Speeches

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2026

Ted Evans Lecture, Brisbane

The Ted Evans legacyIt is an honour to deliver the Ted Evans Lecture this evening.

Address at the Royal Australian Mint, Canberra

I begin with a confession.Sixty years ago, Australia came perilously close to having a currency called ‘the royal’.

Opening speech to Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics Conference 2026

Opening speech to Australian and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics Conference 2026

2025

Address at the launch of Startup Muster 2025, Sydney

Taking the pulse of Australia’s startups

Address at Manning Clark House, Canberra

1. Introduction: the shape of modern fairnessI acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, traditional owners of these lands, and all First Nations people present.

Statements on significant matters, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra

Aunty June just wanted a simple mobile phone.

Address to Public Fundraising Regulatory Association

Ten years of asking nicely for good causes

Address to the Australian Financial Security Authority Summit, Sydney

Thank you for the invitation to join this year’s Australian Financial Security Authority Summit.

Address at the launch of the Gender Equality Evidence Hub, Melbourne

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, on whose lands I am recording these remarks. Special congratulations to Dr Leonora Risse on bringing the Gender Equality Evidence Hub to life.

Address to the Energy and Minerals Tax Conference 2025, Brisbane

Thank you for the invitation to speak today. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay respects to Elders past and present.

Address to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission all-staff meeting, Melbourne

Good morning everyone and thank you for having me. I acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, and all First Nations people present today.

Address to Social Traders breakfast event – How social enterprise drives productivity, Parliament House, Canberra

The productive power of purpose: Why doing good is good economics

Address to Committee for Capital Cities event – Future cities: from ambition to action, Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra

The power of proximity

Address to the Recruitment and Staffing Industry Summit, Parliament House, Canberra

Opening the Conversation I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, and extend that respect to all First Nations people here today.

Address to Relationships Australia SA strategic thinking day

Testing what works: Randomised trials and real change

Address at the launch of the latest Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, Parliament House, Canberra

Thank you for the invitation to join you for the launch of Survey 42 of the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index.

Address to the Australian Repair Summit, Canberra

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, on whose lands we meet today, and thank Professor Leanne Wiseman and Griffith Law School for hosting the fifth Australian Repair Summit.

Address to the 10th Australian Workplace Giving Awards

A decade of workplace generosity

Address to the Regional Australia Institute National Summit, Parliament House, Canberra

Opening It is a real pleasure to be with you on Ngunnawal country at this year’s National Summit.

Address to the Group of Eight (Go8) Dialogue: Leveraging Research and Innovation to Turbocharge Productivity, Parliament House, Canberra

When technology makes work better In 2016, Geoffrey Hinton, the ‘godfather of AI’, made a stark prediction.