Former judge Stephen Charles AO QC and Dr Catherine Williams discuss what a robust and effective federal integrity commission looks like, as well as other accountability bodies and measures needed to protect our democracy from corruption. These include reforms to our political donations system, among many others. Their new book is called, 'Keeping Them Honest: The Case for a Genuine National Integrity Commission and Other Vital Democratic Reforms.' Stephen Charles QC is a former Judge of Appeal ...
May 12, 2022•51 min
Gabriel Shipton, film producer and brother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks about his film ITHAKA, which follows Assange's father John Shipton in his fight to free Julian. Gabriel discusses the chilling effect America’s efforts to prosecute Julian are having on freedom of press and whistleblowers across the world, and the disturbing tactics deployed to silence him and undermine Julian's case. Julian is currently being held in Belmarsh Prison, London. A court has formally approved the ...
May 11, 2022•23 min
Does Australia need a "big" government? Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute examines the false narrative that Australians have been told for decades – that the less government spends, the better their lives will be. Richard talks about taxes, the weaponisation of shame in our welfare system, and what we can really afford as a country, if we choose it. His book is called, 'Big: The Role of the State in the Modern Economy.' Broadcast on 15 February 2022.
May 07, 2022•54 min
Luke Hilakari, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council tells us the full story behind the fight to save the John Curtin Hotel. A green ban has been announced in the effort to protect the socially and culturally significant John Curtin Hotel in Carlton. Union workers will now refuse to work on any redevelopment or demolition of the Curtin Hotel, after it was sold to an international buyer. Broadcast on 3 May 2022.
May 04, 2022•20 min
Journalist and author Louisa Lim discusses her new book, Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong. Among many things, Louisa explores the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong and the rising number of speech crime convictions under the harsh national security law. She also unearths the stories behind key historical moments and seeks to insert Hong Kongers back into their social and political history. Broadcast on 3 May 2022.
May 03, 2022•50 min
Veteran broadcaster and author Jon Faine joins Amy to discuss his fascinating new book, Apollo & Thelma: A True Tall Tale. Jon tells the astonishing true story of the world's strongest man Paul Anderson, also known as ‘The Mighty Apollo,' and his sister Thelma, a pioneering publican of the ‘Wanda Inn’ at Top Springs in the NT. As Jon was Apollo's lawyer, he reckons with his own story too. This book is many things – a memoir, a true tale, and a reflection on Australia's history and the fight for ...
Apr 26, 2022•57 min
Scottish paleobiologist Dr Thomas Halliday joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, Otherlands: A World in the Making. Thomas takes us on a journey into deep time and introduces us to the awe-inducing ecosystems, animals, plants, and places that existed – from Alaska during the Pleistocene (20,000 years ago) to Australia during the Ediacaran (550 million years ago). Thomas is an Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Birmingham. His PhD won the Li...
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Writer and farmer Bruce Pascoe and historian Bill Gammage discuss their new book, Country: Future Fire, Future Farming. They explain how Aboriginal people were, and are, farmers and agriculturalists – and what we urgently need to learn from them, for the sake of our forests, climate, and ecologies. Bill and Bruce also explain how and why First Nations people need to benefit from sharing their knowledge. Bruce Pascoe is a Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man. He is the author of many books including,...
Apr 19, 2022•46 min
Dr Chris Wallace discusses the federal election campaign in Australia, including the media's key role and their performance so far. Chris also previews the Labor Party's chances of winning government after a decade in opposition. Chris is the author of 'How To Win An Election,' and is an Associate Professor at the 50/50 By 2030 Foundation at the University of Canberra. She was a longstanding member of the Canberra Press Gallery. Broadcast on 19 April 2022.
Apr 19, 2022•35 min
Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, joins Amy to reflect on how the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved. He addresses the myths and misinformation around what the virus is, how it is spread, and what we must all do to reduce transmission. Brendan also discusses the long-term health effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID, and much more. Broadcast on 12 April 2022.
Apr 12, 2022•53 min
Professor John Keane joins Amy to discuss his latest book, The Shortest History of Democracy. John explains the lesser known origins of democracy, its symbolism, and the three forms of democracy across history: assembly democracy, electoral democracy, and monitory democracy. He also reflects on present day Australia and the state and functioning of our democratic system. John is a Professor of Politics at University of Sydney. Broadcast on 5 April 2022.
Apr 08, 2022•41 min
Award-winning investigative journalist and author Jess Hill unravels the complexities of domestic abuse and its insidious forms, like coercive control. These are issues Jess delves into in her podcast series, The Trap, where she speaks with victim survivors, perpetrators, police, and others. If this conversation brings up any concerns for you, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14, 1800 Respect (1800 737 732), or Safe Steps 1800 015 188. Broadcast on 5 April 2022.
Apr 05, 2022•53 min
Philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer joins Amy for a special, wide-ranging chat ahead of his appearance in Melbourne this week. They discuss the philosophy of utilitarianism, Peter's conception of "effective altruism," moral questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as why we should care about the suffering of animals. Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. Broadcast on 29 March 2022.
Mar 29, 2022•49 min
Amy speaks in-depth with best-selling author Johann Hari about his new book, 'Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention.' Johann explores the attention crisis and why we have lost our ability to focus. He tells Amy how we can take back our attention at both an individual and systemic level, but we have to fight for it. Listen to part two of our conversation about Stolen Focus on the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/uncommonsense-rrr/interview-with-johann-hari-stolen-focus-part-2 Note: Either...
Mar 15, 2022•57 min
Associate Professor Andrew Godwin, Principal Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, explores the fascinating life and work of William Ah Ket (1876–1936). Ah Ket was Australia’s first barrister of Chinese heritage and the only non-European barrister in the first 120 years of the Victorian Bar. He was widely admired and was a fierce advocate for Chinese–Australians, defending them against racial discrimination. Broadcast on 1 March, 2022.
Mar 15, 2022•38 min
Historian and author Dr Anna Clark speaks with Amy about her new book, 'Making Australian History.' In a wide-ranging conversation, Anna looks at the history of Australian history, our changing and contested national story, and the many different people who make it.
Mar 11, 2022•51 min
Independent political candidate Jo Dyer joins Amy to discuss what's wrong with federal politics and how we can change it for the better. Jo argues that there is a movement of independents running at the upcoming federal election who, if successful in large enough numbers, could change the way politics is done. Jo speaks about her book, 'Burning Down the House: Reconstructing Modern Politics.' She is running for the South Australian seat of Boothby. Broadcast on 22 February 2022.
Feb 24, 2022•50 min
Historian and author Dr David Brophy explores his very relevant book, ‘China Panic: Australia’s Alternative to Paranoia and Pandering.’ David discusses this in the context of the federal government and media's escalating rhetoric around the China "threat." Broadcast on 22 February 2022.
Feb 22, 2022•49 min
Have you heard about the damage being done to our orbital environments by rapidly growing satellite mega-constellations? Writer Ceridwen Dovey discusses her award-winning essay, "Everlasting Free Fall” with Amy. In the essay she writes that, “in the past 2 years, over 1000 new commercial satellites have been shot into low Earth Orbit.” These satellites are altering the night sky and have many consequences for the science of astronomy and our ability to spot potentially life-threatening asteroids...
Feb 18, 2022•30 min
Poet and advocate Dr Sarah Holland-Batt discusses the crisis in aged care in-depth and talks of the many older Australians suffering and dying of COVID-19 due to unprecedented COVID-19 outbreaks in aged-care homes. Broadcast on 15 February 2022.
Feb 17, 2022•49 min
Historian and author Stuart Kells talks about his new book, 'Sold Down The River: How Robber Barons and Wall Street Traders Cornered Australia’s Water Market.' He and co-author Scott Hamilton look at how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the marketisation of water has gone horribly wrong. Stuart Kells is also adjunct professor at La Trobe Business School. He has twice won the Ashurst Business Literature Prize. Broadcast on 26 October 2021.
Nov 03, 2021•45 min
Guardian Australia Environment Reporter Graham Readfearn previews the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow and talks about Australia's global reputation and history at UN climate negotiations since Kyoto. He also discusses the Coalition government's internal negotiations over climate policy and their eventual commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Broadcast on 26 October 2021.
Oct 26, 2021•46 min
Greg Mullins, firefighter and former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner discusses his book, 'Firestorm: Battling Super-Charged Natural Disasters.' Greg describes the dire effects of human-caused climate change on bushfire seasons here in Australia and globally. He also speaks out strongly over the policy and federal leadership vacuum on these issues.
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Writer Bri Lee talks about her latest book, 'Who Gets to Be Smart: Privilege, Power and Knowledge'. Bri realises that far from offering 'equality of opportunity', Australia's education system exacerbates socio-economic disadvantage. She also closely observes the elite microcosm of Oxford through her friend Damian, a Rhodes Scholar. Broadcast on 7 September 2021.
Sep 17, 2021•41 min
Dr Richard Denniss scrutinises the Prime Minister's "safe plan" for opening up Australia in a COVID world, and debunks the political spin from government. Does the Doherty Institute's modelling support the plan? What does the modelling even say (in plain English)? And what are its underlying assumptions? Will lockdowns really be a thing of the past? Richard Denniss is the chief economist at The Australia Institute. Broadcast on 7 September 2021.
Sep 09, 2021•56 min
Renowned wildlife cinematographer Nick Hayward and behavioural ecologist Dr Anastasia Dalziell take us into the forest, describing the brilliant mimicry and fascinating behaviours of the lyrebird in Australia, and their involvement in THE MESSAGE OF THE LYREBIRD documentary, directed by Mark B. Pearce. Broadcast on 24 August 2021.
Aug 28, 2021•52 min
Guardian reporter Graham Readfearn discusses the Australian government’s lobbying efforts to prevent the Great Barrier Reef from being listed as ‘in danger’ by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. He also explores the committee's decision to list the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, as the Karen people are reportedly being driven from their homes in the Kaeng Krachan forest on the border of Myanmar. Graham Readfearn is an environment reporter for the Guardian Australia. Broadcast 17 August 2021.
Aug 27, 2021•27 min
Nic Maclellan talks all things Pacific politics, including President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to French Polynesia and the ongoing legacy of nuclear testing and colonisation. Nic also discusses the COVID-19 situation across the Pacific, what happened at the latest Pacific Islands Forum, and Samoa's first female Prime Minister. Nic is a Pacific Affairs Correspondent for Inside Story and a correspondent for Islands Business magazine (Fiji). Broadcast on 17 August 2021.
Aug 27, 2021•40 min
Historian and author Dr Emma Shortis joins Amy to speak in-depth about her brilliant debut book, 'Our Exceptional Friend: Australia’s Fatal Alliance with the United States.' Broadcast on 17 August 2021.
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws examines the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination modelling and targets. She tells us whether the nationally agreed targets of 70% and 80% of the eligible adult population are high enough in order to reduce restrictions and open up safely. Mary-Louise is a Professor of epidemiology at UNSW and is also a Member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Broadcast on 10 August...
Aug 18, 2021•25 min
