National Press Club (Australia)

The National Press Club is an association of primarily news journalists, but also includes academics, business people and members of the public service, and is based in Canberra, Australia. It was founded in the 1960s as the National Press Luncheon Club by a few journalists with the backing of the Canberra Press Gallery. It was renamed the National Press Club in 1968, and established official new premises in 1976. Since its inception the Club's reputation has steadily grown, attracting respected political figures, scientists, diplomats and sporting figures to its weekly luncheons. Its guests included prime ministers and other political leaders of both Australia and other countries, including Gough Whitlam, Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher and Indira Gandhi.

In its current form, the National Press Club address is a weekly formal speech of approximately one hour, which includes time for questions from members of the press. The long serving president the former journalist Ken Randall introduces the speaker and moderates the questions. The addresses are broadcast on the ABC Network at 12:30 pm.

'Wormgate' – 2007 Federal Election Leaders Debate Controversy

On 21 October 2007 a debate between Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd was hosted by the National Press Club from the Great Hall of Parliament in Canberra. The debate was televised live by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Channel Nine and Sky News. A controversial...
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