Sydney Writers' Festival lecture

Dr Lindy Edwards

Large crowds gathered to see the RSSS’ Dr Lindy Edwards and the Sydney Morning Herald’s Ross Gittins talk economics at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Dr Edwards was speaking about how economic expert knowledge is used to shut down political debate in Australia. She described how the claim to economic science and the use of economic jargon prevented ordinary Australians from being able to participate in political debate about key reforms. These reforms had the potential to have widespread impact on the economy as well as on Australian culture and ways of life.

In launching the second edition of her bestselling book How to Argue with an Economist: Re-opening Political Debate in Australia, she urged ordinary Australians to get involved in the debates. She said the book aimed to equip and inspire people to participate in what she described as the most important political and philosophical debates of our times.

Hundreds of people queued to attend the session and could not fit into the venue. Festival organisers ended up broadcasting the session to about 300 people outside. The session is also planned to be re-broadcast on Radio National.