Podcasts

In the wake of COVID-19, it’s easy to forget that only a few short months ago, hundreds of communities across Australia were faced with fire and smoke, homes destroyed and one of the most difficult bushfire seasons Australia has ever seen.

From water and drought to coal mines in small towns, a neighbourhood’s safe-injecting room to the Country Women’s Association’s brand of feminism, each year these and more stories are told by Australian communities in their own words through the National Features and Documentary Series.

The unprecedented economic upheaval of the global pandemic is sending shockwaves across the world and causing wide-spread panic among consumers. Whilst the Government has now announced more than $150 billion worth of stimulus packages, for the average listener it can be anxiety-inducing to even interpret the fast-changing legislation, bill amendments, new orders, relief packages and unprecedented economic measures, let alone reaping the benefits.

Australian perspectives on the week’s neglected social aspects of life, too often ignored by economics-driven priorities. These undermine our options for good societies, not just growth.

Eva Cox is a well-known sociologist and public feminist commentator with a long involvement in advocacy for more civil societies.

Julie Macken has a wealth of experience as a journalist for AFR and New Matilda and has worked with a variety of non-profit organisations.