Coming Soon!
DATE: Tuesday 17th June 2025
TIME: 6:30 PM for 7:00 PM
VENUE: Tingalpa Hotel, 1563 Wynnum Rd, Tingalpa (click for Google maps navigation)
The Woke vs The Weak
Join us as we review the current state of play with reference to previous politicians who had lasting impacts on Australia’s government; people who knew what they stood for and so did the electorate.
Dan Ryan is a prominent member of the Liberal Party and the Executive Director of the National Conservative Institute of Australia.
He is a commercial and technology lawyer with over 20 years of high-level advisory and transactional experience. He has worked as general counsel for technology companies based across the globe and has particular expertise in China and tech in the Asian region. He speaks Mandarin and is a former board member of the Australia-China Council. In addition he has been published in a wide variety of publications including The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, The Spectator, Quadrant, and The Asian Wall Street Journal.
Dan will share his thoughts on the 2025 version of the LNP plus his opinion about the best way forward for the Party’s future.
Dr Scott Prasser, a Public Policy Analyst & Commentator has worked in federal and state government in senior advisory positions and served in academic roles across five universities, the last at professorial level. Between 2013-2019 he was senior adviser to three Federal Cabinet Ministers. In Qld he was director of the Science & Technology Branch in the Premier’s Dept under the Beattie Government. Scott is a widely published author and expert witness to multiple government inquiries and Royal Commissions.
He has published and commented widely on state and federal politics with his work on royal commissions and public inquiries being especially acknowledged for its expertise.
Scott’s talk is entitled “How Whitlam Won”.
He will present a book he co-edited with David Clune which forensically examines the political phenomenon of Gough Whitlam. What did he and the ALP do to affect us so much and for so long? Are there lessons for all aspiring political players?
The book, published by Connor Court is THE WHITLAM ERA: A REAPPRAISAL OF GOVERNMENT, POLITICS AND POLICY
The Whitlam Government came to office on 2 December 1972 amid high expectations. For many, it marked a turning point in the nation’s development. Although it was out of office within three years, its impacts have been more lasting.
Especially prepared to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government’s election this volume based on new sources of information and with the benefit of hindsight, reappraises its achievements, failures, and long-term impacts on Australian government, politics and policy. Contributors include leading academics, former senior public servants and Labor stalwarts.
Kevin Martin is a retired barrister who had an extensive career in the Queensland Public Service, holding a number of leadership roles in the justice sector during and after the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government years. He held office as Director-General of the Department of Justice and Attorney General. Also, as Parliamentary Counsel, his office took on the responsibility for drafting subordinate legislation. Kevin later was appointed as the Public Trustee of Queensland.
Joh endured a constant barrage of heated criticism from his political rivals. He was the pet hate of one side of politics but he ignored all slings and arrows and doggedly stuck by his decisions. Kevin knew him well and he will share some fascinating insights into this politician who left an indelible impression. Joh would never have consulted popularity polls to decide what it was he was supposed to be supporting this week.
Kevin will also present another Connor Court book which some have said tells us all about what is wrong with today’s Liberal Party.
FREE ENTRY but a gold coin donation would be appreciated to help us with expenses. Parking is available on-site and in the adjoining Kianawah Park.
