A BIG DIALOGUE: THE CHINA-AUSTRALIA RELATIONSHIP

ESCAPE THE SMALL SCREEN FOR A PROPER, REAL, LIVE, PHYSICAL, IN-PERSON, MULTI-SPEAKER EVENT ON THE BIG STAGE AT THE BEAUTIFUL TIVOLI!

• What’s at stake in our relationship with China?
• What is China’s real, long-term interest in Australia?
• How should we think of the wider geostrategic context?
• How concerned should we be about China’s “wolf warrior diplomacy” and more assertive cyber, military, political and trade stances?
• How can we distinguish between the Chinese people and the Chinese Government?
• What diplomatic and defence strategies should we pursue?
• How should we diversify or balance risk and reward in trade with China?

We don’t expect to come up with clear answers in an hour and a half, or even address all of the questions, but we can enjoy an enlightening (not just civil), in-depth discussion between experts from different fields with strongly contrasting perspectives.

Everyone will learn something new and come away with a deeper understanding. Who knows, some common ground may be reached and solutions may start to emerge. We will all have contributed to a project to demonstrate what better public discussions of difficult subjects look like.

SPEAKERS

The moderator will be Sarah Percy, Associate Professor of International Relations at The University of Queensland and a host on ABC Radio National, who is excellently placed to bridge the expert and public domains.

We are fortunate to have an expert panel of three speakers who all have deep knowledge of China, but from very different perspectives and backgrounds:

• Brodie Paul, Partnerships Director at China Policy, a policy analysis and strategic advisory firm headquartered in Beijing, and Brisbane-based representative for Australia China Business News, an Australian-based, Chinese language publisher.
• Shahar Hameiri, coincidentally also an Associate Professor of International Relations at The University of Queensland, with diverse research interests including a project on rising powers and state transformation, focusing on China's engagements in Southeast Asia.
• Vicky XiuZhong Xu, researcher/analyst based in Canberra at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Cyber Policy Centre and a stand-up comedian, previously a journalist for The New York Times and the ABC.

Our MC will be Ian Walker, Chairman of medtech company 61medical and former state minister for Science, IT, Innovation and the Arts. Ian has developed a particular interest in national security since leaving government and originally proposed this subject for a Big Dialogue.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

• Links to reading materials will be distributed in the lead-up
• Guests will be able to submit questions for the speakers by SMS before and during the stage discussion
• The Tivoli in seated, small group format is congenial for social discussion before and afterwards (with food and beverages available throughout)
• Ticket pricing, from $5, is as inclusive as possible - see below
• Come early, on your own or with friends, family and colleagues, stay late and carry on the discussion
• Review the discussion from the high quality video recording included in the ticket (no live stream)
• Really get involved - volunteers still needed!

Please note that participation is governed by “The Brisbane Rule”:

“All participants agree to listen carefully, speak civilly and concentrate on the content of discussions, not on personalities - before, during and afterwards, online as well as offline.”

THE BRISBANE DIALOGUES: BETTER DISCUSSIONS

The Brisbane Dialogues (TBD) is Australia’s first dedicated civil discourse organisation, a wholly independent, non-aligned, intergenerational, not-for-profit, all-volunteer project to stimulate better discussions about big ideas and issues. We aim to demonstrate what good public discussions look like and to support other organisations to turn one-way talks and one-sided discussions into genuine, respectful dialogues or debates.

TICKET PRICING

Tickets are priced flexibly to make the event widely accessible, with a minimum of $5, made possible by the generous donation of the use of the Tivoli and of the time and expertise of all the speakers and volunteers.

Hard cash costs of approximately $35 per guest still need to be covered, however, so we are asking guests to consider paying more than the minimum for each ticket type. Hopefully those paying extra and buying the more expensive tickets will offset those buying cheaper ones. Call it a voluntary Robin Hood system.

If you wish to access the minimum $5 ticket, post a short (20-60 seconds) selfie video on why you are interested in this subject, event or The Brisbane Dialogues generally to social media and email the links to thebrisbanedialogues@gmail.com, also attaching the video for use in marketing. We will send you a personal booking code.

EVENT DETAILS

Doors open: 6:00pm til late
Dialogue: 7:00pm til 8.30-8.45pm
Date: Monday 16 Nov 2020
Venue: The Tivoli, 52 Costin St, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006

The Big Dialogue will start at 7pm sharp, so please arrive no later than 6.45pm and preferably earlier to have a snack and drink and talk to fellow guests.

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

The What’s Golden bar adjacent to the main auditorium will be open from 6:00pm until late. Food and beverages can be ordered at the bar or online on the night. Online orders will be delivered to your table.

Seating will be socially distanced, at small tables downstairs and at seats along the balcony upstairs, according to The Tivoli's Covid-safe plan.

After the dialogue on stage, the speakers will be invited to join guests at tables for relaxed follow-on discussions. Higher-paying guests will be seated towards the front and will enjoy the best opportunity to engage with the speakers.

All guests will be able to socialise at the bar or tables and carry on the discussion until late, at the discretion of venue management.