Voices of Australia

As recent data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics suggests, the spiritual landscape of our nation is undergoing a profound shift.

With Christianity still the dominant faith, a rising 38.9% of Australians now identify as non-religious, while other faiths, such as Hinduism and Islam, continue to grow.

How does this reflect the evolving dynamics of Australia's social fabric? What does it mean for social cohesion, individual r...

Today, we’re focusing on Discrimination: How does it influence our society, and what should we do to move from acknowledging its existence to taking action against it?   Research from the Diversity Council Australia found notable disparities in discrimination and harassment rates amongst various groups, from our First Nations People to individuals with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community. A similar ABC News survey revealed that...

There are few more critical aspects at the heart of our democracy than the levels of trust we have in our institutions and the degree to which we participate in Australia’s political system.

Politics is not a remote game, played in the distant halls of power. It shapes our daily lives, impacts our personal freedoms, and moulds our society's future. The need for meaningful political engagement and active civic participation cannot b...

In this episode, we turn our attention towards the not-so-silent giant that is climate change. However, our focus shifts away from statistics and environmental impacts. Instead, we delve into the often-overlooked human side of this vast issue: local and cultural community adaptation, educational campaigns, resilience, and more.

Climate change is not just a scientific concern; it's a social one. Our very ways of life, our cultures...

Consider this: a striking 44% of Australians have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life. With mental health challenges spanning from anxiety to depression, millions fight these invisible battles daily. Alarmingly, the suicide rate among First Nations People is almost double that of non-indigenous individuals, a stark reminder of the urgent need for targeted support. Furthermore, the lack of data on mental healt...

The most recent Mapping Social Cohesion surveys tell us that economic concerns have surged to the forefront of many Australians' minds.

Unemployment and the rising cost of living are not distant worries but real and present issues for many Australians. An increasingly uncertain global economic climate only compounds these worries, with 76% of respondents expressing significant concerns about a potential downturn.

But perhaps even m...

In a nation where over 300 languages reverberate from homes, workplaces, and public spaces, language is more than just a communication tool—it's a cultural lifeline that bridges our diverse communities.

Our linguistic diversity isn't just colourful, it's vital and influential. It's a Punjabi in radio podcast serving up global affairs alongside local news, it's a crucial health announcement rendered in Somali to ensure every communi...

Our sense of belonging is vital, as it provides us with a sense of identity, social support, safety, opportunities for civic engagement, and personal well-being. It helps build stronger communities, promotes unity, and enhances the overall fabric of society.

But there remain some concerns. The most recent results from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s Mapping cohesion surveys reveal a decline in Australians' sense of be...

Except for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, every Australian traces their roots to somewhere else. Since the time of Federation, the politics of who gets to start anew in this land has been a dominant theme.

According to recent results from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s Mapping Social Cohesion survey’s, there has been a significant increase in positive attitudes towards migrants in Australia. 76% of pe...

In the final episode of the first series of the Voices of Australia podcast, Dr. James O'Donnell shares his insights on the current state of social cohesion in Australia. A lecturer at the Australian National University, Dr. O'Donnell is the author of the 2022 Mapping Social Cohesion Report. In this episode, we chat with James about:

• Why he transitioned from working as a labour market economist to a career studying social cohe...

On the eleventh episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Vedran Drakulić helps us navigate the relationship between philanthopy and social cohesion. Vedran Drakulić OAM is the CEO of Gandel Foundation, one of the largest private family foundations in Australia. In this episode, we chat with Vedran about:

• How Vedran's career began as a fixer for Sports Illustrated magazine at the Sarajevo '84 winter Olympics.
• Vedran's story ...

'Organisations don't do things because it's the nice thing to do...change happens when we put pressure on.' In this episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Professor Nareen Young helps us navigate how Australian workplaces can become more diverse and inclusive. Nareen is Professor for Indigenous Policy and Indigenous Workforce Diversity at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.   In this episode, Naree...

'I don't need to copy the Jamaicans...I just need to be myself. When you're trying too hard to be someone else, it takes so much energy.' Have you wondered what it might feel like to run 800m at the Olympics for your country? Would you believe us if we told you that superstar Peter Bol considers himself an introvert? In this episode of the Voices of Australia podcast, Olympian Peter Bol helps us explore the role sport plays in fo...

The media provides a major avenue for working through debates about social issues and the values of Australian society in the public sphere. But there is a fine line between facilitating debate and causing division.

CEO of Media Diversity Australia, Mariam Veiszadeh joins us on the podcast to explore the critical relationship between social cohesion and the media in Australia.

Guest biography

Mariam Veiszadeh is an award winning ...

What does a genuinely inclusive political system really look like?

Joining the podcast to help us unpack this question is Dr. Marija Taflaga, a lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations and co-host of the Democracy Sausage Podcast. In this episode we ask Dr. Taflaga:

• What is political participation and why is it important to social cohesion and our democracy?
• What insights can we draw on from the 2022 Fed...

'A cohesive society doesn't box people into one identity.' Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Office Commissioner, Ro Allen, joins hosts, Anthea Hancocks and Lydia Tesema on the podcast.   In this episode we discuss:

• How fear and ignorance prevent an inclusive society.
• How Ro's experiences in the church helped shape their commitment to social justice.
• The need to better appreciate intersectionality and the burden of ...

How can decision-makers empower communities? What do we gain from better appreciating our shared interests and aspirations?

Joining us in the fourth episode of the Voices of Australia Podcast, Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen and Youth Activating Youth Programs Manager Hanad Hersi help us reflect on what strengthens social cohesion within and between communities. In this episode we cover:

• The key ...

What does it look like when people trust others, feel like they belong, and participate in their community? Are these the only ways to understand social cohesion?

Joining us in the third episode of the Voices of Australia Podcast, Professor Kate Reynolds and Fred Alale help us reflect on what we mean when we strive for a cohesive society. In this episode we discuss:

•  How a quick google search helped convince Fred Alale to move...