Afternoon Light

Robert Menzies Institute

Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister. Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future. Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies. Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: info@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au. read less

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Summer Series 2024-5 Part 1: Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee & Selwyn Cornish

Summer Series 2024-5 Part 1: Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee & Selwyn Cornish

In this special summer series of the Afternoon Light podcast you can enjoy the presentations delivered at our November 2024 conference entitled ‘The Final Chapter: Purpose, Endurance and Legacy 1961-66 and Beyond’. This first episode features the keynote address delivered by Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee's paper on 'Menzies and the Dual Economy, 1961-66' (begins at 21:29), and Selwyn Cornish on 'RG Menzies and the Introduction of Decimal Currency' (begins at 31:48). Geoffrey Blainey is known for his texts on Australian economic and social history. His first book, The Peaks of Lyell, was published in 1954. His second book, The University of Melbourne: A Centenary Portrait (1956), led him back to academia, and in 1961 he began his teaching career in economic history at the University of Melbourne. He was made professor in 1968, and in 1977 he was given the Ernest Scott chair in history. His later books included The Causes of War (1973), Triumph of the Nomads (1975), A Land Half Won (1980), A Shorter History of Australia (1994), Sea of Dangers: Captain Cook and His Rivals (2009), and A Short History of Christianity (2011). Before I Forget: An Early Memoir was published in 2019. David Lee is Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Canberra. He is the author inter alia of John Curtin, Connor Court, 2022 and The Second Rush: Mining and the Transformation of Australia, Connor Court, 2016. Selwyn Cornish is Honorary Associate Professor in the School of History, Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, and the Official Historian of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Episodes

Summer Series 2024-5 Part 1: Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee & Selwyn Cornish

Summer Series 2024-5 Part 1: Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee & Selwyn Cornish

In this special summer series of the Afternoon Light podcast you can enjoy the presentations delivered at our November 2024 conference entitled ‘The Final Chapter: Purpose, Endurance and Legacy 1961-66 and Beyond’. This first episode features the keynote address delivered by Geoffrey Blainey, David Lee's paper on 'Menzies and the Dual Economy, 1961-66' (begins at 21:29), and Selwyn Cornish on 'RG Menzies and the Introduction of Decimal Currency' (begins at 31:48). Geoffrey Blainey is known for his texts on Australian economic and social history. His first book, The Peaks of Lyell, was published in 1954. His second book, The University of Melbourne: A Centenary Portrait (1956), led him back to academia, and in 1961 he began his teaching career in economic history at the University of Melbourne. He was made professor in 1968, and in 1977 he was given the Ernest Scott chair in history. His later books included The Causes of War (1973), Triumph of the Nomads (1975), A Land Half Won (1980), A Shorter History of Australia (1994), Sea of Dangers: Captain Cook and His Rivals (2009), and A Short History of Christianity (2011). Before I Forget: An Early Memoir was published in 2019. David Lee is Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Canberra. He is the author inter alia of John Curtin, Connor Court, 2022 and The Second Rush: Mining and the Transformation of Australia, Connor Court, 2016. Selwyn Cornish is Honorary Associate Professor in the School of History, Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, and the Official Historian of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Emma McEwin on Sir Douglas Mawson | “Always curious, always inquiring”

Emma McEwin on Sir Douglas Mawson | “Always curious, always inquiring”

At what price, of human endeavour and sacrifice, did Australia purchase its claim to 42% of Antarctica? On Afternoon Light #177 Georgina Downer speaks with author Dr Emma McEwin to discuss her great-grandfather Sir Douglas Mawson. A man whom Menzies lauded for providing ‘the key with which to unlock the door’ of the mysteries of the frozen continent. Dr Emma McEwin holds a PhD in creative writing from the University of Adelaide. A great-granddaughter of Sir Douglas Mawson, she has authored An Antarctic Affair: A story of love and survival (2008) and The Many Lives of Douglas Mawson (2018).

Malcolm Mackerras AO on Ranking Australia’s PMs | “Good for a parlour game”

Malcolm Mackerras AO on Ranking Australia’s PMs | “Good for a parlour game”

Who is Australia’s greatest prime minister & by what criteria should you even make the judgement? On Afternoon Light #176 Georgina Downer speaks with Malcolm Mackerras AO, to engage in the fun but highly controversial task of ranking Australia’s prime ministers. No prizes for guessing who ended up at number one! Malcolm Mackerras AO is Australia’s leading psephologist, having worked in the field for more than 50 years. He is known for inventing the Mackerras pendulum, which helps predict election results in a preferential voting system based around two major parties.

Francesco Ricatti on Italian Migration | “Your own identity... is evolving”

Francesco Ricatti on Italian Migration | “Your own identity... is evolving”

What does it mean to be an Italian in Australia, & has the act of migration itself shaped this sense of identity? On Afternoon Light #175 Georgina Downer speaks with Francesco Ricatti, author of Italians in Australia, about the impetus, complexities, tribulations and effects of Italy’s vast population movements. A process which served to ‘create’ Italy, almost as much as it exported the idea. Francesco Ricatti is the Associate Professor of Italian and convenor of the Italian Studies programme at the Australian National University. He has a PhD from the University of Sydney and was previously Cassamarca Lecturer in Italian at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is the author of Italians in Australia: History, Memory, Identity and Embodying Migrants: Italians in Postwar Australia.

Afternoon Light Live: David Kemp & Zachary Gorman on the Liberal Party's 80th Anniversary | “One wet cloudy day in Canberra"

Afternoon Light Live: David Kemp & Zachary Gorman on the Liberal Party's 80th Anniversary | “One wet cloudy day in Canberra"

Why has the Liberal Party long outlived its predecessors? 16 October 2024 marked 80 years since the close of the Canberra Unity Conference, widely considered to be the 'birth date' of the Liberal Party of Australia. To mark the occasion, we broadcast our first-ever 'Afternoon Light Live', an interactive webinar which allowed the audience to become directly involved in the discussion between host Georgina Downer and guests David Kemp and Zachary Gorman. Both of whom were central contributors to our new book Unity in Autonomy: A Federal History of the Founding of the Liberal Party. The Hon. Dr David Kemp AC is a former Federal Member and Minister in the Howard Government. Before entering Parliament he was Professor of Politics at Monash University, and after leaving Parliament Professor and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Melbourne. He is the former Chairman of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and of the Australian Heritage Council. He has published books on voting behaviour and political analysis, and is particularly known for his ground-breaking series on Australian Liberalism published by Melbourne University Press.

Nigel Biggar on the Moral Complexities of the British Empire | "Let's go conquer the world"

Nigel Biggar on the Moral Complexities of the British Empire | "Let's go conquer the world"

Are modern denunciations of Empire anachronistic, and how does the shame they propagate hinder the West's ability to defend itself? On Afternoon Light #173 Georgina Downer speaks with Nigel Biggar, author of Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, to discuss how demonising the past has real-world consequences for the present. Unpacking the moral ambiguities of the British Empire, as a series of conquests and administrations that emerged ad hoc, and which frequently produced contradictions. Nigel Biggar CBE is Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Pusey House, Oxford. He holds a B.A. in Modern History from Oxford and a Ph.D. in Christian Theology & Ethics from the University of Chicago. He was appointed C.B.E. “for services to Higher Education” in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. His most recent books are Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning (2023), What’s Wrong with Rights? (2020), In Defence of War (2013), and Between Kin and Cosmopolis: An Ethic of the Nation (2014). In the press he has written articles for the Financial Times, the (London) Times, the Daily Telegraph, the Spectator, the (Glasgow) Herald, the Irish Times, Standpoint, The Critic, The Article, Unherd and Quillette.

Sherry Sufi on the Origins of the Western Australian Liberal Party | "Very Unique Mindset"

Sherry Sufi on the Origins of the Western Australian Liberal Party | "Very Unique Mindset"

Are Western Australians a bunch of secessionists, and what else makes the politics of our most isolated state unique? In the tenth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Sherry Sufi to discuss the history of liberalism in Australia's Wild West. Dr Sherry Sufi is a Western Australian Historian, Author, Columnist and Political Commentator. He has authored two books, From Cavemen to Countrymen: The Linguistic Roots of Nationalism, and Australia On Trial: Accusations and Defence. Since 2015, Dr Sufi has served as Chairman of the Policy Committee for the Liberal Party of WA at the state level.

Lyndon Megarrity on the Origins of the Queensland LNP | "Doesn't want to play ball"

Lyndon Megarrity on the Origins of the Queensland LNP | "Doesn't want to play ball"

Why did leading centre-right Queenslanders absent themselves from the Unity Conferences that helped spawn the Liberal Party, and did this slight separation from the Liberal fold presage the later Queensland Liberal merger with the Nationals? In the ninth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Lyndon Megarrity to discuss the history of the Queensland People's Party - which became the Queensland Liberal Party in 1949. Dr Lyndon Megarrity is adjunct lecturer at the College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University. He is an historian and author, and has written several books and articles on a range of subjects, including Queensland political history, overseas student policy, Northern Australia and local government. His latest book is Rex Patterson: A Voice for the North (2024).

Zachary Gorman on the Origins of the New South Wales Liberal Party | "NSW's history is Australia's history"

Zachary Gorman on the Origins of the New South Wales Liberal Party | "NSW's history is Australia's history"

How did NSW go from being the home of Liberal icons like Henry Parkes, George Reid & Joseph Carruthers, to being described as a natural Labor state? In the eighth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with editor & chapter contributor Zachary Gorman to explore the highs and lows of Liberal politics in New South Wales. Dr Zachary Gorman is the Historian and Research Manager of the Robert Menzies Institute. An expert on the history of Australian liberalism, he has authored or edited 8 books related to the subject, including Sir Joseph Carruthers: Founder of the New South Wales Liberal Party and most recently Unity in Autonomy: A Federal History of the Founding of the Liberal Party.

Terry Barnes on the Origins of the Liberal-Nationals Coalition | "Relating to its base"

Terry Barnes on the Origins of the Liberal-Nationals Coalition | "Relating to its base"

Why did the Country Party not join in Menzies’s push for centre-right unity? In the seventh episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Terry Barnes to explore how and why the federal Coalition came to be. Terry Barnes worked in Federal and State government and politics for 25 years. He was senior personal adviser to two federal health ministers, Michael Wooldridge (1993-97) and Tony Abbott (2003-07). He writes regularly for major newspapers about health, social policy and politics generally, including The Age and The Australian Financial Review. He is a regular contributor to The Spectator (Australia).

Stephen Wilks on the Origins of the Victorian Liberal Party | “The freedom to be an individual”

Stephen Wilks on the Origins of the Victorian Liberal Party | “The freedom to be an individual”

How did Victoria become ‘the jewel in the Liberal crown’? In the sixth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Stephen Wilks, about how and why Victoria became the quintessential Liberal state, underpinning the long Menzies and Bolte eras. Stephen Wilks is based in the National Centre of Biography, in the ANU’s School of History. He is a research fellow and editor for the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the Dictionary of the House of Representatives project. He holds a 2018 doctorate in Australian history from the ANU about national economic and social development in the twentieth century, focused on the career of Earle Page. He has contributed over seventy book reviews and articles to Fairfax Media and other publishers, mainly on modern Australian, British and United States history and biography. He has published a book and several articles on Earle Page and his ideas, such as for the Australian Policy and History network. He twice won the ACT Writers Centre Reviewer of the Year Award, for which he subsequently served as judge.

Damien Freeman on the Death of Settlement Politics | “A Degree of Ambiguity”

Damien Freeman on the Death of Settlement Politics | “A Degree of Ambiguity”

Has Australia’s political system lost the art of compromise? On Afternoon Light #167 Georgina Downer speaks with Damien Freeman, author of The End of Settlement: Why the 2023 referendum failed, about 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. Damien Freeman is a Fellow of the Robert Menzies Institute. He has authored several books, including Radical Conservatism: Tradition as a Guide for Managing Change and Abbott’s Right: The Conservative Tradition from Menzies to Abbott. He was previously the principal policy adviser at the PM Glynn Institute, Australian Catholic University.

Stephen Dando-Collins on the Photographs that Defied Censorship to Define World War II | “Ingrained in Our Memories”

Stephen Dando-Collins on the Photographs that Defied Censorship to Define World War II | “Ingrained in Our Memories”

Should the public know the brutalities of war? On Afternoon Light #166 Georgina Downer speaks 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. In doing so, they demonstrated that the truth would not lead to demoralisation, but actually help galvanise support for the troops who had to endure it all. 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. His latest book is The Buna Shots: The Amazing Story Behind Two Photographs that Changed the Course of World War Two.

Andrew Kemp on the Imperative & Logistics of Party Organisation | "The Spirit of 49"

Andrew Kemp on the Imperative & Logistics of Party Organisation | "The Spirit of 49"

What goes into creating a successful political party? In the fifth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Andrew Kemp on how the Liberal Party’s early organisers laid a platform for eight decades of endurance and achievement. Andrew Kemp is a Melbourne-based writer and a former economist at the Commonwealth Treasury and the Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria.

Judge Amul Thapar on Originalist Constitutional Interpretation | “A contract between the American people and the government”

Judge Amul Thapar on Originalist Constitutional Interpretation | “A contract between the American people and the government”

If changing a constitution proves too difficult, what’s the problem with judges taking on the responsibility of evolving with the times? On Afternoon Light #164 Georgina Downer speaks with Judge Amul Thapar to discuss differing approaches to constitutional interpretation, and why he believes that upholding the original meaning of the words is the only way to keep power where it belongs - in the hands of ‘the people’. Hon. Amul R. Thapar, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and is the first South Asian Article III judge. Prior to his confirmation to the Sixth Circuit, he served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky and as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. In 2017, he became President Donald J. Trump’s first appellate court nominee. He is the author of The People's Justice: Clarence Thomas and the Constitutional Stories That Define Him.

Stefan Petrow on the origins of the Tasmanian Liberal Party | “An anti-socialist paradise”

Stefan Petrow on the origins of the Tasmanian Liberal Party | “An anti-socialist paradise”

If a Labor Party is conservative enough to produce Joseph Lyons, what space does that leave for their centre-right opponents? In the fourth episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Stefan Petrow, about how Tasmania proved itself to be innately conversative, yet took 25 years to elect a Liberal government. Stefan Petrow is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Tasmania, where he previously worked as a Lecturer in History and Classics in the School of Humanities. In 2022 he was awarded the Clive Lord Memorial Medal by the Royal Society of Tasmania for his outstanding contribution to Tasmanian history.

Baden Teague on South Australia’s Liberal & Country League | “A well thought out fusion of liberals & conservatives"

Baden Teague on South Australia’s Liberal & Country League | “A well thought out fusion of liberals & conservatives"

Why was South Australia the only State with a centre right government as of 1944? And how did the success of its Liberals act as a model for the formation of the nationwide Liberal Party? In the third episode of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Baden Teague, about how South Australia was the first state to understand the importance of Liberal unity. Dr Baden Teague was born and educated in South Australia, graduating with a BA, BSc (Adelaide) and PhD (Cambridge). He was elected a Liberal Senator for South Australia, serving in seven Australian Parliaments, 1978-1996. He has been a member of the State Council of the Liberal Party for fifty years, 1973-2023, and is currently a writer and farmer at Inman Valley, a Crows supporter, active at St Peter's Cathedral, and is married to Kathy Teague with three sons and nine grandchildren. He is the author of The Liberal Story: A history of the Liberal Party in South Australia, 1910-2022.

Anne Henderson on Enid Lyons, May Couchman, & the Female Liberal Founders | “You’ve got to put your hand up”

Anne Henderson on Enid Lyons, May Couchman, & the Female Liberal Founders | “You’ve got to put your hand up”

Why did it take until 1943 for a woman to be elected to federal parliament? And how did that momentous event feed into the emergence of the Liberal Party the following year? In the second of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor Anne Henderson AM, to discuss how women helped to drive the liberal movement. Anne Henderson AM was educated at Melbourne University and is deputy director of The Sydney Institute – a forum for debate and discussion which enjoys good relations with both sides of Australian politics. She is the editor of The Sydney Papers Online and one of Australia’s leading biographers with studies on Dame Enid Lyons and former prime minister Joseph Lyons along with books on immigration and women in politics. Anne Henderson’s Menzies at War was short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History in 2015 and she appeared in the ABC TV documentary Howard on Menzies: Building Modern Australia (2016) and Foxtel’s The Menzies Years hosted by John Howard (2022).

David Kemp on forming a party with an explicitly liberal philosophy | “A very idealistic and practical effort”

David Kemp on forming a party with an explicitly liberal philosophy | “A very idealistic and practical effort”

What does it mean to be a ‘Liberal’ Party? In the first of a special series of the Afternoon Light Podcast, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Liberal Party and the release of the new book on the history of that event, Unity in Autonomy, Georgina Downer speaks with chapter contributor David Kemp AC to explore how Menzies deliberately set out to form a ‘party with a philosophy’. It was this focus on principle that would help take politics away from the influence of sectional interests, and allow it to instead uphold the freedom and dignity of the individual citizen. The Hon. Dr David Kemp AC is a former Federal Member and Minister in the Howard Government. Before entering Parliament he was Professor of Politics at Monash University, and after leaving Parliament Professor and Vice-Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Melbourne. He is the former Chairman of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and of the Australian Heritage Council. He has published books on voting behaviour and political analysis, and is particularly known for his ground-breaking series on Australian Liberalism published by Melbourne University Press.

Gosia Klatt on Australia’s surprising role representing Poland during WW2 | “Escaped the notice of history”

Gosia Klatt on Australia’s surprising role representing Poland during WW2 | “Escaped the notice of history”

Did the West sell-out Poland during and after World War II? On Afternoon Light #159 Georgina Downer speaks with Gosia Klatt to tell the remarkable tale of how Australia came to diplomatically represent Poland in Moscow in the early 1940s. A story which highlights how even at the height of the War, the USSR was a highly ‘problematic’ ally, having invaded and massacred the very nation Britain and Australia went to war to protect. Malgorzata (Gosia) Klatt is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Her research spans a broad spectrum of topics—including youth transitions, adult education, vocational education, education system transitions, education policy and governance. She is the former President of the Australian Institute of Polish Affairs and the author of The Poles & Australia.