As the community prepares to vote in the next federal election on May 21, the Newcastle Institute has organised a public forum to discuss Australia’s key political issues, helping locals make their votes count.

The forum will be held at the Newcastle United Sports Club in Bryant St, Adamstown. Photo: Newcastle Institute.

Newcastle Institute is a not-for-profit community organisation that aims to provide a forum for innovative and critical thinking to influence the development and debate of public policy at all levels.

Held at the Newcastle United Sports Club on April 13, the forum will feature four expert panellists, including Walkley Award-winning columnist Jane Caro AM, CEO of Business Hunter Bob Hawes, Australian National University Professor Mark Kenny and former Senator of Australia Cheryl Kernot.

The experts will use their different perspectives to critically analyse Australia’s place in the world and potential policy responses to current challenges.

Newcastle Institute committee member, Robyn Considine, said this election was one of the most critical in recent years and a close result was expected.

Bob Hawes is the CEO of Business Hunter, the peak business group in the region.
Jane Caro is a Walkley Award winning Australian columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator. Jane is standing for the Senate at the forthcoming Federal election as a candidate for Reason Australia.
Mark Kenny is professor Australian Studies Institute at ANU. He was a political correspondent and national affairs editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, and the Canberra Times newspapers.
Cheryl Kernot was the leader of the Australian Democrats from 1993-1997 and the Member for Dickson and a Labor shadow minister from 1998-2001. She is listed as one of the National Trust’s 100 National Living Treasures.

Considine said there was a complex interplay of issues impacting the community and economy both nationally and locally.

“We are also seeing community members expressing their frustration and anger with political parties and their policy decisions,” Considine said.

“In line with citizens’ voting rights comes the responsibility to be informed about the issues and the policies of parties and candidates.

“Newcastle Institute is holding this forum to help voters gain information to help them decide.”

A range of topics will be explored, including equity, the economy, women’s rights, housing, climate change, trust and integrity, international relations and voter disillusionment.

The forum will be held on April 13 between 6 pm to 7.30 pm at Newcastle United Sports Club in Bryant Street, Adamstown.

It is free entry for Newcastle Institute members and $10 for non–members.

Additionally, there will be an option to watch the livestream uploaded to the Newcastle Institute’s Facebook and website the day afterwards.

For more information, visit www.newcastleinstitute.org.au.

Hayley McMahon