Speaking of Social Justice

what comes after the votes are counted? With Labor claiming a strong majority, Dr Julie Macken celebrates Australia’s rejection of division, but warns that real change won’t come without public pressure. From the legacies of Whitlam and Keating to the present-day crises of climate, inequality, and housing, this episode is a heartfelt call to action: it’s up to us to keep the fire for justice burni...

In this urgent pre-election episode, Dr Julie Macken cuts through the noise of campaign slogans to ask a critical question: what actually keeps Australia safe? With one in eight people globally living in conflict zones, and trust in political leadership at a low, she calls out the alarming silence of our major parties on national security. Julie argues that real threats ;pandemics, climate change,...

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken takes us on a wild, but purposeful, journey from penguins and Trump’s tariffs, to the real and chilling normalisation of violence, abuse, and authoritarianism. As the world watches absurdity unfold, are we laughing ourselves into complacency while human rights are quietly dismantled? Australia's soul is on the line. We must resi...

In this week’s episode, standing in for Dr Julie Macken, Dr Michael Walker explores whether digital platforms can effectively drive social justice. Drawing from personal research, Michael argue that while the internet can be a powerful on-ramp for engagement, like raising awareness and connecting people, lasting political or social change usually requires moving beyond the digital space. The #MeTo...

Julie Macken discusses the Australian budget's lack of support for asylum seekers and refugees, highlighting a 95% decrease in funding from $369 million in 2016-2017 to $20 million, while immigration detention costs have risen to nearly $1.4 billion. She criticises the Labor government for failing to uphold its promise of humane treatment, noting that asylum seekers still lack basic support like C...

Julie Macken discusses the dual crises of floods and drought in Australia, highlighting the emotional toll of climate change. She finds hope in a conversation with Tim Buckley, who believes Australia and China are leading the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Macken argues that despair is a political tool used to exploit fear and division, urging Australians to reject this strategy and em...

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social justice, Dr Julie Macken discusses the aftermath of a tense Oval Office meeting involving Trump, Vance, and Zelensky, describing it as a bullying incident that has left many feeling traumatised. Julie criticises America's withdrawal from the international order it established, highlighting its impact on global free trade and alliances. Macken mentions A...

Dr Julie Macken discusses the importance of facts over feelings in the context of social justice and the upcoming federal election. She expresses concern over recent dismissals of African American anchors in the U.S. media and the threat of mass layoffs of public servants if a coalition wins the election. Julie emphasises the need to evaluate politicians based on their actions and proposals rather...

Dr Julie Macken is back this week to discuss lack of civics education in Australian schools, defining a good citizen as someone who actively contributes to their community. She highlights the dangers of a dismantled democracy, citing the U.S. example of Trump and Musk undermining democratic institutions. Julie warns of the negative impacts on vulnerable populations and the global economy. She emph...

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken discusses the current state of global social justice, particularly the erosion of international human rights protections. She criticises U.S. President Donald Trump for undermining decades of post-WWII international agreements and calls out the mainstream media for failing to challenge his actions. Julie goes on to argue that si...

To launch Season 4 of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken kicks off by delving into the Trump inauguration and America's corridors of power, retaining hope and compassion during climate change and political hostility, and holding onto Social Justice during these times.

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken provides another example of why we need a Royal Commission into Immigration Detention and why we need it now! Specifically, Julie divulges how Meriton hotels are used as 'quasi-prisons'.

In this week's Speaking of Social Justice episode, Dr Julie Macken discusses the NSW premier and Prime Minister's response to the Palestine and Israel rallies in Sydney over the weekend. She later goes into how this affects Australia's democracy and our barriers in recreating it.

In this episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken highlights Australia's exceptionalism. She discusses how we are so exceptional because we are the only Western democracy without a National Security Plan as well as how we are the only Western democracy without a Bill of Human Rights or any form of human rights protection act.

On this week's Speaking of Social Justice episode, we bring you a special edition from our latest event. On Saturday, August 31st, the Justice & Peace Office Sydney hosted our 2024 Justice and Peace Gathering, breaking down the 2024-25 Social Justice Statement. Listen as Fr Peter, Promoter of Justice & Peace, poses the question: Justice or Charity?

Dr Julie Macken and Dr Michael Walker engage in a two-part conversation this week about the latest AUKUS "alternative" - a submarine base in Western Australia, but they won't be Australian submarines!

On this week’s episode, Dr Julie Macken talks Democracy! Specifically, how are we, as citizens, able to build a safe democratic space for all of us? A space that is inclusive, a space where we can come to agreements and understandings in an ethical way. Julie poses the question back to our listeners

On this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Cailey Sharp discusses the proposed Youth Justice Bill 2024. Cailey breaks down what this means and how it falls short. She later delves into how the Raise the Age Campaign does more than raise the age from 10 to at least 14; it also will improve our justice system and greater communities with the possibility of reducing crime amongst our youth...

In this episode, Dr Julie Macken discusses the recent events that unfolded in parliament: Senator Fatima Payman crossing the floor of parliament, voting against Labor last week on a Green’s motion to recognise Palestine. Julie commends Senator Payman on her actions while condemning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labour Party on their statements suggesting Australians do not care about the...

On this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken invites Dr Michael Walker to discuss Climate Change but more so, where did Australia's exceptionalism come from? The two delve into the time when Australia wasn't so "exceptional", the Rules-Based Order, and the lack of accountability for Australia's climate action.

In honour of Men's Health Week and the JPO's upcoming Annual Sydney Homeless Memorial on june 21st, Cailey Sharp discusses the intersectionality between homelessness and mental health amongst men. Cailey delves into the vicious cycle between the two and how they exacerbate each other. Cailey also draws in on how men are now more likely to develop a fatal substance use disorder with a more direct f...

The global Church is encouraging a shift towards ecological economics. Meanwhile, our Federal and State Governments are both introducing wellbeing budgets that include quality of life measures to counter excessive focus on GDP. On May 24th, the Justice & Peace Office Sydney hosted a Wellbeing Economics Symposium. In it, we discussed these two paradigms, how they overlap, and how we can draw on...

The global Church is encouraging a shift towards ecological economics. Meanwhile, our Federal and State Governments are both introducing wellbeing budgets that include quality of life measures to counter excessive focus on GDP. On May 24th, the Justice & Peace Office Sydney hosted a Wellbeing Economics Symposium. In it, we discussed these two paradigms, how they overlap, and how we can draw on...

Dr Julie Macken is back this week to discuss AUKUS again but focusing on Australia's Nuclear waste dilemma. Many of us are understandably hyperfixated on the $400 billion going toward AUKUS. However, very few are discussing how this deal means that we are simulatneously becoming the world's garbage bin. Julie goes on to discuss that since these submarines are nuclear powered, we are expected to an...

Cailey Thurlow nee. Sharp is back this week to delve into the HECS dilemma taking over Australia. In this episode, Cailey recaps the original HECS and how university degrees were free in Australia from 1974 to 1989. This issue affects anyone currently seeking or who has previously sought higher education, with many taking their HECS debts well into their forties-impacting their ability to buy a ho...