Liberalism in Question | CIS

Education Reform in Australia | Jennifer Buckingham

Join us on Liberalism in Question for an enlightening discussion with Dr. Jennifer Buckingham, former Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies and a leading voice in Australian education policy.  From critiquing barriers in public schooling to advocating for phonics-based reading instruction and greater parental choice, this episode examines the role of liberalism in fostering equitable opportunities and innovation in Australian education. 
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👉 Further reading: 
Why Jaydon Can’t Read: A Forum on Fixing Literacy: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/why-jaydon-cant-read-a-forum-on-fixing-literacy/
Knowledge is power: What do teachers believe about learning?: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/knowledge-is-power-what-do-teachers-believe-about-learning/
Childcare in Australia: A new approach: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/childcare-in-australia-a-new-approach/

Australia's Liberal Odyssey: Tracing Freedom's Path | Dr Greg Melleuish

In this thought-provoking episode of Liberalism in Question, we delve into the rich tapestry of Australia's liberal history with esteemed guest Dr Greg Melleuish, Associate Professor of History and Politics at the University of Wollongong. Explore how liberalism shaped Australia's political landscape, influenced key figures like Alfred Deakin and Robert Menzies, and continues to inform contemporary debates on freedom, modernity, and national identity.
👉Further Reading:
A Short History of Australian Liberalism: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/a-short-history-of-australian-liberalism/ 
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A Case for Helpful Government Intervention | Emma Dawson

In this thought-provoking episode of Liberalism in Question, we welcome Emma Dawson, Executive Director of the progressive think tank Per Capita (and formerly of the Chifley Research Centre), to offer a contrasting social democratic perspective. Challenging classical liberal skepticism toward government overreach, Dawson argues that the state can—and should—play a constructive, helpful role in addressing inequality and building shared prosperity.
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Indigenous Expectations are Skewed | Senator Kerrynne Liddle

Join us on Liberalism in Question as Senator Kerrynne Liddle shares her insights on why one-size-fits-all policies fall short in a diverse nation like Australia. Liddle critiques excessive bureaucracy, advocating for greater personal and community responsibility to drive real progress and prosperity. 
This episode challenges conventional thinking on Indigenous affairs and explores how classical liberal principles can foster genuine equality and self-reliance. 
👉 Support CIS Research:🔹 Become a member:  https://www.cis.org.au/membership-2-step-1/ 🔹 Make a donation: https://www.cis.org.au/support/donate/today/ 🔹 Learn more: https://www.cis.org.au/ 
👉 Further reading: 
Liberalism’s Universal Vision Better Than a Race-Based Voice: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/liberalisms-universal-vision-better-than-a-race-based-voice/
The Road Ahead for Indigenous Policy: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/where-to-now-the-road-ahead-for-indigenous-policy/
Joining the Real Economy: mapping the economic potential of remote Indigenous communities: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/joining-the-real-economy-mapping-the-economic-potential-of-remote-indigenous-communities/

"People are just sick of it" | Alexander Downer

Get your tickets to see Alexander Downer in Sydney: https://events.humanitix.com/alexander-downer-leadership-between-allies-and-the-region 
In this episode of Liberalism in Question, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer joins us to dissect the ever-shifting landscape of political ideologies. From the rise of Trump's nationalist movement and its global ripple effects, to the enduring appeal of economic liberalism as a pathway to prosperity, Downer offers sharp insights into why ideologies evolve like fashion trends—and what it means for our future.
👉 Support CIS Research:🔹 Become a member:  https://www.cis.org.au/membership-2-step-1/ 🔹 Make a donation: https://www.cis.org.au/support/donate/today/ 🔹 Learn more: https://www.cis.org.au/ 

A Short History of Liberalism in the Middle East | Joshua Landis

Watch: https://youtu.be/xWVre38e0qQ In this episode of Liberalism in Question, we dive deep into the complex and often overlooked history of liberalism in the Middle East with renowned expert Joshua Landis. As a professor of Middle East history at the University of Oklahoma and director of the Center for Middle East Studies, Landis brings decades of insight from his work on Syria, sectarianism, and regional politics. Join us as we explore the challenges posed by secular and religious  authoritarianism and modern conflicts in countries like Egypt, Syria, and Israel.
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Trump and the red wave | Dave Rubin

From Donald Trump to the lockdowns, Dave Rubin sits down with Robert Forsyth to discuss classical liberalism in the American context. 
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The Tradition of Liberty | Senator James Paterson

Senator James Paterson joins Liberalism in Question to discuss the core principles of classical liberalism — individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and the rule of law — and how they apply to Australia’s current political debates. The conversation explores where liberalism is being challenged, misunderstood, or defended, and what its future looks like in a changing political landscape.
👉 Support Sound Economic Research:🔹 Become a member:  https://www.cis.org.au/membership-2-step-1/ 🔹 Make a donation: https://www.cis.org.au/support/donate/today/ 🔹 Learn more: https://www.cis.org.au/ 
Senator James Paterson is a Liberal Senator for Victoria. First elected in March 2016 at age 28, Senator Paterson is the youngest Liberal ever elected to the Senate.
During his time in the Senate, he has fought for Australia’s prosperity, freedom, democracy and sovereignty.

The Tension Between Classical Liberalism and Conservatism | Gray Connolly

Watch here: https://youtu.be/NVFhjvDxGX4
From surrogacy to free speech, Rob Forsyth and Gray Connolly discuss the differences between classical liberalism and conservatism in the Australian context. 
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About the guest: 
Gray Connolly is a Sydney-based Barrister and Writer, and he is a reservist serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy. He writes about geopolitics, faith, history and war on his Strategy Counsel website. Gray’s writing has also appeared in an interesting range of Australian periodicals, including Meanjin and The Daily Telegraph. He regularly features on the ABC and Sky News as a commentator. He is a lifelong South Sydney and Richmond supporter. Twitter @GrayConnolly 

Rebuilding the Open Society | Roger Partridge

👉 Watch here: https://youtu.be/bGv018CfXg8 
In this episode of Liberalism in Question, we dive into Roger Partridge's provocative Quillette essay, "Classical Liberalism Without Strong Gods", where he challenges the rise of "strong gods" like religion and nationalism as antidotes to liberal society's spiritual void.
You can read the article here: https://quillette.com/2025/06/10/classical-liberalism-without-strong-gods-open-society-popper/ 
As Chairman and co-founder of The New Zealand Initiative, Roger defends Karl Popper's vision of the open society. He argues that epistemic humility, critical inquiry, and moral seriousness can foster cohesion without authoritarian risks, while proposing fixes like civic education reform, housing deregulation, welfare tweaks to support families, and  local autonomy.
Join us as Roger unpacks liberalism's drift, the threats from identity politics and relativism, and a bold path forward.
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