Robert Menzies Institute

Today is the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Canberra Unity Conference. A date which didn't exactly mark the founding of the Liberal Party, but was something akin to an engagement party in which the party's name was announced & a public commitment was made by the 18 organisations present. Serendipitously, stock of our new book 'Unity in Autonomy: A Federal History of the Founding of the Liberal Party' arrived this morning. It reveals how the party was very much a product of the war and a uniquely philosophical contemplation of the question 'What kind of a country are we fighting for?' That such big-picture thinking has since receded from our politics is somewhat inevitable, but is nevertheless a tragedy. Robert Menzies Institute

Have you already signed up for a very special edition of our podcast, Afternoon Light LIVE, where I will host Hon Dr David Kemp AC and Robert Menzies Institute resident Historian and Research Manager, Dr Zachary Gorman for an exciting conversation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party?   The session will be followed by a short Q&A.   When: Wednesday 16th October, 3pm-4pm Where: Online event, register at the button below for access link.   https://lnkd.in/gRa6qWXh

On this week’s episode of Afternoon Light, I spoke with Robert Menzies Institute Fellow Damien Freeman, author of The End of Settlement: Why the 2023 referendum failed, that explores how Australian politics was once marked by broad agreement on a range of core issues. He unpacks why this is no longer the case, and the negative consequences this poses for the nation.   Listen to the episode at the link below.   https://lnkd.in/gwpW5uCK

🏛️ 🚗 🛣️ This week I went on a trip to Robert Menzies's hometown Jeparit! It was a joy meeting and working alongside the Jeparit & District Historical Society to catalogue and archive their vast collection of historical artefacts. Preserving such items is so important to protecting our history and the dedication of volunteers like Craig and Flo is immeasurably valuable. Attached are some images of the journey including the exceptional 19th century glass negatives I was working on. #rural #preservation Robert Menzies Institute

Should the public know the brutalities of war? This week I had a riveting conversation with Stephen Dando-Collins, author of a new book covering the remarkable story of how two World War II photographers defied Australian censors to depict the realities of the Pacific conflict. It was an absolute pleasure learning more about this issue, which is ever so topical in the current climate. Stephen Dando-Collins is the award-winning author of 45 books, including histories, biographies and even children’s novels. The majority of his works deal with military history ranging from Greek and Roman times to American 19th century history and World War I and World War II.    You can Listen to the full episode at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gy4Kk2Tm Australian Scholarly Publishing

I am excited to announce the opening of our new exhibition at the Robert Menzies Institute on September 30th! This exhibition delves into the legacy of Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, and his vision for a nation grounded in freedom, opportunity, and individual dignity. Come visit the Robert Menzies Institute as we explore the founding principles of the Liberal Party and the impactful policies that emerged during Menzies’s leadership. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of Australian history and the values that continue to shape our country. Join us for a free tour by our wonderful museum staff.

I had a wonderful conversation with writer and economist Andrew Kemp this week for our Robert Menzies Institute podcast, Afternoon Light, focusing on the evolution of organisational federalism within the Liberal Party. This episode is part of our 10-part series celebrating 80 years of the Liberal Party, as well as our upcoming book, Unity in Autonomy. You can listen to the full episode below. https://lnkd.in/gA_Rijjh

Today's impasse over the government's Housing Bill is a debate about what homeownership means. Menzies was clear that the chance to own a 'little piece of earth' was a human need that went beyond the material; it was something that gave people a sense of continuity, independence, and uplifted the human spirit. He rejected a purely state-owned approach to housing as accruing none of these benefits. The question is whether the co-ownership of 'help to buy' similarly undermines the true good that homeownership implies.