The Hunter Region’s business and community leaders are being urged to secure one of the remaining seats for New.E Hunter New Energy’s next lunch event, The Great Nuclear Debate – A Civilised Collision of Ideas.
Held on Wednesday 15 October 2025, the event will run from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Newcastle Club, offering guests a two-course meal and drinks alongside a structured, live exchange on nuclear power’s place in Australia’s future.
Leading the discussion are Michael Shoebridge, founder of Strategic Analysis Australia, and Marcus Hellyer, the organisation’s Head of Research. Shoebridge brings decades of experience in defence and national security, while Hellyer is known for his work on defence economics and the delivery challenges of large-scale projects.
Unlike a typical panel or Q&A, the lunch will feature a performance-style debate, with each speaker making their case in a disciplined and thought-provoking format. The event will be a ‘back-to-roots,’ objectively argued performance, free from the political and ideological tribalism that so often clouds this critical conversation.
The discussion will explore the relevance of nuclear technology in both an Australian and Hunter context before opening the floor for questions from the audience.
The format continues New.E’s knowledge exchange series, which aims to provide a safe and respectful space for our region’s leaders and community to engage with difficult topics and learn from each other.
Tickets are $150 per person plus fees and can be booked through Humanitix. With limited seats remaining and the Newcastle Club’s formal dress code in place, those wishing to attend are encouraged to book soon to avoid missing out on this rare and balanced conversation.
