Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will headline News Australia’s 2026 Future series events in South Australia and Victoria, as both states prepare for upcoming elections.
The appearances position News Corp Australia’s editor-led forums at the centre of pre-election policy debate, bringing together premiers and opposition leaders in Adelaide and Melbourne.
What is the Future series?
The Future series is a long-running News initiative designed to convene political, business and community leaders to discuss economic growth, innovation and liveability.
According to News, the series has run for 12 years and aims to deliver “real outcomes” for readers and local communities.
Future SA: Adelaide focus
Future SA takes place on Friday 20 February in Adelaide, hosted by The Advertiser. The forum centres on growth and innovation in the lead-up to the South Australian election, which is less than one month away.
Albanese will provide an address via video. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn will outline their respective visions for the state.
Future Victoria: Melbourne keynote
The Prime Minister will then deliver the keynote address at Future Victoria, hosted by the Herald Sun, on Wednesday 25 February in Melbourne.
The summit will examine how Victoria can harness technology, cultivate talent and improve liveability. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson will appear together for the first time ahead of the November state election.
News Corp on the role of the forums
John Lehmann, State and Communities Commercial Director at News Corp Australia, said the series brings together influential leaders and decision-makers at a critical time.
John Lehmann
“For 12 years, the Future series has united Australia’s most influential leaders, decision-makers and innovators with one goal: delivering real outcomes for our readers and the communities we serve,” Lehmann said.
“With South Australia and Victoria heading into elections, these Editor-led forums will facilitate the essential policy debates and deliver outcomes that will shape our states’ futures.”
National rollout in 2026
Additional Future events are scheduled across 2026 in Geelong (March), Western Sydney (May), Townsville and Cairns (June), Darwin and the Gold Coast (July), and Brisbane and Sydney (October).
Editorial coverage will run across News’ mastheads including The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Geelong Advertiser, The Daily Telegraph, Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post, NT News, Gold Coast Bulletin and The Courier-Mail.
Future SA is supported by partners including AAL, Beach Energy, BHP, RAA, Santos, SA Power Networks, SkyCity, Study Adelaide and Walker Corp. Future Victoria, jointly hosted with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is backed by Melbourne Airport, Transurban, Swinburne University, Villawood, NBN, Crown and Melbourne Arts Centre.