Power Play.

Julia Banks in conversation with Corrie Perkin

Wed 8 Sept 2021

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (AEST)

Zoom Event. 

Tickets $10. Bookings essential. Reserve your place here. 

Julia Banks and Corrie Perkin will be in conversation on Julia's new book Power Play. Breaking Through Bias, Barriers and Boys' Clubs, an honest guide for women who aspire to leadership in the workplace and in the world.

Having won the 'unwinnable' seat that secured the Coalition Government majority in 2016, Julia Banks shocked Australia when she announced she would stand as an independent MP in 2018, having experienced a toxic workplace culture in the country's centre of power - designed by men for their dominance. Julia doesn't just know what power looks like in a political sense; she made it to the top of her game in the legal and corporate sectors before running for parliament. And at every level, she had to navigate through the bias, barriers and boys' clubs that aim to silence women or deter them from leadership roles.

Power Play reveals the unvarnished realities of any workplace where power disparities and gender politics collide: from the unequal opportunities, casual sexism and systemic misogyny, to pressures around looks, age and family responsibilities, and the consequences of speaking out. Julia shares personal stories, practical advice, and a resounding argument for why women aren't the problem - but why more women in decision-making positions will help us find the solution.

Julia Banks has unique leadership experience spanning a career in law, the corporate business world and as a Member of the Federal Parliament of Australia. Julia graduated in Arts and Law from Monash University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She worked in global companies for over twenty years, in senior executive director roles and as General Counsel. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 as the only candidate to win a seat from the Opposition, resulting in the Coalition returning to government with a one-seat majority. Amidst controversy in 2018, she resigned from the Coalition Government's Liberal Party and stood as an independent MP. Julia is now the principal consultant in her own business and a public speaker in the areas of governance, workplace culture, and women in leadership.

Corrie Perkin opened My Bookshop in Hawksburn in 2009. Prior to moving into the book business, Corrie was an award-winning journalist for 30 years whose writing and editing roles including Managing Editor of The Age, Melbourne editor of Good Weekend magazine, arts and books editor of The Sunday Age, and national arts writer at The Australian. From 2003-2005 Corrie was Head of Communications and Audience Engagement at the National Gallery of Victoria. She has served on various arts and community boards, and runs a strong community-inspired Events Program through her bookshop. Corrie is a regular on ABC Radio and is co-host with journalist Carline Wilson of the weekly podcast Don’t Shoot The Messenger.