Hartcher. Red Flag: Waking Up to China’s Challenge is an urgent, authoritative essay that blends reporting and analysis in a trademark Hartcher style, covering the local scene as well as the larger geopolitical picture.

This is a free event but bookings are essential.

Growing up queer is a many, varied and splendid thing. Growing Up Queer in Australia assembles voices from across the spectrum of LGBTIQA+ identity. Spanning diverse places, eras, ethnicities and experiences, these are the stories of growing up queer in Australia.

Meet Growing Up Queer in Australia editor Benjamin Law, in conversation with Canberra contributors Gemma Killen and Joo-Inn Chew.