Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Wednesday 24 September
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Both environmental and economic arguments make a case for renewable energy. But how is Australia placed to launch into that future? We’ll consider the decentralised electricity movement, support (or lack thereof) of our renewable energy sector, renewable energy initiatives overseas, and climate change – as both challenge and opportunity.
· See also: Good News and Bad: Australia’s Renewable Energy Future in Dailies
Question time
When you think ‘question time’, perhaps you picture rowdy politicians cussing each other out. But in our new series, we’re putting the dignity back into proceedings … along with a generous amount of time. It’s one full hour of pure Q&A between you, our audience, moderator Madeleine Morris, and a panel of experts in the evening’s chosen field of inquiry. Get informed about the key issues of our time, in the lead-up to the Victorian state election.
This programme, Question Time will tackle three critical topics: renewable energy, jobs of the future, and the always-fraught issue of transport, now and into the future. BYO hot potatoes and burning questions.
Hosted by Madeleine Morris.
Presented in partnership with Arts House.
Featuring
Anna Skarbek
Anna Skarbek has been executive director of ClimateWorks Australia since its inception in 2009, leading the organisation’s work in analysing emissions reduction opportunities and partnering with business and government in unblocking barriers to their implementation.
Anna is also a director of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, a trustee of the Sustainable Melbourne Fund, a member of the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper Reference Panel and the Grattan Institute’s Energy Program Reference Panel.
She is a former director of the Carbon Market Institute and of the Linking Melbourne Authority. She was a member of the Australian Government’s Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board and NGO Roundtable on Climate Change.
John Grimes
John Grimes is the chief executive of the Australian Solar Council and the Energy Storage Council; both are not-for-profit organisations.
In his role as CEO of the Australian Solar Council, he has grown the profile and influence of the organisation as it has become the national voice of solar. The Energy Storage Council provides an independent forum for the energy storage industry, by networking and information sharing in this growing industry.
John is regularly called upon by the media to provide relevant and independent comment in these areas.
Liam O'Keefe
Liam O'Keefe has worked in sustainability as a consultant, educator, business owner, researcher and project manager. His company Creative Environment Enterprises developed two of Australia’s largest solar-powered systems (the Germinate Project with RMIT University and the SunFlower with Southern Cross University) and has worked with iconic venues and festivals including the Corner Hotel, Big Day Out, Meredith/Golden Plains, Myer Music Bowl, Laneway Festival, Reading (UK) & the RACV Energy Breakthrough.
Liam currently project-manages commercial and industrial recycling programs at Sustainability Victoria, lectures in Media and Communications at RMIT University and consults on sustainable business development projects.
Madeleine Morris
Madeleine Morris is a Melbourne-based reporter for ABC television’s 7.30. She was formerly a presenter for the BBC in London and reported from dozens of countries before returning to her native Australia. She is the author of Guilt-Free Bottle-Feeding: Why Your Formula-Fed Baby Can Grow Up To Be Happy, Healthy and Smart, published by Finch.
Matthew Warren
Matthew Warren joined esaa in January 2012, having spent 15 years working as an environment and energy policy specialist. An economist by training, his objective at esaa is to ensure that esaa’s research and advocacy assists the downstream electricity and gas sector to continue to provide a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply for Australia.
Matthew was previously CEO of the Clean Energy Council, where he made a significant contribution to Australian policy debate on the role of renewable energy in meeting the challenges of reducing emissions.
Matthew has also worked for the mining industry in NSW, as an environmental consultant to both government and industry and was a trainee in the Environment Directorate of the European Commission. He has also worked as a journalist, most recently as the environment writer for The Australian newspaper.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Economics with Honours from the University of Adelaide.