Part 1 - Non Fiction Treasures
I spent 5 out of the 6 days at this year's writer's week wandering the gardens and listening to thought-provoking conversations. That adds up to a lot of listening.
The 2025 program contained an extensive list of talks that focussed on the big issues of our times. I was attracted to hearing from experts and investigative journalists, being hungry for facts and 'truth' in this era of misinformation.
As a writer, I draw on reality for my fiction stories. I weave in contemporary issues and want my plots to feel plausible. That means I need to know enough about the real issues and the facts before I start to ask 'what if?' and spin the web of story threads.
Listening to the serious topics presented in the first few days, depressed me. It reminded me of how many big issues we currently face, of the many divisive opinions often based on misinformation rather than facts, and how much conflict is tearing our world apart. It reinforced how important it is for us to strive for a shared meaning and a shared understanding.
It is comforting to share audience space with like-minded people, people who apparently share my values, but at times that feels unsatisfying. Why aren't people with contrary beliefs also seeking facts and knowledge?
I don't attend these talks to confirm my beliefs/opinions/stance, I attend to learn. To broaden my understanding and to hear from those who have researched and delved into issues in more depth. It's not a blind acceptance either. It is a chance to hear what's said, but also to raise questions, and to dig deeper.
My non-fiction/serious talk highlights
👉Australia's Carbon Capture: Releaing Fossil Fuel's Grip on our Democracy with speakers Ross Garnaut, Richard Denis, Royce Kurmelovs, and Sarah Hanson-Young, moderated by Natasha Mitchell.
This was the first talk I listened to on Sunday morning. It's a topic I'm interested in and have read about prior to this conversation, so I was keen to hear the perspectives offered by informed speakers.
It was an insightful discussion about the influence of fossil fuel lobby groups over politicians and media and how this situation came about. It highlighted the need for us all to stay vigilant. Especially when facts, truth, and evidence are the casualties of self-interest. Lobby groups have a single purpose, to promote support for their industry's expansion and money making.
Royce Kurmelovs talked about how fossil fuel influence began as a campaign of product defence and a way to confuse the information from scientists and cast doubt on climate change science.
"Scientific truth is not affected by propaganda."
During this talk I wondered about Australian industry's antagonism towards unions, while their lobby groups - which are like unions representing an industry - are used extensively to gain unfettered access to policy makers and the media. Their influence is used for the Industry's interests even when not in the interests of the public.
The fossil fuel industry receives huge subsidies and yet accepts no responsibility for their part in causing climate change.
"We collect more tax in HECS than we collect from fossil fuel."
The lobby groups make it harder for the truth to get a hearing and make it easier for the vested interests to dominate the conversation.
The recent two-page spread by Santos in the Murdoch press is an example. This article, submitted by Santos, was presented as a news article rather than paid advertising.
Fossil fuels cause pollution, spewing carcinogens into the atmosphere, as well as contributing to climate change (their own scientists first warned of this about 50 years ago). I believe it is a health issue as much as a climate change action issue. But their deliberate policy of denial and their relationships with policy makers thwart action.
I bought Royce Kurmelovs' book Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship with Big Oil. As a freelance journalist he was able to get inside the propaganda machine, gather unguarded comments and insights, and see the machine in action. I look forward to reading it.
Last year, I read Carbon Justice: The Scandal of Australia's Biggest Contribution to Climate Change by Jeremy Moss.
It presents a compeling argument for making fossil fuel companies accept responsibility for the harm they cause.
It is an informative read, exploring the issues in depth. It's well researched, presents a compelling case, and offers ideas.
This writer's week panel conversation supplemented the concerns raised by the books I've read. It's important. We need to address the issue of fossil fuel's impact on our health and environment and to examine their undeserved influence over policy makers and media.
Another blog I wrote previously, discussed a book I used to research the plot for Deadly Secrets. Dirty Money: The True Cost of Australia's Mineral Boon by Matthew Benns is an older book and looks more at other mining activities by Australian companies, but is also a compelling read.
You can read the blog here
👉Robodebt: A Moral Vacuum and a Multi-Billion-Dollar Government Shakedown with Rick Morton and moderated by Tory Shepherd.
The last talk I sat through on Monday was at the west stage. The conversation centred on the Robodebt scandal and the facts as unearthed by Rick Morton's investigative journalism. His book, Mean Streak, is a thorough account of what happened and should be required reading for anyone who works in the public service, in fact, it should be required reading for anyone who votes in this country. It could provide a lesson on what not to do.
I didn't know all the facts of this shameful Morrison Government scandal. I'm so grateful for Rick Morton's dogged determination. It's a great example of investigative journalism at its best.
What struck me about this scandal, was the total disregard decision-makers had for the vulnerable people they served. The aim to claw back social security payments even when they had been paid legitimately, by using an illegal averaging method, was shocking. Rick Morton highlighted the successive failures of those who knew it was wrong/illegal and said nothing, and those who chose to cover it up. Robodebt resulted in a despicable toll on human lives - some committed suicide because they could see no way out.
I despair at how easily scandals and their repercussions are forgotten. This book is a timely reminder to ask questions of politicians and their 'policy' announcments. Something many of our current batch of journalists working for the 'popular' press could learn to do. It also shows us that social media is not enough to hold power to account.
👉The United States: Down and Out? with Allan Behm, Nick Bryant, Prudence Flowers, and Emma Shortis and moderated by Natasha Mitchell.
This session has a very controversial title, one that was made more dire by the Zelenskyy incident the day before.
I was interested to hear from scholars; people who have loved American culture and studied it over many years. Their insights drew on American history and broader observations.
Since what I know about America comes largely from personal visits, American friends, and the news, it was a nice change to hear a discussion about what is happening in the US from a more dispassionate and knowledgeable perspective.
"Congress used to be a moderating power. They are silent, no check on presidential power."
I'd be interested to read some of Emma Shortis' books. She has studied (and written a lot about) the Heritage Foundation and project 2025. All agreed that currently there is a focus on dismantling the knowledge base and reducing confidence in institutions.
"Trump had 49.8% of the popular vote. That's not a landslide."
"Republicans are ruling, not governing."
Conclusion
These three sessions stood out in my memory and notes but there were many more sessions I enjoyed. In the interests of staying brief, I'll save the rest for my next blog(s).
A troubling issue which was addressed in other talks was the billionaire class and their control of the press. It's a worrying trend to have freedom of speech shut down by those who purport to support it.
I still wonder how the world has become so divided and so full of belief rather than evidence? Why learning is seen as an activitiy for the 'woke' or 'elite'? And, why people prefer to hate, rather that work together to achieve better things?
I'll leave you with this thought from one of the other talks I attended.
"A society that cannot agree on facts will fragment and breakdown. The absence of agreed facts is lethal."
My next blog will focus on fiction books and memoirs.
Deadly Secrets
My book Deadly Secrets is Fiction.
It's an Australian mystery suspense thriller with political intrigue and a female amateur sleuth.
In this multi-layered political mystery thriller, ordinary people uncover an extraordinary conspiracy. Their choice is to stay silent and condone unspeakable injustice or risk everything to speak out.
A suspicious death. A dark web of deceit. Will she risk everything for the truth?
Can ordinary people really make a difference in a world where powerful forces hold all the cards?
Read Deadly Secrets to find out.
Get your copy here
Available in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook (narrated by the wonderful Lisa Armytage).
If you're looking for other good book recommendations (fiction or non-fiction) - Shepherd readers website has great book recommendations from readers and authors (not plugging their own books). Recommendations are sorted so you can easily find books that match your preferences.
You can aslo read my book recommendations (all fiction books):
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