Hello, and welcome to The Sinodinos Files.

I'm Peter Sinodinos, and over the next seven episodes I'd like to invite you to pull up a chair at our kitchen table. My older brother, Arthur, has spent much of his life in public service, as a senator, an ambassador, and an adviser at the highest levels of Australian government. Me? I'm the younger brother who's spent years asking him questions over dinners, long lunches and family get-togethers about what's happening in Australia and where we're heading.

After a while, we realised those conversations probably shouldn't stay at the dinner table. So that's what this podcast is. Just two brothers talking about the country they love.

Along the way we'll explore some of Australia's biggest questions: the rise of Pauline Hanson, whether we've lost the political centre, the changing Australian Dream, productivity, leadership and the future of our economy. We'll also take a personal look back at Arthur's maiden speech to Parliament and finish by asking perhaps the biggest question of all: what kind of Australia do we hope to leave behind by 2040?

Now, we don't pretend to have all the answers. What we do hope to offer is a thoughtful conversation, one that draws on Arthur's experience in public life and my curiosity about the issues affecting everyday Australians. So, whether you're listening on your morning walk, your drive to work, or sitting around your own kitchen table, thanks for joining us.

I'm Peter Sinodinos and this is The Sinodinos Files.

Today we discuss how Arthur's career has shaped his viewpoint on topics we will discuss over the next seven weeks. Next week in episode 2 - the Rise of Hansonism.

Thanks for joining us at the table.

If today's conversation has made you think a little differently about Australia, where we've come from, where we're headed, and the role each of us plays in its future, then we've achieved exactly what we hoped.

Until next time, take care of each other, keep asking questions, and keep believing that Australia's best chapters are still ahead.

I'm Peter Sinodinos.

And this has been The Sinodinos Files.