This week on Backchat we’re chatting all things country music. Have you suddenly got friends who are sending you country songs? Seeing it around social media? We dive into why country music is having its moment right now with producer Dani Zhang.  We're also joined by the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations to hear about their new partnership agreement with the state government, focused on closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. And earlier this week our producer Euan spoke to...

This week on Backchat we’re discussing the trending issue of doxxing and the new proposal for laws to combat this digital issue.  Producer Holly Payne is chatting about Sydney’s asbestos crisis with Shane McArdle from the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute.  And Nick Newington takes a look at the increasing issue of Australia’s syphilis epidemic, and how the mainstream media has been missing the story for the last decade. This episode of Backchat was hosted by Holly Payne and...

This week on Backchat, producer Sana Shaikh delved into the Hills Shire Council's recent move to halt sponsorship for drag story time events, citing concerns about content aimed at kids. The council, situated in Sydney's vibrant Bible Belt, voted 10-2 to put the brakes on such events. The segment pondered what this decision might mean for LGBTQ+ youth in the area, featuring insights from Jasmine Nour, a drag artist and former Hills resident. Plus, Backchat caught up with Greens Councillor Dr....

In the wake of another shark related incident in Sydney, Libby Hopper gets into the stigma around shark attacks and the do’s and don’ts for staying safe, not scared, in the water.  Medicare just turned 40 - is it in the midst of a midlife crisis? Hear from GP Dr Nicole Higgins on why health providers can no longer afford to bulk bill, the Strengthening Medicare Task Force and how Medicare support differs for our most vulnerable in rural, regional and metropolitan areas. What do we need to...

Holly and Tanita talk to Phoebe McIlwraith (@northbutsouthhh), Bundjalung and Worimi Saltwater woman on Invasion Day and the growing far-right sentiment in Sydney. Further reading: First Nations Futures | Pay The Rent Dr Peter Lewis, president of national advocacy association ANTaR, joins to discuss the future of the 26th of January.  Yuin man Keiran Stewart-Assheton (@keiran_stewart_assheton) from the Black Peoples Union dials in to about the parallels between Indigenous struggles and that...

This week on Backchat, we listen to locals and producer Sana Shaikh on the chaos of the Rozelle Interchange’s first two weeks of operation. Then, hear from coastal geomorphologist Professor Rob Brander AKA Dr. Rip on staying safe in the surf this summer.  This episode of Backchat aired Saturday 9th December 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Backchat, producer Nic Huntington examines the hole in pothole funding. Nic chatted to Natasha Bradshaw, Senior Associate of Transport and Cities Program at the Grattan Institute, about how the increase in holes isn't resulting in an increase in funding.  Next, we take a look at some of the arrests from the ZIM and climate protests in the past week. We chat to Anastasia from Legal Observers NSW about what Legal Observers NSW has been seeing at these protests, and what your...

This week on Backchat, producer Sana Sheikh dives into Woollahra Municipal Council's new decision to limit public parking to non-residents to 15 minutes, and provide free all-day parking for residents. This new change encompasses all parking near popular beach spot at Watson's Bay, potentially restricting access to anyone outside this postcode. We’ll be exploring whether this is fair and why some Sydneysiders get to benefit from our natural wonders whilst others can’t. Backchat chatted to...

This week on Backchat, we explore the groundbreaking new project from Monash University's XYX Lab, aimed at shedding light on the experience of women and gender-diverse people in NSW. The project is a crowd mapping project launched in collaboration with CrowdSpot that anonymously collects the 'safe' and 'unsafe' experiences these people have had in public spaces. Producer Bec Cushway chatted to Dr Niki Kalms to tell us more. Next, big changes to rights for stateless asylum seekers in...

This episode of Backchat delves into some of the new waste programs across Sydney, and how where you live across the LGAs could make a huge difference to what you can recycle, and how much it is going to cost you. Backchat producer Sana Shaikh explains in this week's wrap.  Next, with more and more young people questioning their reasons for drinking, stress and anxiety are emerging as some of the major players. Sydney University's Inroads program is an online, self-guided program for young...

This episode of Backchat comes to you following a difficult week; both in Australia and around the world. It’s been one week since Australia voted No to constitutional recognition of First Nations people via an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. It’s fair to say this has been a tough period for Indigenous people, with many choosing to take a step back to mourn. Others, however, are driven to continue the conversation as First Nations communities and broader Australia alike try to plot the steps...

It's an historic day as Australians head to the polls to vote in our first referendum since 1999. Today on Backchat, we'll be covering the vote from all angles. First up, if you’re still unsure on how today works or what is being asked of you, we’ll be going over some of the nitty gritty details of how referendums work and how to make sure your vote counts. Next, we'll be crossing to our reporters Sana and Nic who are on the ground at polling stations in Burwood and Redfern, respectively....

(aired 07/10/2023) - This week on Backchat, we're priming you for the 2023 Referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Our coverage in this episode aims to cut through a lot of the confusion around this historic vote by platforming First Nations voices. First up you’re gonna be hearing from Bridget Cama, a Wiradjuri First Nations and Pasifika Fijian woman who is co-chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue. Bridget has been travelling across the country campaigning for the Yes vote and will be...

(aired 30/09/2023) - On this episode of Backchat, we kick things off with a look at the latest findings from a NSW Police Inquiry into strip searches. Among other things, the report contains some pretty scathing information about how few officers are adequately trained to conduct these invasive searches. Backchat producer Libby Hopper will be with us to unpack it all. Next, how much attention do you pay the many beautiful trees adorning Sydney's streets? They play a crucial role in keeping...

(aired 23/09/2023) - First up, we chat with Backchat Producer Libby Hopper about some of the NSW Budget highlights – and what the big winners and losers are for this round.   Next, we delve into public housing and social housing in NSW’s budget – a huge focus in this year’s budget with Rachel Evans from Action for Public Housing and Michelle May, Principal of Michelle May’s Buyer’s Agent. Victor Steffensen, lead fire practitioner, and co-founder of the Firesticks Alliance joins us to break...

(aired 16/09/2023) - This week on Backchat, we get moving with a dive into the news the Macquarie Bank will be going cashless at branches from next year. We'll break down what this will mean and who will be impacted. Next, we're peering into a campaign to stop a sewage pump station being built at Parlsey Bay in Vaucluse. Residents say it'll destroy wildlife, while Sydney water says its needed to solve a serious sewage issue. Finally, we return to the Waterloo public housing redevelopment for...

(aired 09/09/2023) - We kick off this episode of Backchat with a look at Sydney's worsening housing woes. The Committee for Sydney has just released a new report dealing just how much this crisis is costing - and will continue to cost - our city. Estelle Grech is an urban planner with the Committee For Sydney, and she will be in studio to unpack some of the takeaways from their latest report. Next up, we're joined by Sydney author and PhD researcher, Anna Broinowski for a look into the world...

(aired 02/09/2023) - On Backchat this week – some big news has entered our political sphere. First up, how’s your pay check looking? Our federal pollies and public servants just received a serious pay bump - and we’ll be breaking down wage rises (or a lack thereof) for young people in Australia. Next up, the date for the referendum has finally been announced for October 14. As we inch closer to the date, have we ever stopped to consider how global examples of Indigenous voices look like?...

(aired 26/08/2023) - On Backchat this week - we bring you the news of Sydney & beyond. First up, we run through why Zoom, the platform that turbocharged throughout the pandemic, has found itself in hot water for privacy issues. Earlier this week, we saw the federal government release its 6th Intergenerational Report on what Australia could look like over the next 40 years. To break it down what this means for us young folks is Justine Landis-Hanley, Canberra Times reporter.   Lastly,...

(aired 19/08/2023) - Matildas fever opens this episode of Backchat. How could it not? There’s something about The Matildas that has really struck a chord this year, and we'll be taking a few minutes with our own Holly Payne to unpack some of the history behind the team, the records that they’ve broken over the last few weeks and have a guess as to what the future holds. Next up, we're jumping back into YIMBY/NIMBY land after New research from Western Sydney university has shown the NIMBY...

(aired 12/08/2023) - Heard much about the Fair Pay for Radio Play bill being debated in federal parliament? We'll be kicking off this episode of Backchat with a deep dive into the new proposed bill and what it could mean for aussie artists. Backchat producer Libby Hopper will be in the chair with all you need to know. Next, you’re not imagining it - the days are literally hotter in Western Sydney. The area records about 30% more hot or very hot days each year compared to the East. Later on in...

(aired 05/08/2023) - We're diving into our state's contentious shark netting program to kick off this episode of Backchat; after the New South Wales Government dropped its Shark Meshing, Bather Protection Report for 2023. Backchat producer Libby Hopper is in the chair to explain the report's findings and how government and conservation groups have reacted to the news. Next, pill testing is back on the agenda in NSW after the Unharm organisation launched its ‘Just Check It’ campaign with the...

(aired 29/07/2023 - Bushfire season is upon us, and this week on Backchat we'll get started with a look at our preparedness. Outgoing Backchat producer Matt Le Guay will be in the hot seat to unpack how we're tracking and how much Indigenous cultural cool burning practices have been incorporated into our preparation. Next up - cash looks to eb going the way of the Dodo, but do we really understand what a totally cashless society would mean? You'll be hearing from Swinburne Uni’s professor...

(aired 22/07/2023) - This week on Backchat, we're kicking things off with an explanation of the latest phenomenon borne from social media - Girl Dinner. You may have seen it bumping around your socials feed, but what does this tell us about gender roles in 2023? Our host Tanita Razaghi is leading this explanation with help from producer Libby. Next, we're exploring Bush to Bowl - a social enterprise aimed at creating a healing space & platform through First Nations knowledge, by...