A report of America that catches the madness and the politics of an election like no other.

In his Quarterly Essay High Noon (September 2024) Don Watson gives a deeply historically informed, characteristically mordant account of Donald Trump, Joe Biden and a divided country. Watson considers how things reached this pass, and what might lie ahead.

An essential analysis about a crucial moment of choice.

Don Watson is an acclaimed author. His books include the bestselling Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, Death Sentence, Watson’s Dictionary of Weasel Words, Caledonia Australis, American Journeys, The Bush and The Passion of Private White. In addition to books and essays, including several on US politics for Quarterly Essay, he writes films and gives occasional talks on writing and language.

Don Watson will give members, potential members and guests an insightful perspective into the US Presidential election outcome, what it means for Australia and the broader implications.   

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