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Background Briefing

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Background Briefing brings you true stories not everyone will want you to hear.

Episodes

"No water, no us"

What happens when we run out of water? That might seem a long way off, but after years of drought, taps are running dry in towns all over central New South Wales. The region's dams have gone from overflowing to almost empty in just three years. So where did all the water go? Reporter Meredith Griffiths explores life after day zero.

Nov 23, 201942 min

Where to now?

Its been two years since a campaign of brutal violence and mass rape forced almost a million Rohingyas to flee Myanmar. The International Criminal Court has now agreed to investigate possible crimes against humanity committed against them. In the weeks leading up to this major development, Sarah Dingle travelled to the world's biggest refugee camp in neighbouring Bangladesh, where close to one million asylum seekers are being hosted. But as she discovered, compassion is turning into resentment a...

Nov 16, 201944 min

State of emergency

Extraordinary measures have been ordered across New South Wales. There's 60 fires burning in that one state alone. Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong are facing catastrophic fire conditions ahead. That's why we've updated a story we produced a month ago, which asks the question: are our emergency services equipped for what's ahead? This episode was made in a collaboration between ABC Regional, Landline, and Background Briefing.

Nov 11, 201954 min

Are Australians aiding China's surveillance state?

In the shadow of the Hong Kong protests on university campuses, Australia’s top universities are working with blacklisted Chinese entities involved in Beijing’s surveillance state. This week Background Briefing and Four Corners investigate how Australia’s hi-tech ambitions became a high stakes gamble. Experts warn these partnerships could be a risk to national security.

Oct 12, 201945 min

Are Australians aiding China's surveillance state?

In the shadow of the Hong Kong protests on university campuses, Australia's top universities are working with blacklisted Chinese entities involved in Beijing's surveillance state. This week Background Briefing and Four Corners investigate how Australia's hi-tech ambitions became a high stakes gamble. Experts warn these partnerships could be a risk to national security.

Oct 12, 201945 min

Prepare to burn

It’s been the most devastating September for bushfires in this country on record. Experts are warning of more unprecedented weather events than ever before, and they’re calling for urgent national leadership. In this special collaboration with ABC Regional and Landline, Background Briefing asks if we’re prepared to fight the fires of the future.

Oct 06, 201954 min