The Bentley Effect documents the highs and lows of the battle to keep a unique part of Australia gasfield-free. This timely story of a community’s heroic stand shows how strategic direct action and peaceful protest from a committed community can overcome industrial might and political short-sightedness.

The screening will be followed by a short Q&A with Naomi Hogan
Naomi has a science communications background and is the National Coordinator for the Lock the Gate Alliance. For the past six years she has been fighting CSG and fracking alongside impacted communities in Australia.

This event is Co-hosted with Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle

Wind farms – what are they doing to us?

November 2016

While most recently ‘wind farms’ have been in the news for their capacity to disrupt (or not!) power generation in South Australia, at this event Professor Simon Chapman will provide an update on research into the human health impacts of wind energy and the role he has played in trying to bring some sense to the often emotional and ill-informed debates about it.

Econobabble: The Deceptions of Economic Rationalism (or neo liberalism)

October 2016.

Neo-liberal economics entered the global stage 30 years ago promising economic growth that would benefit us all. Instead it has delivered huge increases in inequality, leading to waves of political unrest across the world. In this presentation Richard Denniss exposes the deceptions of neo-liberal economics, providing practical advice for those who seek to oppose it.

Lessons not learned from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

September 2016 

Professor Thalia Anthony discussed the high incarceration rates of indigenous Australians. After the Don Dale expose by Four Corners, after the replacement of a High Commissioner, after an election that has seen the decimation of the Giles government in the Northern Territory, and as another investigation into the treatment of Aboriginal youth in custody is about to begin, what, if anything, have Australians and their governments learned, and can we, finally, hope that things will change?

The Outlook for Syria

June 2016

The Case for an Australian Republic 

May 2016

Journalist, historian, author, footballer, and most recently, Chair of the Australian Republican movement, Peter FitzSimons presented the case for an Australian Republic and why we should actively encourage our elected political representatives to pursue this goal.

After 40 years of science – why it matters more than ever

April 2016

Robyn Williams discusses his latest book, In Love with Olive the Crow.

In this lively account of forty years of ABC RN’s The Science Show, Robyn reveals in his inimitable style why science is important – touching on topics like the flakes and the heroes, propaganda, cosmic revolutions, our relationship with animals, women in science, and of course, the environment.