Background Briefing
ABC listen
Background Briefing tells true stories not everyone will want you to hear. We infuse investigative reporting with captivating drama, following the thread of an individual story only to find that it leads us to something bigger. It's the only podcast in Australia that does this week in, week out.
Hosted by Thomas Oriti.
We want to hear from you too. If you have a tip-off, please contact us at backgroundbriefing[at]abc.net.au
Hosted by Thomas Oriti.
We want to hear from you too. If you have a tip-off, please contact us at backgroundbriefing[at]abc.net.au
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 25, 2022 • 38min
What goes on inside Australia's first long COVID clinic?
Thousands of Australians are finding they still feel ill several months after contracting coronavirus.They're experiencing a new and little understood condition called long COVID.As Geoff Thompson discovered, the demand for medical treatment is now overwhelming.
Jun 18, 2022 • 45min
Kidnapping the Gods | Part 2
Precious artefacts looted from Cambodia and Thailand made their way into prominent collections here in Australia, and around the world.In the second and final episode of his investigation, Mario Christodoulou investigates why it’s taking so long for these precious works to be returned to their rightful home.
Jun 11, 2022 • 46min
Kidnapping the Gods
Many ancient Cambodian artefacts arrived in Australia during the 1960s and 1970s, when the south east Asian country was in turmoil.Mario Christodoulou investigates how some had come from looted historic sites or passed through the hands of suspected smugglers, and now feature in major galleries around the world.
Jun 4, 2022 • 42min
The teachers are not alright
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged schools across the country like never before, but it's also shone a light on existing issues within the profession such as a chronic shortage of specialised teachers and growing workload stress. Reporter Mayeta Clark follows teachers in public schools in NSW as they struggle to cover classes and keep their students engaged.
May 28, 2022 • 37min
Why Queensland's sex workers say the law puts their lives at risk
Many states have repealed tough laws that put sex workers at risk of prosecution.But so far, Queensland hasn't followed suit.Now, the state government is looking at introducing new safeguards to protect those in the industry.Reporter Mahmood Fazal investigates.
Apr 23, 2022 • 42min
The 'holy grail' of IVF that went wrong
IVF has grown into a huge industry, with companies competing to provide fertility services.But in the quest to innovate and gain an edge, one Australian company may have taken things too far.Now hundreds of those who used a controversial new genetic test are taking legal actionReporter Rachael Brown investigates.
Apr 16, 2022 • 40min
When the floodwater goes, what's next?
Reporter Geoff Thompson followed several residents of Lismore as they tried to recover from February's monster flood in Northern NSW. But before they'd finished the clean-up, the waters started to rise again.
Apr 9, 2022 • 55min
The mums accused of poisoning their kids
An almost unimaginable crime: two women accused of poisoning their own children at the same Sydney hospital.Both were charged and spent years separated from their families, but both say they were falsely accused.Reporter Hannah Ryan investigates whether the system has failed these families.
Apr 2, 2022 • 40min
The end of Australia's biggest coal fired power plant
Jim works in the control room at Eraring Power Station, where one quarter of NSW's power is produced.But Jim and his 450 colleagues have recently found out that his workplace will be closing down, 7 years ahead of schedule.Reporter Mayeta Clark investigates what plans are in place to transition communities away from coal jobs.
Mar 26, 2022 • 39min
The quiet drug crisis you haven't heard about
Prison authorities know that drugs are constantly finding their way into our prisons.But the most commonly detected drug is one you might never have heard of.And health experts are warning there’s a disaster looming for addicted inmates when they get out.Mahmood Fazal reports.This episode contains explicit language.
