MRC Events
The MRC holds a wide variety of events every year – from gala dinners marking landmark moments in Australian liberalism to book launches, private dinners and casual political debates in pubs. Come and enjoy like-minded company while we debate the principles of freedom, enterprise and more.
John and Janette Howard and Angus Taylor MP at the launch of Mr Howard’s The Art of Persuasion in Sydney, 2018.
Past events
A conversation with Konstantin Kisin
Thursday 29 February, 2024, Canberra
The Menzies Research Centre and the Page Research Centre are delighted to invite you to an in-person conversation with Konstantin Kisin in Canberra. The event is being organised with the support of the Hon Andrew Hastie MP.
This special event will be held in the Main Committee Room of Parliament House on Thursday 29 February from 11:45am for a 12pm start.
Kisin is an award-winning British-Russian commentator, author and comedian. He was born in the Soviet Union but raised in the UK, a background that informs his incisive commentary on some of the biggest issues affecting Western liberal democracies, from the rise of cancel culture to identity politics.
Kisin is author of the book ‘An Immigrant’s Love Letter to the West’ and co-host of the popular free speech podcast TRIGGERnometry. If you are not familiar with his work you can listen to his recent speech to the Oxford Union which is available here.
the 11th john howard lecture with boris johnson
Wednesday 13 December, 2023, Sydney
The Menzies Research Centre is delighted to invite you to join former UK prime minister the Rt Hon Boris Johnson as he delivers the 11th John Howard Lecture in Sydney on Wednesday 13 December.
During the evening we will also hear from former Australian prime minister the Hon John Howard OM AC.
We're thrilled to have two exceptional world leaders come together to discuss our most pressing global and local challenges.
The Menzies Research Centre is a proud custodian of this annual address that honours our 25th and second longest serving prime minister.
Since 2009, the John Howard Lecture has featured orations from prominent world leaders.
Past speakers include former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, former NZ prime ministers Bill English and John Key and former UK Conservative Party Leader Iain Duncan Smith.
The lecture series is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Robert Menzies and affirming Liberal principles.
launch event: the centre for youth policy
Thursday 31 August, 2023, Sydney
If you want to see Liberal values passed down to the next generation then join Freya Leach and John Anderson AC at the launch of the Centre for Youth Policy.
The old adage that as people get older they become more conservative is breaking down. When Millennials began voting, 36% supported the Coalition, now it’s just 25%.
Changing demographics means winning Gen Z and Millennial votes is critical to keeping alive Sir Robert Menzies’ vision for Australia. But we're optimistic.
To help us in this task, the Menzies Research Centre is launching the Centre for Youth Policy led by Freya Leach.
Our mission is to reach every young Australian.
If you want to see Liberal values passed down to the next generation, then support our work by attending this special event.
Spaces are limited.
an evening with john howard and john anderson
Tuesday 25 July, 2023, Canberra
The Menzies Research Centre is delighted to invite you to join a special event with the Hon John Howard OM AC and the Hon John Anderson AC at RG Menzies House in Canberra on Tuesday 25 July.
Join us for drinks and canapes as Mr Howard and Mr Anderson share their insights and wisdom on the future of Liberal Australia. They will be launching an important new book, Dignity and Prosperity, edited by David Stevens.
This will be an important event for those of us who treasure the Coalition’s past and are optimistic about its future.
Threats to our Security and Sovereignty: Missed Opportunities from the Defence strategic review
Tuesday 13 June, 2023, Canberra
We are delighted to invite you to a breakfast with two rising stars, Andrew Hastie and James Paterson who will provide insights on our emerging security challenges.
This event is timely given the release of the Defence Strategic Review. Australia is facing the most challenging strategic circumstances since World War Two. From kinetic conflict to information warfare the nature of our national security threats now span multiple domains.
We’re incredibly privileged to have both the Shadow Minister for Defence and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security join us as they outline the Coalition’s policy position on defence and cyber security along with other insights.
Peter Jennings, one of Australia's leading defence thinkers, will moderate the event.
The theme for their discussion will be —Threats to our Security and Sovereignty: Missed Opportunities from the Defence Strategic Review.
The Menzies Research Centre will be hosting this special breakfast event on Tuesday 13 June to kick off the parliamentary sitting week.
Lessons from Ukraine: National Security Network Breakfast
Tuesday 28 March, 2023, Canberra
Join us to hear a fresh assessment of the Russian full scale invasion of Ukraine from Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.
What have we learned about Russia, modern warfare and Australia’s role in a world of strategic uncertainty?
The Ambassador’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Dr Yuriy Sak, Advisor to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, and moderated by Menzies Research Centre Executive Director Nick Cater.
As the Defence Ministry's global spokesperson, Dr Sak is at the forefront of developing and delivering the voice of Ukraine in international media. We are privileged to have Dr Sak join us in person from Kyiv to offer his perspective on the unfolding crisis.
As a show of support to those affected by the conflict, the MRC will donate proceeds from the breakfast event to the Ukrainian community.
Launch of consent of the people by david kemp
Wednesday 1 February 2023, Melbourne
Join Lord Hannan of Kingsclere as he launches David Kemp's masterly account of the story of Australian liberalism after Menzies.
Lord Hannan will be joining the Menzies Research Centre as we pay tribute to Dr Kemp for his invaluable contribution to Liberal thought and history.
A member of the House of Lords and a former Conservative Euro MP, Lord Hannan, or Dan as he prefers to be known, is a leading voice in the UK conservative movement and a strong champion of individual liberty. His work advocates core liberal values of free markets, limited government and direct democracy.
He last visited Australia as a guest of the Menzies Research Centre in 2018.
Venue will be provided upon confirmation of attendance.
10th John Howard Lecture
Tuesday 13 December, Melbourne
The Hon Alexander Downer AC, Australia’s longest serving minister for foreign affairs, will deliver the 10th John Howard Lecture.
MRC ONLINE FORUM - Implications of industrial-scale wind and solar power
Thursday 15 December via Zoom at 6pm AEDT
The Menzies Research Centre is organising a national online community forum on Thursday December 15 from 6pm - 7.30pm AEDT to discuss the problems caused by the rapid expansion of industrial-scale wind and solar generation.
The amount of land surrendered to industrial-scale wind and solar plants will triple in the next years under the federal government’s plans. Combined with the requirement for 10,000 km of new high-voltage power lines, the burden on rural communities and natural landscapes will be enormous.
The Menzies Research Centre is convening the forum to hear the experiences from around the country. If your community has been affected, we’d like to hear about it at this online event.
Launch of Brendan Nelson’s memoir, “Of Life and Of Leadership”
Thursday 1 December, Brisbane
The Menzies Research Centre invites you to the launch of Brendan Nelson's memoir Of Life and Of Leadership on December 1 in the Brisbane CBD.
Dr Nelson’s high-achieving career has made him one of the most admired and respected figures in Australian public life.
Raised in a Labor-leaning family in Launceston, Dr Nelson's life has followed an unconventional path. Prior to entering politics, he experienced the joys and wounding sorrows of medical practice as a doctor. His political activism was stirred when he rose to the presidency of the Australian Medical Association.
Elected into the Howard government in 1996 as the member for Bradfield, Dr Nelson made an impact as a reformist minister in both the education and defence portfolios before becoming federal leader of the Liberal Party in the most difficult of circumstances.
From Diplomat to Director of the Australian War Memorial, his unorthodox story offers extraordinary lessons.
Venue will be provided upon confirmation of attendance.
Address by the Hon Tony Abbott AC
Thursday 24 November, Sydney
Australia's 28th Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott AC, delivers a keynote address on the path forward for Australian Liberalism in hostile times.
Mr Abbott will be introduced by Menzies Research Centre Distinguished Fellow Amanda Stoker.
Dinner and The Voice
Friday 28 October 2022, Melbourne
Senator Jacinta Price’s maiden speech transformed the debate about the proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Yet Senator Price has become the target of a disgraceful silencing campaign which has succeeded in removing her contributions to Facebook.
We invite you to join an exclusive dinner with Senator Price to hear what she has to say in full and uncensored.
NEVILLE BONNER GALA DINNER
Tuesday 27 September 2022, Canberra
50 years on: Celebrating a milestone for the First Australians
In August 1971, Neville Bonner became the first Indigenous Australian to sit in federal parliament. The Menzies Research Centre marked the anniversary of the occasion with a gala dinner in Old Parliament House, the building in which Bonner served as Senator.
Watch a video of Bonner reflecting on his life’s work in an interview recorded shortly before his death in 1999.
Launch of Fraser in Office
Thursday 11 August 2022, Sydney
Wednesday 11 May 2022, Melbourne
Commentator Alan Jones and former foreign minister Alexander Downer, both former advisers in the Fraser government, launched Denis White’s Fraser in Office in Sydney and Melbourne, respectively.
Fraser in Office examines Malcolm Fraser’s prime ministership in historical context, recognising the challenge of restoring good government after the Whitlam years.
Unclouded by later political disputes and separated from the extraordinary manner by which he entered office, Fraser emerges as a leader of considerable substance.
The ardern experiment
A Thought Network discussion
Wednesday, 06 July 2022, Sydney
In the early 1980s a New Zealand Labour government pioneered the economic reforms that would transform modern Australia under Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.
Four decades later, does Jacinda Ardern’s New Zealand provide the template for the Albanese government?
Join Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative, and Nick Cater for this Thought Network discussion followed by drinks.
china and the liberal world order
Wednesday 16 March 2022, Melbourne
Ukraine’s mixed message
How will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine be viewed by the Chinese Communist Party government?
Does it signal the end of a rules-based world order that China has challenged in the fields of international law, trade and respect for sovereign boundaries?
Or will the strengthening response by Western nations deter China from acting on its express aim of unifying with Taiwan?
Senator James Paterson, Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security joined us in conversation with The Australian’s Rowan Callick and MRC executive director Nick Cater for the recording of a Watercooler discussion in the presence of a live audience.
the unknown story of 1788
Thursday 03 March 2022, Sydney - SOLD OUT
Tuesday 08 March 2022, Melbourne
Margaret Cameron-Ash joined us to discuss her new book that exposes how much of our understanding of British settlement has been clouded by prejudice.
She was joined in conversation with the IPA’s Bella d’Abrera to help us understand why historical facts matter and why history should be better taught in schools.
This event was hosted by the Menzies Research Centre in cooperation with Quadrant and the IPA.
