The free Disrupted Festival of Ideas will take place at the State Library of Western Australia on the weekend of July 27-28, attracting visitors to the Cultural Centre and boosting economic activity. Keynote speakers, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Leigh Sales, Professor Geoff Gallop, Professor Tracy Westerman, Bri Lee, and a host of local and international guests feature in a program of events that will inspire conversation, provoke ideas and encourage change.
“This year’s festival explores the theme of truth, a relevant and timely theme for libraries and communities throughout the world.” Western Australian Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman commented “I am delighted to welcome to the 2019 festival Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Leigh Sales, Professor Geoff Gallop, Professor Tracy Westerman, Bri Lee, and a host of local and international speakers. Please join us at the State Library – or if you can’t make it there – join the program online via Facebook streaming.”

Minister Templeman said that through keynotes, panels and intimate conversations you are invited to join the debate on truth – discover how to harness your own truth, better understand your brain and spot fake news. Learn the fascinating history behind mistruths, lies, and other forms of manipulation and how your library can be a powerful weapon in the fight against truth distortion, bias and agenda. The Minister added that a keynote by 2018 Western Australian of the Year, Professor Tracy Westerman will tell the truth about indigenous mental health, and Australia’s most loved science communicator, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will embark on a deep historical dive to uncover the mistruths that have infiltrated our every day. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend Disrupted in person and online.