Democracy is under threat across the world. Leaders with authoritarian ambitions are gaining popularity by preying on the frustrations of those who feel left out by society. Countries with strict rules are becoming more assertive on the international stage and as people grow further apart in their beliefs, it is becoming harder to have productive, evidence-based debates about important policy issues.

Tasmania is not immune to these trends. There is growing concern about the lack of transparency and accountability in the State’s government. Many Tasmanians feel let down by a perceived lack of action on issues such as child sexual abuse, climate change, and homelessness. At the 2024 state election, voters turned away from the two major parties and 6.31% of ballots were informal – a 23% increase from the 2021 election.

Democracy in our state needs a shakeup. It’s time to get excited about new ideas that will restore faith in our system of government, and ensure that it truly reflects Tasmanian values and needs. Join our panel of experts and commentators to start thinking about how we might do democracy differently.

The experts

Lara Giddings AO, former Premier of Tasmania and CEO of the Australian Medical Association Tasmania
Saul Eslake, independent economist, and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Tasmania
Dr Charlie Burton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Director Policy & Advocacy, The Tasmanian Council of Social Service
Erin Cooper-Douglas, Deputy Politics and Society Editor, The Conversation Australia
Dr Robert Hortle, Deputy Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania

Attend online

Join this talk in-person, or online. To attend online, register via Zoom, and we'll email you details. To register for the in-person event, get your free tickets through Humanitix.

Pre-event refreshments
Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.

Parking
Free parking is available at the venue.

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This event is brought to you in partnership by the University of Tasmania's Tasmanian Policy Exchange and the Electoral Regulation Research Network.