Rev Elenie Poulos, National Director, UnitingJustice Australia has been included in Who Speaks for and Protects the Public Interest in Australia?, a book of essays by notable Australians launched in Canberra on 26 February.

Elenie’s essay discusses how the values of a decent society must influence policy decisions made in the public interest.

“The concerns of groups and individuals who are marginalised in society, who struggle to be seen let alone have their voices heard, are exactly those we must listen to if we are truly interested in policy reform in the public interest. It is only by allowing ourselves to be confronted by those who suffer as a result of the way things are, that we will understand what truly is in the public interest. For the values of neoliberalism do not serve the wellbeing of our societies. They promote inequity, breed isolation and fracture social cohesion.”

For further information, or to order a copy of Who Speaks for and Protects the Public Interest in Australia? go to the Australia21 website