Meet the author - Alison Pennington

Alison Pennington will be in conversation with Amy Remeikis on Alison's new book Gen F'd?. How Young Australians Can Reclaim Their Uncertain Futures.

Economist Alison Pennington shows how the most educated generation in Australia's history stands to be the first generation worse off than their parents, and gives young people the tools to create the change we need.

Young people today are digital natives, encouraged to market their own uniqueness and success online, amid out-dated advice from parents and politicians: work hard and you'll get ahead. But Australia's celebrated 'fair go' has disintegrated, with millions of young people stuck on the rat-wheel of insecure work and crammed into share houses paying off boomers' mortgages.

Against the backdrop of global warming and pandemic, young people have inherited a dysfunctional economy that consumes their futures. Gen F'd? plots a path forward for Australians to reactivate our democracy and create a new economy that provides hope and opportunity for all.

'GenFd is here, for everyone who wants some hard evidence of the structuralised economic disadvantage of young people as opposed to the fact-free self-flattery of - oh, I dunno - wage-thieves'. Van Badham

Alison Pennington is an economist, writer and media commentator, who conducts research on economic issues facing working people including the future of jobs, skills and training, and the role of government. Alison is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with La Trobe University. Her previous roles include Senior Economist with The Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work, and roles in public finance, public sector unions and music teaching.

Amy Remeikis is Guardian Australia's political reporter, writing on the major political issues in Australia, crime, the courts and the environment. She is a regular commentator in the media including ABCs Insiders and Channel 10's The Project. She was an inaugural nominee of the Young Walkley awards.

The vote of thanks will be given by Gareth Hutchens, business and economics reporter with the ABC. In prior roles, Gareth was economics editor of the West Australian and worked as an economics and political reporter for Guardian Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm, and available again after the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Registration is required for this event.

• Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

• To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from ACT Health regarding COVID-19.

• If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.

• By registering for this event, you are accepting our privacy policy.

• A podcast will be made available after the event.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C