From the land-rights movement, to Treaty borne from the ashes of an unsuccessful referendum, Clare Wright (Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions) and Inala Cooper (Marrul) discuss the long, powerful history of First Nations sovereignty and activism. With Tom Griffiths they will discuss the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and what this founding document can teach us about Australian democracy as we journey towards Treaty.

Australia is in peril. Do we truly grasp the impact of a warming planet–in particular, what it will mean for our sunburnt country? Leading climate scientist, Dr Joëlle Gergis discusses her searing Quarterly Essay Highway to Hell, Australia’s fossil fuel reliance and the consequences on Australia’s future.

George Megalogenis in conversation with Sarah Macdonald.

Australian politics is shifting. The two-party system was broken at the last federal election, and another minority government is a real possibility in the future. Politics-as-usual is not enough for many voters.

In this richly insightful essay, George Megalogenis traces the how and why of a political realignment. This is an essay about the teals, the Greens and the Coalition. In a contest between new and old, progressive and conservative, which vision of Australia will win out? But it’s also about Labor in power – is careful centrism the right strategy for the times, or is something more required?

In Minority Report, Megalogenis explores the strategies and secret understandings of a political culture under pressure.

George Megalogenis will be in conversation with Niki Savva on his new quarterly essay Minority Report: The New Shape of Australian Politics

Australian politics is shifting. The two-party system was broken at the last federal election, and another minority government is a real possibility in the future. Politics-as-usual is not enough for many voters.
In this richly insightful essay, George Megalogenis traces the how and why of a political realignment. This is an essay about the teals, the Greens and the Coalition. In a contest between new and old, progressive and conservative, which vision of Australia will win out? But it's also about Labor in power – is careful centrism the right strategy for the times, or is something more required? 

In Minority Report, Megalogenis explores the strategies and secret understandings of a political culture under pressure.

David Marr, one of Australia's foremost writers and thinkers,  will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh on the updated edition of his book, My Country: Stories, Essays and Speeches

David Marr is the rarest of breeds: one of Australia’s most unflinching, forensic reporters of political controversy, and one of its most subtle and eloquent biographers. In Marr’s hands, reportage and commentary are elevated to artful and illuminating chronicles of our time.

My Country collects his powerful writing on religion, sex, censorship and the law; striking accounts of leaders, moralists and scandalmongers; and elegant ruminations on the arts and the lives of artists. This updated edition includes reflections on his award-winning history Killing for Country and his explosive investigation of George Pell.

‘This is a book of power and poetry, an essential documenting of this place and of the people, the ideas, the political and cultural transactions in it … Marr is an exceptional writer.’ —Jonathan Green

You're invited to join pre-eminent Australian economist Ross Garnaut as he discusses his new book Let's Tax Carbon: And Other Ideas for a Better Australia, with Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority.

Could Australia become a full-employment, renewable-energy superpower? Ross Garnaut says yes, and it starts with taxing carbon. A levy on the big polluters will help fund Australia to become a carbon-free energy giant, lower the cost of living and assist the world to cut emissions.

In this path-breaking book, eminent economist Ross Garnaut makes two linked arguments. He focuses on the underpinnings of successful social democracy and traces when economic policy has worked for Australia and when it hasn't. He leads off with a critique of the Albanese government – is this a case of policy half-done, or a government sailing at half-mast?

His second argument is about the low-carbon opportunity that Australia has before it. Garnaut brings to bear his unrivalled expertise on industrial development, here and internationally. He calls for a new Carbon Solutions Levy. Getting this right is a way to secure the economic base of Australia's social democracy. A thought-provoking book by a visionary thinker.

George Megalogenis is joined by Sally Warhaft for our final Fifth Estate of 2024.  

With the Australian political landscape in a constant state of flux, the two-party system continues to splinter. Between the teals, the Greens, the Coalition and Labor attempting to navigate centrism in polarised times, Megalogenis will unpack the how and why of political realignment.  

Presented in conjunction with the release of George Megalogenis’s forthcoming Quarterly Essay, Minority Report: The New Shape of Australian Politics, Fifth Estate host Sally Warhaft joins the politics and media expert for an hour of astute political analysis. They will reflect on the year that was, Australia’s current state of political affairs and look ahead to what the 2025 Australian Federal election year might mean for the Australian voter. 

Join journalist George Megalogenis to discuss his new book, Minority Report: The New Shape of Australian Politics for Australia's Biggest Book Club in December 2024. 

Australian politics is shifting. The two-party system was broken at the last federal election, and another minority government is a real possibility in the future. Politics-as-usual is not enough for many voters.

In this richly insightful essay, George Megalogenis traces the how and why of a political realignment. This is an essay about the teals, the Greens and the Coalition. In a contest between new and old, progressive and conservative, which vision of Australia will win out? But it's also about Labor in power – is careful centrism the right strategy for the times, or is something more required? 

In Minority Report, Megalogenis explores the strategies and secret understandings of a political culture under pressure.

George Megalogenis has written three previous Quarterly Essays. His book The Australian Moment won the 2013 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction. He is also the author of Faultlines, The Longest Decade, Australia's Second Chance and The Football Solution.

Australia's Biggest Book Club is brought to you by the Australia Institute.