Backchat

(Aired 17/12/22) - It's the final episode of Backchat for 2022, but we haven't let that slow us down. Getting us started this week will be a look at the gender pay gap in Australia as we address some of the misconceptions around the issue. Backchat producer Timothy Nguyen has been exploring this one and will be in studio to share what he's found. Next, Sydney’s prestigious Waverley college was in...

(aired 10/12/22) - This week on Backchat, we're kicking things off with a look at the planned changes to Indonesia's legal code. You've likely heard of the looming 'bonk ban', but there's plenty more changes worthy of your attention, too. Backchat producer Eamonn Snow will be in studio to unpack what's going on with our northern neighbour. After that, we'll be chatting education in NSW; after plan...

(Aired 03/12/22) -  This week on Backchat, we get started with an update on the Royal Sydney Golf Club's controversial redevelopment, after the golf club overcame a final legal hurdle last week. Greens councillor with Woollahra Council, Nicola Grieve will join Tanita and Holly to unpack where things are at. Next, we're joined by Chloe Williamson from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance to ch...

(Aired 26/11/22) - We're bringing you a very special episode of Backchat this week, as our host Charles Rushforth bids the program adieu after more than two years. We'll have a bunch of soppy farewelling sprinkled - of course - amongst the news that matters to you. We'll kick things off with a look at the NSW Government's plans to turn their remaining single-sex schools to co-ed. Backchat producer...

(Aired 19/11/22) - This week, we’ll be kicking off the show by chatting with producer Sana Shaikh about why NSW laws have been passed this week to stop taxi drivers from negotiating the fare instead of using the meter.  We kick off our state election coverage this week as we speak to NSW Labor’s shadow minister for the environment, Penny Sharpe. Backchat looks at the koala wars, natural disasters...

(Aired 12/11/22) - This week's episode of Backchat kicks off with some much needed analysis of the collapse of RedCycle - the soft plastic recycling scheme you would have seen at Coles and Woolies. Backchat producer Sana Shaikh is in studio to run us through what happened and where we go from here when it comes to plastic and recycling in Australia. Next, we're chatting trees after the NSW Governm...

(Aired 29/10/22) - This week on Backchat, we kick things off with a look at the slimy world of sports sponsorship in Australia, following the Australian Netball team’s sensational rejection of a lucrative sponsorship deal with Gina Reinhart’s Hancock Prospecting. Next, we're going behind the scenes into the push to revive Chinatown after several years of neglect. Andrea Plawutsky from Haymarket HQ...

(Aired 05/11/22) - On Backchat this week, we get moving with a conversation around the increasing commercialisation of Sydney's green spaces and public areas. This comes after a resident living near Tumbalong Park in Sydney CBD calculated that the park had been unusable to the public for over 150 days this year. Next, we're discussing the cascading failures that contributed to the tragic death of...

(Aired 22/10/22) - This week on Backchat, producer Holly is in to guide us through the sensational resignation of state Labor MP Tania Mihailuk and what it means for the party as a state election looms for 2023. Next, as new laws limiting protest are being challenged in the supreme court, we're talking the slow slip of civil liberties in New South Wales with Josh Pallas from the NSW Council for Ci...

(aired 15/10/22) - This week on Backchat, we kick off with a look at Sydney’s cycle-friendliness after NSW police descended on the CBD earlier in the week for a crackdown on non-compliant cyclists. Next, we dive into what the prickly stage three tax cuts could mean for young people with Dr Greg Jericho from The Australia Institute and the Guardian news. Finally, have you noticed some of your favou...

Aired 08/10/22 - This week on Backchat, Backchat producer Sana Shaikh jumps on for a dive into the recently fast-tracked state government plan to raise the wall of the Warragamba Dam by 14 metres. We'll have all you need to know about this complex and controversial response to incresed floding events in Sydney. Next, we're joined by First national Real Estate CEO, Ray Ellis to unpack mould issues...

Aired 01/10/22 - This week on Backchat, you'll be first hearing about the halting of a promised arts hub in Marrickville as Sydney creatives complain of 'trojan horse' gentrification. We'll have exclusive commentary from Tim Levinson - aka Urthboy - about moves to suspend construction of the hub and the situation facing the arts community in inner Sydney. Next, we'll have a chat with NSW Senator f...

Aired 24/09/22 - This week on Backchat, we get started with a look at the recently released findings of an enquiry into the drug ice, which recommended that some quantities of drugs be decriminalised in NSW. Next, we chat to Saul Deane from Total Environment Centre about a state government plan to open up huge chunks of Western Sydney - including critical Koala habitat - to new development. Backch...

Aired 17/09/22 - This week, Backchat kicks off with a dive into a damning report that found Star Casino was unfit to hold a casino license in NSW. Next, int he wake of the shocking leaked group chat from Knox Grammar, we hear from a former student from an elite private boys school about the culture in those environments. Finally, we check in with Amanda Copp from National Radio News about what the...

Aired 10/09/22 - We kick off Backchat this week with a much needed explanation of the industrial dispute that has gripped the Sydney rail network recently. Next, we explore the controversial question of ethical shoplifting with QLD Greens councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan. Finally, we’ll be chatting with 2021 Queenslander of the year, Dr Dinesh Palipana about why there are very few doctors with d...

Aired 03/09/22 - Backchat kicks off this week with a look at the gender pay gap in 2022 - why you should care and how it's set to impact women moving forward. Next, you'll be hearing directly from one NSW student who received an Order of Australia medal at just seventeen years old. Laura Eastlake will be on the line to tell us about her achievement and her plans for the future. Finally, Backchat p...

Aired 27/08/22 - This week, Backchat kicks off with a chat to producer Holly about the Royal Sydney Golf Club's controversial plans to expand, and the two Sydney councils going to court to stop it. Next, you'll hear from Rushani Epa, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Colournary food magazine, about the state of hospo venues in Australia as many continue to close their doors. Finally, you'll be hearin...

Aired 13/08/22 - On Backchat this week, you'll firstly be hearing about plans to demolish and redevelop two public housing sites in Sydney and what will happen to the residents displaced by the development. Next, we'll have all you need to know about the latest virus threatening our shores - Monkeypox. Dr Brad Mackay will be on to help separate fact from fiction. FInally, you’ll be hearing a chat...

Aired 06/08/22 - This week, Backchat's Syndey wrap explores disturbing new figures highlighting the extent of pokie losses in NSW, with some Sydney's lowest income suburbs ranking highest for pokie takings. Next, we have a special interview with Natascha Haupt and Luisa Giles-Baker from the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence after staff and visitors to the centre received the shock news tha...

(Aired 30/07/22) The latest on Backchat! First up, we sit down with Backchat producer Sana Shaikh to discuss the topic of kitty curfews, proposed for NSW by the Wagga Wagga council to protect their native wildlife. Next, we're joined by data journalist from The Guardian, Josh Nicholas, to unpack the implications and very valid concerns around period tracking apps sharing / selling user data in lig...

(Aired 23/07/22) This week on Backchat, we kick things off by diving into the insane spike in already high rental prices across Sydney following the release of new data from the Domain Rent Report. Next, we're joined by Amber Rules - Director and Founder of mental health service, Rough Patch - to discuss the impact climate change is having on young people's mental health and what you can do to bea...

(Aired 16/07/22) This week on Backchat, we kick off the show digging into why trains and buses in NSW might nevber be as busy as they were pre-pandemic. With statistics showing sigificant drops in the usage of trains, buses and trams - we'll be chatting about what this means in the NSW Transport sector.  Next, with the effects of climate change being felt like never before in Australia with floods...

(Aired 09/07/22) It's NAIDOC week 2022 and on Backchat this week, we'll be covering stories that highlight the strength of First Nations people, community and culture. First up, we're unpacking the uptick in First Nations populations recorded in the 2021 census data with Indigenous researchers Julie Andrews and Francis Markham. Next, CEO of First Nations Media Dennis stokes joins Charles and Tanit...

Backchat has the latest! It's been one year since Sydney's harshest lockdowns began. Your favourite hosts and Exec Producer, Eamonn Snow, come together to collectively reflect on the experience. Next, in light of the overturning of Roe v Wade, Backchat is joined by Daney Faddoul to break down what a national Charter of Rights would mean in Australia with regards to protecting our access to abortio...

Backchat is unpacking the biggest news of the week! First up, we’re joined by Don Dixon, Ramp Worker for Qantas at Sydney Domestic Airport, to discuss how Qantas’ structural changes over the past 2.5 years have resulted in long term consequences for the company, affecting their workers and the Australian public alike. Who are the winners and losers of this year’s state budget? We're joined by Zee...