Our Bicentenary Seminar Series kicked off with a spectacular start with our first seminar held on 18 April, Then & Now: People, Power and Representation. It was a fascinating evening of laughs, stories and insightful reflections on 200 years of the Legislative Council, hearing from current and former members of the Council.

From the reforms that transformed parliamentary democracy and delivered social change to the trails blazed by people inside and outside the chamber, it was a unique opportunity to hear the complex, colourful and powerful stories behind Australia’s very first Parliament and the diverse communities it represents. ​

Panellists

• The Hon Ben Franklin, President of the Legislative Council (moderator)
• Dr Meredith Burgmann, former President of the Legislative Council 
• Dr Peter Phelps, former Member of the Legislative Council
• The Hon Courtney Houssos MLC, Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement and Minister for Natural Resources
• The Hon Robert Borsak MLC
• Ms Abigail Boyd MLC 
• The Hon Chris Rath MLC