Breaking the cycle of dependence on vested interests, from gambling giants to fossil fuels companies, has become one of the defining political challenges of our time. From the fierce debate over gambling advertising and pokies reform to the influence of coal and gas money on climate policy, the battle lines in Canberra reveal a deeper struggle over who our democracy really serves.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has spent years pushing for stronger integrity laws, cleaner politics, and real accountability for powerful interests. In this webinar, host Noah Schultz-Byard will sit down with Andrew to unpack the latest political flashpoints on gambling and climate, how vested interests shape what happens in Parliament, and what it would take for Australia to put people, evidence and integrity back at the centre of our democracy.

Together they will examine what these debates reveal about the state of Australian democracy today – and what a more principled, evidence‑based politics might look like.

SPEAKERS:

Andrew Wilkie MP – Independent Federal Member for Clark 

Andrew Wilkie MP has been the Independent Member for Clark (formerly Denison) since 2010 and is the second-longest-serving Independent in the Federal Parliament. A strong advocate for integrity and social justice, he is active across a broad range of issues, including health, housing, climate change, jobs, animal welfare, gambling reform, asylum seekers, whistleblower protections, media freedom, and foreign and security policy. Andrew famously blew the whistle on the fraudulent case for Australia's involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and has since been a leading voice for government accountability and transparency. He has served on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and chaired the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform.

Noah Schultz-Byard – Strategy Director, The Australia Institute

Noah Schultz-Byard is the Strategy Director at The Australia Institute. Noah is a communications professional and former ABC reporter who now leads the development and optimisation of The Australia Institute’s national strategic partnerships. His work has a particular focus on issues relating to climate change, environmental sustainability, and economic inequality. He has previously worked in the Federal Senate and as a communications consultant for a range of organisations, combining evidence-based research with engaging storytelling. Originally hailing from Adelaide, he aims for his work to help improve the level of conversation around public policy issues, both in South Australia and across the nation.