Know Your Limits - With Dr Michael Walker

With Facebook’s withdrawal from Australian news-sharing agreements, this week on the Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker takes this opportunity to remind us of the implicit dangers that come with a population riddled by smartphone dependency. While technology offers unprecedented access to information, it also contributes to social isolation, decreased attention spans, and distrust. Michael reminds us to unplug and focus our energies on developing real-life connections and community engagement. 

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This week on the Five Minute Advocate Julie Macken reflects on the inherently fluid nature of what we deem impossible, drawing parallels between the acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights at Mardi Gras and the unsettling acceptance of war and violence. Julie advocates for imagining a nation capable of fostering peace, citing the Oasis of Peace—a community uniting Jews and Palestinians in Israel—as a real example of the seemingly impossible becoming reality through intentional efforts. 

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This week on the Five Minute Advocate, Eva advocates for a return to the principles of post-World War II welfare democracy, emphasizing the importance of government ensuring citizens' well-being through programs like public housing and social services. Eva elaborates on the need for a return to viewing ourselves as citizens rather than customers and to utilise that citizenship to demand a government that we can again trust.  

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In this week’s episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Dr Michael Walker highlights the importance of prioritising our advocacy efforts wisely – imploring us to look locally as opposed to globally where we can in order to optimise our impact and make greater positive change to our local communities. 

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In this week’s edition of The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox expresses concern about the decline of genuine democracy and societal values, emphasising the need to rebuild trust with our government, to prioritise citzens’ needs over market interests and to work towards a society that celebrates differences and social cohesion.  

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In the first Five Minute Advocate of 2024, Julie Macken emphasises the importance and the effect of language used by the media, by our politicians and the wider community. In a time where the war in Gaza is expanding, the cost of living is still rising and there is a palpable tension in the air; Julie calls for us to demand honest language and think critically about the words our media and government are using fearing that if we don’t, we too will fall through Alice’s looking glass where our reality is totally distorted. 

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Dr. Michael Walker's final "5 Minute Advocate" for 2023 is a positive reflection on global developments. A shift is noted towards peaceful diplomacy, an accelerated move to renewable energy, and decreasing support for fossil fuels.

China's proactive stance in renewable projects is highlighted, and optimism is expressed regarding changing perspectives on climate change denial, particularly among younger generations.

The segment concludes with gratitude to supporters, anticipating more positive trends in 2024.

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In this weeks Five Minute Advocate Dr. Michael Walker notes a change in human rights advocacy, prioritizing practical results in laws rather than strict moral alignment. He cites examples like shifts in occupational health laws and responses to the gig economy.

This signals a broader trend toward crafting laws that actively address real-world challenges.

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This week on the Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken reports from Parliament House in Canberra as the campaign kicks off for a royal commission into immigration detention in Australia. Julie explores the recent High Court ruling against indefinite detention and calls out the reaction of the major parties, criticising their continued support of the policy and the demonisation of asylum seekers.  

Julie calls for this policy to be removed from the political sphere and instead placed under courtroom examination to find its true impact on detainees, workers, and the nation, after 25 years.  

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In todays episode of the Five Minute Advocate Eva reflects on the perplexities of the present world, expressing concern over the erosion of democratic values and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence. She nostalgically recalls a post-World War II vision of a socially competent world and questions the current focus on economics over societal well-being.

Eva also advocates for a return to viewing individuals as citizens rather than customers, urging a collective effort to rebuild a compassionate and inclusive society

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