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Hello there, This week on Q+A… writing the wrongs of history as literary giant Shehan Karunatilaka joins the panel. This author’s most recent work tackles civil war and its impacts in Sri Lanka, so what can this conflict teach us about geopolitics today and the polarisation that is plaguing contemporary societies?
Closer to home, supporters of Julian Assange had been hoping to appeal directly to the US President to stop his country’s pursuit of the jailed Wikileaks founder, but those hopes were dashed as Joe Biden’s visit was cancelled. Assange’s family says his life is in the hands of the Australian government now. What more could politicians do to secure his release?
But while one state visit was cancelled, another was just beginning, with India’s Prime Minister here for talks with Anthony Albanese. Narendra Modi is a divisive figure at home and abroad – will Australia tackle the tough issues with him as he faces claims of human rights violations against minority groups in India?
And as signs point towards a rapprochement with China, Australia still has a precarious path to follow – keeping the trade relationship on track while staying strong on defence. So just how difficult a balance is that to strike?
Q+A is live from Sydney Tonight, Monday, May 29 at 9.35pm AEST.
Joining Patricia Karvelas on the panel live in Sydney:
Jen Robinson, International human rights lawyer
Shehan Karunatilaka, Booker Prize-winning author
James Blackwell, Research Fellow in Indigenous Diplomacy, Australian National University
Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
Kevin Hogan, Shadow Minister for Trade & Tourism
Each week, Q+A selects our top question to highlight in the newsletter.
Scroll down to watch Monday's toughest question; Amy Brown told the panel her generation is sick of seeing the interests of businesses put before people and asks them: "When are politicians going to act on behalf of those who elected them?
Watch Q+A Monday at 9.35pm AEST on ABC TV, or stream live on ABC iview. |
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Get to know the panellists |
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| International human rights lawyer Jen Robinson has been Julian Assange’s go-to legal advisor since 2010 and says the jailed Wikileaks founder’s life is in the Australian government’s hands. | | READ MORE |
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| Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka took out the Booker Prize for his “magical realism” satire of his country’s brutal civil war. His critics "complain that he is telling too much of the truth". | | READ MORE |
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| James Blackwell is a Research Fellow in Indigenous Diplomacy at Australian National University. He thinks having regional voices heard is essential in designing and advancing the idea of a Voice to Parliament. | | READ MORE |
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| Tim Watts is the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and has said that China and Australia have "many more steps to go" to restore the relationship but that "talking is better than not talking". | | READ MORE |
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| Kevin Hogan is the Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism who has been calling for the end of China’s trade sanctions on Australia. | | READ MORE |
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Last Week's Hard Question |
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Amy Brown asked:
My generation and the younger generations are so tired of feeling like we are screaming into a void. When are politicians going to stop acting in the interests of big corporates and billionaires and actually do the job they were elected to do: act on behalf of the constituents who elected them? | | WATCH HERE |
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| We lift the lid on the shadowy underworld of Australia's cocaine supply chain, with unprecedented access to traffickers, importers, street dealers and high-ranking cartel operatives. | | STREAM NOW ON IVIEW | |
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