Amy is joined by American biologist Professor David George Haskell who talks about his new book on the evolution of sound and the beauty of listening in nature. David also shares how humans are now silencing and smothering many of the natural sounds of the living Earth. It's a crisis that is easily solvable with political will. David is a professor of biology and environmental studies at Sewanee: the University of the South. His latest book is called, 'Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution's Creativity and the Crisis of Sensory Extinction.' Broadcast on 12 July 2022.
Victorian cultural leader and former diplomat Carrillo Gantner AC joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, 'Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty: Our Problem With China and America.' Carrillo examines the recent history of Australia's very poor diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and explains what the new Labor federal government must do to repair the relationship. Carrillo reflects on his time as Counsellor (cultural) at the Australian Embassy in Beijing in 1985-87, what he learned about Chinese culture, language, history, and politics, and how this can inform respectful and productive diplomacy. He also discusses Australia's gradual relinquishment of sovereignty over time, with recent examples including the AUKUS alliance with the United States and United Kindom, and the controversial nuclear submarine deal. Broadcast on 7 June 2022.
Guardian Australia environment reporter Graham Readfearn talks about the sixth mass coral bleaching event at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, which occurred earlier this year. He describes his visit to the John Brewer Reef near Townsville and what he has learned about the causes of the Great Barrier Reef's decline. We learn about its current condition and the reef's future in the face of climate change and other factors. Graham also explains what happened during the recent assessment of the reef's condition by a scientific team from UNESCO. Will the Great Barrier Reef finally be placed on the 'in danger' list? Broadcast on 31 May 2022.
Dr Chris Wallace joins Amy to examine the 2022 federal election results in-depth, including the massive wins for the Greens, independents, and Labor. They also assess the extent of the media's influence, reflect on campaign strategies, and the next steps for an incoming Albanese Labor government. Chris is Professor at the 50/50 By 2030 Foundation at the University of Canberra, a former member of the Canberra Press Gallery and author of 'How To Win An Election.' Broadcast on 24 May 2022.
EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Award-winning author Dr Elizabeth Tynan speaks about her new book, The Secret of Emu Field: Britain’s forgotten atomic tests in Australia. Elizabeth tells us what happened at Emu Field, South Australia in October 1953. She talks of a terrifying black mist that spread across the land after the first atomic bomb detonation called Totem I. It brought death and sickness to Aboriginal people in its path. Elizabeth describes some of the secrecy that still exists today around the testing activities. She tells us about her visit to Emu Field and the consequences of the testing. Elizabeth is associate professor in the Graduate Research School at James Cook University, Townsville. Broadcast on 17 May 2022.
Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute joins Amy for the final instalment of Uncommon Sense's federal election policy series – this time, on the economy. Richard debunks all the election econobabble on wages growth, productivity, inflation, and much more. He explains and evaluates the economic policies of the major and minor parties at this federal election, including on housing affordability, superannuation, taxation, economic management, and wages growth. Who's talking a load of codswallop and who is on the money? Broadcast on 17 May 2022.
Richie Merzian, Director of the Climate and Energy Program at The Australia Institute joins Amy for part 3 of our election policy series – climate change and energy policy. Richie looks at Australia's current climate targets and tells us what targets and policies are needed to keep global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees or at the very worst, 2 degrees. He also examines and evaluates what Labor, the Coalition, the Greens, and the independents are proposing to do about climate change and energy policy at this federal election. Broadcast on 10 May 2022.
Nic Maclellan joins Amy for the second instalment of our federal election policy series. He discusses Australia's foreign policy, including its relationships with Pacific island nations, China, and France. Nic also explains the positions and recent policies of the major and minor parties in regard to our nearest neighbours in the Pacific. Nic Maclellan is Pacific affairs correspondent for Inside Story. Broadcast on 3 May 2022.
Luke Henriques-Gomes, Guardian Australia's social affairs and inequality editor, joins Amy for the first instalment of a special federal election policy series examining key policy areas in-depth. Luke discusses the policies and track record of the major parties in the areas of social policy, including the cashless debit card, JobSeeker, and the NDIS. Broadcast on 26 April 2022.
Former judge Stephen Charles AO QC and Dr Catherine Williams discuss what a robust and effective federal integrity commission looks like, as well as other accountability bodies and measures needed to protect our democracy from corruption. These include reforms to our political donations system, among many others. Their new book is called, 'Keeping Them Honest: The Case for a Genuine National Integrity Commission and Other Vital Democratic Reforms.' Stephen Charles QC is a former Judge of Appeal in the Supreme Court of Victoria and Dr Catherine Williams is research director of the Centre for Public Integrity. Broadcast on 10 May 2022.