The Keynote Boyer Lecturer for 2025 is Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and visiting Professor at the University of NSW.

After many years teaching in the USA, he argues that Australia’s political institutions are unique; in fact, they are the very key to its prosperity and asks if we require a form of conservative radicalism to preserve them.

“Australia’s institutions are world-leading – which might seem like an unlikely argument if you follow the news. Every day we’re bombarded by bulletins of broken institutions: Power-hungry politicians; dysfunction and deadlocked debate, and the maddening messiness of democracy. But travel the world and you’ll get a different perspective. Australia’s rules aren’t perfect, but just about every other country is imperfect-er.”

Credits:

Presented by Justin Wolfers., Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Series curated and introduced by Julia Baird
Executive Producer, Julia Baird
Producer, Gail Boserio
Sound Engineer, Simon Branthwaite

October 21, 2025: Pettersen on federal cuts to mental, behavior health care; Honoring Demaryius Thomas