Sambell Oration
The Sambell Oration has been delivered most years since 1981. Named after former BSL executive director, Geoffrey Sambell, the event reflects his concern for social justice.
Attended by leaders from the community, business and government, and our BSL supporters, the Sambell Oration provides a unique opportunity to be engaged in discussing important social justice issues affecting Australia.
2025
Belonging in Australia
The 2025 Sambell Oration was delivered by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General to the Commonwealth of Australia. In the Oration, Her Excellency highlighted the relationship between care and justice, between care and poverty, between care and belonging, and between care and our democracy.
"We’ve got to care about care, and we have to care about the way we conduct ourselves in the most difficult issues of our time, and not descend into violence and hate and anger, but stick with love."
The evening was skillfully hosted by our superb youth advocates, Atena Kashani and Matilda Ryan. An insightful and thought-provoking panel discussion was moderated by William Broughton, our Director of First Nations Strategy and Outcomes. The panel featured Her Excellency with Nansi Khayat (Youth Advisor), Michael Parremore (Senior Local Area Coordinator) and Jo Evans, all of whom brought personal perspectives and stories to the fore. The panel described belonging in Australia as feeling valued, accepted and confident in one’s identity. They highlighted the ways the BSL community shows up, stands together and advocates for one another — embodying our culture of care and belonging.
Read the full 2025 Sambell Oration or watch the full event including the Oration and panel discussion below.
2024
Beyond numbers: Why measuring poverty matters
Prof. Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at Oxford University spoke eloquently about the importance of measuring poverty – beyond income measurements. As Prof. Alkire suggested, Australia should consider a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to effectively measure poverty, "not to induce guilt, paralysis or a dread and feeling nothing can be done" but because that process might make poverty "visible in ways that can be linked to action".
Read the BSL Sambell Oration 2024 Transcript Sabina Alkire or watch the Oration and panel discussion below.
2023
Hard Heads and Warm Hearts
Federal Treasurer, The Hon Jim Chalmers MP, spoke about the importance of responsible economic management and compassion being complementary, not at odds. He also foreshadowed some details from the upcoming release of Australia’s first national wellbeing framework, ‘Measuring What Matters’.
Sambell Oration 2023 - Treasurer’s Speech
Response to the Oration by Executive Director Travers McLeod
Watch the full BSL Sambell Oration 2023 video here (Duration: 1:25:38)
2022
How a Voice to Parliament can positively impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A conversation with two key architects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Aunty Pat Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis, on how the Uluru dialogues were designed and run and how we can work together to help deliver a First Nation’s Voice to Parliament.
Sambell Oration 2022 Transcript
2019
Towards a just future – reimagining social and economic policy for our insecure times
Hon Jenny Macklin, offers a frank perspective on social and economic policy trends in Australia. The challenges ahead to enable economic security for all. How we rebuild declining trust in our institutions in an era of remarkable – yet stubbornly uneven – prosperity.
2018
Investing in Indigenous Children
Leading educator Chris Sarra outlines his philosophy to deliver a stronger, smarter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
2016
Rhonda Galbally, health development, social services and disability rights advocate
The genesis of the NDIS: bringing competing agendas together
2015
Maurice Glasman, English political theorist and academic
The common good
2013
Professor Paul Smyth, General Manager Research and Policy Centre, the Brotherhood of St Laurence
Social policies for tougher times
2012
Professor Roz Hansen, urban planning expert
A tale of two Melbournes? The disparities of place and how to bridge the divide
2011
Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive Business Council of Australia
Sharing prosperity
2010
Ruth Lister, Emeritus Professor in Social Policy, Loughborough University, UK
Towards the inclusive society
2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
One year on from the crisis: economic and social policy challenges for Australia
2008
Economist Professor Ross Garnaut
Climate change as an equity issue
2007
Economist Saul Eslake
Social policy in a fully employed economy: the economic and social imperative — tapping the potential of disadvantaged Australians
2006
Former Premier of Western Australia Professor Geoff Gallop
Right and responsibilities: towards a genuinely Australian understanding