Convenor of The Politics of Life Richard Hil writes:
What would our politics look like if it were shaped not by toughness and division, but by kindness, care and compassion? It’s a question at the heart of Hugh Mackay’s work—and one he’ll explore in Murwillumbah on 2 March in his talk, Why Social Connection and Kindness are Vital to Australian Democracy.
Mackay, one of Australia’s most respected interpreters of social trends and author of numerous books on how we live and relate, has spent decades charting the forces pulling communities apart. He points to rising frustration with political leaders, deepening inequality, the accelerating climate crisis, and the global drift toward authoritarianism as pressures that are fraying our social fabric.
Through his research, Mackay has seen how anger, blame and bitterness increasingly dominate public debate, drowning out empathy and genuine understanding. Yet he argues that these very conditions make the case for compassion more urgent—not as a soft ideal, but as a democratic necessity.
As part of the Democracy Matters series, Mackay will invite audiences to imagine a different kind of politics: one grounded in respect, human connection and the everyday practices of kindness that hold communities together. Building a more caring society, he suggests, is not only morally compelling—it is essential to the health and future of our democracy.
Join us at The Regent Theatre from 5:00pm for refreshments on the balcony, followed by a stunning performance at 6:30pm by internationally acclaimed duo King Billy—Martha Baartz and Jedi Symes.
The evening also includes a lively and incisive contribution from leading beat poet Pancho Symes who will recite “Burnt Words” which depicts his lived experience through the 2019/2020 bushfires that raged through Mallacoota Victoria.
Hugh Mackay’s keynote begins at 7:00pm.
Tickets available online via Humanitix.
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