A new book looks at author Patrick White's startling use of language, his mythic depiction of the Australian landscape and the people who inhabit it, and the power his prose still holds today. Plus philosopher Lucy Allais reflects on the nature of forgiveness.
What does Ian Dunt think of the King's attempt to eject Prince Andrew from his royal lodgings? Then, in America, Chicagoans have been organising against ICE agents who are attempting to implement Trump's aggressive deportation agenda. Here at home, anthropology has turned 100 years old. Can the academic discipline escape from its colonial roots?
Anna Henderson looks at what changes the government is trying to make to environment protection laws and why the Coalition wants to split the bill. How an Indonesia-based surveillance company tracked journalists, activists and dissidents all over the world, and the scientists using artificial intelligence to understand whale language.
Today, we look backwards. Gough Whitlam's dismissal didn't come out of nowhere; 1974 and 1975 were years of intense political turmoil and scandal. Paul Kelly was there, in his late-20s, as The Australian newspaper's chief political correspondent, and has become one of the chief chroniclers of the dynamics that led to The Dismissal. Political ghosts haunt Russia, as well. But there's a very specific belief, held by some Russian occultists, that the ghost of Stalin is haunting their country and can be contacted through the internet.
The famous Benin bronzes, looted by the British in 1897, are gradually being returned home to Nigeria. But they won't be on display at Benin City's new Museum of West African Art when it opens next month. Plus, classicist Professor Marguerite Johnson on understandings and expressions of love in antiquity.
Bruce Shapiro looks at Anthony Albanese's first meeting with US President Donald Trump and whether the critical minerals deal will see Australia become America's quarry. The little Dutch-speaking country of Suriname in South America has been ruled by a despot for years. But now it has elected its first female president who is promising to turn its fortunes around, and save its rainforests at the same time. Plus, why is the world running out of sand, and what can be done about it?
Crikey's Bernard Keane on Barnaby Joyce's decision to quit the Nationals. There's speculation the New England MP may join the One Nation party. Pulitzer prize winning journalist Chris Hedges slams the Western media's reporting of Gaza and the power of the Israel lobby. And why epidemiologist Professor Fiona Stanley, considered asking the Perth hospital named after her, to remove her name.
Tim Minchin turned fifty this year and just ran a marathon for the first time. He's returned home to Australia, with his new album Time Machine, and his tour 'Songs the World Will Never Hear'. In this special one hour conversation, David speaks to Tim about the joys of running, quitting social media and worrying less.GUEST: Tim MinchinPRODUCER: Ali Benton
Historian and former intelligence officer Clinton Fernandes says there's method to the apparent madness of the second Trump administration's approach to foreign policy. Plus as hostages are returned and a ceasefire holds, historian Ilan Pappe considers the uncertain future of Israel.
Ian Dunt examines the role that the UK played in the Gaza ceasefire, and Keir Starmer crosses a personal Rubicon: he's criticising Brexit in public. In Madagascar, youth protesters have taken cues from the Gen Z uprising in Nepal and chased their president from the country. Then: the gender revolution in the sky, with the rise of the air hostess.
Political editor at Guardian Australia, Tom Mcllroy, on why the government has watered down its superannuation tax plan, the wonders of cloud-watching, and why aren't more people speaking Esperanto?
One of the 51 men convicted men of raping French woman Gisele Pelicot is appealing his conviction, arguing he didn’t know that she hadn’t given her consent. While French feminists argue consent should be explicitly included in French law, philosopher and author Manon Garcia says cultural understandings of consent, addressing patterns of violence and shoring up support in our criminal and civil courts are more important. Plus, why are our cities and towns devoid of any shade?
After attacks from Israel and the United States bombing of a nuclear facility, Iran is cracking down on dissent, while dealing with reimposed sanctions from western powers. Could these sanctions bring Iran closer to China? Plus, a new history of the Australian physicist Mark Oliphant, who made possible Oppenheimer's atomic bomb.
Bruce Shapiro discusses how long the U.S. government shutdown might last, and why ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents are causing turmoil on American streets. Veteran journalist Irris Makler, reports on the two years since the October 7 Hamas attacks and examines Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war in Gaza. Plus, a look at New Zealand’s bold mission to eliminate all invasive predators by 2050.
The Dutch historian Rutger Bregman is calling on the world's best and brightest to quit their corporate jobs and show some more 'moral ambition', to build a better world. And botanical hysteria in Victorian England. How wealthy orchid fanatics sent hunters around the world in search of the ultimate bloom.*This show originally aired on 08 May 2025.
Doc Evatt, an influential Australian politician and jurist, played a notable role in shaping Israel’s early international standing. As President of the UN General Assembly in 1948, he was a strong advocate for the UN partition plan that led to the creation of the State of Israel. Plus sailor and author Tim Queeney examines the fundamental role that rope has played in shaping human civilisation, from enabling the construction of the Egyptian pyramids to facilitating Magellan’s historic circumnavigation and the building of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge.
A new documentary recounts the 15-year struggle of three sisters from Melbourne's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community to bring their abuser and former-headmistress Malka Leifer to justice. Plus, science writer David Baron transports us to 1890s America, when many were convinced there was intelligent life on the planet Mars.
UK columnist Ian Dunt surveys the strange world of political party conferences in the UK, plus the emerging role of former PM Tony Blair in plans for Gaza. The young Hazara activist Nila Ibrahimi shares her story of fleeing the Taliban, and her fight for the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan. Plus, the mad colonial experiment to bring Atlantic salmon from the northern hemisphere, to Tasmania.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his three-day visit to the UK, including an appearance at the UK Labour Party conference. He's told the British party faithful that he has an "absolute resolve to stand together and defend democracy itself". The ANU's Mark Kenny wraps up the visit. And what is Stablecoin, the cryptocurrency that financial regulator ASIC has licensed? Plus author Dorothy Armstrong uncovers the remarkable relationship between carpets and power.
It's been 70 years since 29 nations of Africa and Asia gathered in Bandung Indonesia in 1955 to forge a path beyond Empire, and lay the foundations for the non-aligned movement during the Cold War. Plus, the life of the pioneering South Australian policewoman Kate Cocks - a formidable figure, with a complex legacy.
Peter
What a train wreck of an interview. Resign David
Jo Clark
An excellent episode by you 3! It absolutely sums up the Liberal mess.
Joanne Woodlands
Thank you, I finally have some understanding about the gas issue! Important for us to understand before this election.
Lyndell Kelly
This was disappointing. David you were rude. This man confirms what we heard from Gideon Levy about the Israeli state's treatment of non-Jews. You cut him off and it seemed the fear of the "anti-semitic" slur has affected LNL.
Jo Clark
A brilliant conversation with Geoffrey Watson.Thank you Phillip!