The Peter Tobin Oration with Cathy McGowan AO

One of Australia’s leading voices on community-led democracy, author and former Independent Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan AO, presents the 2026 Peter Tobin Oration on the 172nd Anniversary of the Eureka Stockade.

The story of Australian democracy is one of continual negotiation and change. From the demands for representation on Ballarat’s goldfields at Eureka, through the social reform and anti-discrimination movements of the 20th century, and community mobilisation in opposition to establishment politics of recent decades, Australians have continually reshaped how political power is exercised and whose voice is heard. Cathy came to national prominence when she was elected as the independent Member for Indi in 2013 and again in 2016. As a forerunner of a wave of community-backed independents that have since challenged the dominance of establishment party politics, Cathy brings a unique perspective on the forces likely to shape the next chapter of Australian democracy.

In her talk, Cathy will reflect on grassroots political mobilisation, community organising and participatory representation in Australia politics. She will share her thoughts on the state of Australian parliamentary system at a time of ideological polarisation, fractured civic engagement and waning public support for our democratic institutions and traditions. She will explore the changing patterns of civic engagement transforming how citizens connect, campaign and participate in public life.

Following her talk, Cathy will be joined by writer, activist and Guardian columnist Van Badham for a conversation about the challenges ahead for democracy in Australia.

Cathy McGowan AO came to national attention when she won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2013. The community backed her again in 2016. During her time as a politician Cathy actively worked in Parliament to develop policy around regional development, constitutional change for First Nations peoples, and a solution to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers. In 2019 she was awarded The Accountability Round Table Award for political integrity. Her book ‘Cathy Goes to Canberra: Doing Politics Differently’ (2020) tells the story of her election and reflections of her time as an MP. She is an Officer in the Order of Australia, a Churchill fellow and lives very happily on her farm in the Indigo Valley in North East Victoria.

Van Badham is a theatre-maker, writer, trade union feminist and columnist for The Guardian Australia. She is the author of ‘QAnon And On: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults’ (2021) and the writer of the plays, ‘Banging Denmark’ (2019) and ‘A Fool in Love’ (2024) for the Sydney Theatre Company.

The annual Peter Tobin Oration marks the anniversary of the Eureka Stockade and honours the significant contribution of the late Peter Tobin OAM to the commemoration of the Eureka Stockade.