Background Briefing

Note: this episode was originally broadcast in July 2021 and it contains explicit language and confronting themes.

When Jordan wanted to treat his insomnia, he turned to an experimental therapy: medicinal cannabis.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following program contains references to a deceased Indigenous Australian.

From piles of rubbish to leaking sewers, rats, and gas leaks.

There's a violent territorial dispute between rival gangs in Sydney’s west.

When protesters disrupted one of Australia’s largest container facilities, the NSW Government responded with new broad-sweeping laws that carried 2 year jail terms.

The mysterious discovery of the Alsehli sisters, who were found dead in a Sydney flat after more than a month, has shocked Australians.But who are they? What were they doing here? And most chillingly - why are they dead?Reporters Rachael Brown and Mahmood Fazal investigate.Please note this story contains disturbing themes including discussions of suicide.Listen for free on your mobile device on the ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app.

A special investigation by Rachael Brown and Mahmood Fazal into the shocking deaths of two women in Sydney's inner west.

When the pandemic pushed university assessments out of the exam room and into the bedroom, many Australian students turned to powerful new allies to help them get good grades.Reporter Mario Christodoulou investigates.

There's a big nature tourism project about to take off in New South Wales, but many locals aren't all that happy about it.Reporter Mayeta Clark investigates why.