Event and Ticketing Details
Dates & Times
Tuesday 30 September
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Greg Combet is one of the most influential public figures of his generation. A former leader of the ACTU, and parliamentary secretary and senior minister in the Rudd-Gillard Labor governments, Combet has been at the centre of some of the biggest battles and dramas in recent political history. He led the 2007 campaign against John Howard’s Work Choices and was Minister for Climate Change in Julia Gillard’s second ministry, before surprising many by resigning after the last ALP leadership showdown and retiring from politics in 2013.
Join host Sally Warhaft for this Fifth Estate spotlight interview with Greg Combet, where they will discuss the Australian labour movement, the state of our democracy and parliament, the future of the ALP and life after politics for a man many thought a good chance as a future prime minister.
Follow the discussion on Twitter. Post with #FifthEstate.
Podcast
Missed out? Fret not. Download the podcast: mp3 (31.1mb, 64m46s)
The Fifth Estate
Since 2012, anthropologist and broadcaster Sally Warhaft has been the Wheeler Centre’s in-house news anchor. Her fortnightly live interview series continues as she reacts to the latest stories whipping up a storm in the media.
Every second Tuesday, Sally hosts a dizzying array of guests from the political and cultural world, in a witty and revealing analysis of current affairs. Topical guests are announced in the weeks prior to the events – check our website for updates.
2014 events (all available via podcast on our website) have included Malcolm Fraser on Australia’s dangerous alliance with the US, Bob Carr on the culture of government, international whistleblowers Thomas Drake and Jesselyn Radack, and Anne Summers and Mary Delahunty on women, power and politics.
Featuring
Greg Combet
Greg Combet is well known for his roles as the leader of the ACTU and as a Labor government minister. Less well known is that he grew up on a winery in Rooty Hill, worked as a coal miner and has a life-long passion for Gouldian finches. Combet is a proven leader and crisis manager, a veteran of some of Australia’s largest industrial disputes, a fighter for social justice.
Following two terms in parliament during which he had carriage of climate change policy, Combet is now pursuing a career in the superannuation industry and the private sector. He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his role in securing compensation for James Hardie asbestos victims. He lives in Sydney with his partner Juanita Philips and is currently designing his latest aviary.
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 ...