Speaking of Social Justice

Speaking of Social Justice

by Justice and Peace Office (JPO)

Politics Philosophy

Season 3

Justice or Charity?

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?

AUKUS alternative?

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!

Democracy

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

Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility in Australia

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.

Palestine

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 state of Palestine and Australia's involvement with Israel.

Australia's Exceptionalism is Eating Dust

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.

Homelessness & Poor Mental Health

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 focus on male suicides.

SPECIAL EDITION: Part 2

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 them in our own work at the grassroots level. Cailey Sharp & Dr Michael Walker from the Justice & Peace Office Sydney presented the Curious Grace: Care in the community. A case study example of a drop-in centre model designed to improve community wellbeing. Take a listen!

SPECIAL EDITION: Part 1

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 them in our own work at the grassroots level. Fr Peter Smith from the Justice & Peace Office Sydney presented his work on Ecological Economics, A Just Economy. Take a listen!

Nuclear Waste Polluting our Place

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 and will take the nuclear waste.

5 of 10