A Big Dialogue: Is The Constitution Alive?
Summary
John Anderson Media, in association with Australian Dialogues, presents a compelling discussion with diverse views on a question of vital importance to democracy in Australia and America.
In an age of rapid social change and contested institutions, this special dialogue poses one of the most fundamental questions to revisit: who really decides what our founding document means today? And who should decide?
The conversation will unpack the clash between originalism, the idea that the Constitution’s meaning is fixed by its original public understanding, and the living constitution approach, which sees the document as evolving with contemporary values. This underlying tension surfaces in the decisions which shape the rights, powers and limits that govern us all.
It features an exceptional panel: former High Court Justice Michael Kirby, US Court of Appeals Judge Andrew Oldham and leading constitutional scholars Professor Nicholas Aroney. Moderated by Professor Rosalind Dixon, the discussion will explore who ultimately decides what the Constitution means and how those decisions shape the rights, powers and limits that govern us all.
This is a rare opportunity to hear world-class legal minds engage rigorously and civilly on issues that affect every Australian (and American), in a congenial atmosphere and format. Whether you are a lawyer, student, policymaker or simply a citizen who cares about the future of democracy, join us in the historic setting of the Strangers’ Room in NSW Parliament House for an evening of serious ideas and open dialogue.
Food and drinks will be served from 5.30pm, throughout the event. The formal part of the evening commences at 6:30pm, which will run for about two hours including audience Q&A, with time for social discussion until 9pm. Tickets are priced to make the event accessible, with premium tickets subsidising youth concessions.
A Big Dialogue: Is The Constitution Alive?
Mon 7 Sep, 5.30pm for 6.30pm
Strangers’ Room, NSW Parliament House
Tickets $25-$250 including food and drinks
The Format
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. Joseph Joubert
The Big Dialogue format has been developed over the last six years to demonstrate that difficult, complex 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 practical outcomes.
They are long-form public discussions between a small panel of knowledgeable speakers with very different perspectives, expertly moderated, in a congenial, catered environment - exploring differences, seeking common ground and possible agreement on solutions. They have consistently shown that such discussions are not only possible but are actually enlightening, enjoyable and much more interesting than echo chambers!
Past subjects addressed include universal basic income, the China-Australia relationship and Taiwan, climate change, democratic reform, pandemic management, energy transition, cost of living, housing, tariffs and trade, and social media impacts/regulation. See calendar for upcoming dialogue events.
Big Dialogues are conducted under the Brisbane Rule, which all speakers and guests agree to as attendees:
All participants agree to listen carefully, speak civilly, and concentrate on the content of discussions, not on characters – before, during and after, online and offline.
Speakers
Former Justice Michael Kirby
Panellist Former Justice of the High Court of Australia. On retirement in 2009, he was Australia’s longest-serving judge, and he has also held major national and international roles, including as Editor-in-Chief of The Laws of Australia and Commissioner of the UNDP Global Commission on HIV and the Law.
Andrew Oldham (US)
Panellist Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining the Fifth Circuit, he served as General Counsel to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, was Deputy Solicitor General of Texas, and previously clerked for Judge David B. Sentelle and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.; he studied at the University of Virginia, Cambridge and Harvard.
Nicholas Aroney
Panellist Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Queensland
Rosalind Dixon
Moderator Anthony Mason Professor and Scientia Professor of Law at UNSW Sydney and Co-Director of the UNSW Resilient Democracy Lab. She is a graduate of UNSW and Harvard Law Schools, and member of the Australian Academy of Law and Arts and Social Sciences.
Audience Participation
Guests will be able to submit questions for the speakers by email before the event and by SMS during the dialogue
A limited number of people in the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions from the floor
The table seating mode is congenial for social discussion before and afterwards
Come early on your own or with friends, family and colleagues, for informal discussion with other guests
Review the discussion from the high quality video recording included in the ticket (no live stream)
Guests will be invited to participate in powerful AI-assisted discussion platform (Sway) to continue the discussion one-on-one with someone of a different view, after the event.
Really want to get involved? Email the organisers.
Dialogue Program
- 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Doors open
Meet, greet, eat and seat - canapés, drinks, informal discussion. Separate drinks with speakers for premium ticket holders.
- 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Formal discussion
MC welcome, moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A. You'll have the chance to ask questions by texting to the number provided on the night or by speaking if the mic is passed to you during the Q&A.
- 8:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Event ends
Carry on the discussion at the Strangers’ Room and at home, work and with friends - and online with someone on Sway!
Ticket Pricing
Tickets are priced to make the event as accessible as possible, with individual tickets from $25 for students, up to $2,500 for a CEO's Table of eight. All tickets include food and drinks to sustain you through the long form discussion.
Hard costs of at least $175 per person need to be covered, excluding speakers' travel and the presenters overhead costs, so please consider buying a CEO's Table or Premium ticket, donating tickets or making a separate donation to keep events accessible and Australian Dialogues independent, expanding and sustainable.
An allocation of complimentary tickets is available for volunteers and those who post a short 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.
The Organisers
John Anderson Media, an Australian media platform founded by former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson AC to produce and promote long-form conversations with leading Australian and international thinkers. Established to encourage thoughtful engagement with complex and contested ideas, the platform focuses on public policy, history, philosophy, economics, culture, faith and Western civilisation. Through its Conversations with John Anderson interview series, podcast and digital channels, John Anderson Media aims to deepen public understanding by providing in-depth discussions that prioritise reasoned debate, intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of truth over partisan commentary.
Australian Dialogues, evolving out of The Brisbane Dialogues, Australia's first civil discourse/constructive discussion or "bridging organisation", established in 2020 to model better discussions between people who disagree. Their mission is to support other organisations conduct "across-the-aisle" dialogues. Activities include the Big Dialogues series, a private monthly discussion group (Tuesday Dialogues) and a schools program (Dialogues @ School). An Advisory Panel of leading Australians has been formed to expand the Dialogues' network and efforts. See calendar of upcoming events.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
