Leaders from academic, political, community and business organisations will debate the issue that Canberra is taking too much power from the states at a free forum tomorrow, August 29 at Parliament House, Brisbane.
Chaired by Griffith Law School Dean Professor Paula Baron, the forum aims to encourage cross-partisan debate of issues important to the Australian community.
Forum convenor Professor Charles Sampford from Griffith University’s Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance said the Socratic Forum was the ideal place to debate such issues.
“Much of our political debate is excessively confrontational and polarised because of political, religious, gender, ethnic and cultural frameworks. It is our intention to see topics debated on their merits without a political bias.
“It is highly symbolic that the forum was an initiative of two former presidents of the Labor and Liberal Parties — Barry Jones and Ashley Goldsworthy. The current topic is very timely,” he said.
Speakers include Minister for the Arts and Sport Senator George Brandis, Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett, High Court Justice Ian Callinan AC, Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport Andrew Fraser MP, former Brisbane Lord Mayor Jim Soorley and Professor Charles Sampford.
WHAT: Socratic Forum: That Canberra is taking too much power from the states
WHEN: Wednesday, August 29, 6pm-7.30pm
WHERE: Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament House, Brisbane (entrance via Parliamentary Annex, Alice Street).