The Swanston Explainer

The 2032 Brisbane Olympics are projected to cost $7 billion AUD, sparking debates about whether it's too expensive. With past Olympics often exceeding budgets, could Brisbane face the same issue? Supporters say infrastructure upgrades and tourism will justify the investment, but will taxpayers feel the strain? As the budget grows, so do the questions about the event's true value. Host Alex Cameron...

The AFL is deeply woven into the fabric of Australia’s history, culture and sense of national identity, encapsulating positive qualities of connection, competition and tradition. However, when Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson received a three-match ban for using a homophobic slur in early April, it sparked renewed debate over the culture of homophobia that pervades the beloved sport and the A...

Australia's leading supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, are under fire after being called out for engaging in price gouging practices.    In-store prices are reaching an all time high, but local farmers are struggling the most.   Despite farmers' efforts to feed Australian families, supermarkets are not providing the adequate compensation they need to survive.    So what does this mean for...

Has thrifting a once sustainable practice, just become another way to feed the consumption machine?  This episode unpacks the trend of second-hand goods, the pressures of social media, Depop re-sellers and the major jump in prices across all opportunity shops.  The second-hand market is expected to increase by 126% by 2026, this is three times faster than the global apparel market.  So, it’s clear...

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games are back, set to takeover Paris in July - and for the first time in eight years, they'll be full-scale events, no longer restricted by the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. New venues have been constructed to facilitate thousands of athletes as millions of fans flock to France for the competition. There's no refuting the grand scale of the produ...

To steal or not to steal? For many Australians, staying above the poverty line is a full time job. With the cost of living crisis raging, the pressure of arguably unreasonably high prices for grocery staples has come under fire, with Australia's major supermarket chains being accused of price gauging. Is it fair for for those facing financial pressure to take from supermarket chains, arguably...

Join reporter Alexander Masterson as he unpacks the pressing debate on pill testing with host Alexandra Lehmann, diving into the contention surrounding harm-reduction strategies. The episode follows a suspected overdose at the Pitch festival, with Greens senator Aiv Puglielli urging the Victorian Government to respond to alarming illicit drug use findings. * Host: Alexandra Lehmann Reporter: Alexa...

Thinking of taking Ozempic? Here's everything you need to know. You might have heard of Ozempic - the revolutionary drug originally developed for type 2 diabetes that's now changing the face of weight loss and challenging perceptions of food. Its popularity is skyrocketing, fuelled by social media buzz and celebrity endorsements. Join us as we delve into the personal impacts of Ozempic, ex...

Marijuana, or cannabis, is illegal for use or trade in Australia. However Cannabis has been decriminalised in Canberra, but not throughout the rest of the country.    A new bill titled the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 could change this.   If passed, the 2023 bill will legalise cannabis for recreational use in Australia. The bill is currently awaiting the reporting date, May 31.    Until the repor...

On Valentine's Day 2024, a class action was filed against Match Group, the company responsible for dating apps such as Hinge, Tinder and OkCupid.  The Class Action Lawsuit claims the apps are purposefully designed to be addictive. The lawsuit notes that the company profits from a predatory business model that transforms looking for love into something similar to a gambling addiction.  In this...

On April 13th a man entered the Westfield at Bondi Junction and killed 6 people. On April 15th a teenager allegedly stabbed a church Bishop during a livestream.    Only one of these attacks was considered terrorism. Where can we draw the line on ideology?    This podcast contains discussion of terrorist attacks both current and in Australia’s past, as well as domestic violence. These topics can be...

So much in our world goes to waste. From the food we eat, clothes we wear and even our energy. It's getting to the point where our actions can be irreversible.   However, there is hope all thanks to the zero waste movement.    With a chat to a pioneer in the space, Joost Bakker, who is behind zero-waste creations such as The Future Food System. Find out how you can take those small steps to le...

Discover the magic of romanticising your life in our latest podcast. We delve into the history and concept of romanticism, exploring how this mindset can transform daily routines. Interviewing Melbournians, we uncover their views on whether romanticising life offers a meaningful escape or practical solution during the cost of living crisis. Tune in to learn how to infuse beauty into the mundane an...

The life of an athlete is extraordinary. A fast-paced lifestyle, with accolades and sponsorships. Incredible opportunities to show off talent and hard work. However, this profession comes with many challenges, often manifested in mental health issues. With more and more athletes becoming outspoken about their own internal struggles, what about their job causes these hits to mental health and what...

The Nazi salute has been banned in Victoria following multiple displays across the state, with a federal ban soon to arrive. But with neo-Nazis marching once again, this time in Ballarat, Penry Buckley and Edmund Coleman take you through the apparent ‘rise’ of the far-right in Victoria: How has it expanded post-pandemic? Where is its base? Who opposes it? And what is the government doing about it?...

Ruth McHugh-Dillon, Annabel Fleming and Niamh Sutton explore the launch of SSRI drugs. Revolutionised treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, but how are these drugs affecting the body?

Madi Lo-Booth and Sydney Lang present The Varroa mite, or Varroa destructor. It is a parasitic mite that affects European Honey Bees. In 2022, the parasite reached Australian shores for the first time, prior to this, Australia was the only continent in the world unaffected by the mite. Whilst the mite hasn’t been seen in Victoria yet, the recent decision to shift from eradication to management may...

Laura Costello and Dechlan Brennan discuss and breakdown the legal battles that former president Donald Trump is currently facing, and how his legal issues are impacting his 2024 presidential campaign.

Australian students who are studying a range of vocational degrees such as nursing, social work, teaching, counselling and psychology are forced to undertake hours of unpaid placements as a part of their study. However, due to the rising cost of living, the amount of hours they are forced to spend at their placement is often unviable for students trying to support themselves. Many don’t have time...

When was the last time you watched a DVD? Enter your own world of nostalgia but be careful, what was once the generic way to watch a movie is now outdated. After Netflix's recent decision to stop its DVD mailing service after 25 years, it seems that putting on a physical DVD is a thing of the past. This podcast delves into the transition from physical DVD stores to the rise of streaming servic...

TikTok quickly shot into the spotlight a couple of years ago and has since become the most popular social media among Gen Z. However, concerns have been raised over its safety due to data sharing, and possible connections to the Chinese Government. Over the past few weeks the app has been banned from federal government devices across Australia, following similar actions across the UK, Canada, Fran...

AUKUS is a military alliance between Australia, the UK, and the US that was originally agreed upon in 2021. The deal will see the three countries collaborate their resources and information to design a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The deal is projected to cost the Australian Government upwards of $300 Billion AUD. The deal has since been criticized by multiple sources, including; France, C...

As the 2024 Olympics slowly loom upon us, sport has again become divided over inclusiveness. In its announcement, governing body of World Athletics has tightened their policy and effectively banned transgender women from participating in elite track and field competitions. This divide has posed questions surrounding the science of the ban: is the science actually based on evidence? Won't this...

ChatGPT is on the tip of everyone's tongue. It's the talk around town, and its advancement doesn't seem to be slowing down. What does this mean for education? High schools are banning its use, universities are updating their assessment guidelines, and still some students can only sing its praises. As AI technology moves into the future, schools are travelling back in time to pen-and-pa...

With many athletes suffering from post-professional sport injuries, the rate of long term effects of concussions in those professional sports has increased. Many of these athletes struggle in their day-to-day life mentally, physically, and psychologically after they leave their respective sports. Sports psychologists who work first-hand with professional players or ex-players have a deeper underst...