Speaking of Social Justice

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken reflects on the frustration many Australians feel; from climate inaction to the horrors in Gaza.

Why does real change feel so out of reach, even when public support is strong?

Julie explores Australia's role in global emissions, the moral cost of silence, and the deep need for everyday citizens to take up the call for justice. Whether it's demanding a ceasefire, resisting gas expansion, or simply starting a conversation: this episode reminds us that change starts with all of us. Are you in?<...

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr. Julie Macken speaks on why the genocide in Gaza is not just a distant humanitarian crisis, it’s a mirror reflecting our own national conscience. She lays out three crucial reasons why Australians must speak up: to safeguard our climate future, to protect our moral integrity, and to reclaim our shared humanity. It’s a wake-up call for action, accountability, and empathy.

What are you willing to stand for?

What does justice look like when viewed through a Catholic lens? The newest Social Justice Facilitator, Pauline Jasudason, leads this conversation, guiding listeners through key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the historic 1986 address by Pope John Paul II to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s 2023–2024 Social Justice Statement on mental health and homelessness. Pauline also reflects on her own formation, from university ministry and immersion trips to journalism and parish life, and how these experiences have deepened her commitment to justice, storytelling, and faith in action.

This episode also features hone...

In this week's episode of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Julie Macken speaks plainly about the crisis unfolding in Gaza and Australia’s deafening silence. With 14,000 children facing starvation and international law on the brink, Julie challenges political narratives, unpacks our complicity, and calls for real action. From arms exports to the rejection of asylum seekers, she asks: if we don’t act now, what does that say about us?

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 burning.

We apologise to our audio listeners for the static in parts of this episode.

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, cyber attacks, and public distrust, are being ignored. If our leaders won’t act, maybe it’s time we did. Let's call for a bold proposal for a People’s National Security Plan that puts health...

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 resist normalised cruelty and instead elevate kindness, intelligence, and the rule of law for all.

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 #MeToo movement is cited as a rare example of spontaneous, online-driven impact. However, most attempts at online organising, including efforts within companies like Google and Amazon, haven’t achieved lasting change. The conclusion? Digital tools are great for star...

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 Centrelink, housing, and Medicare. Macken argues that the budget's allocation reflects societal values, implying that neglecting vulnerable groups could lead to broader societal mistreatment. She questions whether the upcoming federal election will include anti-asylum seeker rhetoric, suggesting that political parties assume public...

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 embrace community action. She emphasizes that hope is justified, citing existing community efforts in housing, social support, and environmental initiatives as evidence of progress and resilience.

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 Australia's $400 billion investment in nuclear submarines from an unreliable ally, questioning the wisdom of such a commitment. She highlights the need for Australia to re-evaluate its values and international stance as the country prepares for a federal election, urging 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 than personal feelings or appearances. She later argues that feelings have led to negative consequences in America and urge voters to focus on facts to make informed decisions during the election campaign here in...

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 emphasises the importance of vigilance in the upcoming Australian federal elections, urging citizens to be informed, critical, and proactive in protecting democracy against political donations and misinformation, particularly from carbon emitters and the fossil fuel lobby.

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 silence and inaction from global leaders, including Australia's Prime Minister, professional leaders, and religious figures, enable the normalisation of genocide. Macken urges Australians, especially those in positions of power, to speak up against such injustices to prevent history from...

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 state of Palestine and Australia's involvement with Israel.

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 focus on male suicides.

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...

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...

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.

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 home on top of the impacts of the cost of living. Cailey later discusses the HECS indexation, summarising what this means for anyone with a HECS debt. E.g., If you are on a $60,000 salary and...

Dr Julie Macken is back this week to discuss two major announcements that made headlines over the past couple of weeks: 1) the statement made by Australia's Deputy Prime Minister announcing that spending on Australia's defence is set to double to $100 billion by 2034 and 2) Labour's ongoing attempt to pass a Migration Amendment Act that would force thousands fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or gender back to the place threatening their death.

This week, Cailey Sharp is back to discuss the South Sudanese youth crisis in Australia. With South Sudanese teens younger than 15 filling juvenile detention centres at disproportionately higher rates compared to other immigrant groups in Queensland, Cailey calls for intervention, education, and advocacy to keep young teens and children out of the system. Yet, there is a debate about removing the international law principle of using detention as a last resort from the Youth Justice Act altogether to instead call on immediate penalties that are "appropriate" for the crime... Let's not give up on these kids; let's not forget...

This week, Dr Julie Macken recaps two primary historic moments that took place this week in Australia: having no submarines for at least a decade and breaching treating obligations. In this episode, Julie discusses how the billions spent in the AUKUS deal and toward 3 submarines could have perhaps been put to better use, such as housing 4 million Australians. Julie also reflects on how labour campaigned for a fair, rational, and humane government that recognises the humanity in those seeking protection. Yet, innocent people fleeing persecution may be facing up to 5 years in jail.

What do...

On this week's edition of Speaking of Social Justice, Dr Michael Walker walks us through NSW's current challenges when it comes to public housing and how it might be Australia's biggest issue alongside the cost of living. Michael discusses how those with mortgages spend more than half of their disposable income on housing, how a significant proportion of the general public will never be able to buy into the market, and how we, as a nation, need to start looking at a second stream option. Michael then challenges our perception of public housing with mention to Singapore and how 78...

This week, JPO's Cailey Sharp discusses the concept of a community drop-in centre and reflects on the launch of Curious Grace. With some of the struggles and barriers seeking professional mental health support bring, a drop-in centre such as Curious Grace offers immediate, peer-support nestled in your local parish.

If you are interested in booking training for your parish or becoming a certified volunteer, please reach out to the Justice & Peace Office at jpoinfo@sydneycatholic.org

Stay updated by visiting and following our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jpo_syd/<...

To launch Season 3, Dr Julie Macken discusses how the JPO is honouring International Women's Day with a panel discussion of inspirational women discussing Immigration Detention and "the casual cruelty that has now become public policy." Each woman on the panel comes with a story on what it was like to come to Australia, seeking protection and refuge in Villawood. With a 25 year difference, one group saw a glimmer of hope, and the other, faced danger and horror. Julie recounts the difference in response and how Australia has changed to a country of "no."

Join us...

This week, Dr Julie Macken brings us the final episode of the year. It is time to shine a light into the darkness of Australia’s immigration detention regime. Between 2001 and present day, tens of thousands of people seeking Australia’s protection have been held in immigration camps that are now privatised, offshore, and beyond the reach of Australia’s courts and most media. There have been at least 37 cases of suicide related to immigration detention, allegations of torture, the systemic abuse of men and women, and numerous articles and papers on the devastating impact of this privatised detention model...

In light of recent headlines and controversial choices, Dr Julie Macken is back this week to discuss public spaces and places and who gets to decide what gets screened as well as using public spaces as a form of community communication. Julie also reflects on the 2018 Everest Cup controversy and backlash whereby the Sydney Opera House was used as a gambling pitch. Our host goes on to speak about how flags and nation colours are powerful symbols and we should not be using them carelessly; leading her to propose the question "Is it ever appropriate to screen another nation's...

Dr Julie Macken is back to speak about social justice; specifically, dealing with and resolving conflict in a non-violent fashion. Today, Julie reflects on boycotts and sanctions in relation to other countries. Though, it is not always legal to use the non-violent option, we need to find non-violent and legitimate ways of conflict resolution.

This week, Dr Julie Macken offers one final encouragement to vote YES by discussing what voting no means for the Australian population - both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. For a better Australia and to take a step closer to reconciliation, vote YES on Saturday, October 14th.

Due to popular demand, Dr Julie Macken is back to discuss yet again the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. However, Julie now offers us a different perspective by discussing the historical 'No Campaign' that argued against Women's Right to Vote in Australia. Specifically, the Petticoat Rule. Nothing bad happened, in fact, it resulted in a much better Australia - sound familiar?