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Activist and academic Gary Foley discusses the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the need for white Australia to confront its history. The podcast explores the events leading up to the commission, the findings emphasizing racism, the inequities in recommendations implementation, and the need for self-determination and land rights.

Both the United States and the UK have recently announced policies to increase their tax rates, and spend the revenue on new social policies, as part of their economic response to the pandemic. But Australia is bucking the trend. Today, Mike Seccombe on what Australia’s economic recovery plan is, and who stands to benefit. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia no longer has an official vaccination target, and one reason for the delay is our reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been associated with health risks. Today, Dr Melanie Cheng, on weighing up the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and what it all means for Australia’s rollout.Guest: Health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are growing fears that homelessness could soon rise in Australia. One of the most at risk groups in the country is older women, who face both age and gender discrimination. Today, Kristine Ziwica on the homelessness crisis Australia should have seen coming.Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government promised that by the end of March four million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 but as of this week we’ve barely hit a quarter of that target. Today Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison is doing enough to vaccinate the country. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme was established to provide people living with a disability high quality and tailored support, but leaked documents have revealed the federal government is proposing radical reforms to the scheme. Today, Rick Morton on the battle for the future of the NDIS.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015 the Northern Territory government announced a Royal Commission into Youth Detention, but six years on almost every single young person in prison in the NT is Indigenous. Now, the NT government has announced new laws that could see even more young Indigenous people locked up. Today, Sophie Trevitt, on why the Northern Territory is undoing the recommendations of the Royal Commission.Guest: Lawyer and executive officer of Change the Record, Sophie Trevitt.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Australia’s former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel has been on the front line of Australia’s climate wars. This year he was appointed special advisor to the federal government on low emissions technology, but some of Australia’s leading climate scientists have expressed concern about Dr Finkel’s plan, questioning whether it’s ambitious enough. Today, Alan Finkel on his plan for our energy future, and whether the Australian government should be moving faster.Guest: Former Chief Scientist and author of ‘Getting to Zero’, Dr Alan Finkel.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past three years author and farmer Bruce Pascoe has been trying to establish a sustainable practice on his land. Informed by the Indigenous farming techniques he researched for his bestseller Dark Emu, he’s seeking to undo the damaging legacy inflicted through decades of post-colonial practices. Today, he speaks to Ruby Jones. Guest: Author Bruce Pascoe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From thunderstorm asthma to the increasing prevalence of infectious disease, a warming planet is already making us more sick. In the final part of this series, we investigate how climate change puts us more at risk of disease. Today, Climate change will kill you, part three: sickness.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.