Australia’s Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics : A Discussion with Ian Kortlang

Important Update:

Due to unforeseen circumstances our guest speaker, Ian Kortlang, has had to travel to New South Wales this week. Fortunately, he is still available to participate virtually from Sydney.  Given this development, the uncertainty associated with the increasing Covid 19 case numbers in WA, and the new restrictions on public gatherings, we have decided to make the event an online webinar. We would like to apologise for this late change.

There will be a refund for those who have purchased tickets for the in-person event, and we welcome everyone to register for the webinar. Tickets will be free for members and $5 for non members.

The time will remain the same. Registrations will close on 24th of February at 4pm AWST. After 4pm, those who have registered will receive an email with a link to join the Zoom webinar. The webinar will open at 6:20pm AWST, and the presentation will begin at 6:30pm AWST (Perth time, UTC+8), 9:30pm AEDT (UTC+11).
 

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To start our 2022 program, the WA Branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, is pleased to host a discussion with Ian Kortlang who will reflect on his 50 year career in the making of Australian foreign and domestic policy.  From his first deployment to Vietnam in 1970 as an officer in the Australian Army to diplomatic postings in Asia, Africa and Europe, to senior domestic advisory roles in State and Federal politics and a long  - and still ongoing - successful career as a political strategist for domestic and international clients, Kort has had a unique vantage point from which to observe how Australian domestic politics has intersected with its foreign policy evolution.  During the discussion, in the form of Q and A with AIIA WA President, Brendan Augustin, he will share his firsthand political insider insights of this interplay, including letting us have a glimpse into how domestic policy battles can influence Australia’s international relations – and its reputation

Please note the venue has yet to be confirmed and tickets are not on sale yet, but save the date!

About the speaker

Ian Kortlang, better known as Kort, has provided business leadership, issues management, and corporate communications counsel to many of the most high profile CEOs and Boards in Australia over three decades.  With a proven track record spanning new business creation, corporate strategy, national and international affairs, Kort has also held CEO roles at some of the largest communications firms in Australia including Burson-Marsteller, iSentia and Gavin Anderson.

Kort came to the private sector after a successful career as a political campaign strategist, public sector departmental head, diplomat and army officer.  He was Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition in both the State (NSW) and Federal spheres and served in the Australian diplomatic corps from 1973-80 in Asia, Africa and the OECD in Paris.  An Australian Army officer, he was mentioned in dispatches for service in Vietnam in 1970-71 and later spent two years on secondment with the Joint Intelligence Organisation in Canberra.  Kort is an accomplished presenter and public speaker and a respected media and political commentator.