On 18 June 2025, the Robert Menzies Institute convened our 2025 Policy Dialogue at Queen’s College, University of Melbourne.

The Institute brought together 30 leading academics, public figures, and policy experts from across the political landscape to discuss the ‘Conditions for a Successful Democracy’.

The day-long Dialogue was held under Chatham House Rule (where the words are noted but not the identity of the speaker) allowing for honest and respectful discussion from across the political aisle.

The Dialogue was divided into six sessions covering the following topics:

1. Taking Stock of Australia’s Historical Strength in Democracy
2. The Sickness / Health of Democracy
3. National Sovereignty vs Integration
4. Attacks on Democracies
5. Protection and Censorship of Free Speech
6. The Future of Democratic Governance

We are deeply thankful to all the participants who took the time to discuss these urgent political issues relating to Australian democracy:

Salvatore Babones, quantitative sociologist at the University of Sydney
Chris Berg, professor of economics at the RMIT University
Frank Bongiorno, professor of history at the Australian National University
Judith Brett, political historian and former La Trobe University academic
Jeremiah Brown, lecturer in public policy at the University of Melbourne
Stephen Chavura, political commentator at The Australian, The Spectator Australia, ABC Religion and Ethics
Clayton Chin, senior lecturer in political theory at the University of Melbourne
William Coleman, adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dam
James Curran, professor of modern history at the University of Sydney and AFR columnist
Georgina Downer, CEO at the Robert Menzies Institute
Nick Dyrenfurth, executive director at the John Curtin Research Centre
Mark Evans, director of the ANZSOG Institute of Governance
Jon Fain, journalist and former ABC radio presenter
Lorraine Finlay, Australia’s human rights commissioner
Zachary Gorman, historian and research manager at the Robert Menzies Institute
Kate Griffiths, chief of staff and director of the Democracy Program at the Grattan Institute
David Kemp, public thinker and historian
Mark Kenny, director of Australian Studies Institute
Lydia Khalil, program director of the Transnational Challenges Program at the Lowy Institute
Tim Lynch, professor of American politics at the University of Melbourne
Alex McDermott, curator at the Robert Menzies Institute
Greg Mulleuish, adjunct senior research fellow at Campion College
Charlotte Mortlock, executive director, Hilma’s Network and broadcast journalist
Paul Muldoon, associate professor at the University of Melbourne
Lizzie O’Shea, founder and chair of the Digital Rights Watch
John Phillimore, executive director at John Curtin Institute of Public Policy
Tony Ralph, marketer and political communications expert
John Roskam, senior fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs
Aruna Sathanpally, CEO of the Grattan Institute
Michael Stepniak, 9th master and head of college at Queen’s College, University of Melbourne
Will Stolz, lecturer and expert associate at the ANU’s National Security College
Adrienne Stone FASSA FAAL, Melbourne laureate professor and director of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies at Melbourne Law School
Ramesh Thakur, emeritus professor at the ANU’s Crawford school
Graeme Turner, emeritus professor in cultural studies at the University of Queensland
Erin Watson, founder and managing director of Baker & York
Michael Wesley, deputy vice-chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) at the University of Melbourne
Keith Wolahan, barrister and former federal MP for Menzies

The day featured frank and spirited exchanges, thoughtful reflections, and a shared commitment to democratic ideals, regardless of differing perspectives.

We extend our gratitude to all participants for contributing to such a dynamic and constructive forum.

Special thanks go to our volunteer notetakers and to the Queen’s College for generously hosting the event in their historic Common Room. We look forward to publishing an occasional paper capturing key insights and themes from the discussion!

Photography by Shixin Wang.