Sisters in Crime@the 2010 Bayside Literary Festival Crime Doesn't Pay—Sisters in Crime debate pros(e) and cons—A comic turn

Adjudicator: Jane Clifton

Jane Clifton is the genuine show-business all-rounder. Actress, singer and writer, Jane is often asked if there is anything she can't do, to which she simply replies, “Ballet and making money”. Jane is most well-known as an actress for her roles in the smash-hit stage shows Mum’s The Word, and Menopause—The Musical and, of course, the TV show Prisoner. Jane has written 3 novels Half Past Dead, A Hand in the Bush , and Flush and is currently finishing off a memoir called The Address Book. She also works as a marriage celebrant.  

For: Angela Savage & Lindy Cameron  

Angela Savage has studied criminology, published crime novels and been arrested for criminal trespass, so knows first-hand that crime doesn’t pay. One of the following facts about Angela Savage is not true: *She was on her high school debating team. *She graduated from Melbourne University with an Honours degree in Criminology. *She is the award-winning author of Behind the Night Bazaar ( Text, 2006) and The Half-Child (out September) —crime novels set in Thailand where Angela lived for several years. *She was convicted of criminal trespass. *She has patted a tiger and hugged a boa constrictor. *She thinks Tony Abbott would make a marvellous Prime Minister.

Lindy Cameron has written many stories about stupid criminals & once tried to hold-up some grey nomads but only scored a hatpin and two chooks (don’t ask). She has been an ‘Australian crime writer’ for 12 years, so she knows only too well how little crime pays. Her school didn’t have a debating team & she’s never been arrested for anything. She’s been to Thailand twice, and although she didn’t meet a tiger (or a boa constrictor), she did ride an elephant. Lindy thought Tony Abbot was a contagious infection until someone pointed out that his budgiesmuggler- episode obviously means he’s either an Iron Man or wanted by the Wildlife Protection People. Her latest novel is Redback; her latest true crime book is Killer in the Family (with Fin J. Ross).

Against: Vikki Petraitis & Sandra Nicholson

Vikki Petraitis reckons if crime didn’t pay, then wouldn’t all the shifty criminal types get a day job? She was never on her high school debating team, has a Masters Degree from Melbourne University in something totally unrelated to debating, has never been arrested for anything, and thinks Thailand is lovely, but she wouldn’t want to live there. She too has patted a tiger, but now knows that no matter how much they look like big kitty-cats, they don’t like having their tummies scratched. She thinks Tony Abbott is some politician dude with big ears, but other than that, avoids newspapers like the plague. Vikki is a best-selling true-crime author with nine books to her name & is working on her first novel, The Good, the Bad and the Fugly, about a teacher detective.

Sandra Nicholson is an Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police, its highest-ranking woman and is currently responsible for delivering all policing services to the State’s western region. She has been awarded the Australian Police Medal for services to policing and the community and the Most Outstanding Female Leader Award at the Australasian Women and Police Awards. In her spare time Sandra likes to read crime novels—that’s all she can reveal ‘til the debate...

7.30-8.30pm, Wednesday May 26 — Brighton Savoy Hotel, 150 The Esplanade, Brighton Cost: $15. Bookings (from early May): http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/literary_festival_2010.htm Info on Sisters in Crime: Carmel Shute 0412 569 356 http://home.vicnet.net.au/~sincoz/