We celebrate Facebook's trillionth dollar with a return of our regular discussion on technology, now based at Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology.

Join regular panellists, Centre director Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch founder Lizzie O'Shea and Guardian Australia managing director Dan Stinton for a deep dive into the policy, politics and ideas driving our future.

Tech Talk has a new home!


In this week's Tech Talk we review the US Senate hearings into social media algorithms, evaluate competing models for data protection and take a walk through Melbourne's not so secret city.

Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis for your fortnightly catch-up of all things tech.

Tech Talk - Secret Algorithms, Data Protection and Surveillance Cities

Watch as this special & highly informed panel discusses the Government's just released 2021 Federal Budget. This week we'll be joined live by Anthony Klan - Investigative Journalist from The Klaxon (and ex-Correspondent at The Australian), Richie Merzian - Director of The Australia Institute's Climate Energy Program, and Cheryl Kernot - political commentator.

Hosted by Denise Shrivell from SpinProof.

#Auspol Budget Special with Denise Shrivell

IMPORTANT: Due to the Federal Budget lock-up, today’s Geekfest will now be taking place at 10am AEST (9:30am ACST & 8am AWST). Please disregard the Zoom link sent to you upon your initial registration, and use this Zoom link instead on the day: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4016202675805/WN_IfXWygEVRY6IX1WJ_ahAOA

We will also now be running future Geekfests with our new partner at the Australia Institute. Please refer to their website to register for future sessions.

Join us to delve into the data and learn about current public opinion on all things politics and COVID-19 with the fortnightly Guardian Essential Report.

The Political Geekfest

Emily Maguire’s novels are known for their compassionate portraits of complex characters - with her most recent, An Isolated Incident, shortlisted for the Miles Franklin.

In her new novel, Love Objects, Maguire directs her gaze on Nic: a 45-year-old woman who loves trivia, stray cats, and just happens to have a house stuffed to the brim with old things. Then her 22-year-old niece, Lena – dealing with a crisis of her own – discovers her hoarding, and sets into motion a train of events that will profoundly alter both their lives.

Is it ever right to force help on someone who doesn’t want it? Join Maguire at Guardian Australia's next book club, as we dive into the complex world of mental health with one of Australia’s most insightful novelists.

Guardian Australia Book Club - Emily Maguire

We regret to inform you that today’s Political Geekfest has been cancelled due to availability issues.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The Political Geekfest will return on its usual schedule in a fortnight.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the next one!

CANCELLED: The Political Geekfest

Identity theft is often thought of as something people experience as a financial crime, 

but what about for international diplomacy

The manufacturing of digital hardware is surprisingly concentrated and we are fast approaching a situation where we run low on chips. It raises 

questions about the sustainability of consumer tech and how we can change the practices of manufacturer to avoid these problems

And Facebook’s Oversight Board has recently received an 

. Does this ever really work and what is the alternative?

Tech Talk - Identity Theft, Chippageddon and Facebook's 'Supreme Court’

Social media identity checks, Amazon's union showdown in Alabama, and could defamation defeat disinformation? Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis and special guest Belinda Barnet from Swinburne University for your fortnightly catch-up of all things tech.

Tech Talk - Social media identity checks, Amazon's union showdown in Alabama, and could defamation defeat disinformation?

#Auspol will be taking place on a Thursday this month to make way for Good Friday.

Join as informed panellists share their views on current affairs and topical issues as we wrap up the week that was. This week, we'll be joined live by Chris Wallace - Associate Professor at University of Canberra and author of 'How to Win an Election'., Ben Davison - Co-host of the Week on Wednesday podcast, and Adam Jacoby - Political Commentator and Founder of MiVote.

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Emma Alberici will instead be presenting at the next #Auspol session in May.

#Auspol with Denise Shrivell

Early childhood education in the pre-school years is critical to a strong start in life. However, with more culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian children starting school, many are missing out on early childhood education and are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable.

We invite you to join Settlement Services International for the launch of new research that shines a light on the need to increase the participation of CALD children in early learning and development

The launch of Stronger Starts, Brighter Futures will include a response to the findings from Anne Hollonds, Australian National Children's Commissioner, followed by a panel discussion featuring:

Learn of actions that governments, policymakers, service providers and civil society can pursue to reduce barriers and increase access to early education for culturally diverse children and their families.

Stronger Starts, Brighter Futures - Exploring trends in the early development of children from CALD backgrounds in Australia

As Jack Dorsey auctions off his first tweet, Donald Trump threatens to launch his own platform. Would the world be better with more and diverse platforms? Also Joe Biden unveils his new tech advisors - will they make a difference? And a new call to ban surveillance advertising - could Australia lead the way?

Join Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia Managing Director Dan Stinton, and Centre for Responsible Technology Director Peter Lewis in an interactive discussion on the big issues in technology, politics and society, and what the future should be.

Tech Talk - How to Start a Social Network

Rick Morton’s critically acclaimed memoir, 100 Years of Dirt, was a bracing and sharp examination of a life turned inside out: of family, violence, addiction and poverty in Australia.

After it came out, Morton found himself experiencing a different kind of insecurity. Receiving a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, the journalist and commentator had to learn to dismantle his defences: to talk openly about his difficult experiences, to accept kindnesses, to seek help, and most importantly, to find beauty and love.

In his new book, My Year of Living Vulnerably, Morton traverses the road to healing. What does science tell us about how trauma changes the brain? How do we get better? And how could he have come to write a whole book about his family’s suffering without realising that it might have had repercussions for him too?

Join Morton in conversation with Michael Williams at Guardian Australia’s monthly book club as he shares how he rediscovered the things that make life worth living.

Guardian Australia’s Book Club: Rick Morton - My Year of Living Vulnerably

Join Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea and Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis to kick around the latestThis week we look at:

Tech Talk - Government Snoops, Data Sandboxes and the Right to Repair

Join us to wrap another busy week where an informed panel share their views on the topics which have occupied them and the issues and events impacting us all. This week, we'll be joined live by Tarla Lambert - Editor in Chief of Women's Agenda, Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM - Founder & CEO of Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Emma Husar - Former Member of Federal Parliament, and Carrick Ryan - #auspol Facebook & Twitter Commentator.

Hosted on the first Friday every month by Denise Shrivell from SpinProof.

So did anything happen over summer? Tech Talk returns for 2021 to discuss and debate the big issues in technology, politics and society. Join Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia Managing Director Dan Stinton, and Centre for Responsible Technology Director Peter Lewis in an interactive discussion on what the future should be.

Tech Talk: So did anything happen over summer? 

More than half of Australian girls between 8 and 9 years old are dissatisfied with their body, and a quarter of 14-15 year olds have thoughts about self-harming. Social media has brought bullying from the schoolyard into the home, and made girls more critical of their appearance than ever. Add the pandemic, climate change, economic uncertainty and political upheaval, and anxiety in this age group is at an all time high.

That's why Guardian Australia's monthly book club is returning for 2021 with a deep dive into parenting: specifically, parenting girls.

In "Raising Girls Who Like Themselves", researchers and journalists Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon – who are raising girls together – deliver approachable, evidence-based advice (and bust a few myths) about how to re-invent the way we teach girls to like themselves, from toddlers up.

And in her new book "Ten-Ager", parenting journalist Madonna King sought the counsel of 500 Australian 10-year-old girls, 1600 mothers and 100 year-five school teachers to deep-dive into what's happening at the age of ten – an age she thinks should be considered the new start of teenage-hood. Her book explains to parents what's going on inside their daughters' heads, and how to help them through.

King and Edwards will be joining Guardian Australia's features editor Lucy Clark, whose own book, "Beautiful Failures", drew from her own experience raising a daughter, to investigate the broken education system and its effects on young people.

Join them with your own questions at this session of the Guardian Australia Book Club.

Guardian Australia's book club: Raising girls in a challenging world

Wrap another busy week where a panel of #auspol journalists and commentators share their informed views on the topics which have occupied them and the issues and events impacting us all. This week, we'll be joined by Walkley Award Winner and Commentator Jane Caro, CEO of Greenpeace Australia David Ritter, Walkley award-winning freelance investigative journalist and author Lucie Morris-Marr, and journalist, writer and WA Young Australian of the Year Nominee Dylan Storer.

Hosted by constant tweeter and political podcaster Denise Shrivell.

Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and some of Australia’s leading tech activists and advocates to take stock of the human rights online landscape as we move on from 2020.

The team will introduce the State of Digital Rights Watch Report, which takes a look at surveillance in the workplace and in public spaces, activism online, how big tech treats content takedowns, why Australia is in desperate need of privacy reform, and more! Come join us for a chat.

Special Tech Talk - Digital Rights Watch Annual Report Launch

Denise Shrivell and Peter Lewis wrap up 2020 with some of Australia’s leading independent journalists and commentators including: Cheryl Kernot, Margo Kingston, Anthony Klan from The Klaxon, Dave Milner from The Shot, NADINE VON COHEN & Simon Holmes à Court.

#Auspol Year in review

Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy and Essential's Peter Lewis discuss the final Guardian Essential Report of 2020. What did Australians make of the year? How did they rate their leaders? And what are the things that we don't want to lose?

The Political Geekfest with Katharine Murphy

Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow will join our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia managing director Dan Stinton and Peter Lewis from the Centre for Responsible Technology, to review the creep of big tech and the efforts to hold it to account. From the media bargaining code, to AI facial recognition, to a reimagining of what a public space should be ...

The Year in Tech - a special Tech Talk with Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow

To mark the 80th birthday of leading Australian literary magazine Meanjin, join writers Tara June Winch, Behrouz Boochani, and moderator, Meanjin editor Jonathan Green, for a conversation on time, home, futures, and remote friendship.

Meanjin's 80th Birthday Party with Behrouz Boochani and Tara June Winch

2020 was the year Australians stood up to confront remarkable challenges.

The horrendous bushfire season and then COVID crisis have challenged us profoundly and the rise of new community leaders who launched campaigns to get things done when their neighbours, communities, wildlife and the places they love were in crisis.

Join GoFundMe regional manager in Australia Nicola Britton to recognise the power of community and hear how local heroes have changed lives and made a difference through giving this year.

Giving from the Ground Up

According to a new Gates Foundation Report, the global pandemic has set the developing world back 25 years in just 25 weeks. Access to emerging vaccines will be critical in reversing that slide.

After decades of reduced spending on overseas aid, the Morrison Government has committed over $1.1 billion to regional vaccination and Covid recovery programs, recognising when it comes to the pandemic Australia is not an island.

Now the challenge is to ensure the funding delivers public health on the ground, so the region can reconnect and drive economic recovery in tourism, agriculture and education.

Join Guardian Australia’s Ben Doherty in conversation with ResultsAustralia CEO Negaya Chorley, public health pioneer Bill Bowtell and, from Delhi, Dr Bobby John to discuss how this commitment can permanently shift the needle when it comes to Australia’s place in the region.

Kate Reagh and April Wong from MinterEllison will also join the panel to discuss the legal breakthroughs achieved through HIV advocacy and lessons for COVID-19.

Shifting the Needle: Protecting Australia by Vaccinating our Region

Join our fortnightly talk to look at the latest developments from the world of tech.

D-Day for the Media Code, Spying on School Kids and Do Smart Buildings Need Ethics?

In a world of sensory overload, journalist Christine Jackman went searching for a quiet space. Her book traverses the history of silence from Benedictine Monks, to Buddha, to the Brisbane 'burbs. Join her in conversation with Essential's Peter Lewis.

Turning Down the Noise

A response to the devastating 2019–20 bushfires, Animals Make Us Human both celebrates Australia’s unique wildlife and highlights its vulnerability. Featuring 44 essays from some of Australia’s finest writers, and accompanied by exquisite wildlife photography.

Proceeds from sales of this book go to Australian Marine Conservation Society and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Contributors Graeme Simsion and Clare Wright join co-editor Leah Kaminsky to discuss their pieces from the book.

Book Launch - Animals Make Us Human

As the government reviews privacy law, it is proposing a new framework for the collection of personal information, including consent, use and access. Should Australia follow Europe's GDPR or are there better models to control the engine-room of surveillance capitalism?

Join our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia Managing Director Dan Stinton and Peter Lewis from the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology. PLUS a special research presentation from Monash University post-graduate students on the use and regulation of cookies (not the ones you eat!).

Tech Talk - Towards an Australian Data Code 

People from migrant and refugee backgrounds are some of Australia's most vulnerable domestic violence survivors. But barriers to the access of adequately tailored support ​services and assistance in these communities mean that they continue to fall through the gaps.

Join us for a groundbreaking panel discussion from Settlement Services International (SSI) unpacking the invisible struggles of domestic violence victims within our migrant and refugee communities. The panel will be moderated by ​Nicola Berkovic, Legal Affairs Correspondent at The Australian, with an opening address by the Hon. Mark Speakman SC, Attorney General, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and with closing remarks by Trish Doyle, Shadow Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.

Unpacking the Invisible: examining domestic and family violence in culturally diverse communities

Helen Garner felt so ashamed reading over her early journals that she set them alight. As she has written: “There was nothing for it. This shit had to go."

That the inner workings of a mind so great have been incinerated comes as an enormous loss to all of us who have devoured the author's work. But that Garner has decided to publish the rest of them – across multiple volumes no less – is a voyeuristic thrill.

In a special Sydney Writers Festival edition of Guardian Australia's Bookclub, Helen Garner will be joining the next book club to talk about the second volume of her diaries, One Day I’ll Remember This, which tracks a particular tumultuous decade of her life: it begins with a love affair in 1987, and ends with the 1995 publication of the First Stone, her most controversial work.

In partnership with Sydney Writers’ Festival, Helen Garner will be joining Guardian Australia’s next book club to discuss the second volume of her diaries, One Day I’ll Remember This, which tracks a particular tumultuous decade of her life: it begins with a love affair in 1987, and ends with the 1995 publication of the First Stone, her most controversial work.

In conversation with Michael Williams – and with you – the author of Monkey Grip, Joe Cinque’s Consolation and This House of Grief will be discussing her work and her life, and how the process of diarising can make an impact on both.

Guardian Australia's Book Club: Helen Garner

Whether it’s a celebration or a therapy session, the returns in the US election will have profound implications on Western democracy. Join legal experts, political pundits and friends who are on the ground stateside as we make sense of what's just happened… and what comes next. In partnership with Maurice Blackburn lawyers and featuring including: Jacob Varghese, CEO, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; Terri Butler MP, Member for Griffith, Shadow Minister for Environment and Water; and Katie Connolly, Senior Vice President, Beneson Strategy Group (who worked on Obama’s re-election campaign & Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign).

US Election Post-Mortem: What Happened?

As the US election results come in, more than the Presidency is on the line. Join us for this Watch Party as we support each other while the results come in an election that will shape the future of Western democracy. We will be opening the mics and giving the floor to a range of experts, advocates and concerned global citizens in this extended Australia at Home event. Doors will open at 11am and will remain open until we've all had enough.

US Election Watch Party

On the eve of the US Elections, what do Australians think about the candidates and the impact of the result? Join Guardian Australia Political Editor Katharine Murphy and Essential Director Peter Lewis to dig deep into the latest Guardian Essential Report.

In our fortnightly Tech Talk, we look at the latest ACCC report into the extent of data collection by private message services, the US anti-trust case against Google and Facebook and a special student presentation on the COVID App. Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis and Managing Director of Guardian Australia Dan Stinton.

Tech Talk - the Inside Track

The way energy is produced and the way it is consumed is changing rapidly.

With the shift from fossil fuels to renewables; with new technology that allows people to not just buy energy, but also generate, store, consume and trade it; and with changing energy business models, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

On top of this, governments, regulators and business are working on major changes to how the energy market works.

The Australian Council of Social Service and the Total Environment Centre, with the support of Energy Consumers Australia, are developing a New Energy Compact to ensure people are at the centre of the thinking and ensure the changes work for ALL consumers.

This special Australia at Home Consultative Town Hall will give you the chance to inform the development of the Compact and have your say in the future of energy in Australia.

Our Energy Future - Have Your Say!

The contribution of the late, great Jack Mundey, who passed earlier this year, continues to be felt around Sydney.

To mark a new Trades Hall exhibition honouring the Green Bans, join Unions NSW historian Neale Towart, investigative reporter Wendy Bacon and former NSW LC president Meredith Burgmann to discuss his life and legacy.

Remembering Jack Mundey and the Green Bans

Join Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy and Essential Director Peter Lewis as we review the latest Essential report.

This week, we look at the quarterly 2PP-Plus figures on voting intention, latest leadership ratings and Federal Budget reaction.

Geekfest with Katharine Murphy

With the US elections looming the Big Tech platforms are taking steps to keep the election clean. But are their efforts doomed to fail? 

https://about.fb.com/news/2020/10/preparing-for-election-day/

At the same time, federal legislators butt heads on how to regulate Big Tech while gig businesses in California are pushing back against Uber and Lyft to make them pay their drivers a minimum wage. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/06/technology/lawmakers-big-tech-power-bipartisan.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/13/uber-lyft-ab5/

And is Amazon planning to invade your home? 

https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21450413/amazon-echo-alexa-ring-luna-event-recap-biggest-announcements

Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Peter Lewis from the Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible Technology, and Guardian Australia’s managing director Dan Stinton for our regular Tech Talk.

Tech Talk - Democracy and all that stuff...

As we have been forced to physically distance through the pandemic, the need for social connection has never been greater. In his new book 'Reconnected' Labor frontbencher, Andrew Leigh, tackles the epidemic of loneliness and charts a path for a more connected future. Andrew will be joined by GIVIT founder, Juliette Wright, to talk through practical ways of bringing people closer together.

Reconnected: A Community Builder’s Handbook

Guardian Australia’s book club’s next guest is a rock and roll icon, to be sure – but he’s also a killer memoirist. Working Class Boy and Working Class Man caused a literary sensation when they were released in 2016 and 2017, with Jimmy Barnes wrestling the demons of his traumatic childhood in the first, and chronicling the highs, lows and excesses of his latter life in the second.

And now we have a third. Killing Time is a volume of short stories that didn’t fit into the first two memoirs but, as Andrew Stafford writes, “these are more than leftovers: they’re essential stories from the spaces in between”.

Stafford will be hosting the discussion with Barnesy, and with you, in a discussion about love, life, music, family and writing.

Guardian Australia’s Book Club: Jimmy Barnes

The Guardian Essential Report tracks how concerned Australians are about COVID-19; how they rate the governments response - and much, much more.

The Fortnightly Political Geekfest

Join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O'Shea, the Centre for Responsible Technology's Peter Lewis and Guardian Australia's Dan Stinton for this special Tech Talk as part of the annual NetThing conference. You can register for free for the full two-day event or join our panel for a rundown of the major themes from the conference 1pm (AEST) Friday.

Special Tech Talk - NetThing Conference

In the wake of a global pandemic, Australia’s most respected experts chart the way forward.

Long before COVID-19 shut down the global economy, a reset to serve the wellbeing of people and the planet was plainly needed. As Australia rebuilds after the immediate health crisis has passed, it must be with the explicit purpose of constructing an economically and ecologically sustainable world. With contributions from some of Australia's most respected academics and leading thinkers, What Happens Next? sets out a progressive, reforming agenda to tackle the twin crises of climate change and inequality. It provides a framework through which our collective effort can be devoted to improving the lives of all Australians, and the sustainability of the world in which we live.

Opposition Leader and contributing author The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP will launch this important book, in conversation with editors Emma Dawson and Janet McCalman to discuss the challenge of reconstructing a fairer, more sustainable Australia.

All attendees receive a 25% discount on the book by using the code below which will make it $24.74 a copy.

https://www.mup.com.au/books/what-happens-next-paperback-softback

Book Launch: What Happens Next? with Anthony Albanese - special time of 11:30am (AEST)

More Australians than ever before are renting their home, but the economy is still set up to the advantage of homeowners. Representing workers in the retail sector, the SDA has commissioned a ground-breaking research from the John Curtin Research Centre to address that imbalance.

Join report author Nick Dyrenfurth, with SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer and Everybody's Home director Kate Colvin to imagine how a Rental Nation could look.

Rental Nation

This week is our usual, and always wonderful, Katharine Murphy from The Guardian and Peter Lewis from Essential Media.

Join our regular tech talk with Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis and special guest Josh Taylor from Guardian Australia.

Our Fortnightly Tech Talk - Surveillance Capitalism for Dummies

For Guardian Australia's next book club, we're focusing on a huge topic: women's health, chronic pain, and the gendered – or, let's just call it sexist – medical system they have been struggling with throughout history.

When Katerina Bryant suddenly began experiencing chronic seizures, she was plunged into a foreign world of doctors and psychiatrists who understood her condition as little as she did. Her new book Hysteria blends memoir with literary and historical analysis to explore women's medical treatment through a history that has silenced them.

Kylie Maslen, meanwhile, has been living with invisible illness for twenty years. Show Me Where It Hurts is a powerful collection of essays that speak to those who have encountered the brush-off from doctors, faced endless tests and treatments, and endured chronic pain and suffering.

Katerina and Kylie will be in conversation with Guardian Australia's associate news editor Gabrielle Jackson, whose own book, Pain and Prejudice: A Call to Arms for Women and Their Bodies, came out last year.

Guardian Australia's Book Club: women vs the medical system

Join award-winning journalist Marian Wilkinson, writer and former Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, and the CEO of 350.org Australia Lucy Manne for a conversation about the truth behind Australia’s inaction on climate change.

In this special online briefing, Marian Wilkinson will discuss her new book, “The Carbon Club,” which reveals the inside story of how a network of influential climate sceptics, politicians and business leaders fought to control Australia's response to the climate crisis over the past two decades.

She will be joined by writer and activist Scott Ludlam and Lucy Manne from 350.org Australia, which is running a national campaign to expose the insidious political influence of the fossil fuel lobby, and restore our democracy.

The Carbon Club: The inside story of the vested interests blocking action on climate change

On R U OK?Day and World Suicide Prevention Day, join Australia at Home for an R U OK? Conversation about reminding Australians that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” if someone in your world is struggling with life’s ups and downs.2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us.

Listen to the panel talk about their R U OK? experiences, why R U OK? works, what to say when someone says they’re not OK and how you can continue a conversation that could change a life.

There’s more to say after asking “Are you OK?” Ask then listen, Encourage action and Check-in. Learn what to say next at ruok.org.au

R U OK?Day

This week is a special edition as the always wonderful, Katharine Murphy has just launched her Quarterly Essay: The End of Certainty, Scott Morrison and Pandemic Politics. As always she is joined by Peter Lewis from Essential Media.

A bit about the Quarterly Essay (on sale from 7th Sept) Epidemics are mirrors. What has COVID-19 revealed about Australia, and about Scott Morrison and his government? In this gripping essay, Katharine Murphy goes behind the scenes to tell the story of the response to the crisis. Drawing on interviews with Morrison, Brendan Murphy, Josh Frydenberg, Sally McManus and other players, she traces how the key health and economic decisions were taken.

Her account is twinned with a portrait of the prime minister. She explores his blend of pragmatism and faith, and shows how a leader characterised by secrecy and fierce certainty learnt to compromise and reach out – with notable exceptions.

Now, as the nation turns inwards and unemployment rises, our faith in government is about to be tested anew. What does “We’re all in this together” truly mean? Will Morrison snap back to Liberal hardman, or will he redefine centre-right politics in this country?

“Morrison’s a partisan, blue team to the core, but his political philosophy is hard to pin down, because it is predominantly trouble-shooting. By instinct, Morrison is a power player and a populist, not a philosopher; a repairer of walls, not a writer of manifestos … 

 conservatism is extreme pragmatism in defence of what he regards as the core of the nation.” Katharine Murphy, The End of Certainty

A Special Geekfest: Katharine's Quarterly Essay

Join our regular tech talk with Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Centre for Responsible Technology director Peter Lewis and Guardian Australian managing director Dan Stinton to unpack the latest developments in the world of technology.

This week:  Facebook threatens to block Australian news – but will it be shooting itself in the foot? Amazon’s mysterious disappearing job ad for a workplace spy. And we talk with Julia Powles about her new global academic project.

Our fortnightly tech talk

Walkley Award-winning journalist Anthony Sharwood will discuss his new book about solo-trekking the 660-km Australian Alps Walking Track, and is joined by Thredbo-based adventure guide Acacia Rose, and Australian Conservation Foundation policy co-ordinator and self professed ski-bum at heart James Trezise.

How are the mountains changing in the face of threats like climate change and feral horses? Are they even more fragile than the Great Barrier Reef? And in a hyper-connected age, what does wilderness teach us?

From Snow to Ash: The Fight to Save The Australian Alps

The Guardian Essential Report tracks how concerned Australians are about Covid-19; how they rate the governments response - and much, much more.

In our regular fortnightly Tech Talk join Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia managing director Dan Stinton and Peter Lewis from the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology dig into the latest tech developments globally including:

This week: Google uses misinformation to put the kibosh on the ACCC media code, UK students pushing back on automated grading and  the launch of a new global project on monitoring tech and power.

We have some suggested reading on these topics beforehand: 

https://australiaathome.com.au/upcoming-conversations/tech-talk

Tech Talk: Google goes postal, algorithmic classrooms and Andrew Forrest's big tech gambit

True stories of loss and courage from people at the frontlines of Australia's worst climate-fuelled disasters - bushfire, heatwaves, flash-floods, disease outbreaks and now the latest in a new age of pandemics.

Join journalist and author Paddy Manning discussing his latest book with Fiona Armstrong, executive director of lobby group Climate and Health Australia.

What are the health risks of climate change, why weren't we warned and what are Australian governments doing about it?

Body count: How climate change is killing us

In this special Melbourne Writers festival edition of Guardian Australia’s monthly book club, acclaimed author Kate Grenville joins host Michael Williams for a lively Zoom conversation about fiction, history and her extraordinary new novel, A Room Made of Leaves.

Expect a broad-ranging discussion of Grenville’s work, as well as the opportunity to join in the conversation, ask questions, and come together with other booklovers in these socially distanced times.

Guardian Australia’s Book Club: Kate Grenville

Join Digital Rights Watch's Lizzie O'Shea, Guardian Australia Managing Director Dan Stinton and Peter Lewis from the Centre for Responsible Technology to take a deep dive into the relationship between technology and people.

This week we look at the ACCC prosecution of Google, Big Tech's global lobbying infrastructure and the Melbourne taxi driver suing Uber.

We have some preparation reading available here: 

https://australiaathome.com.au/upcoming-conversations/tech-talk3

Tech Talk: The People v Google, 'tech-turfing' and the Uber class action

Remote learning during the pandemic has intensified our children’s reliance on technology, potentially amplifying gaming and social media addiction and dependence.

How can we offer our children safe digital passage through the pandemic and beyond?

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