PANELLISTS

THE HON BLAIR BOYER MP
MEMBER FOR WRIGHT, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SKILLS 

Since 2018, Blair has been a South Australian Member of Parliament for the electorate of Wright in Adelaide’s North Eastern suburbs. In March 2022, he was appointed Minister for Education, Training and Skills in the Malinauskas State Government.

Blair is particularly passionate about education and believes that a strong, affordable and accessible public education system is the key to equality. He believes that meaningful, dignified, work is the bedrock of our society and should be available to all South Australians, regardless of their means or background. Blair fights hard to improve education in South Australia in the interests of students, parents and teachers.

Blair’s upbringing in a rural environment has instilled in him a love of the country and an appreciation of the rewards that come from hard work and persistence. He is aware of the privilege that life has granted him and is determined to do his utmost to extend to all South Australians the opportunity to make the most of their talents and aspirations.

Blair lives in the North Eastern suburbs, and is involved in many community groups, including as a volunteer with the Salisbury SES Unit and Modbury Meals on Wheels.

Twitter: @BBoyerMP
Website: Blair Boyer MP

VAN BADHAM
WRITER AND THEATREMAKER

Van Badham is an internationally award-winning writer and theatremaker. As a journalist, she’s written for The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Telegraph (UK) and The Age, and she maintains a regular column for The Guardian.

Widely published as an essayist and poet, she has appeared in anthologies for Hardie Grant, Black Inc, MUP and QUP, and wrote the novel, Burnt Snow, for Pan Macmillan. Her plays include Banging Denmark for STC, The Bloody Chamber for Malthouse and The Bull, the Moon and the Coronet of Stars for Griffin Theatre. Her newest nonfiction book is 2021’s history of internet conspiracy cults, Qanon And On, for Hardie Grant. Van appears regularly on television and radio as a commentator, critic and activist.

Twitter: @vanbadham
The Guardian: Articles 

CARLA WILSHIRE OAM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE SOCIAL POLICY GROUP (SPG) &
DIRECTOR, THE CENTRE FOR DIGITAL WELLBEING

Carla  is the founding CEO of The Social Policy Group (SPG), a national body with specialist expertise in social policy and program design with a focus on population diversity, social and community cohesion, gender equality, community participation and inclusion, systems’ responsiveness, and community outreach and engagement. Carla has a background in public policy development and impact strategy, corporate governance, and tertiary research. 

Before establishing SPG, Carla worked in senior roles in the public service and as an advisor to the Government, principally in migration and settlement, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. She also held academic and consulting positions in Australia and abroad.

Carla is the Deputy Chair of Football Australia and a Board Director of The Australian Centre for Social Innovation. She is the co-founder and Deputy Chair of the Migrant and Refugee Health Partnership and the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity, a member of the Council of Harmony Alliance, the national migrant and refugee women's alliance, and a director of the Centre for Digital Wellbeing.

Twitter: @Carla_Wilshire
Twitter: The Social Policy Group, @SocialPolicyAUS
Website: Centre for Digital Wellbeing
Website: The Social Policy Group 

 PRESENTED BY
THE BOB HAWKE PRIME MINISTERIAL CENTRE, CENTRE FOR DIGITAL WELLBEING AND
THE SOCIAL POLICY GROUP