The Wheeler Centre

Fifth Estate host Sally Warhaft talks to defence expert and adviser to Chief of Airforce, Group Captain Catherine McGregor, about the shape of Australia's defence policy in action.

Must the ‘path back to surplus’ entail a leaner, meaner government? Doesn’t public sector involvement make sound economics? What is the role of government in Australia today? Sally Warhaft speaks with Ian McAuley, Miriam Lyons and Ross Gittins.

Anne Manne – author of The Life of I: the new culture of narcissism – scrutinises how prevalent narcissistic tendencies have become in popular culture, the workplace and social media.

The Emerging Writers’ Festival launches its 2015 program with a game that puts you in the editor’s chair. How are written pieces deemed publishable? Do editors know what they’re doing? Is quality in the eye of the beholder?

What do video games contribute to storytelling, stress-relief and society? As part of Freeplay 2015, we explore the prevailing issues and opportunities of game culture with Lawrence Leung, Vanessa Toholka, Scott Edgar and Leena van Deventer.

In her long-awaited memoir, Hello Beautiful, much-loved Australian playwright and writer Hannie Rayson presents scenes from her own life, with all the insight, wit and narrative flair she has perfected in her plays. In conversation with Lorin Clarke, she shares insights from this hilarious (and often dramatic) behind-the-scenes look at the life of an Australian success story.

What does it mean to be an African-Australian? Who is an African-Australian … and why is it personally important for Australians with African ancestry to embrace and own it? We look at this subject from a range of African perspectives. Featuring host Santilla Chingaipe, with Soreti Kadir, Kirk Zwangobani and Monica Forson.

An intimate discussion of the vastly different contributions made by Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser to the political world, and to Australia as a nation — with host Sally Warhaft and guests Petro Georgiou, Barry Jones and Judith Brett.

Part two of our back-to-back chats with investigative journalist Nick Davies – whose work includes exposing the NOTW phone hacking scandal, and publishing WikiLeaks' diplomatic cables – and host Sophie Black for a unique insight into some of the most important stories about power, freedom and corruption in the 21st century.

Join investigative journalist Nick Davies – whose work includes exposing the NOTW phone hacking scandal, and publishing WikiLeaks' diplomatic cables – and host Sophie Black for a unique insight into some of the most important stories about power, freedom and corruption in the 21st century.