[Watch] The Fifth Estate: Citizenship and its Discontents
As we enter the second half of this pivotal decade, what is the evolving role of citizens in shaping major political, social and cultural shifts in Australia?
Democracy is more than democratic institutions of governance and written laws. It’s also a culture requiring nourishment and societal engagement to ensure it thrives.
In this special Melbourne Writers Festival edition of The Fifth Estate, notable thinkers including political historian Judith Brett and advocate and author Thomas Mayo discussed the dimensions of Australia’s public and collective identity, from political engagement and civic responsibility to the challenges facing us in this federal election year.
They joined host Sally Warhaft to consider whether the voices of ordinary people are fully present in media, politics and halls of power.
Originally presented on Saturday 10 May 2025 by The Wheeler Centre and Melbourne Writers Festival.