Capital and Country

Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG joins host Harry Stewart for a wide-ranging conversation about how constitutional law meets lived experience on Country. We revisit the landmark decisions that still shape Australia’s legal landscape— Mabo , Wik , Kartinyeri , and Wurridjal —and use them to explore bigger questions: What does constitutional courage look like? How should courts weigh h...

What does a just economy look like — and who gets to design it? In this episode of  YARNS. , I sit down with Associate Professor Rick Macourt a proud, queer Gumbaynggirr man, lawyer, and Managing Director of Strategy at First Nations Economics. Rick has shaped major systemic reforms across government and the private sector, from leading NSW’s first Indigenous budget process to reshaping First Nati...

In this conversation, Danny Gilbert AM shares his journey from growing up on a rice farm in regional New South Wales to becoming a prominent legal and business leader in Australia. He discusses his early life, education, and the founding of Gilbert and Tobin, one of Australia's leading law firms. The conversation delves into his advocacy for Indigenous rights, the role of businesses in support...

🖋️ I wrote a letter to the King. Because when Australia’s first Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry finds that genocide was committed against Aboriginal people, the head of state should probably know about it. This edition of Capital & Country is personal, political, and purposeful: 📮 Truth Posted: I reflect on the Yoorrook Commission’s findings and share the handwritten letter I sent to King Ch...

🔥 Edition 14 is here. This week marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week, a time to celebrate, reflect, and amplify Blak voices. In this edition: 🖤 NAIDOC at 50: I reflect on UNSW’s powerful celebrations and this year’s theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” I’ve included a little video from the event – a glimpse into the music, dance, and community that made the day so special. 👉🏾 M...

In this episode, I reflect on my recent trip to Japan, just as ten First Nations ancestors were returned home from Japanese institutions for the first time in history. It was a moment that stirred something deep. Repatriation is not about the past. It’s about restoring dignity. It’s about our future. Also in this edition: 📵 Optus Exposed – The $100 million penalty that reveals how corporate recon...

What a few weeks. Treaty talks finally begin in NSW. Blak filmmakers go to camera in South Australia. The housing crisis pushes Aboriginal issues into the national spotlight. And I had the chance to head back and spend some time on Yuin and Tharawal Country. In this episode of Capital & Country, I talk about: Treaty in NSW – The consultation process is finally underway. I reflect on what this...

YARNS. with Chris Ronalds AO SC: The Woman Who Wrote the Law on Equality What does it take to write the law — and then hold it to account? In this special episode of YARN, I sit down with my mentor and dear friend, Chris Ronalds AO SC one of the trailblazers of modern discrimination law in Australia. From helping draft the Sex Discrimination Act in the 1980s to running landmark cases like Maloney...

Labor has the numbers. The mandate. The moment. So why play it safe? In this episode of  Capital and Country , I break down a billion-dollar reform wishlist the government could act on right now — from fixing housing tax distortions to regulating political lies, banning gambling ads, and finally raising the age of criminal responsibility. I also walk through the fiscal impacts: a costed 10-year bl...

In this episode of  Capital and Country , Harry Stewart breaks down what Labor took to the election and what they now promise to deliver. From tax cuts to Medicare reform, housing to higher education, this isn’t just a line-by-line rundown — it’s a candid reflection on whether this agenda meets the moment. With personal insight and political sharpness, Harry asks: is this tactical relief or the st...

In this special post-election episode of  Capital and Country , supporting  Edition 9  of the newsletter, we break down the 2025 federal election result that redrew the political map of Australia. From Labor’s landslide and the fall of Peter Dutton, to the Greens’ bruising night and the first teal toppled, we unpack what really happened beneath the headlines. We also spotlight the role of First Na...