Andrew Forrest will use ABC Boyer Lectures to promote China links
Andrew Forrest will be the latest billionaire to deliver ABC’s Boyer Lectures, a major departure from recent speakers.
Andrew Forrest will be the latest billionaire to deliver the ABC’s prestigious Boyer Lectures, a major departure from recent speakers at the broadcaster’s major public policy event.
Mr Forrest, a major philanthropist and chairman of Fortescue Metals, will deliver his four-part speech on Rebooting Australia: how ethical entrepreneurs can help shape a better future.
One of Mr Forrest’s speeches will be about China, The Australian has confirmed.
He is expected to argue that Australia can lead the world in building bridges with Beijing in a lecture entitled: Australia driving co-operation between China and the United States.
Mr Forrest’s selection is one of the most interesting captain’s picks of Ita Buttrose’s 18-month reign at the ABC, with the decision on who will deliver the lectures usually at the discretion of the broadcaster’s chairperson.
In recent years, the Boyer Lectures have been delivered by filmmaker Rachel Perkins, scientist John Rasko and anthropologist Genevieve Bell.
They have also been given by then governor-general Quentin Bryce (2013) and former Melbourne University vice-chancellor Glyn Davis (2010).
The last notable business figures to have delivered the Boyer Lectures were News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch in 2008 and Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes in 1994.
News Corp Australia is the publisher of The Australian.
The Australian confirmed Mr Forrest’s selection with the ABC on Wednesday night, with Ms Buttrose saying Mr Forrest’s “bold views” would contribute to the role the “Boyer Lectures play in driving national discussion and debate”.
Mr Forrest’s four-part lecture series starts on November 28.
His wealth has skyrocketed by more than $20bn this year, as record iron ore production pushed Fortescue’s share price to a new high.
His Minderoo Foundation has donated millions of dollars to several university research labs for COVID-19-related research, as well as handing out money for bushfire affected communities in NSW to build new housing.
But Mr Forrest has also courted controversy with his closeness to China, from where he secured 10 million COVID-19 testing kits for Australia in a $320m deal
Thanking Mr Forrest for securing that supply, Scott Morrison suggested in May that he steer clear of commentary on foreign affairs. “We’ve worked with Andrew to that end, and we thank him for that,” the Prime Minister said. “But when it comes to foreign affairs advice, I’ll take my foreign affairs advice from foreign affairs officials.”
Mr Forrest’s China speech will be part of a broader look at “global governance structures to tackle world challenges”. His other speeches will involve “driving our economy to a net zero-carbon future”, saving “our marine environment”, and “closing the gap between rich and poor”.
Mr Forrest said that he wanted to use the lectures to “inject a healthy dose of optimism to Australians that our best times are still ahead of us”.
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