Afternoon Light

Is multiculturalism the cornerstone of Australia's modern identity, or a Canadian import reflecting a society that was always more divided than our own?

On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks to Henry Ergas about the history of multiculturalism and how it may have contributed to the gradual breakdown of Australia's social cohesion. This wide-ranging discussion explores the limits of liberalism, toleration and acculturation, and what we can do to right our present course.

Henry Ergas AO is an Australian economist, public policy expert, and columnist with The Australian. He spent more than a decade at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, and has held academic appointments at institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, Monash University, National University of Singapore, and the University of Wollongong, where he was Professor of Infrastructure Economics. His columns explore economics, politics, and public policy, and increasingly Australian history and national identity; free speech and universities; religion, philosophy, and Western intellectual traditions; and cultural and political debates surrounding multiculturalism and civic values.

IRHAQOLWJYPBNIFZ

What was it like for an Australian teenager in the early 1950s, thinking that the advent of World War III was imminent?

On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer chats with award winning children's author Belinda Murrell about the process of writing The Hidden War. A new historical fiction novel bringing the story of ANZUS to life for a new generation of Australians.

Belinda Murrell is an internationally published author with a history of writing in her family that spans over 200 years. Belinda has written more than 35 books including The Golden Tower and The Silver Sea, The Sun Sword trilogy, the popular Lulu Bell and Pippa’s Island series, and her Australian historical timeslip novels.

XLR5PEILQOCQRZDH

How did a person of Chinese descent rise to become one of the nation's top barristers at the height of the White Australia Policy?

On this week’s Afternoon Light, Andrew Godwin tells an astounding multicultural success story that long predates the very concept of multiculturalism. Offering lessons on integration and the process of 'becoming Australian', by shedding light on the life and times of Menzies's friend and contemporary, William Ah Ket.

Professor Andrew Godwin is Professor of Commercial Law at Melbourne Law School, Director of the Melbourne Law Masters, Joint Associate Director of the Corporate Law and Financial Regulation Research Program at the Melbourne Centre for Commercial Law and Associate Director (Commercial law) of the Asian Law Centre. Prior to joining Melbourne Law School as a member of the academic staff in 2007, Andrew was in legal practice for over 15 years, 10 of which were spent in Shanghai where he was a partner of an international law firm. He is a co-author of Sackville & Neave Australian Property Law and Ford, Austin and Ramsay Principles of Corporations Law, and co-editor of Research Handbook on Asian Financial Law, The Cambridge Handbook of Twin Peaks Financial Regulation, and Technology and Corporate Law. He was one of the editors for William Ah Ket - His Life and Times by William’s daughter Toylaan Ah Ket, which was posthumously published earlier this year.

TANWRVWMUNBAUHCE

Is 'Asia' a real place, or just an arbitrary mashing together of distinctive cultures and regions?

On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Nick Bisley about how globalisation made the area Western maps had long designated as 'Asia' into an interconnected reality. Shedding light on the remarkable rise and fractured future of the continent that will dictate Australia's destiny in the 21st Century.

Nick Bisley is Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University, Australia. He recently completed a term as President of the Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, has been Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center, Washington, DC and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of International Affairs. He is the author of Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future.

MS4AQUOCC4LNXVCX

How has almost a decade in power left such a severe dent in the Liberal Party's reputation & viability?

On this week’s Afternoon Light special guest hosts Alexander Downer and Chetna Mahadik speak with Paul Kelly about his latest book The Twilight of Exceptionalism. Exploring the failures, contradictions and redeeming achievements of Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison, and how the limitations of their prime ministerships have played into the rise of One Nation.

Paul Kelly is editor-at-large and a former editor-in-chief of The Australian. He writes on Australian politics, policy, history and international relations, and has covered every prime minister from Gough Whitlam to Anthony Albanese. He has written or co-authored twelve books on our politics and history, with the latest being The Twilight of Exceptionalism: The Liberal and Conservative Era 2013-22. Kelly is a regular television commentator. He has been a fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, a visiting fellow at Kings' College London and a fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. He has a doctorate from the University of Melbourne and is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia.

AFYKZYE2Z2CHXNCD