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We catch up with Benjamin Law on talking about key issues in our multicultural society

Tue 12 Mar 2024

Much-loved Australian author, screenwriter and journalist, Benjamin Law, returns for a second year in 2024 as facilitator of QPAC and Multicultural Australia's Changing the Conversation series.

Benjamin took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us about his role and what audiences can expect from this year's compelling lineup of conversations.

Here's what he shared with us:

Why is it important to have conversations about key issues in our multicultural society?

Australia's a very relaxed nation when it comes to multiculturalism. But being relaxed about multiculturalism can veer into complacency and denial when it comes to racism. So we need to have an active and ongoing conversations, and to listen to each other.

What makes the Changing the Conversation series unique?

Changing the Conversation invites the general public in. You can be young, old, white, First Nations, migrant background, and you're all welcome in this space. We need more spaces where that cross dialogue exists in a place and a space that’s safe and non-judgmental.

Now facilitating the series for a second year, what are some interesting things you learned from last year’s conversations?

Whether we were talking about multiculturalism in the digital space or how we should have difficult conversations, I learned so much. And one big takeaway is that as much as we’d like to focus on the easy and fun stuff – food, “harmony” – the difficult and complex conversations are the ones that are most worthwhile.

What do you think are the special skills that make a great facilitator and how does your own life experience add to your skill set for the role?

Any good facilitator has to listen and make sure everyone's included. There have been plenty experiences in my life where I haven't been listened to and haven't been included, so I'm always on the lookout to ensure everyone gets adequate time.

Why are you keen to support the work of Multicultural Australia? Why is this organisation and its aims important?

Australia's a country where one in five Australians speak languages other than English, and roughly half of us have at least one parent born overseas. We're a multicultural country; it was a multicultural continent before colonialism. (Look at any First Nations map.) Multicultural Australia is at the forefront of the challenging and important conversations that we need to have in order to make sure that this idea of Australia even works.

What do you think of the themes of the four conversations this year at QPAC? - Changing the Game: Sport, Women and Culture, Culture in Conflict: Talking about World News When it Hits Home, Who Are We?: Identity in a Multicultural Australia and Words That Bind: Creating Unity Through Our Many Languages, and why are they each important topics to discuss?

All the topics are timeless, while being incredibly timely. The upcoming conversation about Sport, Women and Culture had already been scheduled before the big complex conversations about Sam Kerr's alleged interaction with a British police officer even came up.

Do you have a burning question you will be asking at one or each of the conversations?

One of the things I'd really love to know more about, especially the Culture in Conflict session, is how to better navigate the incredibly painful conversations we need to have about the atrocities, human rights violations and mass killings happening in Gaza right now. Entire communities, workplaces and friendship groups are being torn apart over this. How do we ensure we’re being brave about these necessary conversations, without causing added harm? Is that even possible?

You grew up on the Sunshine Coast. How do you enjoy coming back to the Sunshine State to facilitate the Changing the Conversation series at QPAC and what do you miss the most about Queensland?

Well, Queensland – specifically Brisbane – is where most of my family is. Of course I love facilitating these conversations, but I also love the opportunity to hang with my fam, especially my Mum, Dad, siblings and lil’ nephew.

What do you hope that audiences will take away from attending a Changing the Conversations event?

I hope they leave starting their own new conversations. Our events might have ended, but that doesn't mean that the conversation's over. They’re supposed to be jumping-off points for people to start their own.

Who or what inspires you each day?

My nephew isn’t even four-years-old and he’s already riding a bike without training wheels! That inspires me.

What is the best thing about being Benjamin Law now?

The best thing about being Benjamin Law is getting to host these conversations, obviously.

Changing the Conversation is part of QPAC's partnership with Multicultural Australia. Find out more about the partnership here