Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

Tickets for the November John Cain Lunch will be on sale soon. It is our last lunch for the year, so be sure to be on the look out for the event link. Or better yet, sign up to our newsletter to get updates directly to your inbox: percapita.org.au/subscribe/

Subscribe - Per Capita

To receive Per Capita’s monthly e-newsletter with information on our events and publications, please register below. Subscribe

percapita.org.au

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

Today's October John Cain Lunch was another success for the Per Capita team, as it's new Executive Director gave a fantastic speech on Political Skills and the Art of Influence.

We'd like to thank of our guests for providing us with such rousing discussion afterwards!

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 2d

Per Capita voices its support for the upcoming revised measures to the superannuation tax increase plan, as signed off by cabinet on Monday, 13 October.

Read our full media release here:
percapita.org.au/our_media/me...

MEDIA RELEASE: PER CAPITA WELCOMES THE CHANGES TO THE SUPERANNUATION TAX INCREASE PLAN - Per Capita

Per Capita voices its support for the upcoming revised measures to the superannuation tax increase plan, as signed off by cabinet on Monday, 13 October. The changes, which will take effect from July...

percapita.org.au

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 2d

Peter Lewis writes in his latest piece: ‘Don’t panic’ could be Albanese’s mantra but that doesn’t mean we aren’t concerned about life, the universe and everything. Read it here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

‘Don’t panic’ could be Albanese’s mantra but that doesn’t mean we aren’t concerned about life, the universe and everything | Peter Lewis

Despite a deep conviction planet Earth is heading in the wrong direction, voters are trusting Labor to navigate the wormholes

www.theguardian.com

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 2d

"But the broader point holds that hitherto progressive parties in power choosing to defend the status quo expose themselves to the totally rational conclusion of voters when the system stops working for them."

1 1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 2d

"There is a credible argument that Australia is less susceptible to immigration panics because we have lived them for the past two and a half decades; indeed our model of asylum seeker cruelty is something some other nations aspire to."

1 1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 3d

The ethics of artificial intelligence are increasingly being framed in ways that risk missing the real point.

Dr Michael D'Rosario explores this issue in his latest blog post.
percapita.org.au/the-wrong-ba...

https://percapita.org.au/the-wrong-balanc…e-failing-people/

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 3d

In person tickets to our October John Cain Lunch with Dr Wesa Chau, have exhausted, HOWEVER, our livestream tickets are still available over the next couple of days.

Join us online October 15, 2025 on YouTube at 1pm. Get your ticket at:

percapita.org.au/custom-event...

John Cain Lunch (October): Political Skills and the Art of Influence with Dr Wesa Chau - Per Capita

percapita.org.au

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 3d

Get you tickets via the links below:

Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane

Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney

Melbourne events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne

How Can Democracy Survive AI?

Register on Humanitix - How Can Democracy Survive AI?. QUT Gardens Point Campus, The Atrium, Level 6, Science and Engineering Centre, 2 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia. Tuesday 14th Octob...

events.humanitix.com

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 3d

The Burning Platform tour continues this week in Brisbane, with dates in Sydney, and Melbourne happening very soon!

Join Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O'Shea, HealthEngine CEO Dan Stinton, and special guests as they discuss "How Democracy Can Survive AI?" LIVE.

How Can Democracy Survive AI?

Register on Humanitix - How Can Democracy Survive AI?. QUT Gardens Point Campus, The Atrium, Level 6, Science and Engineering Centre, 2 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia. Tuesday 14th Octob...

events.humanitix.com

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 8d

Is the rise of AI inevitable or just the latest cycle of hype for a sector that thrives on the vibes? The author of “Resisting AI’, Professor Dan McQuillan, joins the show to argue for a more fundamental response to Big Tech.

Listen to Burning Platforms: percapita.org.au/our_podcasts...

Per Capita - Examining Inequality
Burning Platforms
De-coding the power and politics of big tech
Bursting Bubbles
Is the rise of AI inevitable or just the latest cycle of hype for a sector that thrives on the vibes? The author of “Resisting AI’, Professor Dan McQuillan, joins the show to argue for a more fundamental response to Big Tech.
With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O'Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita's Peter Lewis.

New Episode out now

2

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 8d

"We're seeing a growing divide of wealth income and inequality divide in this country that, if we don't address it soon, is going to become intractable."

Emma Dawson at the 2025 Community Tax Summit.

Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/TtbdpwGBVKw

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 8d

Last Chance to get your seat at the October John Cain Lunch

Join us at the October 2025 John Cain Lunch as Dr Chau explores how political skills are developed and applied, particularly in environments where power and representation are contested

Register here: events.humanitix.com/john-cain-lu...

John Cain Lunch (October): Political Skills and the Art of Influence with Dr Wesa Chau

October John Cain Lunch: Political Skills and the Art of Influence with Dr Wesa Chau

events.humanitix.com

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 9d

On the latest episode of Burning Platforms, Cam Wilson, the co-author of ‘Conspiracy Nation’ takes us to his journey into the world of anti-vaxxers, wellness influencers and sovereign citizens.

Check it out on the Per Capita YouTube channel:
youtu.be/cICth0Bniko

Burning Platforms - Cooked with Cam Wilson

YouTube video by Per Capita Australia

youtu.be

1 4

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 9d

"The truth is the world is getting scarier and crazier. Australia may be bucking the political trends for now but that doesn’t mean we aren’t concerned about life, the universe and everything."

Peter Lewis writes in the Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 10d

Read the Centre of the Public Square's recommendations to the Productivity Commission’s Five pillars of productivity inquiry – Harnessing data and digital technology here:

percapita.org.au/our_work/sub...

Submission to the Productivity Commission’s Five pillars of productivity inquiry – Harnessing data and digital technology - Per Capita

This submission is for the Productivity Commission's Harnessing data and digital inquiry

percapita.org.au

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 10d

Adelaide, 8 October: shorturl.at/ojQRX

Perth, 10 October: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth

Brisbane 14 October: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane

Sydney, 22 October: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney

Melbourne, 23 October: events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne

Can Democracy Survive AI?

shorturl.at

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 10d

In October the Burning Platforms team will beholding a series of live shows in capital cities and would love you to come along.

"Burning Platforms: Can Democracy Survive AI?" is coming to a city near you. Register for a show in your city via the links below:
youtube.com/shorts/dQupZ...

Burning Platforms On Tour

YouTube video by Per Capita Australia

youtube.com

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

"Our prime minister has navigated the world stage this past week as if being shepherded by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the fictional intergalactic wiki that predated the internet, bearing the reassuring aphorism: “Don’t panic.”"

Peter Lewis writes in his new op-ed for the Guardian.

‘Don’t panic’ could be Albanese’s mantra but that doesn’t mean we aren’t concerned about life, the universe and everything | Peter Lewis

Despite a deep conviction planet Earth is heading in the wrong direction, voters are trusting Labor to navigate the wormholes

www.theguardian.com

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

"We seem to lack the political supports or supports for the political system..."

Former Secretary of the Treasury, Ken Henry, spoke at the Community Tax Summit about the state of Australian Tax and Transfers system.

Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/XHjNIeGGvNg

youtube.com/shorts/yrXC4...

Ken Henry on Australia's Economy #australianpolitics

YouTube video by Per Capita Australia

youtube.com

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 16d

- A message from our Executive Director, Wesa Chau -

The team at Per Capita has been settling in to our new digs at Victoria Trades Hall!

Be sure to connect with Per Capita via our socials, our website (percapita.org.au) or shoot us an email ([email protected])

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 16d

Join the Policy Hive and connect with policy wonks and professionals!
percapita.org.au/policy-hive/

Policy Hive - Per Capita

Policy Hive is Per Capita’s early career policy network for policy professionals, students and anyone interested in learning more about how they can influence policy and politics to build an Australia...

percapita.org.au

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 16d

"The exploitation of creators in the first world then leads to the exploitation of vulnerable people in the third world."

- Peter Lewis speaking about AI at the September Policy Hive.

Check out his presentation here: youtube.com/live/gSmr8V-...

1

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 17d

Come discuss the show with our panelists! Join us in the Democracy Sandpit - civility.bettermode.io/welcome

civility.bettermode.io

Per Capita Australia @percapitaaustralia.bsky.social · 17d

In October we will beholding a series of live shows in capital cities!

Adelaide: shorturl.at/ojQRX

Perth: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth

Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane

Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney

Melbourne events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne

Can Democracy Survive AI?

shorturl.at

1