Helen Irving maintains that the majority of the provisions of the Australian Constitution were designed to have lasting effects, and most have worked relatively well, evolving and adapting to new needs. In the period in which it was written, Australians would have readily recognised in it the dominant issues, interests and values of their time. While much still reflects the Australia of today, much may be mysterious, even alien to us now. This Barton Lecture will be broadcast by ABC Radio National after the 5pm news on Sunday 15th April 2001. The Barton Lectures are part of Symposium 2001 a year-long discussion program being held in Sydney and regional NSW to celebrate the centenary of the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia.
All lectures are free, but bookings are essential.
Some venues may already be sold out. The lectures each take place in the week prior to the ABC broadcast. Sunday Special is broadcast Sundays at 5pm on Radio National, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's national radio network of ideas.