Labor Friends of Israel are dedicated to fostering strong connections between the Australian Labour movement and the state of Israel. Their mission is to promote understanding, and encourage collaboration between Australia and Israel.

I speak with co-convenor Mike Kelly on the eve of their official launch after having announced that former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and former Labor Senator Nova Peris have agreed to serve as the inaugural patrons of the national body. (0:39-25:26)

Michael Ben-Gad is Professor of Economics, City, University of London.  His research focuses on Dynamic Macroeconomics with applications to taxation, public debt, the economic effects of immigration, national security as well as the emergence of multiple equilibria in models of economic growth and the incorporation of compositional data into econometric models.

He has also researched and written widely on defence and national security issues, publishing in a variety of academic journals. He has also been a member of Israel's National Security Forum. (25:32-58:07)