Tuesday Forums

Forums have a "current affairs" focus covering local events, politics, science, the environment and international events.

Sessions are held via Zoom commencing on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm and run from March to early June and from mid-July to November.

There are two registration options:

* Pre-register for all talks during the year and you will automatically be sent Zoom login details each week, i.e. there will not be any need to register on a weekly basis. (Note: Those who pre-registered in 2024 will automatically be transferred to the 2025 Forums.)
* Register on a weekly basis for the Forums which interest you. Registration will open in the week preceding the talk and the details are advertised with each Forum

Date	Forum details
5 August	The use of human rights principles to influence courts and officials in giving meaning to the constitution; statutes and the common law. The Hon Michael Kirby AC, CMC Michael Kirby's career spans groundbreaking judicial service from fair labour dispute resolution to contributions in high-profile global human rights roles. Post-retirement, he continues his legal, academic, and advocacy work worldwide, making enduring impacts on law, ethics, and social justice. Michael will discuss the concept of the use of human rights principles including its impact in the decision of the High Court of Australia in Mabo v Queensland [No.2] (1992) 175 CLR 1 at 42. 👉Registrations open 28 July 9AM and close 4 August 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.
12 August	The relationship between Australia and China & the influence of the Trump Presidency Professor James Curran James will trace the trajectory of Australia's relationship with China—from early engagement under Whitlam to current strains. He will forecast potential directions in the wake of Australia's recent election and the Trump Factor and US China rivalry. James has a PhD from the University of Sydney and teaches political and diplomatic history. He served as an analyst at Australia's Office of National Assessments and has held roles in PM&C and Defence Departments. James is a frequent media commentator and is Editor (Foreign Affairs) at The Australian Financial Review. He is the author of Australia's China Odyssey: From Euphoria to Fear. 👉Registrations open 5 August 9AM and close 11August 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.
20 August	Developments in the South Asian subcontinent and the broader Indo-Pacific Professor Ian Hall Wednesday forum Ian Hall is Professor of International Relations at Griffith University's School of Government & International Relations and Acting Director/Deputy Director (Research) of the Griffith Asia Institute. As one of Australia's leading scholars on India and the Indo‑Pacific, Ian will speak to recent developments in the sub-continent, including the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Ian has held positions at University of St Andrews, University of Adelaide, Australian National University. He holds a BA Oxford, PhD and had a strong presence in media and public discussion. Ian is a key voice on South Asian developments—especially India's strategic trajectory, its foreign policy under Modi, and India's role in regional security architectures and norms. Ian has written on Indian Foreign Policy. 👉Registrations open 12 August 9AM and close 19 August 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.

Date

Forum details

5 August

The use of human rights principles to influence courts and officials in giving meaning to the constitution; statutes and the common law.

The Hon Michael Kirby AC, CMC

Michael Kirby's career spans groundbreaking judicial service from fair labour dispute resolution to contributions in high-profile global human rights roles. Post-retirement, he continues his legal, academic, and advocacy work worldwide, making enduring impacts on law, ethics, and social justice. Michael will discuss the concept of the use of human rights principles including its impact in the decision of the High Court of Australia in Mabo v Queensland [No.2] (1992) 175 CLR 1 at 42.

👉Registrations open 28 July 9AM and close 4 August 5PM.

To register email

Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.

12 August

The relationship between Australia and China & the influence of the Trump Presidency

Professor James Curran

James will trace the trajectory of Australia's relationship with China—from early engagement under Whitlam to current strains. He will forecast potential directions in the wake of Australia's recent election and the Trump Factor and US China rivalry.

James has a PhD from the University of Sydney and teaches political and diplomatic history. He served as an analyst at Australia's Office of National Assessments and has held roles in PM&C and Defence Departments. James is a frequent media commentator and is Editor (Foreign Affairs) at The Australian Financial Review. He is the author of Australia's China Odyssey: From Euphoria to Fear.

👉Registrations open 5 August 9AM and close 11August 5PM.

To register email

Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.

20 August

Developments in the South Asian subcontinent and the broader Indo-Pacific

Professor Ian Hall Wednesday forum

Ian Hall is Professor of International Relations at Griffith University's School of Government & International Relations and Acting Director/Deputy Director (Research) of the Griffith Asia Institute.
As one of Australia's leading scholars on India and the Indo‑Pacific, Ian will speak to recent developments in the sub-continent, including the recent tensions between India and Pakistan.

Ian has held positions at University of St Andrews, University of Adelaide, Australian National University. He holds a BA Oxford, PhD and had a strong presence in media and public discussion.
Ian is a key voice on South Asian developments—especially India's strategic trajectory, its foreign policy under Modi, and India's role in regional security architectures and norms. Ian has written on Indian Foreign Policy.

👉Registrations open 12 August 9AM and close 19 August 5PM.

To register email

Include your U3A membership or affiliate number in the email.