Gerard Henderson’s Speeches & Essays

WHY MENZIES MATTERS – 2008 SIR ROBERT MENZIES LECTURE

23 October 2008 by Gerard Henderson

Robert Gordon Menzies matters as much today as he did both eight decades and three decades ago – albeit in different ways. On Tuesday 9 October 1928 R. G. Menzies … Read More

Too Much Talk About Lunch

11 March 2008 by Gerard Henderson

Just imagine the reaction, in the current political climate, if prominent Liberal backbenchers Peter Costello and Alexander Downer headed off to the Caribbean (at their own expense) during the forthcoming … Read More

National Republican Lecture

8 December 2007 by Gerard Henderson

Thanks for coming along tonight. And thanks to Terry Fewtrell for the invitation and to Yellow Edge Pty Ltd for sponsoring the event. Every not-for-profit organisation needs sponsors. THE WRONG … Read More

Cardinal George Pell’s Book God and Caesar

29 October 2007 by Gerard Henderson

Growing up Catholic in Melbourne in the 1950s, my parents told me that it would be discourteous to decline a formal invitation from a nun or brother or a priest … Read More

National Security vs Human Rights: Was the balance right in the case of David Hicks? SPEECH TO THE SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL

1 June 2007 by Gerard Henderson

There is a plaque on an internal wall at the United States Justice Department, on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, which commemorates the site of the military commissions which were … Read More

Gerard Henderson speech to the Holocaust Shoah Rememberence Day

15 April 2007 by Gerard Henderson

Many thanks to the Jewish Board of Deputies’ Holocaust Remembrance Committee for the invitation to address such a significant event. Alan Gold and Eva Gold are good friends of Anne … Read More

Gerard Henderson’s Address to the Safeguarding Australia 2006 Summit (Session 3) Canberra The National Security Debate in Australia

19 September 2006 by Gerard Henderson

The topic for this session is “Where is the Government taking Australia on counter-terrorism?” Good question. Except that the query implies that the Coalition is settling a counter-terrorist agenda. Whereas, … Read More

This is an edited version of Gerard Henderson’s Address to the Australian Liberal Student’s Federation 2006 Federal Council The Howard Government and the Culture Wars

5 July 2006 by Gerard Henderson

(The postscripts were added after the talk) Many thanks for the invitation. Earlier this year, I spoke at the Australian National University on the phenomenon of the Howard-haters. Subsequently I … Read More

Gerard Henderson’s Speech to the Fabian Society John Howard: Ten Years On

22 March 2006 by Gerard Henderson

Many thanks for the invitation to address the Fabian Society. Like many organisations, the Fabian Society is not as important as some of its opponents believe – I am familiar … Read More

Keynote Speech by Gerard Henderson to ANU John Howard’s Decade Conference It’s all John Howard’s Fault – Really?

3 March 2006 by Gerard Henderson

Dearly beloved academics – and some others. We are gathered together at the Australian National University this evening to – variously – comment on, condemn or celebrate the election of … Read More

Gerard Henderson’s Speaking Notes for Lowy Institute for International Policy Values and Foreign Policy

28 November 2005 by Gerard Henderson

Australia is a practical, empirical nation in which ideologies have made little impact. Also, outside its immediate area of influence, Australia is never likely to have a significant impact on … Read More

Gerard Henderson’s Speaking Notes for Australian Strategic Policy Institute: Past, Present and Future Conference Hosted by Deakin University and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies Australian Foreign Policy and the Australian Community

18 October 2005 by Gerard Henderson

Many Australians agree with the Howard Government’s policy on Iraq. And many Australians disagree with the Howard Government’s policy on Iraq. Yet, on one matter, there should be no disagreement. … Read More

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The Sydney Institute - a no-nonsense, downtown venue for all credible points of view on Australian politics, history and culture. It leaves ideology at the door, and its podcasts guarantee a hearing the length and breadth of the country.
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The Sydney Institute is a "must go to" place to launch ideas and books. I attend frequently, both as a speaker and a listener.
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I pay tribute to The Sydney Institute for the role it plays in promoting intellectualism in this country and the contest of ideas which is vital for our future world being.
- Craig Emerson
I do not know anyone in Australia who would refuse an invitation to speak at the Sydney Institute.
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Since 1989, The Sydney Institute has been a platform for public policy debate on Australia's future. The nation should always embrace such debate - with genuine intellectual passion and with genuine intellectual rigour.
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In an era of infinite platforms and forums to express opinions, the Sydney Institute remains one of the country's premier venues.
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The Sydney Institute has been an important forum for ideas and for debate in Australia.
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One of the joys of life in Sydney is the lively exchange that is promoted by the efforts of Anne and Gerard. The intellectual life of a city matters and the Institute plays a vital role in sustaining that.
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