What was the expatriate Australian who spoke at he Brisbane Institute known for?
The Brisbane Institute The Brisbane Institute was an independent think tank based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, founded in 1999. It held talks, functions, debates and similar activities. Notable speakers included Justice Michael Kirby, Lady Kennedy of The Shaws and the painter Jeffrey Smart.
History of Brisbane Brisbane's recorded history dates from 1799, when Matthew Flinders explored Moreton Bay on an expedition from Port Jackson, although the region had long been occupied by the Jagera and Turrbal aboriginal tribes. The town was conceived initially as a penal colony for British convicts sent from Sydney. Its suitability for fishing, farming, timbering, and other occupations, however, caused it to be opened to free settlement in 1838. The town became a municipality in 1859 and a consolidated metropolitan area in 1924. Brisbane encountered major flooding disasters in 1893, 1974 and 2011. Significant numbers of US troops were stationed in Brisbane during World War II. The city hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88, and the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit.