THE PRICE OF IDEAS
One of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world, Salman Rushdie has never backed down from defending free expression. After his first appearance at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, where he spoke about the freedom to write, Sir Salman returns to Australia, for the first time in twelve years, to explore the price of ideas.
From The Satanic Verses controversy to ongoing threats, Salman Rushdie explores the violent reactions that ideas can provoke and reflects on the profound personal cost of standing up for free expression. At a time when almost any idea can be dangerous, he examines how culture, religion, and identity collide to disrupt societies and ignite fierce debates over censorship and freedom.
Author of 22 books, with a new release due this November, Rushdie now enters a powerful new chapter in his life and writing.
Salman Rushdie presents the 2026 John Caldon Provocation at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. He is presented in Australia with The Wheeler Centre.
The ticket allocation for this Opening Night session has been exhausted.
The good news is that Salman Rushdie is also appearing in the panel Killing Culture, book here – but be quick!
For those who want more, we invite you to join the inaugural Dangerous Ideas Society. A small number of premium seats for The Price of Ideas are available exclusively for Society members, in addition to entry to keynote sessions across the main Festival Weekend at Carriageworks. Find out more.
About the John Caldon Provocation
Presented to honour the legacy of businessman John Caldon OAM (1947-2021). Investment banker and entrepreneur, Caldon was one of Macquarie Bank’s early stars from 1984-1998, who ignited debate, discussion and reflection amongst all. His personality, ambition, and creative approach to financial innovation made him see potential in people and in deals. For many, his mentoring, nurturing, and inspiration set him apart. A person of insatiable curiosity, he was a master of diverse fields, including ancient history, politics, poetry, art and philosophy. He applied this same mastery to the establishment of a hugely successful TV company with life partner, Lyndey Milan. The inaugural John Caldon Provocation was delivered by David Baddiel in 2024.
Salman Rushdie [USA/UK]
Salman Rushdie is the best-selling author of twenty-two books, including Midnight’s Children, which won both the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker; Shame, The Satanic Verses, The Moor’s Last Sigh, and Quichotte, all of which were shortlisted for the Booker Prize; East West a collection of stories; Joseph Anton a memoir; The Jaguar Smile a work of reportage; and three collections of essays, including Languages of Truth. His most recent book, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award for nonfiction. Rushdie is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. He is a former president of PEN America and the recipient of the PEN Centenary Courage Award. His books have been translated into over forty languages. In 2023, he was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year, and has received a Queen’s knighthood for his ‘services to literature’.
Simon Longstaff
Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. After a period studying law in Sydney and teaching in Tasmania, he pursued postgraduate studies as a Member of Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1991, Simon commenced his work as the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, a role he continues today. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW Sydney, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute.
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation - the custodians of the country on which we meet - and acknowledge their Elders, past and present.
The views and opinions expressed by the Festival participants are not necessarily the views of The Ethics Centre and our partners.