What are Australia's 'barbecue stopper' conversations right now? What are the things we talk and worry about? The 2009 ABC Boyer Lecturer is our best-known military officer, General Peter Cosgrove, an Australian Everyman whose interests are our own. As a father, General Cosgrove is concerned about the world we will leave to future generations. As a proud Australian, he is interested in how migration changed our sense of national identity. As an ex-soldier his life was about guaranteeing our national security. And, as a leader, he is interested in accountability and integrity, and how the ability to build a team and communicate ideas makes for successful leadership. Touching on such pressing issues as climate change, the debate about a republic and a Bill of Rights, refugees, assimilation, and our relationship with our neighbors in the Pacific.
