In Episode 132 of the No Limitations podcast Australian First, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to the Director, Indigenous Forum at the Centre for Independent Studies, Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO.

In an inspiring discussion, Warren describes his start in life as one of eleven children in a poor household in regional New South Wales. His family then relocated to Sydney where he attended the local Catholic school. Despite leaving school early to work as a trolley boy and as a barman, Warren later completed his Higher School Certificate through night school. He then moved to Adelaide to study at the South Australian Institute of Technology, now called the University of South Australia

. A common thread throughout the conversation is Warren’s belief in the importance of education and its unrivalled ability to uplift the disadvantaged, whether Aboriginal or otherwise. Warren asserts that Australia is the greatest nation on earth, free from discrimination and institutionalised racism, and he expresses pride in his dual Aboriginal and Irish lineage.

Warren offers an appraisal of the Voice and the path forward for the nation. He also covers a range of engaging topics including four year federal parliamentary terms, nuclear power, and the defence of Israel. Lastly, Warren explains his disillusionment with the Labor Party and his decision to join the Liberal Party, referring to Robert Menzies’ founding vision of freedom, equality before the law, and prosperity.

Warren started his political career as an independent candidate for the city of Dubbo where he was the first Aboriginal person to serve on the council. He ran as a candidate for the Labor Party in the 1999 New South Wales election and as a candidate for the Senate in the 2001 Federal election. In 2006, Warren became President of the Labor Party and was the first Aboriginal Australian to serve as president of an Australian political party.

Later, Warren joined the Liberal Party and served as the Chairman of Tony Abbott’s and Malcolm Turnbull’s Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. Warren is Chair of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and the Conservative Political Action Conference. Warren is also on the Boards of several business groups including Aura Energy Ltd, Fuse Minerals Ltd, and JobTrail. Warren frequently appears in the media and has published two books.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 16 April 2024.

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In Episode 131 of the No Limitations podcast Meeting in a Telephone Box, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to the 45th Premier of Tasmania, The Hon Will Hodgman. Will was the member for Franklin between 2002 and 2020 and is currently the Principal of Hodgman Partners.

In a compelling discussion, Will describes his start in life in a family with an illustrious history in Tasmanian politics. Whilst emphasising the major achievements of his government, including budget repair, an improved tourism industry, better education outcomes, and a stronger economy, he also does not shy away from many of the chronic problems facing Tasmania today. Will depicts himself as a proud and passionate Tasmanian and explains his reasons for resigning as Premier after only six years in office. In addition, Will addresses a number of important topics, including the need for indigenous recognition in the Preamble to the Constitution, his thoughts on four year federal parliamentary terms, and his preference for Australia to become a republic.

Will sheds light on his meaningful and rewarding work outside of Parliament as High Commissioner to Singapore and reflects on the “enormous” opportunity for Australia in South East Asia and its common ground with Singapore as an advanced and first-world democracy. Lastly, Will asserts that Tasmania and Australia should seek a more ambitious reform agenda.

Will started his career at Hobart law firm Wallace Wilkinson & Webster, practising in criminal and personal injury law. Will was then a solicitor for the Wiltshire County Council in the United Kingdom where he appeared in the County Court and the High Court. Will returned to Hobart and continued to practise as a solicitor and as a barrister before he entered Tasmanian Parliament in 2002 in the electorate of Franklin alongside his father who was the member for the neighbouring Denison electorate. Will was re-elected in 2006 and was unanimously voted as leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party. After a hung parliament in 2010 in which the incumbent Labor Government was returned to power, in 2014, and under Will’s leadership, the Liberal Party formed government. Will served as Premier for six years (including another election victory in 2018) before leaving politics. Thereafter, Will was the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore. He now operates Hodgman Partners, his own consultancy, and acts as an adviser to a range of businesses across the asset management, sustainable energy storage, and technology and artificial intelligence industries.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 21 March 2024.

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In Episode 130 of the No Limitations podcast A Witch That Lived Under My Bed, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks with Dr Adi Paterson, Principal and Founder of Siyeva Consulting. Adi was formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Australia’s nuclear centre of excellence.

In a confronting discussion, Adi recounts his early years in South Africa, amidst the turbulent backdrop of the apartheid era, to becoming a leading figure in nuclear research and innovation. He explores the untapped potential of nuclear technology, while fearlessly addressing misconceptions and advocating for a re-evaluation of Australia's political stance on nuclear power. With a rich blend of scientific expertise and personal anecdotes, he calls for Australians to “wake up” to the grave reality of our energy future and its consequences for our future generations and forgotten Australians. He delves into the complex lifecycle considerations of various energy sources, offering a critical perspective on the true costs of renewable alternatives. Adi challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of nuclear energy, beckoning a dialogue that transcends fear and embraces the transformative potential it holds for a sustainable energy future.

Prior to becoming the Chief Executive Officer of ANSTO, Adi served as the General Manager of Business Development and Operations at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Company in South Africa. Adi was Group Executive of the Department of Science and Technology within the South African Government and Executive Vice-President at the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Adi has contributed to numerous advisory Boards and committees and is currently a Board Member of HB11 Energy and AdvanCell Isotopes.

Please note: this episode was recorded on 5 February 2024.

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