Amplify, backed by Seek founder Paul Bassat, aims to bridge divide by fostering nonpartisan debate

Victorians are more likely than anyone else to say Australia’s political and cultural divisions are becoming greater. That has alarmed one of the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs — here is what he’s done about it.

Australia, we need to talk.

That sentiment has inspired a new movement called Amplify, being launched on Tuesday, which aims to foster nonpartisan debate for the broader community.

The organisation, chaired by Seek founder Paul Bassat and with former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan on the board, was created to give more Aussies a say in matters that affect them.

“Our society has become more divided, and we know that things will get worse if we don’t act now — that’s why Amplify was born,” Mr Bassat said.

Amplify CEO Georgina Harrisson with chair Paul Bassat.

Research by Amplify showed that of all states, Victorians were most likely to believe we were becoming more divided as a society.

Mr Bassat, chief of Square Peg investment firm, said Amplify would host events, online conversations, and talk with experts to come up with community-led solutions.

“All of us are incredibly excited, incredibly passionate,’’ Mr Bassat told the Herald Sun.

“Part of that’s because we understand the importance of the mission of the organisation and really, really hope to have a positive impact on the country.’’

Former AFL boss Gill McLachlan is on the Amplify board. Picture: Ben Clark

Amplify’s research also found that 83 per cent of Victorians wanted to be more involved in policy decisions.

And three-quarters of people in Victoria said there was a lack of ambition and long-term thinking in politics today. And 84 per cent believed that politicians prioritised votes over policies.

“There’s a real appetite for having important conversations about the most important issues,’’ Mr Bassat said.

“We have huge confidence in the willingness of the Australian community to engage in what we’re doing and really try to find uncommon ground, collectively.’’

Mr Bassat said the organisation would be “fiercely nonpartisan” and would be community first – both elements which made the movement unique.

The website, amplifyaus.org, will be officially launched on Tuesday.

One of first steps will be to host a series of in-person and online events across Australia in November titled “Better Australia” – inviting people to explore the big issues that matter to them.

Board member and former NSW Premier Dom Perrottet. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr McLachlan, who is now the chief at Tabcorp after a decade at AFL House, is on the eight-member Amplify board which also includes former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, former Queensland minister and current NRL Commissioner Kate Jones and Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider.

Amplify chief Georgina Harrisson said the vast majority of Australians sat in the centre of the political spectrum.

“And that’s who we are here to talk to and so we’re not a place for the extreme views,” she said.

“It’s a curated online platform where we will be posing questions on specific topics at specific times, inviting commentary and debate. And we want that to be a rich and informed debate, importantly.

“We will, of course, moderate for those that are in the extreme sides, because what we want to do is give those the silent middle a voice in these conversations where they’re really not feeling heard at the moment.’’

The Amplify research revealed that more Victorians identified as being part of the middle than any other state or territory.

Amplify is a registered not-for-profit organisation and is funded by philanthropic sources.