Wed 19

5:30 pm doors open for a 6 pm start

In an era of shifting power dynamics and global uncertainty, The Women’s Club presents a timely Salon Series event exploring Australia’s strategic posture.

The Hon Bronwyn Bishop AO will deliver a keynote address, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion with leading voices in defence, security, and diplomacy. Together, they will unpack Australia’s maritime vulnerabilities and strengths, the future of our armed forces, alliance settings, and the shifting Indo-Pacific landscape. At the heart of the conversation lies a pressing question: is diplomacy still our greatest asset, or has it lost its power?

Join us for a compelling evening of insight, debate, and foresight into the choices that will shape Australia’s future.

Biography

Bronwyn Bishop served as the 29^th speaker of the Australian House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. She was the first woman to be president of any political Party in New South Wales when elected President of the Liberal Party in NSW (1985); first woman from NSW to be elected to the Senate (1987); first woman from Liberal Party to be elected to the House of Representatives from NSW (1994); first woman from Liberal Party in NSW to become a Federal Minister (1996); first woman in Australia to service in the Senate, the House of Representatives and as a Minister.  At the time of her resignation from politics in 2016, Ms Bishop had been a member of federal parliament for almost 30 years – the longest period of service by a woman.  When the Liberals returned to government in 1996, Ms Bishop was Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel and held the post for two years.