The 2025 Federal Election – An Insider’s View

16:30-17:30, 28 April 2025

Building 11, Level B, Room 56, 1 Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT

Join us for an insightful public event featuring two distinguished former politicians who were recently appointed as Adjunct Professors at the University of Canberra: former senator the Hon Scott Ryan and the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM, a former Member of the House of Representatives. Each speaker will deliver a 10-minute talk, sharing their unique perspectives on the forthcoming 2025 federal elections. Following their presentations, engage in a conversation and Q&A session moderated by Professor Peter Leahy AC, where you can ask questions and delve deeper into the political landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insider knowledge and participate in a lively discussion about the upcoming elections and their impact on Australia's future.

Scott was most recently Australia’s High Commissioner to Canada, concluding in December 2024. Prior to this, he was a member of the Commonwealth Parliament as Senator for Victoria from 2008-21. He served in the Abbott ministry as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, and in the Turnbull ministries in various roles, including Assistant Cabinet Secretary, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Special Minister of State and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cabinet. In November 2017, he was elected the twenty-fifth President of the Senate and re-elected in July 2019. Following his retirement from Parliament in October 2021, he was appointed High Commissioner to Canada in December 2021. Scott is married to Helen and they live in Canberra with their two sons.

Mike served as a Member of the Commonwealth Parliament for Eden-Monaro from 2007 to 2020. He held multiple ministerial appointments during his tenure, including Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel. He had a distinguished military career as an Army officer from 1987 to 2007, including serving in a number of international operational deployments. His service earned him numerous accolades, including the Chief of General Staff Commendation Medal, Australian Active Service Medal (three clasps: Somalia, Timor Leste, Iraq), Australian Service Medal (Balkans), United Nations Medal (Timor Leste), Iraq Campaign Medal, Australian Defence Medal, and Defence Long Service Medal. Mike was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994. He holds a PhD from UNSW.