At the inaugural Di Gribble Argument, outspoken venture capitalist Mark Carnegie called for Australia to introduce a compulsory (non-military) national service.
His ideas include bringing older Australians and students together for mentoring and wisdom transfer, instituting randomly chosen juries of citizens to deliberate and decide on public issues (taking responsibility for key elements of the government’s work) and giving a voice to ordinary people through crowdsourcing.
He believes this would establish a culture of active participation in society and democracy, and ward off social threat. Describing civic service as ‘our means of defence,’ Carnegie has called his proposition ‘the maintenance program Australia needs.’
In this special spotlight edition of the Fifth Estate, Mark will speak to host Sally Warhaft about the ideas he’s put forward with his argument (click to watch video), and join her in dissecting and negotiating them.
The Di Gribble Argument is a new annual occasion to remember the legacy of publisher, editor and businesswoman Di Gribble, whose impact on the world of books, writing and ideas cannot be overstated.
Featuring
Mark Carnegie
Mark Carnegie is Principal of M.H. Carnegie & Co. He was previously Head of LCW Private Equity, Lazard’s Australian private equity business. He has had a near twenty five year career as an investor and corporate adviser in New York, London, and Sydney.
Mark co-founded Carnegie, Wylie & Company, one of Australia’s leading independent corporate advisory and investment firms. Carnegie, Wylie & Company was acquired by Lazard on 31 July 2007.
Mark is a Director of Lazard, Macquarie Radio Network Ltd and a large number of investee companies. He is a former Director of Lonely Planet Publications, Chairman of STW Communications Group Pty Ltd (formerly Singleton Group Ltd and Australia’s most profitable advertising and marketing group) from 1993-2005 and President Commissioner of PT London Sumatra (one of Indonesia’s premier plantation companies) from 2004-2007.
Amongst other investments Mark has been a participant in groups that have acquired major stakes in the Courage Pub Estate, John Fairfax Holdings, Hoyts Cinemas, Formula One Holdings, SCTV, Macquarie Radio Network, and Lonely Planet Publications.
Mark holds a BA from Oxford University and a BSc (Hons) from Melbourne University. He is a former Treasurer of the Oxford University Union.
Sally Warhaft
Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year ...