Over dinner in the Regent Theatre’s Plaza Ballroom, we’re inviting you to take part in a good old-fashioned argument: a provocative proposition, considered responses and good-natured free-for-all.

As a comedian, as a producer and as an interviewer, Andrew Denton’s contribution to Australian public and intellectual life has been characterised by its intelligence, its irreverence and its abiding sense of humanity. There’s nobody we’d rather present for the 2015 Di Gribble Argument, and nobody we’d rather hear put forward an argument that is at once familiar and new; deeply personal and universal. The argument around how we die.  

The past two decades have seen more than sixteen state or federal attempts – and failures – to create a law in Australia that allows voluntary assisted death. Poll after poll reveals overwhelming support for such laws. But our elected representatives won’t act, the conversation’s stalled, the debate has become immovable and seemingly too hard. Meanwhile thousands of Australians are dying badly - in pain, alone, afraid.

Come and help us thrash out the mother of all moral, legal and ethical questions: is it ever alright to help another person die?

The Di Gribble Argument

The Di Gribble Argument is an annual occasion to remember Di and her legacy and – in her name – to put a bit of stick about. The late Di Gribble was a force in Australian cultural and intellectual life. Publisher, editor, businesswoman: her impact on the world of books, writing and ideas cannot be overstated. 

We delivered the inaugural argument in June of 2014, where outspoken venture capitalist Mark Carnegie, held Australian society to account: arguing passionately for a compulsory national service to promote and build a culture of civic engagement. The ideas outlined and debated on that evening went on to shape broader public debate over the following weeks and months.

On Twitter

Follow #dga15 to connect with others and see related tweets.

Podcast

From early 2016, join us as Andrew Denton investigates stories, moral arguments and individuals woven into discussions about why good people are dying bad deaths. Want to stay updated about this podcast, as well as other special projects from the Wheeler Centre? Subscribe for updates.