Author Linda Jaivin discusses her new book, The Shortest History of China, which covers the vast expanse of China's fascinating cultural, philosophical, and political history from ancient and imperial times to the modern day. Linda has been studying Chinese politics, language, and culture for more than 40 years. She has been a foreign correspondent in China, and is co-editor of the China Story Yearbook. Broadcast on 3 August 2021.
Amy speaks with Bill Bowtell about pandemic politics in Australia, the 'Zero COVID' strategy under threat in NSW, lockdowns, state and national vaccination targets, and all things public health. Bill is an Adjunct Professor at the UNSW and a strategic public health adviser. He led Australia's response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Broadcast 3 August 2021.
Epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws explains how Australia can reach herd immunity against COVID-19 and when children should be vaccinated against the virus in Australia. She also discusses the Delta variant outbreak in NSW, the reality of Long COVID, and whether we will ever be able to treat this virus “like the flu,” as the Prime Minister suggests. Mary-Louise is a member of the WHO’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Broadcast ...
People for A Living Moorabool's Cameron Steele and water law and nature rights expert Dr Erin O'Donnell discuss Victoria's most flow-stressed river – the Moorabool River, near Ballarat and Geelong. They also discuss their new documentary film about it called, THE RIVER MOORABOOL. Broadcast on 29 June 2021.
Dr Richard Denniss talks about his newly updated book, 'Econobabble: How to Decode Political Spin and Economic Nonsense.' Econobabble is the incomprehensible economic jargon politicians and commentators use to dress up their self-interest as the national interest, to make the absurd seem inevitable or the inequitable seem fair. Richard is the Chief Economist at The Australia Institute. Broadcast on 25 May 2021.
Epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws speaks in-depth about Victoria's current coronavirus outbreak and fourth lockdown, as well as the urgent drive to get Australians vaccinated. Mary-Louise talks about how we’re progressing and how long the lockdown might last, plus what policies need to be put in place now and in the future to prevent this from happening again. Mary-Louise is a member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness an...
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse sits down with Amy to explore and answer the question, What Is Life? This is considered in Paul's recent book, What Is Life? Understand biology in five steps. Paul is director and CEO of the Francis Crick Institute in London. His contributions to cell biology and cancer research were recognised with a knighthood in 1999, and his discovery of cell cycle regulatory molecules saw him jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2001.
Historian Professor Michelle Arrow talks about the many archival treasures on the verge of destruction if they cannot be digitised by 2025. This crisis is in large part due to chronic federal funding cuts to the budget of the National Archives of Australia. The race is on to digitise many audio-visual records and items that are disintegrating and reaching their preservation limit. Broadcast 4 May 2021.
Guardian reporter Luke Henriques-Gomes talks about the many planned controversial changes to the NDIS, which threaten the very principles the scheme was founded upon. Luke also explains his exclusive report detailing how proposed "independent assessments" for NDIS recipients would save the federal budget $700m and lead to smaller funding packages for disabled people. Broadcast on 4 May 2021.
Human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson QC joins Amy to discuss his new book, 'Bad People – and How to Be Rid of Them: A Plan B for Human Rights,' which is the first book published on the 'Magnitsky laws' that have been adopted by 31 countries. Geoffrey explains how targeted sanctions can act as a deterrent and punishment for individuals who commit crimes against humanity and serious corruption. Broadcast on 11 May 2021.
Rick Morton, senior reporter at The Saturday Paper speaks in-depth about the aged care sector in crisis and which has been deteriorating since 1997. Rick also discusses the major findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and its recommendations to the federal government. Broadcast on 16 March 2021.
Barrister Richard Beasley SC discusses why he is angry about the death of the Murray-Darling Basin and what we can do about it. Richard's new book is called, 'Dead in the Water: A very angry book about our greatest environmental catastrophe... the death of the Murray-Darling Basin.' Broadcast on May 4 2021.
Hong Kong-based lawyer and author Antony Dapiran discusses the latest developments in Hong Kong politics, including Beijing's overhaul of Hong Kong's electoral system, the prosecution of an investigative journalist, and the jailing of many pro-democracy activists. Broadcast on 27 April 2021.
Dr Monica Bell, associate professor of law and sociology at Yale University joins Amy to discuss the murder of George Floyd and the trial of Derek Chauvin, as well as pervasive police violence against Black and brown Americans and the push for racial justice in the United States. Broadcast on 27 April 2021.
Amy talks with fungi expert Dr Alison Pouliot about her new book, 'Wild Mushrooming: A Guide for Foragers', co-authored with Tom May. Alison takes us on a foray and forage through the fungi kingdom. She shares how we can forage for mushrooms with safety, respect for nature, and conservation at the forefront. This is a special extended conversation. Broadcast on 20 April 2021.
A panel of experts join Amy to discuss why the Moon has a "right to exist, persist and continue its vital cycles unaltered, unharmed and unpolluted by human beings." Hear from co-authors of the 'Declaration of the Rights of the Moon’; US-based nature rights advocate Mari Margil, space archaeologist Alice Gorman aka 'Dr Space Junk', and landscape architect Thomas Gooch. They talk about why we must protect the moon from human exploitation and interference, especially with plans currently underway ...
Vida Goldstein was one of the first women in the western world to stand for federal parliament – in 1903 in Victoria. Biographer Jacqueline Kent chats to Amy about the life of courageous suffragist, politician, and social reformer of the 20th century, Vida Goldstein. They also discuss the women activists who shaped Victoria alongside Vida. Jacqueline's book is called, 'Vida: A Woman For Our Time.' Originally broadcast on 29 September 2020, and re-aired for International Women's Day 2021.
Economist Dr Richard Denniss discusses the permanent change (cut) to the unemployment allowance. After years of lobbying, is the rate adequate and what does this mean for people currently struggling and living below the poverty line? Listen as Richard unravels the political spin and talks about the need for accountability in our parliamentary democracy. Richard Denniss is The Australia Institute’s Chief Economist. Broadcast 2 March 2021.
Award-winning reporter Marian Wilkinson talks about her book, 'The Carbon Club: How a network of influential climate sceptics, politicians and business leaders fought to control Australia's climate policy.' Broadcast 2 March 2021.
Acclaimed historian Henry Reynolds speaks with Amy about the historical reality of the British colonisation of Australia, and why it is legally, historically, and morally clear that Indigenous sovereignty was never ceded. Henry also discusses his life's research on the frontier wars in Australia and his views on treaty-making, memorialisation, and confronting our violent history. His new book is 'Truth-Telling: History, Sovereignty, and the Uluru Statement'. Broadcast on 23 February 2021.
Award-winning ABC investigative reporter Louise Milligan delves into the issues examined in her latest book, 'Witness: An Investigation Into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice.' Louise talks about the traumatic effects witnesses and complainants of sexual abuse experience under cross-examination, and whilst navigating the criminal justice system in Australia. Broadcast on 16 February 2021.
Philosopher and diver Peter Godfrey-Smith speaks in-depth about his new book, 'Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness'. Peter explains how conscious experience evolved from animals in the sea millions of years ago. He introduces us to some of the fascinating creatures he meets in his scuba dives; sponges, soft coral, banded shrimp, giant cuttlefish, and hermit crabs. Peter is a professor in the School of History and Philosophy of Science at The University of Sydney. Broadcast on 9 ...
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws is an epidemiologist at UNSW, and a member of the WHO’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Mary-Louise returns for an in-depth look at best practice contact tracing methods and what should be improved in Australia, as well as the evidence for the airborne spread of COVID-19 via aerosol particles. Mary-Louise shares what appropriate ventilation systems should be in place in schools and workplaces in order to red...
Author and regenerative farmer Charles Massy joins Amy to discuss the re-release of his acclaimed book, 'Call Of The Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth'. They talk about the environmental, health, and economic benefits of regenerative agriculture (the alternative to industrial agriculture), as well as the connection between soil health and human health. Charles shares why the transition to regenerative farming practices is urgent now more than ever. Broadcast on 2 February 2021.
Philosopher Kate Manne speaks in-depth on her book, 'Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women', and her ground-breaking first book, 'Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny'. Kate Manne is an Associate Professor in philosophy at Cornell University (NY, USA). Broadcast on 22 December 2020.
Evolutionary neurobiologist and historian Matthew Cobb joins Amy for a deep conversation exploring his fascinating book, 'The Idea of the Brain: A History.' Matthew is a Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester (UK). Broadcast on 15 December 2020.
Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, 'China's Grand Strategy and Australia's Future in the New Global Order.' Geoff examines China’s place in the world and the strategy behind its actions. He also tells us why diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra are at an all time low and what can be done about it. Broadcast on 8 December, 2020.
Former Greek finance minister and economist Yanis Varoufakis joined Amy for a long-form conversation about his vision for a fair, just, and competitive post-capitalist society, as detailed in his new book ‘Another Now: Dispatches from an Alternative Present.’ We discuss his political activism, influences and time as finance minister seeking to negotiate a settlement for Greece with Europe’s establishment. Yanis is a professor of economics at the University of Athens and co-founder of Diem25. Bro...
French journalist and author Guillaume Pitron talks about his eye-opening new book, 'The Rare Metals War: The Dark Side of Clean Energy and Digital Technologies.' Broadcast on 6 October 2020.
Philosopher Dr Kate Kirkpatrick discusses her recent biography, 'Becoming Beauvoir: A Life.' Kate examines with great precision, insight, and balance, the life of French writer, feminist, and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir. Beauvoir’s life and work has often been distorted and overshadowed by her working and romantic relationship with Jean-Paul Sartre. Kate debunks some of the major misconceptions about Beauvoir’s life, and shares just how influential and original Beauvoir’s intellectual contrib...
