In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken reflects on a year of upheaval, from global politics to the challenges of democracy and humanity. Drawing inspiration from Vaclav Havel’s ‘The Power of the Powerless’, Julie reminds us that in dark times, small acts of decency—looking one another in the eye, saying hello, and refusing to give in to lies—are revolutionary acts that sustain our shared humanity.

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In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker unpacks the real story behind the U.S. election results, pushing back against the media's tendency to overhype shifts in voter sentiment. He explores why economic struggles in Middle America drove support for bold promises and how Australians often misunderstand the full picture of the U.S.

He then draws some important lessons for Australian politics, warning Labor against just attacking Peter Dutton. With voters now leaning more toward minor parties, Labor will need to step up with bold, practical ideas—like a stronger housing strategy—to stay ahead.

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This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox breaks down the troubling shifts in democracy, social care, and economics, as nations worldwide—from Australia to the U.S.—increasingly prioritise profit over people. With democracy under threat and communities disconnected, she calls for a return to values of care, social connectivity, fairness and true citizenship to restore societal balance.

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In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate Julie Mackin critiques Australia’s $400 billion submarine deal with the US, arguing that funds are urgently needed to address domestic issues.

She highlights the crisis in NSW’s mental health sector, where psychiatrists face burnout and low pay, risking mass resignations. Mackin questions why the government prioritizes defense spending over essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and climate action.

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In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker reflects on a historic moment as Britain announces its decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius after over 200 years. While Diego Garcia will remain a military base, this victory highlights the power of persistence and international law, offering hope to advocates everywhere who face an overwhelming disparity in power that they can still achieve their goal.

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In this episode of the Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox reflects on the complexities of identity, religion, and nationality. Drawing from her own life as a Jewish refugee from Austria, she questions the meaning of patriotism, religious identity, and the labels society places on individuals.

Eva advocates for tolerance and understanding, emphasizing that humanity and respect for others should transcend religious and national boundaries.

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This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken dives into the views of the influential psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott on democracy as laid out in his work Home Is Where We Start From. Winnicott argues that democracy thrives not just through conscious efforts, but also through our unconscious actions and maturity as individuals. Whilst our current political landscape may seem discouraging, Julie argues if we engage in internal work of self-reflection and development we can rebuild a thriving democracy.

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In the 1930s, British Philosopher Bertrand Russel said, that 'the whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.' This phrase still applies to so much to our world today. As Michael explains, If you want to convince people of your idea or fight for a cause you believe in, you will need to hold your ground and fight for your cause with courage and conviction.

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