Australian Impacts: The US Midterm Elections

Australian Impacts: The US Midterm Elections

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Description
Individual Ticket
Time
11:45 AM - 2:00 PM
5/08/2026 11:45 AM
Table of 10
Time
11:45 AM - 2:00 PM
5/08/2026 11:45 AM

Australian Impacts: The US Midterm Elections

 

The 2026 US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, 2026, carry significant potential impacts for Australia's strategic security, economic stability, and international diplomatic efforts. Key congressional committees that oversee funding for Australian priorities, trade and tariff policy and ongoing diplomatic engagement settings are all potential areas of change.

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO will join Planet America’s Chas Licciardello and AmCham CEO April Palmerlee in conversation about the potential impacts on Australia as a result of the 2026 US Midterm Elections.


Speaker Biographies

 

Chas Licciardello

The Chaser, Planet America
 

Chas Licciardello is a member of the comedy crew, The Chaser. His television career began in 2001 when he appeared on The Chaser Decides. This show satirized the then-upcoming Australian Federal Elections. He also appeared on these spin-off series, in 2004 and 2007.
He then appeared on the CNNNN program, for two seasons, airing in 2002 and 2003. Licciardello’s popularity with Australian television viewers, and the media, along with the other members of The Chaser team, rose in 2006. He appeared on The Chaser’s War on Everything, for three seasons, airing in 2006, 2007 and 2009. In 2010, Chas Licciardello appeared on Yes We Canberra!. In 2011 and 2012, he also appeared on The Hamster Wheel. In 2012, Chas Licciardello co-hosted Planet America on ABC News 24. This show focused on the American political story, leading towards the Presidential Elections that were held in November 2012. In early 2016 Licciardello resumed his hosting duties of “Planet America”, in the lead up to the 2016 U.S. Presidential and Congressional Elections in November 2016.


 

April Palmerlee

Chief Executive Officer, American Chamber of Commerce in Australia
 

April Palmerlee is Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, leading the nation’s most influential international business organisation representing more than 600 companies and one million professionals. She also serves as Chair of the AmChams of Asia Pacific, bringing together 29 chambers across the region to advance trade, investment, and policy collaboration.
With more than 25 years’ experience spanning international relations, public policy, and business, April has held senior roles with the US Department of State, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the United States Studies Centre. She has led high-level delegations to global forums including APEC, the Organisation of American States, and the United Nations.
A dual US–Australian citizen, April is a member of Chief Executive Women and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2025, she was recognised as one of the Australian Financial Review’s Top Women in Leadership and named APAC Insider’s International Trade & Business Networking CEO of the Year. Fluent in several languages, she is deeply committed to cross-cultural engagement and strengthening US–Australia economic ties.


 

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO

Former Australian Ambassador to the US
Chair, United States Studies Centre
 

The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO was a Partner and Chairman of The Asia Group until July 2023 and Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America from 2020 - 2023.
He is also chairman of Hypersonix Launch Systems and a member of the Advisory Board of the Quad Investors Network.
Arthur was previously Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and Senator for New South Wales in the Australian Parliament from 2011 to 2019.
During his parliamentary career, he also held other key roles in and outside Cabinet, including Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
Over a career spanning four decades, Arthur dedicated his professional life to the advancement of Australia and its people.
On the election of the Hon. John Howard AC as Prime Minister of Australia in 1996, Arthur was appointed the Prime Minister’s Senior Economic Adviser and in 1997, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, a position he held for nine years.
etween 1987-1989 and 1995-1996 he also served as Senior Economic Adviser to Mr Howard while in opposition. Arthur started his Australian Public Service career in 1979, rising to the Senior Executive Service in the Department of the Treasury.
In 2006, he left government to work with Goldman Sachs JBWere, followed by the National Australia Bank and various corporate appointments.
In 2008, Arthur was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to politics through the executive function of government, to the development of economic policy and reform, and to the Greek community.
In 2019, Arthur was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Australia & New Zealand School of Government in recognition of his promotion of public sector leadership.

Event Partners

            

Partnership opportunities available - please contact Stuart to enquire [email protected]
When
5/08/2026 11:45 AM - 2:00 PM
AUS Eastern Standard Time
Where
voco Brisbane City Centre 85-87 North Quay BRISBANE, QLD 4000 AUSTRALIA
Registration
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Registration ends 4/08/2026 5:00 PM AUSEST
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