National Youth Young Adults Ministry

To Firmer Ground: Restoring Hope in Australia

To Firmer Ground: Restoring Hope in Australia by John Langmore

This book was commissioned by the Australian Collaboration. In the book John Langmore asks whether Australia is at a tipping point, reflected in dissatisfaction with work/life imbalance, growing public debate about values and changing voter preferences. The quality of both personal and public life has been undermined by preoccupation with individual income maximisation and neglect of broader concerns such as climate change and growing inequality.

To Firmer Ground proposes an alternative vision for this country that prioritises the wellbeing of all Australians, the common good of our society and a national contribution to global peace and justice.

In order to reach these goals, strong leadership from government would be required and policies would have to evolve. To Firmer Ground offers sharp analysis of the critical issues confronting Australia that require immediate attention, and provides a persuasive, hopeful and practical set of solutions - an alternative vision for Australia that emphasises greater security, social justice and vitality.

Barry Jones writes that the book ‘presents a comprehensive analysis of Australia that is fair and balanced yet passionate and imperative, and closes with a powerful appeal, ‘A Way Forward'.

The book addresses eleven major issues, all important, most urgent and some apocalyptic. Australians will do well to heed the advice.' The issues include climate change, education, employment, health, housing, reinvigorated multiculturalism, justice for Indigenous Australians and global security and justice.

John Langmore is a Professorial Fellow in the Political Science Department at the University of Melbourne. Between 1997 and 2002 he was Director of the United Nations' Division for Social Policy and Development in New York and for the previous 12 years he was the Member for Fraser in the Federal Parliament.

UNSW Press, $32.95

Source: FECCA website.