About

Forum Australia (Aussie Forum Inc.) is a non-political organisation. It works without any discrimination as to religion, race or nationality.

History

Forum Australia (Aussie Forum Inc) was established in 2005. It is a Canberra based registered organisation, which periodically holds open forums and debates on issues that concern all Australians. The organisation believes in “Having your say”, with a view to help improve in decision making at a National level.

Aims

Develop awareness of the current issues in Australia

Promote respect for social, cultural and religious diversity

Promote freedom of expression

Facilitate understanding between Australians

Work towards the introduction, development and strengthening of democratic systems and values

Conduct research and develop material in any form such as written, audio or visual, to provide information of the current or emerging issues to all Australians

Work towards a tolerant and unprejudiced multicultural Australian society

Partake in ACT and National activities

Collaborate with other organisations that have similar aims

Speakers and Masters of Ceremonies

Forum Australia (Aussie Forum Inc) is attended by a large variety of distinguished speakers and Masters of Ceremonies.

Previous Speakers & MCs

  • Lish Fejer, Presenter, ABC Radio, Canberra

  • Barnie van Wyk, CEO, St Vincent DePaul Society ACT/ Goulburn

  • Senator David Smith, Federal Senator for the Australian Capital Territory (Labor)

  • Adj Prof Kylie Ward, CEO, Australian College of Nursing (ACN)

  • Nic Manikis, Former Senior Executive ACT Government

  • President, Fair Canberra

  • Harry Oppermann, Active member of the Canberra interfaith community, Former Deputy Chair, Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF)

  • Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM, MP, Member for Eden-Monaro, New South Wales

  • Helen Wachirs, President and Human Rights Commissioner, ACT Human Rights Commission

  • Brice Hamack, President, The Islamophobia Register of Australia

  • Violet Sheridan, Ngunnawal Elder

  • Jolene Laverty, Media Professional

  • Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

  • Julie Tongs, CEO, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service

  • Jack Waterford, Former Editor-at-Large, Canberra Times

  • Joshua Gilbert, Senior Consultant, Indigenous Consulting, PwC

  • Jessa Rogers, Assistant Professor in Education, University of Canberra

  • Veronica Wensing, ACT Greens

  • The Ven. Dr Wayne Brighton, Public Issues Commission, Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn

  • Asmi Wood, Senior Lecturer, ANU College of Law

  • Chris Steel, Member for Murrumbidgee, ACT Legislative Assembly

  • Siobhan Heanue, Reporter, Presenter, ABC Television, Radio and Online

  • Martin Fisk, CEO, Menslink Canberra

  • David Matthews, Interim Coordinator-General for Family Safety, Justice and Community Safety Directorate, ACT Government

  • Mary Pekin, CEO, Relationships Australia Inc.

  • Dr Tahmina Rashid, Associate Professor International Studies,

  • Faculty of Arts & Design, University of Canberra

  • Amne Alrifai, Community Worker, Blogger at Unveiled Thought, Human Rights Supporter

  • Dr Helen Watchirs, President and Human Rights Commissioner, ACT Human Rights Commission

  • Yvette Berry MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Youth Affairs, ACT Labor Party

  • Giulia Jones MLA, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, ACT Liberal Party

  • Veronica Wensing, Candidate for Yerrabi, ACT Greens

  • Kathryn Elliott, Director, Health Program and Performance Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  • Emily Wilson, International Policy Manager, Australian Red Cross, ACT

  • Professor William Maley, The Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy, Australian National University

  • Sam Zappia, Manager, Country Programs Team, Care Australia, ACT

  • Elliott Dunn, ABC 666 Radio – Master of Ceremonies

  • Kanti Jinna, Advisor, Canberra Multicultural Community Forum

  • Samreen Syed, Law Student, Australian National University

  • Andrea Ho, 666 ABC Radio & Online Manager, ACT, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

  • Jeevan Nadanakumar, Student, Australian National University, Member volunteer youth broadcaster, FM91.1 Community Radio

  • Rolf Bachmann, CYSFP Case Management Team Leader, Southside Community Services

  • Professor John Powers – ANU

  • Mary Pekin – CEO, Relationships Australia, ACT and Region

  • Dr John Martin – Psychologist

  • Her Excellency Rima Alaadeen, Ambassador, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

  • Reverend Nikolai Blaskow,

  • Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn

  • Diana Abdel-Rahman, President Australian Muslim Voice and

  • Chair, Canberra Multicultural Community Forum

  • Dean Sahu Khan,

  • Chair, Canberra Interfaith Forum

  • Message from Harry Oppermann, Jewish Representative, Canberra Interfaith Forum

  • Kanti Jinna – Hindu Representative

  • Amne Alrifai – Muslim Youth Representative

  • John Grimes, CEO, Australian Solar Council

  • Dr Igor Skryabin, Centre for Sustainable Energy, Australian National University

  • Julian Fitzgerald, Journalist, Claireville Press, ACT

  • Andrea Ho, Master of Ceremony, ABC 666 Canberra

  • Professor John Wanna, Australian Politics and Public Policy, Sir John Bunting Chair of Public Administration, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, Australian National University

  • Professor Jenny Stewart, Professor of Public Policy, Australian Defence Force Academy

  • Ms Rachelle Towart , CEO, Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, Canberra

  • Ms Laura Taylor, Gender Advisor, CARE Australia

  • Miss Emma Deegan , The young voice of a student at the Australian National University

  • Ms Lauren Renshaw, Researcher, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra

  • His Excellency Mr Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Ambassador for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

  • His Excellency Abdul Malik Abdullah, High Commissioner for Pakistan

  • Nicholas Stuart, columnist with The Canberra Times

  • Professor William Maley, Foundation Director, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy

  • Andrew Leigh, Federal Member for Fraser, ALP

  • Gary Humphries, Liberal Senator for the ACT

  • Shane Rattenbury, Member ACT Legislative Assembly, Greens

  • John Passant, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Canberra

  • Jack Waterford, Editor-at-Large, Canberra Times

  • George Tomlins, Dept of Land and Property Services, ACT

  • Amanda Bresnan, MLA, ACT Greens

  • Peter Sandeman, CEO, Anglicare

  • John Miller, Executive Director, Master Builders Association, ACT

  • Shayleen Barlow, HR Manager, Goodwin Aged Care

  • Senator Gary Humphries (Liberal)

  • Ms Kerry Tucker (Greens)

  • Dr Deb Foskey (Greens)

  • Mr Bob McMullan (Labor)

  • Prof Ian Chubb (Vice Chancellor, Australian National University (ANU))

  • Prof Stephen Parker (Vice Chancellor, University of Canberra)

  • Prof John Warhurst (ANU), President, ACT Republican Movement

  • Prof Aiden Byrne (ANU),

  • Ms Karen Middleton (SBS TV)

  • Ms Virginia Haussegger (Writer, Journalist, ABC TV)

  • Cardinal George Pell (Catholic Archbishop, Sydney)

  • Ms Mary Porter (MLA ACT Legislative Assembly)

  • Bishop Francis (Former Archbishop of ACT and Golburn)

  • Dr Colin Adrian (CEO Canberra Institute of Technology)

  • Dr Mandy Scott (University of Canberra)

  • Prof Swee Hin Toh ( Griffith University)

  • Mr Simon Grose (Canberra Times)

  • Prof William Maley (ANU)

  • Dr Christopher Snedden (Deakin University)

  • Rabbi John Levi (Melbourne University)

  • Dr Hussein Mughaddam (ANU)

  • Hon Jalil Jilani (Ex High Commissioner for Pakistan in Australia)

  • Mr Bruce Sinclair (Humanist, Canberra)

  • Mr Zed Seselja (ACT Liberal Party – MLA, Leader of the Opposition)

  • Ms Meredith Hunter (MLA,ACT Greens)

  • Mr Jack Waterford (Canberra Times)

  • Mr Neil Savery (ACT Housing)

  • Prof Terry Hull (ANU)

  • Mr Alan Fitzgerald (President, Australian Constitutional Monarchy, ACT)

  • Dr Julia Newton (CEO Care Australia)

  • Mr Ahmed Yusuf (Former President, Canberra Islamic Centre)

  • Ms Kerry Tucker (ACT Greens)

  • Dr Muhammad Yamin (Canberra University)