For our upcoming Afternoon Light Live, we are delighted to welcome Australian economist, public policy expert, and columnist for The Australian Henry Ergas AO to discuss ‘Are we witnessing the end of multiculturalism?’

In conversation with Georgina Downer, Henry will discuss the successes and failures of our multicultural policy in Australia – and particularly, whether the policy in its current manifestation has reached its end-by date.

You may know Henry from his long-running column in The Australian in which he writes about competition policy, infrastructure regulation, public finance and increasingly the cultural decline and pressures on social cohesion in Australia.

Henry and Georgina will speak for approximately 30 minutes, followed by audience Q&A.

You can join this conservation live on by registering HERE.

Note: We are not offering in-person attendance for this Afternoon Light Live.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday 18 August 2026
Time: 3pm-4pm (AEST)
Venue: Live Online over Zoom
Tickets: FREE registration to join online available HERE

This is a non-catered event.

Henry and Georgina will talk for the first 30 min, and the next 30 min will be audience Q&A.

ABOUT HENRY ERGAS AO

Henry Ergas AO is an Australian economist, public policy expert, and columnist known for his work in regulatory economics, infrastructure policy, competition law, and telecommunications.

He spent more than a decade at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, and has held academic appointments at institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, Monash University, National University of Singapore, and the University of Wollongong, where he was Professor of Infrastructure Economics.

He is also a regular opinion columnist for The Australian, where he writes on economics, politics, and public policy and increasingly, on Australian history and national identity; free speech and universities; religion, philosophy, and Western intellectual traditions; and cultural and political debates surrounding multiculturalism and civic values.

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2016 for distinguished service to infrastructure economics, higher education, and public policy.