In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the Russia-Ukraine conflict: what’s happened, why it’s happening and what to expect next. Bits and pieces mentioned: Maps of Russia-Ukraine border conflict Vox Explained: Russia-Ukraine crisis Australians wanting to fight in Ukraine This week, Tania recommended reading English-translated Russian news outlets ( Tass and Interfax ) to analyse how the conflict is being perceived in Russia. Vanessa recommended the Global Conflict Tracker to keep...
Mar 21, 2022•30 min•Ep. 39
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the religious discrimination bill: what it is, why it’s controversial and why it’s important. Bits and pieces mentioned: A history of the bill Read the initial drafts of the bill Citipointe Christian College statement Penrith Christian School controversy School experiences of LGBTQ+ kids Is religion coming under attack? This week, Tania recommended an episode of our favourite SBS show, You Can’t Ask That , with transgender people. Vanessa re...
Mar 01, 2022•24 min•Ep. 38
We're back for 2022! In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down all the news stories that were buried by COVID over the summer. Bits and pieces mentioned: Coalition changes refugee intake and visas Our previous episodes on asylum seekers ( Part 1 and Part 2 ) Indigenous Voice in Parliament Kurri Kurri gas plant This week, Tania recommended an ABC article that details some health stories you might have missed; but worldwide! Vanessa recommended a website that posts slightly mundane, b...
Jan 19, 2022•23 min•Ep. 37
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the housing crisis in Australia : how it started, how it’s currently going and what the future holds. We discuss housing prices, interest rates and wage growth as major areas of concern. Disclaimer — The information in this episode is for general information only. It should not be taken as professional advice from Australia, Explained. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how the podcast...
Dec 21, 2021•22 min•Ep. 36
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we team up with Lewie from @thevirtuousvictorian to break down what is an ICAC and how Australia manages corruption. If you don’t follow his Instagram platform… GO! THERE’S NO TIME TO WASTE! Bits and pieces mentioned: CPI Index Dark Donations episode Gladys Berejiklian story ScoMo and ICAC ICAC stats This week, Tania recommended our Dark Donations episode to emphasise how important it is you listen to it. Vanessa recommended an article from The Conversati...
Nov 30, 2021•27 min•Ep. 35
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault and violence against women. In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down sexual assault within the AFL: past cases, present issues and future solutions. Bits and pieces mentioned: Stephen Milne Case James Robinson’s protest against St Kevin’s College AFL’s Respect and Responsibility Policy NRL “no-fault stand down” policy This week, Tania recommended an ABC Four Corners Report titled “Boys Club” about the scandals surrounding St Ke...
Nov 16, 2021•26 min•Ep. 34
TW: This episode discusses eating disorders, suicide and mental illness. In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down eating disorders; what they are, how they affect Aussies and some of the common myths. We chat with Hannah from EndED, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting those suffering from eating disorders, and we discuss everything from diet culture to mental health funding. Bits and pieces mentioned: EndED Eating disorders during COVID History of eating disorders Pai...
Nov 02, 2021•49 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the possibility of war with China: will it happen and why? Bits and pieces mentioned: Taiwan and China preparing for war What’s happening in the South China Sea China is ‘punishing’ Australia This week, Tania recommended an ABC podcast called “China, If You’re Listening” . Vanessa recommended English language Chinese media website China Daily . If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a fortnightly news podcast dedicated to helping Auss...
Oct 19, 2021•23 min•Ep. 32
Our podcast turns one today! In this episode, we break down how we started, how we’re going and where we're heading. We discuss our favourite episodes, the biggest issues facing Australia right now and our hopes/concerns for the future. Thank you for supporting us over the past year. You can continue to support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - sharing this podcast with your friends! If you’re new to Australia, Explaine...
Oct 05, 2021•41 min
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the hunter-gatherer myth surrounding First Nations communities, what their lives were like before colonisation and how they practised farming/land management. Bits and pieces mentioned: Bill Gammage’s quote Shaping the landscape Permanent settlements in Yuwibara land This week, Tania recommended a map of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander countries in Australia . Learn which country you are residing on, what language they speak and some o...
Sep 14, 2021•33 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the conflict in Afghanistan - the history, the role we played as Australians and the future of global politics with the Taliban in charge. Bits and pieces mentioned: Vox’s summary of Afghanistan conflict The Brereton Report about war crimes in Afghanistan Russia, China and Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan This week, Tania recommended a video of PM Bob Hawke in 1989 , emotionally responding to the Tiananmen Square protests in China and offering...
Aug 31, 2021•37 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down climate change in Australia: our experiences, our responses and our future. Bits and pieces mentioned: The Paris Agreement ScoMo’s comments on the IPCC report Each country’s carbon emissions Australia needs to cut emissions by at least 50% Australia: Climate Action Tracker Where do Australia’s emissions come from What is the Adani mine? This week, Tania recommended a book by Elizabeth Kolbert called “The Sixth Extinction”, which explores the...
Aug 18, 2021•30 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down conspiracy theories: what they are, why people believe in them and how they’re affecting Australians right now. Bits and pieces mentioned: The political compass The far-right in Australia Dr Karen Douglas on why people believe in conspiracies Social media as an “echo chamber” Sky News banned from YouTube The Dunning-Kruger effect QAnon in Australia This week, Tania recommended an ABC Four Corners investigative report about Tim Stewart, a hea...
Aug 03, 2021•30 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down Dry July - what it means, why it was started and what it says about alcohol culture in Australia. Bits and pieces mentioned: Government statistics on alcohol use in First Nations communities History of alcohol in First Nations communities Action on alcohol in First Nations communities Dry July - does it work? This week, Tania recommended an IGTV by SBS about Sobah Beverages and the rise of non-alcoholic alcohol products. Vanessa recommended ...
Jul 20, 2021•18 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down our vaccine rollout - what went wrong and what is currently being done. Bits and pieces mentioned: Australian vaccine data Vaccine rollout timeline Worldwide Vaccine Tracker AstraZeneca and blood clots This week, Tania recommended a Conversation article by leaders at the Grattan Institute about what our rollout 2.0 could look like. Vanessa recommended an ABC article about vaccine hesitancy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities...
Jul 09, 2021•21 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down public broadcasting in Australia, how they’re funded and what it means for news journalism. This episode acts as a “Part Two” to our very first episode we released about news media ownership in Australia (feels like years ago!). If you haven’t listened to that ep, you can do that here: Spotify , Apple Podcasts and Browser . Bits and pieces mentioned: 2021 budget for public broadcasting Foxtel gets $40 million of funding ABC misses out on fun...
Jun 02, 2021•17 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we talk about the intersection between cricket and politics. Particularly, how it has and will continue to shape the Aussie identity! Bits and pieces mentioned: The 1868 Aboriginal Cricket Team Former Treasurer Wayne Swan on Bodyline Ashes Sport and Apartheid How Steve Smith reacted to the ball tampering scandal This week, Tania recommended an article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Waleed Aly about the ball tampering scandal. Aly discusses how sport is s...
May 19, 2021•26 min•Ep. 23
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode will discuss topics that might trigger trauma, including sexual assault. Remember to put yourself first and switch the episode off if you need to. In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the allegations of sexual assault within the Federal Parliament, what happened and what's being done now. Bits and pieces mentioned: Brittany Higgins speech at Parliament House ScoMo’s press conference Higgins and ScoMo have a meeting Inquiry into sexual assault cultu...
May 04, 2021•28 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of Australia, Explained we dive deep into Anzac Day - the reality of the event and the debates that surround it. Bits and pieces mentioned: Ellis Ashmead Bartlett’s reports from Gallipoli The ‘history wars’ over ANZAC Day What do historians say about ANZAC Day? Australia’s spending on commemoration This week, Tania recommended this educational resource by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with a range of historical sources on either side of the ANZAC legend debate. Vanessa reco...
Apr 22, 2021•24 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down JobKeeper - why it’s ending, how it affected Aussies and what will happen next. Bits and pieces mentioned: How JobKeeper has benefitted us JobKeeper turns into a profit maker 300 ASX companies + JobKeeper How we spent JobKeeper Examples of JobKeeper fraud This week, Tania recommended a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding household finances following COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting whether payment schemes during COVID-19 ...
Mar 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 20
Disclaimer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following program contains names of people who have died. We extend a disclaimer to all listeners that this episode contains detailed accounts of violence and trauma, and may be disturbing for some. In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the Tasmanian genocide - what happened, why people don’t know about it and how we can work towards reconciliation. In this episode, we attempted to use black voices ...
Mar 16, 2021•26 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the changes to university fees, why these decisions are being made and how it affects you. Bits and pieces mentioned: STEM and Humanities wages over time 2019 Graduate Outcomes Study Jacqui Lambie’s speech about university fees This week, Tania recommended an article from the ABC that is full of personal testimonials about how the changes to uni fees have impacted different individual’s lives. Vanessa recommended the book “Homo Deus” by Yuva...
Mar 02, 2021•26 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the underworld of political donations, where the money is going and why it’s being hidden. Bits and pieces mentioned: Property and construction industry donations Snapshot of political donations Breakdown of donors ‘Dark money’ over the past two decades This week, Tania recommended a 2016 video from the ABC show Q&A about international political donations and includes a discussion about the many issues with political donations laws right...
Feb 23, 2021•26 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down what’s happening with Google at the moment, why they’re threatening to remove the search engine in Australia and what the future of news media looks like. Bits and pieces mentioned: 2020 report on digital news in Australia Mel Silva’s response to the code What the inventor of the internet says about the code How Google News Showcase works This week, Tania recommended a video made by Youtube creator liaison Matt Koval about the Media Bargaini...
Feb 16, 2021•26 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down weather in Australia right now, what’s happening and why it’s raining so much. Bits and pieces mentioned: Bureau of Meteorology website Australia’s climate drivers Antarctica's ice is melting El Niño is taking over This week, Tania recommended the Bureau of Meteorology's weather predictions for Australia for February to May. Vanessa recommended this video by Sky News on what happens when the planet gets just 2 degrees warmer. If you’re new t...
Feb 02, 2021•22 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the history of January 26, what happened and why it stirs up so much controversy. Bits and pieces mentioned: Survey: What Aussies think happened on Jan 26th Survey: Do Aussies want to #changethedate? The Frontier Wars Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander accounts to follow: @blakbusiness @tallulahsrash @comingoutblak @darthem123 @alwaysourstories @nitv_au @tradingblak @clothingthegap This week, Tania recommended two things - 1) an interacti...
Jan 26, 2021•27 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of Australia, Explained we guide you through the Coronavirus vaccine: how it was developed and how it will be rolled out in Australia. Bits and pieces mentioned: Current status of COVID-19 vaccine worldwide How COVID-19 vaccines are trialled How Australia approves vaccines Australia's vaccine agreements Clarification on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine How important is vaccine efficacy? Economic benefits of worldwide COVID-19 vaccination Will workplaces be able to force ...
Jan 19, 2021•30 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we look at skin cancer rates in Australia, why the disease is so common in our country and what we’ve done to reduce it. Bits and pieces mentioned: 2016 AIHW report on skin cancer Cancer Council statistics Study on the incidence of skin cancer in migrated adults More about the ozone layer in Australia SunSmart campaigns This week, Tania recommended the ABCDE checklist for assessing your body for potentially cancerous moles - early detection is crucial! Va...
Jan 12, 2021•25 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of Australia, Explained we give you some insight into the Australia - China relationship. Why are we fighting and why does it matter? Bits and pieces mentioned: China officials Afghan soldier tweet History of Aus-China relations Racism during COVID The reality of China’s trade threats Victoria and the Belt and Road Initiative Here are some international news outlets that aren’t for the US or Europe. We recommend following these outlets on Twitter - they are active on Instagram bu...
Dec 08, 2020•24 min•Ep. 11
In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down superannuation - what it is, how it works and what is currently being discussed. We look about the differences in superannuation savings between genders and industries, as well as discuss the findings of the royal commission into the misconduct of financial institutions that set forth a series of recommendations to improve the superannuation sector. Bits and pieces mentioned: Superannuation statistics in Australia Unpaid super in the hospita...
Dec 01, 2020•25 min•Ep. 10
