Misha Ketchell will moderate a discussion with Frank Bongiorno, Michelle Grattan and Mark Kenny, contributors to the new collection of essays, How Australian Democracy Works. And why we need it more than ever, edited by Amanda Dunn, a book in which The Conversation‘s best authors reveal the real story of how power works in Australia.

In recent years, the trust in Australian politics and politicians has been at an all-time low. From political polarisation and the spread of disinformation to the lack of trust in the public institutions that underpin our government, the truth can often be hard to find.

How Australian Democracy Works is a much-needed pulse check of our country’s political health and a helpful guide to understanding our nation’s political history and our place in the world, from government, parliament, the Constitution and pressing policy issues.

Discover the best, most current analysis from people with valuable experience and expertise to better understand who we are, how we got here and where we might go next. From The Conversation‘s top academic writers comes an honest and informed call to examine, rethink and safeguard Australia’s unique democracy.

‘Thoughtfully conceived and artfully curated, How Australian Democracy Works provides a compelling argument for why the humanities, their scholars and their disciplines, are not only relevant in today’s town square, but also vitally necessary. Rigorous, insightful and critically engaged without a hint of jargon or affect, these essays collectively and cumulatively demonstrate the value of polyvocal discourse: a hallmark of democracy itself. How Australian Democracy Works deserves a place in every school library, and on a few politicians’ and journalists’ bookshelves too. Superb.’ – Professor Clare Wright, author of the Democracy Trilogy

Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, is a Professor of History ANU and President of the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. His most recent book is Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia.

Michelle Grattan AO is one of Australia’s most respected political journalists and a former editor of the Canberra Times. She has been held positions with the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and as Political Editor of The Age. Michelle currently has a dual role, as Professorial Fellow at the University of Canberra and as Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation.

Professor Mark Kenny is Director at the Australian Studies Institute at ANU, where he hosts the popular podcast series 'Democracy Sausage'. Mark is the Canberra Times political analyst and a regular on the ABC's Insiders, Sky News Agenda, and radio programs across the country.

Misha Ketchell is the editor and an executive director of The Conversation Australia and New Zealand. He was previously editor of Crikey, founding editor of The Big Issue Australia and editor of The Melbourne Weekly. He spent six years at The Age of and four years at the ABC as a producer and researcher on Media Watch.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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