Australia faces a critical juncture as global trade navigates the current disruption stemming from recent shifts in US policy and practice. How should our nation strategically position itself in this evolving international landscape?

For example, is this disruption a catalyst for bold economic reform to bolster competitiveness and national security, and/or a moment for cautious engagement and renewed multilateralism?

As always at the Big Dialogues, join us for a robust and engaging long-form public discussion between a small panel of distinguished speakers with very different perspectives, expertly moderated, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex challenges and potential pathways forward, among policy makers, academics and the general public.

This Big Dialogue is co-presented by The Economic Society of Australia (QLD) and The Brisbane Dialogues, affiliates in the Australian Dialogues network.

ABOUT THE FORMAT

Big Dialogues are designed to demonstrate that contentious national issues can still be discussed frankly, fearlessly, civilly and even enjoyably, in a non-partisan way, in public, by people of goodwill, in good faith, in pursuit of truth, progress - and better policy and outcomes. Past subjects addressed include universal basic income, the China-Australia relationship, climate change, pandemic management, energy transition, housing, social media impacts/regulation and cost of living.

List of past and current Dialogues events.

SPEAKER PROFILES

Isabel Barton - Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Science Student at The University of Queensland | Liveris Academy Scholar

Moderator 

Ian Walker - Public policy expert, arts supporter and former solicitor and Queensland cabinet minister

Panellists 

Louisa Coglan - Professor in Economics, QUT

Dan Ryan - Founder, National Conservative Institute of Australia, general counsel/lawyer, board director and China expert

Third panellist to be advised.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
This event will be conducted under The Brisbane Rule: 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. Join us as we expand a space where curious citizens can listen and respond respectfully to differing expert views, striving towards better national policy discussions and outcomes.

Time is limited by the nature of a long-form expert discussion; however:

• 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 table seating mode is congenial for social discussion before and afterwards

• Come early, on your own or with friends, family and colleagues, and carry on at the bar after the stage discussion

• Premium ticket holders, Dialogues partners and volunteers will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the speakers

• Review the discussion from the high quality video recording included in the ticket (no live stream)

• Really want to get involved? Volunteers always needed!

• Finally, subject to final development, we are planning to offer attendees the opportunity to carry on the discussion on an AI-assisted one-to-one chat platform which pairs and facilitates dialogue between people of opposing views. This will be the global launch of "Event Mode" of Sway, a unique online tool for constructive discussions created at Carnegie Mellon University.

EVENT LOGISTICS
Date: Wed 20 Aug 2025 Venue: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Doors: 6pm to meet, greet, eat and seat
Dialogue: 7pm to approx 8:45pm
Event ends: Bar closes approx 9.45pm

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. Stay on afterwards to carry on the discussion.

Light food included, with cash bar.

This is a family-friendly event and teenage attendance is encouraged. Photo ID may be required - tickets are not transferrable unless arranged prior.

TICKET PRICING
Tickets are priced to make the event as accessible as possible, with individual tickets from $10 for secondary students, 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 $70 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.

Get your tickets now and escape the small screen for a different and better night out!

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS

The Economic Society (QLD)

ESA Queensland promotes discussion of, and debate about, economic issues and economic policies, supports the training and professional development of economists and encourages the study and teaching of economics. It conducts regular meetings, seminars and conferences; supports a Young Economist Group; and publishes a journal, Economic Analysis and Policy.

www.esaqld.org.au

The Brisbane/Australian Dialogues

The Brisbane Dialogues is Australia's first dedicated civil discourse or "bridging" organisation, now evolving into Australian Dialogues, with a mission to support other organisations to conduct "across-the-aisle" discussions. Over the last five years it has developed the Big Dialogues public discussion series, the Tuesday Dialogues monthly private discussion group and a schools program, Dialogues @ School.
www.brisbanedialogues.org | www.australiandialogues.org