Backchat

(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...

This week on Backchat we talk about the the state government investing $60 million to deliver a waterfront pathway for pedestrians and cyclists with Backchat Producer Eamonn Snow. After we delve into economic updates with economist Peter Martin. Lastly, Backchat Producer Sana Shaikh talks about big retail stores such as Bunnings, Kmart and Good Guys using facial technology and what that means for...

This week on Backchat we'll be starting at Castle Hill High School, where asbestos has been lurking in the roof of a classroom for years without action. Backchat producer Sana Shaikh will be in the studio to give you the rundown on that one. Next, we'll be joined by Joe Hathaway-Wilson, News Editor for UTS student publication, Vertigo, after it was revealed they'd be losing significant funding. Fi...

This week we’ve got a great mix of news as we inch away from the election madness! Backchat producer Holly Payne jumps onto our Sydney wrap to discuss NSW moving its way out of single-use plastic bags. Next, we dig into the big election shock last week, that Peter Dutton was chosen as the leader of the Liberal Party. Backchat will be breaking down what this means for politics in Australia wi...

Election season may be over, but the Backchat team are still here to bring you the news that matters to you! This week, we delve into Australia's flu epidemic and how state governments are responding to counter it. We're also joined by the Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe to talk about what the future might look like when it comes to Indigenous representation in Australia as Labor, The Greens and First...

It’s election day 2022! In a special episode of Backchat, the team firstly explore the Coalition’s new first home buyer’s scheme, which would allow people to partially fund a deposit for their first home by dipping into their superannuation. Next, we’re talking about the fair work commission’s landmark decision to allow millions of Aussies up to 10 days paid domestic...

One week out until the federal election, Backchat is bringing to you the latest! First up, we explore what happened to the congestion tax which was proposed for Sydney, then scrapped as the government looks to address transport issues. Next, we speak with The Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi about their policies for the federal election on wiping student debt, higher education and housing. Lastly, st...