Videos - The Wheeler Centre: Books, Writing, Ideas

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Hugh de Kretser: All Right For Us But Not for Them: Selectivity in Australia's Human Rights Protection

Hugh de Kretser argues that a bill of rights is an essential part of maturing Australia's human rights culture.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Yvonne Ward: Unsuitable for Publication: Editing Queen Victoria

Historian Yvonne Ward talks about key details of Queen Victoria's private life, shielded from public knowledge until ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Sean Faircloth: Attack of the Theocrats: How the Religious Right Harms Us All

Sean Faircloth makes his case for secular governance, and outlines the risks of the contrary - both in the US and in ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Kirstie Clements: Inside the Fashion Juggernaut: The good, the bad and the really ugly

Former Vogue Australia editor Kirstie Clements takes us behind the glamour and headlines of the fast-changing fashion...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Sarah Marland on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their Homelands

Considering political responses to Indigenous rights, Sarah Marland tries to understand why governments have been fai...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Adam Smith: Where is the Love: Are Our Public Institutions Failing Our Young People?

Adam Smith delivers a passionate speech, presenting powerful arguments for better support of young people.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Catherine Deveny on Pernickety Parents

Catherine Deveny rails against 'detrimental, counterproductive and narcissistic' helicopter parenting in this debate-...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Adam Kerezsy: Desert Fishing Lessons: Saving Species from Extinction

Freshwater ecologist Dr Adam Kerezsy discusses threats to inland fish in Australia - and how he's helping beseiged po...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Tim Coronel: What Next for the Australian Publishing Industry?

As part of SPUNC's Independent Publishing Conference, Tim Coronel spells out the future of Australian publishing as h...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Susan Harris Rimmer on Why Refugee Law is Difficult... Even Without the Politics

Dr Susan Harris Rimmer looks at the broader context of forced migration and international law as it relates to refugees.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Paul Ham on the Atrocities of Sandakan

In this eloquent argument for atonement, Paul Ham recounts the barbaric and long-forgotten ordeal endured by Australi...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Nouria Salehi on Basic Health and Education in Afghanistan

Dr Nouria Salehi discusses the composition of projects that have helped to reconstruct and sustainably develop commun...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Richard Broinowski: Fallout from Fukushima

Richard Broinowski takes us through one of Japan's most tense moments in recent history, and examines how it's shaped...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Tim Soutphommasane: Don't Go Back to Where You Came From: Why Multiculturalism Works

Political philosopher and commentator Tim Soutphommasane puts forward his case for why Australian multiculturalism wo...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Michelle Smith: From Prim to Poledance: Girls, Sex and Popular Culture

Examining outrage over the 'sexualisation' of girls, Michelle Smith explores parallels between the Victorian era and ...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Michael Shuman on Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age

Economist, attorney and author Michael Shuman sets out a passionate argument for the benefits of local investment.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Clementine Ford: We're All Equal Now, So We Should Shut Up and Go Home

In this polemic, Clementine Ford puts forth a passionate case that we are surprisingly far from achieving equality be...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Roscoe Howell on Australians and Modern Slavery

Roscoe Howell outlines modern forms of slavery, discussing how it intersects with our decisions, and explaining how w...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Jenny Gray on Fighting Extinctions

Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, speaks passionately about the role of zoos in fighting extinction, in preserving sp...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Judge John Smallwood on An Old Take on Justice: County Koori Court

Judge John Smallwood discusses the County Koori Court: its mechanisms, successes and the role of community elders.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Jim Davidson on Australia and the Monarchy

Jim Davidson examines Australia's history with the monarchy, and asks: when will we face up to the inevitable and mov...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Anita Sethi on the Human Experience in the Digital Age: Conversation, Relationships and Social Connection

British writer Anita Sethi considers E M Forster's encouragement to 'only connect', and what it might mean today.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Tamsin Roberts on Art for Everyone

Tamsin Roberts considers the different ways in which art is understood, valued and consumed.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Siobhan O'Sullivan on Animals, Equality and Democracy

In this Lunchbox/Soapbox presentation, Dr Siobhan Sullivan questions the way we view animal rights.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Anna Rose on How to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic: A Journey into the Climate Fight

Anna Rose discusses the rise of climate denialism and what motivates the denialist elite: as well as how to change pe...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Mikey Cahill on Waxing Lyrical: The Good, The Bad and The Gaga

Music critic Mikey Cahill pits modern lyricists against old masters as he tests the true quality of words in music.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Bettina Arndt on Why Sex Matters So Much to Men

Controversial author, therapist and social commentator Bettina Arndt polemicises on sex in long-term heterosexual rel...

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Ken Haley on Why Everyone Should Be in a Wheelchair

Ken Haley leads us on a wheeled journey through the philosophical principle of mutual incomprehension.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Verity Burgmann on the Importance of Being Extreme

In this Lunchbox/Soapbox, Verity Burgmann explores the productive outcomes of extremist challenges to authority.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Christine Gordon on International Women's Day - Feminism is Personal

On International Women's Day, Christine Gordon speaks about contemporary feminism and the power of women's stories.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Hilary Charlesworth on Women and the New Wave of Democracies

Hilary Charlesworth delivers her proposal for female rights and representation in post-revolutionary states.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: David Holmgren on Retrofitting the Suburbs for Sustainability

David Holmgren explores the adaptability of suburbs in times of converging economic, energy and climate crises.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Thomas Keneally on Australians from Eureka to the Diggers

Thomas Keneally tells a story of racism, wartime politics, empire and the life and death of White Australia.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Nina Funnell on the Teen Sexting Panic

In a climate of panic about child protection and 'sexting', Nina Funnell considers who this panic serves and controls.

Susan Mitchell on Tony Abbott: Too Dangerous to Lead

The leader of the federal opposition is too combative, conservative and selfish to rule, argues Susan Mitchell.

Emilie Zoey Baker in Defence of Slam Poetry

Emilie Zoey Baker defies slam poetry's critics, delivering an energetic celebration of the lively, versatile form.

Anne Manne on Disability: The New Frontier of Justice

Writer Anne Manne discusses Australia's desperate need for more genuine engagement with ability issues.

Caroline Brothers on the World's Displaced Children

Journalist and first-time novelist Caroline Brothers takes on the issue of unaccompanied, displaced children.

Richard Gill on Musical Literacy

Richard Gill explains how musical education can help children gain literacy and numeracy skills.

George McEncroe: 'Change is as Good as a Holiday'

The comedian and radio presenter encourages us to embrace change; even if some holidays are better than others.

James Boyce: The Truth About Melbourne

Author James Boyce reveals the forgotten founders of Melbourne, and ponders their impact on the present-day metropolis.

Julie Posetti on Making Journalism Social: Twitter's Transformative Effect

Journalism researcher Julie Posetti discusses the social transformation of the Fourth Estate.

Kate O'Reilly: Are Women Finally Taking Over the World?

Kate O'Reilly asks: how hard is gender equality in employment? Is it unreasonable, and is it sustainable?

Bruce Guthrie on 'A Requiem for Newspapers'

Former broadsheet editor Bruce Guthrie talks about 'Man Bites Murdoch' and the future of the daily paper.

Simon Groth on 'L'Odeur des Livres' and Other Whiffy Arguments

Digital writer Simon Groth investigates what really motivates us to fetishise and defend the printed page.

Guy Rundle on the New Tabloid Racialism

Amidst the West's crisis of identity, Guy Rundle examines tabloid attacks on the 'other' and the emergent 'new hate'.

Mandy Brett on Why the World Needs Editors Even if it Doesn't Need Books

Recent developments in publishing threaten editors' roles - but they shouldn't, argues Mandy Brett.

Leslie Cannold: The Problem with Feminists

Leslie Cannold addresses questions of female representation in the popular imagination, and in particular, in books.

Robert Manne on the New Australian Complacency

Robert Manne dissects the cultural and political complacency that Australia must overcome in a changing climate.

Dave Graney: Social Networks and the Unknown

Musician Dave Graney considers the potential of social networking to propel our imaginations toward the future.

David Tacey: Breaking Free from Modern Medicine

David Tacey explores the reemergence of holistic therapies, and the barriers to their widespread acceptance.

Tim Soutphommasane: The Pleasures of Hate Mail

Weekend Australian columnist Tim Soutphommasane dips into his collection of abusive letters... and spousal apologies.

Ben Pobjie: In Defence of Offensiveness

Ben Pobjie explains the importance of crude and shocking humour, and why we don't have the right to "not be offended".

Larissa Behrendt: Why is overcoming Indigenous disadvantage so hard?

Larissa Behrendt addresses key flaws in Australia's attempts to tackle Indigenous disadvantage.

Joanne Faulkner: The Enemies of Innocence

Researcher Joanne Faulkner argues against our culture's ill-begotten pairing of childhood and innocence.

Sophie Cunningham: Still Shocking

Sophie Cunningham explores our response to change and crisis, and asks how we can regain our grip on reality.

Jon Faine: Why All The Complaining?

Jon Faine questions our growing culture of complaint and asks if, instead, our expectations are unrealistic

Mark Wakeham: Environment

Mark Wakeham examines Victoria's environmental challenges leading into the 2010 Victorian State Election.

Greg Davies: Law And Order

Greg Davies from the Police Association looks at the increased violence many Victorian police are encountering.

Cath Smith: Social Equity in Melbourne

VCOSS CEO Cath Smith outlines a social agenda for the Victorian state elections, pointing to affordable housing, serv...

Paul Mees: Public Transport

Transport planner Paul Mees analyses Melbourne's public transport failings, and suggests that upheaval is necessary t...

Travel Writing: Why It Sucks

Travel and rock scribe Andrew Mueller examines why, in his opinion, travel writing sucks.

Sophie Black - In Defence of Online News

Crikey editor Sophie Black on the furute of web journalism

The Death of the Newspaper: Who's to Blame?

Anna Krien, author of *In the Woods*, audits the deathbed health of our newspapers, lobbying for a diagnosis that doe...

Fiona Scott-Norman: Disco: The Vinyl Solution

Fiona Scott-Norman, satirist and DJ, argues that street violence can be solved not by sending in the cops, but by sen...

Kon Karapanagiotidis: Why So Frightened?

Kon Karapanagiotidis asks why Australia is so afraid on refugees

George Megalogenis Makes Sense of the Election

George Megalogenis deciphers the election results from Labor losses to Greens rise and the Coalition's fightback to p...

Sue-Ann Post: The Case Against Monogamy

Sue-Ann Post outlines her argument against the dishonest expectations - and unconvincing science - of monogamy.

Hanifa Deen: Muslim Fatigue, or Aren’t you Tired of the “M” Word Too?

Hanifa Deen is fed up with writing about Muslims, reading about Muslims, defending Muslims and obsessing about Muslim...

Tim Soutphommasane: Why Australia Should Have National Service

Tim Southhommasane on how Australia would be better with National Service

Adam Bandt: How Two-Party Politics Has Failed Australian Voters

Greens candidate Adam Bandt examines the role of smaller parties and independent candidates in a healthy, accountable...

Father Bob Maguire: Building a Civil Society Despite Elections

Father Bob Maguire on community, religion as revolution and time.

Rodney Croome: The Case for Gay Marriage

Rodney Croome's impassioned argument for gay marriage touches on parenting, Gillard's failure of empathy and inclusiv...

Ken Crispin: The Quest For Justice

Ken Crispin examines the mechanics of law and justice in our legal system, and questions Australia's lack of a bill o...

Monica Dux: The Happy Gestator

Monica Dux grapples expectations of radiance during her pregnancies and asks: what’s with the contemporary push for p...

Tim Ferguson: Secrets Of Sex

Tim Ferguson laments the conservatism of Gen X, the death of feminism and Sex And The City 2.

Shane Maloney: In Praise of Shhhh

Writer Shane Maloney discusses his love of libraries and how public silence is under threat.

Julian Burnside: Mind Your Language

Julian Burnside, QC, explores the pitfalls of professional language: from the courts to corporations.

Chris Flynn: Heroic Hounds

Chris Flynn discusses the noble deeds of dogs, from Beethoven to Benji, via Krypto's Doghouse of Solitude

Kate Holden: Miss Misogyny

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Catherine Deveny

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Catherine Deveny on 'Why Becoming an Atheist Made me a Writer'

Lunchbox/ Soapbox: Toni Jordan

Lunchbox/ Soapbox: Toni Jordan in defence of trash fiction

Lunchbox/ Soapbox: George Megalogenis

Lunchbox/ Soapbox: George Megalogenis discusses the Kevin Rudd Performance Index.

Lunchbox/Soapbox: Peter Singer on why we need a beef tax

Lunchbox/ Soapbox: Peter Singer argues for a beef tax.

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