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Annual Hawke Lectures

The Annual Hawke Lecture is the premier national event on the public calendar of the University of South Australia, delivered under the auspices of the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre.  There are relatively few moments when we have the time to consider the larger issues of life, including the future of our nation and our world and how we can shape it.  The University of South Australia offers the Annual Hawke Lecture in this spirit, as an opportunity to listen to the views of someone whose experience of human affairs is notable, and whose concerns about our world are truly worthy of consideration.

The Centre mounts an active public program consistent with its non-partisan agenda of:

Strengthening our democracy - Valuing our diversity - Building our future

2009 Annual Hawke Lecture: Climate Change: The Public Interest and Private Interests in Australian Policy

To be delivered by Professor Ross Garnaut AO

Wednesday 4 November 2009, Adelaide Town Hall

Past lecturers

2008    Professor Fiona Stanley AC

The Greatest Injustice - Why we have failed to improve the health of Aboriginal people

Professor Stanley was Australian of the Year in 2003, and is head of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. She is widely recognised for her commitment to child health and has expressed concerns about current social impacts on children and young people. She provides public health advice at the highest levels in Australia and her expertise is acknowledged internationally.

2007   The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG

Consensus and Dissent in Australia

Bob Hawke was famous for his commitment to a search for consensus in politics and in industrial relations. It was the theme of his Boyer Lectures and a feature of his leadership of the union movement and the nation.

This year's Hawke Lecturer, Justice Kirby, has the highest dissenting rate in the history of the High Court, even out-flanking the dissents of Justice Issacs, Justice Evatt and Justice Murphy. In his Hawke Lecture, Justice Kirby will explore consensus and dissent in society. When is it appropriate, in the law and in the community, to seek agreement? And when do we have to stand up and disagree? By reference to law and life, this year's Annual Hawke Lecture will examine consensus and dissent in Australia.
 

2006   Mr Greg Combet, Secretary ACTU

A new Australian consensus for the 21st Century

Short-term gain or long-term prosperity? Reflections on current Australian attitudes, community cohesiveness and national policies will be at the heart of this address. Greg will pose hard questions as to whether we are living for the moment or aiming for a strong national future.

Reigniting hope for a better future: An emerging leader in the debate about Australia’s long term future, Greg will argue the case that only by building a new consensus can Australia confidently expect prosperity, security and social justice.
 

2005   Mr Greg Bourne, CEO WWF-Australia

A sustainable planet - a future for Australia

Is petrol pricing the tip of the iceberg?  “We are in the red. We exceed Earth’s capacity by 20%. We are creating a depleted planet with a quality of life to match. The new era that we must create together is a sustainable one. One in which we have a thriving economy, a thriving society and a thriving environment…"

Can Australia become a world exporter of sustainability?  This is the big challenge that Greg Bourne, former top executive in the oil industry, will throw down to Australia when he delivers the national 2005 Annual Hawke Lecture.
 

2004    Ms Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International

Security for Whom? Redesigning Security, Reinforcing Human Rights

As the first woman, first Asian and first Muslim to head the world's largest human rights organisation, she has led Amnesty International through challenging developments in the wake of 11 September 2001, confronting the backlash against human rights, broadening the work of the organisation in areas of economic, social and cultural rights, and initiating a process of internal reform and renewal to enable the organisation to respond flexibly and rapidly to world events. She has also sought to bring a strong focus to the issue of women's human rights and violence against women.
 

2003    The Hon Gareth Evans, President of the International Crisis Group

Waging War and Making Peace

A former Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Evans was appointed to this position in January 2000. The International Crisis Group (ICG) is an independent, non-profit, multinational organization, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.
 

2002    Mr Noel Pearson, Aboriginal activist

Indigenous Australia: the Social and Cultural Predicament

Noel Pearson is a Bama Bagaarrmugu of the Guuguwarra Nation from Kalpowar and Jeanie River area, Cape York.
 

2001    Sir Gustav Nossal, distinguished Australian scientist

Medical Science and Human Goals: a challenge for Australian research

Eminent scientists Sir Gustav Nossal has enjoyed a distinguished career in medical research. He was Director of the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne (1965-1996). He has been a Special Consultant to the World Health Organisation and has received numerous honours both nationally and internationally.
 

2000    Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Managing Director, The World Bank Group

Human Rights and Human Development: Fulfilling the Basic Needs of People

Dr Ramphele has been a civil rights leader, medical doctor, and the first black woman to become a University Vice Chancellor in South Africa. As a student she fought apartheid alongside Steve Biko, and has received world awards and honorary doctorates for service to the community.
 

1999    Sir Zelman Cowen, former Governor General of Australia

An Australian Republic - A Guide for the Perplexed

Sir Zelman Cowen, former Governor-General, academic, and an expert in constitutional law, is an Australian of high distinction, admired for his humanity and his knowledge.
 

1998    The Hon Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia

A Confident Australia

Australia's longest serving Labor Prime Minister (1983-1991). Bob Hawke's long career in public life, as union official and political leader, has been characterised by a commitment to the betterment of the lives of all Australians, and a faith in the future of Australia as an outward looking and independent nation, confident of its place in the world.

The Centre encourages the generation of knowledge, research and debate about the issues that we face as individuals belonging to communities, societies and the world.

The Hawke Lecturer is a prominent person of national or international standing who has a demonstrated commitment to causes such as:

Drawing upon the interests and the experiences of the Lecturer, the Hawke Lecture challenges Australians and brings significant influence to bear on public opinion, policy and practice.

First delivered in 1998, in recent years it has been broadcast to a national audience by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Printed copies are available on request.

Contact

Ms Elizabeth Ho
Director
Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia
Ph: +61 8 8302 0651 Mobile: 0417 085 585
Email: Elizabeth.ho@unisa.edu.au

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