Kerry O’Brien to feature at Politics of Life #2

THE second Politics of Life (POL) ‘This Stuff Matters’ event returns in 2025 to M|Arts in Murwillumbah next month.

The event titled Unstuck Australia: Becoming a More Decent and Independent Nation will feature renowned broadcaster and author Kerry O’Brien in conversation with Emerita Professor Jenny Hocking, Gough Whitlam’s biographer and author of The Palace Letters.

They will discuss the values that shape today’s Australia, topics such as equity, inclusivity, and independence, and how a just nation can finally come to terms with its past.

Dr Richard Hil, founder and president of POL, said the series aimed to consider the implications of a rapidly changing world and how we navigate our way by building more connected, kinder and civic-minded communities.

“Climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, along with many other environmental problems are radically transforming life on earth, and Australia faces particular problems in this regard,” Dr Hil said.

“Lack of preparedness and social fragmentation is placing communities in great jeopardy. The fracturing of our communities, social disconnection, embedded racism and growing political division will make the task of adaptation even harder.

POL aims to contribute to and enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the major regional centre of the Northern Rivers area.

“We intend this series to be lively, engaging and action-oriented,” Dr Hil said.

“The population makeup of Murwillumbah and surrounding areas is changing rapidly with a growing number of creatively, socially, politically and ecologically engaged community members.”

Hil is an adjunct professor at Griffith and Southern Cross universities, holds board positions in various organisations, and has authored 13 books. He said the intention was to interrogate the big questions through the prism of everyday life.

“We’re concerned with how we might build more resilient, effective and cohesive communities to advance human rights and common decency.

“How can Indigenous and non-Indigenous people forge a path to nation-building that acknowledges our violent past and our role in reconciliation and truth-telling?

“How can we promote peace, respect and dignity in our everyday lives?” he said.

O’Brien and Hocking will discuss these issues and more on Thursday, February 20.

For details and tickets, visit facebook.com/people/This-Stuff-Matters/61561615772943