Institute for Culture and Society | The Inaugural Social Sciences Week Great Debate: Does Sport Unite or Divide Us?

This debate was organised by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, with support from Synergy Group, as part of Social Sciences Week 2023.  It was held at the National Library of Australia, Canberra on 5 September 2023, during its Grit & Gold: Tales from a Sporting Nation Exhibition (9 June 2023–28 January 2024). The debaters were Emeritus Professor David Rowe, FASSA, FAHA, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University and the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, FASSA, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Assistant Minister for Employment.  Moderator Ginger Gorman, journalist and author, asked before the speeches for an indication of audience sentiment through a show of hands – a substantial majority felt that ‘Sport Unites Us’.  After a coin toss, David spoke first and argued for the ‘divide’ case and Andrew in favour of ‘unite’.  Ginger then asked questions of the speakers and managed contributions from the audience. Three judges responded in tu

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