Book Launch: Grand Ambition — James Curran and Geoff Raby AO in Conversation

Was Paul Keating the last Prime Minister with a compelling long-term vision for Australia's place in the world? Historian James Curran and former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby AO discuss Curran's new book, Grand Ambition, and what Keating's vision for Australia means for the country today.

Drawing on previously unseen documents from Paul Keating's personal archive, Grand Ambition traces how the former Prime Minister sought to anchor Australia in Asia, embed China within a regional order and deepen ties with Indonesia at the end of the Cold War. Three decades on, Curran and Raby will discuss the relevance of that vision as Australia reexamines its strategic circumstances amid rising tensions between the United States, China and the rest of the world.

James Curran

James Curran is Professor of Modern History at the University of Sydney, specialising in political and foreign relations history. He is also a foreign affairs columnist at The Australian Financial Review.

Geoff Raby AO

Geoff Raby AO was Australia’s ambassador to China, ambassador to APEC, and ambassador to the World Trade Organization. Since leaving government service he has been a regular columnist on China and Eurasia for The Australian Financial Review, travel writer and a non-executive, independent company director. Raby was awarded the Order of Australia in 2019 for services to Australia–China relations and international trade.

🗓️ Wednesday 9 September 2026
🕖 7:00pm – 8:30pm
📍 Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, 179 La Trobe St, Melbourne, Victoria

$35 and $80 (latter includes the book with 10% discount)

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This event is presented by Asialink and Northern Books.