NEWS RELEASE
18 October 2001
The
debate that stops the nation
Capacity crowd to hear former PMs and politicians talk
While
the hospitality trade is worrying that world events have put a dint in
Melbourne Cup lunch bookings, the Visions for a Nation debate being
presented by UniSA’s Hawke
Centre and the Centenary of Federation is booked to capacity.
It
appears that now more than ever, people want to think about Australia’s
future and hear what political leaders past and present have to say about
it.
Visions
for a Nation
will feature former Prime Ministers, Bob Hawke and Malcolm Fraser, former
National Party leader, Tim Fischer, former Victorian Premier. Joan Kirner
and current Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Alexander Downer and grandson
of SA Federationist Sir John
Downer, and South Australian year 12 student Aparna Rao in a debate
mediated by ABC radio and television personality Adam Spencer.
Hawke
Centre director, Elizabeth Ho, says the ticketed event is now almost a
full house with sales for the evening function this Saturday at the
Adelaide Convention Centre, today tipping 1200.
“We
have worked hard to promote the event, but I think we have exceeded our
own expectations,” she said.
“In
a sporting nation that sometimes sees characterising politicians as
‘intellectual sport’, I think it is exciting to see that so many
people really do want to know what Australian
leaders believe about the future of Australian society.
“It
is perhaps a reflection of the seriousness of recent international events
that Australians are keen to be a part of this important debate that will
help to zero in on some of the issues we face and encourage people to talk
about the wide range of social, economic and political issues that will be
raised on the night.”
Ms
Ho said she believed the Visions for a Nation debate would include
a broad range of political perspectives, and with input from Adam Spencer,
enough wit and humour to keep the event dynamic.
She
said each political leader had selected key issues they believed would
influence the direction of Australia’s development with the more complex
environment of the 21st century.
“I
think we will hear something about the contrast between the policies and
ideals appropriate to 1901 and 2001 – they will in all likelihood look
at the evolution of the global village, internationalisation, the rise in
the role of women in society, the changing cultural face of Australia, a
further evolution of the relationships between state and federal
governments, Indigenous issues and the path ahead,” she said.
Media
contact: Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966 or 041 8823673
email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
