Politics Laid Bare at NSW Parliament

Department of Parliamentary Services

9 June 2021

As part of its 2021 events program, the NSW Parliament will host a panel discussion in the famous “Bear Pit” on the challenges and complexities of changing your mind.

Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Jonathan O’Dea MP said that while the chamber was better known for its adversarial debating style, this event would take on a different tone.

“It is a unique opportunity for the community to hear from current and former parliamentarians as well as leaders of organisations on a topic that impacts us all,” Mr O’Dea said.

President of the Legislative Council Matthew Mason-Cox MLC said the discussion will entertain as well as promote a greater understanding of our democracy and the way our parliamentary system works. 

“That’s why we’ve called this annual event the ‘Bare Pit’. It promises to be a lively exchange of ideas on a topic to which most of us can relate.”

The Bare Pit 2021: The Power of Changing Your Mind is a partnership between The Ethics Centre and the Parliament of NSW. 

The Ethics Centre Executive Director, Dr Simon Longstaff AO, said there are important ethical considerations surrounding changing your mind.

“Leaders and politicians are given very little leeway to alter their position in response to new information, further reflection or the advocacy of constituents,” Dr Longstaff said.

“Too often it is seized upon and derided as backsliding. We want to explore the resilience and reconciling of thought that goes on behind the scenes.”
The FREE lunchtime panel event on Tuesday 15 June will feature the following panellists:

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