In the final episode of The Five Minute Advocate for 2024, the brilliant Eva Cox reflects on the year and challenges us to reconnect with the essence of humanity: our need for connection, fairness, and belonging in a society that values people over power. Amid global uncertainty, she calls us to cherish relationships, rethink our collective future, and build a world rooted in care and respect—because thriving democracies and shared humanity depend on it.

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In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker visits the Narara Ecovillage, an intentional community near Gosford focused on sustainable living. He explores its eco-friendly homes, strong sense of community, and innovative practices like sociocratic decision-making and an internal exchange economy.

While praising its low-carbon lifestyle, Walker discusses financial sustainability challenges and reflects on whether eco-villages like Narara could represent the future as more people seek alternatives to urban living.

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As the holiday season approaches, Eva Cox reflects on the importance of human connection over economic consumption. Eva argues that our social relationships—friendships, family ties, and community bonds—define our humanity far more than economic measures ever could. She urges us to reclaim the joy and meaning found in these emotional connections, especially during times like Christmas, when the focus should be on togetherness rather than material concerns.

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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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