The Missing Piece: How I became an accidental activist
Jun 2026 · Echo
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About this ebook
James O'Loghlin's best friend at university was Jum Wallner, but once careers and kids came along, they drifted apart. That was, until the day Jum felt a pain in his side and remembered he had grown up in a house filled with 'Mr Fluffy' asbestos insulation.
Nearly everyone who contracts an asbestos disease gets it from their work and is entitled to compensation or financial support. Jum discovered that if you got one from your home, tough luck. You were on your own. Before he died, Jum wanted to change that.
James leapt at the chance to help him. But with zero lobbying experience, how were they going to persuade the ACT Labor Government and the Federal Liberal Government to work together to help the victims of the 1000 'Mr Fluffy' houses? In the middle of Covid, how would they attract national media attention? Most importantly, as Jum's illness worsened, could they get it done in time?
This is a story about amateurs figuring out how to influence government, how friendship can drift and then be found again, and how tragedy can make it clear what really matters.
Nearly everyone who contracts an asbestos disease gets it from their work and is entitled to compensation or financial support. Jum discovered that if you got one from your home, tough luck. You were on your own. Before he died, Jum wanted to change that.
James leapt at the chance to help him. But with zero lobbying experience, how were they going to persuade the ACT Labor Government and the Federal Liberal Government to work together to help the victims of the 1000 'Mr Fluffy' houses? In the middle of Covid, how would they attract national media attention? Most importantly, as Jum's illness worsened, could they get it done in time?
This is a story about amateurs figuring out how to influence government, how friendship can drift and then be found again, and how tragedy can make it clear what really matters.
James O'Loghlin's best friend at university was Jum Wallner, but once careers and kids came along, they drifted apart. That was, until the day Jum felt a pain in his side and remembered he had grown up in a house filled with 'Mr Fluffy' asbestos insulation.
Nearly everyone who contracts an asbes...
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About the author
James O'Loghlin is a comedian, television and radio host, and author of thirteen books. He began his career as a corporate lawyer, realised it wasn't for him, and became a criminal lawyer and a comedian. He has hosted four television shows - including The New Inventors on ABC-TV for eight years - and presented programs on ABC Local Radio for fifteen years.
In 2021 his first play, Television, was shortlisted for the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award and was Highly Commended by the judges of the Silver Gull Play Award. James co-hosts the mental health podcast 'Minding Your Mind' with Professor Ian Hickie.
The Writers' Room is James' 15th book, and his third novel for adults. His first novel, Criminals, was published by Echo Publishing in 2022.
James lives in Sydney with his wife and three daughters.
In 2021 his first play, Television, was shortlisted for the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award and was Highly Commended by the judges of the Silver Gull Play Award. James co-hosts the mental health podcast 'Minding Your Mind' with Professor Ian Hickie.
The Writers' Room is James' 15th book, and his third novel for adults. His first novel, Criminals, was published by Echo Publishing in 2022.
James lives in Sydney with his wife and three daughters.
James O'Loghlin is a comedian, television and radio host, and author of thirteen books. He began his career as a corporate lawyer, realised it wasn't for him, and became a criminal lawyer and a comedian. He has hosted four television shows - including The New Inventors on ABC-TV for eight years -...
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