This Stuff Matters

22/09/2026

21/09/2026

Is Australia going from bad to worse?
SIMON LONGSTAFF talks ethics at the The Regent Cinema Murwillumbah THIS THURSDAY September 24th

Australian democracy — or at least its Western liberal form — is entering a period of unease and danger. It faces a cluster of deep ethical problems, not least the steady decline in public trust and engagement in the political realm, driven by widening inequality, perceptions of corruption, loss of confidence in democratic institutions, and the weakening of mainstream political parties. Rising ideological extremism, together with growing exposure to misinformation, foreign interference, and unequal access to democratic participation — particularly for Indigenous and linguistically diverse communities — is further eroding democratic governance. Australia’s continuing strategic dependence on the United States, whose own democratic norms are being undermined by oligarchal fascism, and its faltering commitment to international law and human rights conventions, contribute to a climate of anger, distrust and disruptive fringe behaviour. This all demands sustained attention if some sense of democratic integrity is to be protected and renewed.

This Thursday at the Regent Cinema, leading Australian ethicist and founder of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Dr Simon Longstaff, will offer his thoughts on what can be done to address these challenges, and how we might reinvigorate debate about what an ethical Australia could look like.

5.00pm Doors open - Food and refreshments on the Balcony

6.30pm Musical entertainment featuring Neville Jennings and the Chillingham Voices choir.

7.00-8:30pm Introduction and guest speaker

This session invites us to listen, participate and reflect — and to connect with others who care deeply about Australia’s future.

This Stuff Matters presented by the team at Politics of Life.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/pushback-the-case-for-a-more-ethical-australia

18/09/2026

Some wonderful photos by Mala Norris from our last This Stuff Matters event, Michelle Berkon and M***a Hijazi.

18/09/2026

Photo credits: Mala Norris

17/09/2026

Madeleine Murray article in the Tweed Valley Weekly today.

The next event in the This Stuff Matters / Democracy Matters series at The Regent Cinema for 2026 - Simon Longstaff with musical performance by Chillingham Voices - presented by the Politics of Life team.

Tickets available here: https://events.humanitix.com/pushback-the-case-for-a-more-ethical-australia

17/09/2026

We are in for a treat, the Chillingham Voices will be performing at the next This Suff This Stuff Matters event on 24th September at The Regent Cinema Murwillumbah: Simon Longstaff - Pushback: The Case for a More Ethical Australia

Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out: https://events.humanitix.com/pushback-the-case-for-a-more-ethical-australia

16/09/2026

Big ideas start with local voices. 💡🌿

Join us at a community pop-up and drop in day at Murwillumbah Railway Station and help reimagine the future of South Murwillumbah. Share your ideas, have a chat with the project team and help shape what's next. 👇

📍 Murwillumbah Railway Station
📅 Saturday 26 September
⏰ 9am to 1pm

Can't make the drop in? Find more information and have your say here: https://www.yoursaytweed.com.au/projects/south-murwillumbah-master-plan