Former leader of the Australian Democrats and Labor Shadow Minister, Cheryl Kernot, will present the University of Newcastle’s 2012 Society and Health Lecture tonight.

The free public lecture, titled “Challenging the orthodoxy. Social Entrepreneurs and Business with a Social Purpose” will highlight the failure of the free market to provide fair access to the planet's basic resources, including water and energy.

Associate Professor Kernot, whose current role is Director of Social Business at the Centre for Social Impact, will also speak about what the business community can do to help address the issue of poor access to healthcare, education and affordable housing in Australia.

Associate Professor Kernot has recently made statements in the media calling to arms a new breed of entrepreneurs who harness business knowledge and skills for social purpose, rather than profit of private shareholders.

The University of Newcastle 2012 Society and Health Lecture will be presented by Cheryl Kernot at Newcastle City Hall on Tuesday 14 August from 6pm.