Critically injured in a traffic accident while still a medical student more than a decade ago, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM has broken more barriers than most people even face in a lifetime. Join host Kerry O’Brien as he and Dinesh delved into the good doctor’s extraordinary life and work, in what was an evening of insightful, emotional, and candid conversation. Held: 14 September 2021. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/dinesh-palipana/ CHAPTERS Vice Chancellor's introduction: 00:10 - 03:27 In conversation with Kerry O'Brien: 3:27 onwards

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce AC joined Kerry O’Brien, undeniably Australia’s premier interviewer, for the inaugural A Better Future for All event at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on Thursday 30 July 2020 to discuss the challenges facing the aviation and tourism industries in the face of COVID-19. https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/event-livestream/ Held 30 July, 2020.

Renowned workers’ rights advocate and ACTU Secretary Sally McManus joined interviewer extraordinaire Kerry O’Brien to explore an array of important issues in employment, from the rise of the gig economy to the future of unions and the evolving face of work in Australia and around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other social and technological forces. https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/sally-mcmanus-livestream/ Held 25 August, 2020.

In this conversation, renowned journalist Kerry O’Brien and celebrated Indigenous author Bruce Pascoe explored the way Bruce’s critically acclaimed book Dark Emu: Aboriginal Australia and the birth of Agriculture challenges conventional thinking about the First Australians as hunter gatherers. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/bruce-pascoe-livestream/ Held 8 October 2020.

Kerry O’Brien and former United States Ambassador to Australia Jeff Bleich discussed the 2020 US election. The November 2020 presidential contest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was not only important for the United States, but for the world. The future of this region will be shaped by the outcome. Less than a week before the 2020 election, Jeff Bleich provided an invaluable guide to what is at stake. It is a conversation not to miss. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/jeff-bleich-livestream/ Held 29 October, 2020.

Kerry O'Brien in conversation with Professor Nigel McMillan, Dr Rebecca Huntley and Mik Auckland. In the final instalment for 2020, host Kerry O’Brien lead a panel discussion on the human side of the pandemic and how this collective experience might change society. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/imagining-the-future-live-event/ Held 24 November, 2020.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has a unique opportunity to lead Queensland through the state’s first four-year fixed term with an increased majority after the recent election. At this critical time the big decisions her government makes will shape Queensland’s future for many years to come. This conversation with veteran journalist Kerry O’Brien discussed the big policy challenges facing Queensland as the pandemic hopefully recedes–economic, social, environmental–and how Premier Palaszczuk intends to confront them. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/annastacia-palaszczuk/ This event was held 11 February 2021.

Grace Tame is a remarkable young leader and the 2021 Australian of the Year. Her courage and example are empowering survivors of sexual assault to reclaim their agency by telling their stories. In this conversation with Kerry O'Brien, Grace explores why we need to hear the stories of survivors. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/grace-tame/

Professor John Rasko is a globally pre-eminent physician-scientist whose work on regenerative medicine and biotechnology is fundamentally changing our understanding of diseases and their cures. In this interview with Kerry O’Brien, John spoke about science, stem-cell research and the future of medicine. Full summary https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/john-rasko/

In this episode Kerry O’Brien interviews Rhoda Roberts AO and Wesley Enoch AM about the power of cultural expression in shaping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander understanding and knowledge, and the role of arts outlets in amplifying Indigenous voices. Full summary: https://betterfuture.griffith.edu.au/rhoda-wesley/ CHAPTERS Vice Chancellor’s introduction: 00:10 - 03:42 In conversation with Kerry O’Brien: 3:42 onwards