2024 Royal Society of New South Wales and Learned Academies Forum: "Threats to Democracy" Closing Session: Panel Chairs and reports and open discussion

Michael Baird: I’ve started a new role at the Susan McKinnon Foundation.2 It’s an organisation that believes in the power of better government and the impact that can have on a stronger Australia. We’ve heard a lot about where government has failed today, but there is a belief that good government can make a difference. We have had good leaders and good government. One of the things we have done at McKinnon is to acknowledge political leaders who have done great things. Next week we’re acknowledging Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns, who ran a state campaign that didn’t go into personal attacks. It was quite respectful, and it stood out: you can have discourse in a respectful way on policies and not bring people into it. That’s being acknowledged. Bridget Archer is being acknowledged for standing up against corruption by having an independent national commission against corruption. We have to 1 celebrate democracy and good leadership. I can tell you, as a political leader — and I stand here as one of those in the last 25 years who didn’t get a great rap — there are good examples of political leaders, and we need to hold to account those who aren’t, and celebrate those who are. Political leadership, our institutions, and democracy have never been more important than right now. That’s why we’re here today.