It was standing room only at the US Studies Centre to watch Barack Obama and Mitt Romney square off in the first presidential debate. With the focus on US domestic policy, the encounter between the Democrat and Republican candidates was expected to be a pivotal moment in the election campaign. US Studies Centre experts were on hand to offer analysis and answer questions after the debate.
Past event
Presidential debate on domestic policy
When
Where
Details
4 October 2012. 11.00am–12.30pm AEST
US Studies Centre Boardroom
Other events
5 November 2026
6.00pm
-8.00pm AEDT
Join United States Studies Centre experts for an exclusive event in partnership with the POLITICO Canberra Playbook team.
13 October 2026
6.00pm
-8.00pm AEDT
An exclusive event featuring USSC and Sydney Morning Herald political experts discussing the 2026 US Midterm elections.
23 September 2026
Leading experts from the United States, Australia and the Indo-Pacific convened for the 4th annual Sydney International Strategy Forum.







