Google AI
The Times Australia

Times Media Advertising

Business Council of Australia, Sky News and News Corp Australia launch national platform to accelerate change

  • Written by: Dee Zegarac


Adelaide to host the first Strong Australia event on Thursday 15 March

 

The Business Council of Australia, Sky News and News Corp Australia today announced the launch of Strong Australia, a new national platform for discussing the pressing issues facing Australians and the potential solutions.

 

Strong Australia will invite Australians living and working outside the city centres of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, to discuss what they believe are the roadblocks to jobs growth, innovation and social cohesion in their communities.

 

Strong Australia will visit ten locations around the country, connecting Australia’s industry and policy leaders with local business owners, employers and community leaders at a series of lunch events, to discuss practical and actionable solutions.

 

Sky News will broadcast a one-hour LIVE panel discussion program Strong Australia from each location, hosted by award-winning Sky News Political Editor David Speers, giving a national voice to the issues affecting that community.

 

Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott said: “Australians aren’t interested in the bickering that dominates our political landscape. If ‘politics as usual’ can’t tackle the challenges we face, our joint Strong Australia campaign will help identify the practical, pragmatic solutions we need.

We want to hear from Australians across the nation. We’re committed to creating jobs, investment and opportunities and we’re determined to recognise the contribution business owners and their employees make in these communities.”

Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO Australian News Channel said: “We’re proud to provide a national broadcast platform that will highlight the issues affecting regional communities across Australia.”

 

The first Strong Australia business lunch event will be held on Thursday 15 March in Adelaide focusing on “The Future of Work and the South Australian Election.”

 

Melvin Mansell, SA Editorial Director, News Corp Australia said: "This is a crucial opportunity for debate that provides the chance for Australians to have a voice, in a forum where their voices will be heard." 

 

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott, together with the Australian CEO of BAE Systems, Gabby Costigan, Chief Executive of Adelaide's iconic Haigh's Chocolates, Alister Haigh and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mike Hirst will headline the panel discussion in Adelaide.

 

For ticketing and venue information visit www.strongaustralia.com.au

 

The first LIVE broadcast of the new discussion program Strong Australia will premiere Thursday 15 March at 8:00pm AEDT on Sky News Live, Foxtel Channel 601.

About SKY NEWS

The SKY NEWS channels are operated by Australian News Channel Pty Ltd and include SKY NEWS LIVE, SKY NEWS Business, SKY NEWS Weather, SKY NEWS Multiview, A-PAC Australia’s Public Affairs Channel, SKY NEWS New Zealand, FOX SPORTS News and Australia Channel for international audiences. Australian News Channel is owned by News Corp Australia, a subsidiary of News Corp.

About News Corp Australia

News Corp Australia is part of one of the world’s largest and leading global media and information services businesses - News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).

Each month, close to 16 million Australians choose to consume news and information across News Corp Australia’s suite of multi-platform (print, web, mobile and tablet) products – more than any media group in Australia.

News Corp Australia’s portfolio of national, metropolitan, regional, community and specialist multi-platform brands include The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail, The Advertiser (Adelaide), Mercury (Hobart), NT News, Townsville Bulletin, The Cairns Post, Gold Coast Bulletin, Geelong Advertiser, The Weekly Times, news.com.au, FOX SPORTS, SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA, Vogue Australia, GQ, donna hay, Kidspot and taste.com.au.  

News Corp Australia has significant investments in allied Australian media enterprises Foxtel, the REA Group and AAP; global digital companies Storyful and Unruly, property services

HiPages and Diakrit and digital racing publisher Punters.com.au

As the #1 destination for news, lifestyle, sport and business, News Corp Australia plays a key role in the lives of consumers and provides a valuable channel for partners to engage these consumers.

Property Times

Why Australians need to rethink new apartments after the budget changes

As the Federal Government pushes to accelerate housing supply and incentivise new residential development amid Australia’s housing shortage, industry leaders say New South Wales is better positioned than ever to meet demand following a major transf...

Property markets react to budget signals before laws are even passed

Australia’s property market has already begun reacting to the federal budget announcements despite many of the proposed measures not yet becoming law. Across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, sentiment has shifted. Buyers, investors...

Most Australians think the Budget Just Changed the Rules on Property. They Have No Idea How Far it Actually Goes.

A generation of Australians may be entering the biggest rethink of wealth creation since the rise of the property boom, with the Federal Budget shaking confidence in the investment strategies many households spent decades relying on. The CEO of Ph...

Property Paralysis: Buyers Hesitate As Australia’s Housing Market Sends Mixed Signals

Australia’s property market may still be active, but beneath the auctions, listings and glossy real estate campaigns, a growing sense of uncertainty is spreading through the market. Buyers are hesitating.Sellers are confused.Banks are cautious but...

Food & Dining

The Great Indoors: Commune Group Has Every Reason To Get Out This Winter

From Ramen Nights To $15 Pho And Midweek Set Menus, Commune's Southside Venues This Winter Tokyo Tina’s Club Ramen​The cooler weather is here, and so is ramen. Every Wednesday evening, Tokyo Tina is serving bowls of steaming, made-to-order ramen unt...

The evolution of bread in Australia: from basic staple to artisan luxury

For generations, bread was one of the simplest and most affordable foods in Australia. A loaf sat on nearly every kitchen bench. White sandwich bread filled school lunchboxes, accompanied family dinners and became part of the routine of suburban l...

McDonald’s Australia keeps innovating as Red Bull lands on the menu

For decades, McDonald’s Australia has been associated with burgers, fries, coffee and soft drinks. In 2026, however, the fast-food giant is signalling that the next battleground may not be food at all. It may be beverages. In one of the most signi...

Remember All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants? Australia Still Misses Them

For many Australians, few dining experiences created more excitement than the words: “All you can eat.” The concept felt almost magical. One fixed price. Unlimited access. Go back as many times as you liked. For families, teenagers, shift work...

Business Times

Australia’s business paradox: investing for growth while preparin…

Australian businesses are sending mixed signals in 2026. On one hand, investment remains surprisingly resilient. Companies...

Barbeques Galore collapse - BBQs, branding and the battle for Aus…

For decades, the Australian backyard barbecue was almost a national institution. Weekend gatherings, summer cricket, family...

“People Are Spending Less”: Small Businesses Feel Australia’s Eco…

Sometimes the real state of the economy is not found in Treasury papers, Reserve Bank statements or political speeches. So...

The Times Features

The Great Indoors: Commune Group Has Every Reason To Ge…

From Ramen Nights To $15 Pho And Midweek Set Menus, Commune's Southside Venues This Winter Tokyo Ti...

Why Australians need to rethink new apartments after th…

As the Federal Government pushes to accelerate housing supply and incentivise new residential deve...

SpaceX goes public: how Australians can invest in Elon …

One of the most anticipated share market listings in history is about to take place, with Elon Mus...

Property markets react to budget signals before laws ar…

Australia’s property market has already begun reacting to the federal budget announcements despite...

The evolution of bread in Australia: from basic staple …

For generations, bread was one of the simplest and most affordable foods in Australia. A loaf sat...

Australian football fan Forest Robinson scores a Champi…

A solo competition trip to Budapest became a night in Heineken’s Skybox and pitchside celebrations a...

Why fit matters more than fashion

Fashion changes constantly. Colours come and go. Trends rise and disappear. One year oversized cl...

Why Your Backyard Pool Is One of the Best Investments Y…

The Gold Coast backyard has always punched above its weight. Long summers, reliable sunshine and a c...

Whole-Home Climate Control in Australia: What Homeowner…

If you are weighing up how to heat and cool your whole home with one system, ducted reverse-cycle ...