A Big Dialogue in Melbourne: Energy Transition - What *Can* We Agree On?

SOLD OUT, Sorry!

Join us for the launch of the Big Dialogue forum in Melbourne, the first public event from the Australian Dialogues network, on one of the most important public policy topics facing the nation.

By doing so you will be helping demonstrate that it is still possible to have productive, enlightening and even enjoyable public discussions of contentious issues.

People understandably have strong opinions about energy policy, fundamental as it is to prosperity and progress. Everyone wants a system which optimises cost, security and environmental impact - the energy trilemma - but there are fiendish trade-offs to be made. Between supporters of the mainstream policy position that Australia can and must completely decarbonise with all or mainly renewables, and those who think that adding nuclear to the mix is necessary and desirable, with many variations in between, is there any possible common ground? What might all sides agree on, as a base from which a national consensus might emerge?

A panel of accomplished speakers (and listeners) with differing perspectives and expertise will be moderated in an in-depth, long-form, enlightening discussion in a congenial, conducive heritage setting, as part of an informal national series of Big Dialogues on energy transition topics.

The Big Dialogue series has developed in Brisbane over the past four years as a unique and successful platform for better public discussion of contentious policy issues. This neutral, independent, not-for-profit forum brings together experts who disagree, yet are willing to seek common ground and explore possible agreed solutions. Big Dialogues are designed to demonstrate that contentious national issues can still be discussed frankly, fearlessly and civilly, in a non-partisan way, in public, by people of goodwill, in good faith, in pursuit of truth, progress - and better policy and outcomes.

Subjects addressed include universal basic income, the China-Australia relationship, climate change, pandemic management, energy transition, housing and social media impacts/regulation.

The Big Dialogues are now being expanded nationally, starting with this inaugural event in Melbourne - a collaboration of Australian Dialogues with The Brisbane Dialogues, Centre for Policy Development and the Institute of Public Affairs, supported by others from the Australian Dialogues network. This is the second one on energy transition - see video of the first one in Brisbane last year.

Big
Dialogues are for curious, concerned citizens who are willing to listen respectfully to views they don't agree with in order to understand complexities better and who are open to refining or even changing their own position - contributing in a small way to better national policy discussions and outcomes.

"The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress." Joseph Joubert

As always, the dialogue will be conducted under The Brisbane Rule, which includes the audience as well as the speakers on stage! All participants agree to listen carefully, speak civilly and concentrate on the content of discussions, not on characters - before, during and afterwards, online and offline.

Energy transition is a critical matter, but there is a wider context: the premise of Australian Dialogues is that the greatest problem we face is the growing inability to have good discussions about all the other problems we face. Polarisation and uncivil discourse are widely lamented, analysed and commented upon; Australian Dialogues is doing something about them.

A Big Dialogue in Melbourne: Energy Transition - What Can We Agree On?
6pm (meet, greet, eat & seat) for 7-9pm, Wed 18 Sep 2024
Swanston Room, Melbourne Town Hall

LinkedIn Profiles:
Moderator
Anthea Hancocks - CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
MC
Annemarie Rolls - former CEO, General Sir John Monash Foundation
Panellists
Andrew Hudson - CEO, Centre for Policy Development
Anna Hancock - Executive Director, Pollination and Board Member, Carbon Market Institute
Stephen Wilson - Visiting Fellow, Institute of Public Affairs and Adjunct Professor, University of Queensland

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

• Guests will be able to submit questions for the speakers by email before the event and by SMS during the dialogue 
• A small number of people in the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions from the floor
• The Swanston Room in table seating mode is congenial for social discussion before and afterwards 
• Come early, on your own or with friends, family and colleagues
• Review the discussion from the high quality video recording included in the ticket (no live stream)
• Really want to get involved? Volunteers always needed!

Escape the small screen for a proper, real, live, physical, in-person, civil multi-speaker event on the big stage. Buy a table or a ticket, bring friends and join in the discussion, before, during and after!

TICKET PRICING

Tickets are priced to make the event as accessible as possible, helped by the donation of time and expertise of all the speakers and volunteers, Convenor's table and Premium ticket buyers, and donors.

Hard costs of approximately $200 per person overall need to be covered, so please consider buying a Convenor's table or a Premium ticket, donating tickets or making a separate donation to keep events accessible and Australian Dialogues independent, expanding and sustainable.

A small number of complimentary tickets are available for those who post a short (20-60 seconds) selfie video to social media on why they are interested in this topic, event or Australian Dialogues generally, and email the link/s to info@brisbanedialogues.org. 

EVENT LOGISTICS

Date: Wed 18 Sep 2024
Venue: Swanston Room, Melbourne Town Hall
90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Doors open: 6pm for meet, greet, eat and seat
Dialogue: 7pm to approx 8.45pm

The dialogue will start at 7pm sharp, so please arrive no later than 6.45pm and preferably nearer 6pm to have a bite and a drink and mix with other guests. Light food and drink is included.

This is a family-friendly event and teenage attendance is encouraged.

Photo ID may be required - tickets are not transferrable unless arranged prior.