Australia, Explained

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the conflict in Afghanistan - the history, the role we played as Australians and the future of global politics with the Taliban in charge.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

Vox’s summary of Afghanistan conflict

The Brereton Report about war crimes in Afghanistan

Russia, China and Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan

This week, Tania recommended a video of PM Bob Hawke in 1989, emotionally responding to the Tiananmen Square protests in China and offering asylum to Chinese students. Vanessa recommended Afghanistan’s largest independent news agency, Pajhwok. It is available in English. 

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Audio and sound production: Liam Unwin @astriidastriidastriid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down climate change in Australia: our experiences, our responses and our future.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

The Paris Agreement

ScoMo’s comments on the IPCC report

Each country’s carbon emissions

Australia needs to cut emissions by at least 50%

Australia: Climate Action Tracker

Where do Australia’s emissions come from

What is the Adani mine?

This week, Tania recommended a book by Elizabeth Kolbert called “The Sixth Extinction”, which explores the origins of the Anthropocene and human impact upon climate. Vanessa recommended an article from The New Yorker about preparing for the climate apocalypse.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Audio and sound production: Liam (Instagram @astriidastriidastriid)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down conspiracy theories: what they are, why people believe in them and how they’re affecting Australians right now.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

The political compass

The far-right in Australia

Dr Karen Douglas on why people believe in conspiracies

Social media as an “echo chamber”

Sky News banned from YouTube

The Dunning-Kruger effect

QAnon in Australia

This week, Tania recommended an ABC Four Corners investigative report about Tim Stewart, a head figure of QAnon in Australia and close friend of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Vanessa recommended a podcast by the New York Times called Rabbit Hole (Apple Podcasts, Spotify) that explores the effects of the internet in feeding conspiracy theories to its audiences.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down Dry July - what it means, why it was started and what it says about alcohol culture in Australia.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

Government statistics on alcohol use in First Nations communities

History of alcohol in First Nations communities

Action on alcohol in First Nations communities

Dry July - does it work?

This week, Tania recommended an IGTV by SBS about Sobah Beverages and the rise of non-alcoholic alcohol products.  Vanessa recommended an episode of ABC’s “You Can’t Ask That” where normal people ask questions to alcoholics. You can watch it by signing up (for free) on ABC iView.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down our vaccine rollout - what went wrong and what is currently being done.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

Australian vaccine data

Vaccine rollout timeline

Worldwide Vaccine Tracker

AstraZeneca and blood clots

This week, Tania recommended a Conversation article by leaders at the Grattan Institute about what our rollout 2.0 could look like. Vanessa recommended an ABC article about vaccine hesitancy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down public broadcasting in Australia, how they’re funded and what it means for news journalism.

This episode acts as a “Part Two” to our very first episode we released about news media ownership in Australia (feels like years ago!). If you haven’t listened to that ep, you can do that here: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Browser.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

2021 budget for public broadcasting

Foxtel gets $40 million of funding

ABC misses out on funding this budget

Parliament paper on ABC funding

Labor pledges to reverse ABC funding cuts

ABC program cuts in response

The ABC and our democracy

ABC runs ads on third party platforms

ABC 2020 Annual Report

This week, Tania recommended an ABC podcast called Rear Vision that takes a deep dive into the historical context of key issues and debates we hear of today. Vanessa recommended an ABC iView show called “You Can’t Ask That”, where marginalised and misunderstood groups of Aussies answer viewer-submitted questions. 

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we talk about the intersection between cricket and politics. Particularly, how it has and will continue to shape the Aussie identity!

Bits and pieces mentioned:

The 1868 Aboriginal Cricket Team

Former Treasurer Wayne Swan on Bodyline Ashes

Sport and Apartheid

How Steve Smith reacted to the ball tampering scandal

This week, Tania recommended an article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Waleed Aly about the ball tampering scandal. Aly discusses how sport is so ingrained in Australian national identity, it was around before we had even federated! Vanessa recommended a quick 3-min video by the ABC about the ball tampering scandal that explains why it was wrong, what the public response was and how it impacted the perception of the Australian cricket team.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode will discuss topics that might trigger trauma, including sexual assault. Remember to put yourself first and switch the episode off if you need to.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down the allegations of sexual assault within the Federal Parliament, what happened and what's being done now.


Bits and pieces mentioned:

Brittany Higgins speech at Parliament House

ScoMo’s press conference

Higgins and ScoMo have a meeting

Inquiry into sexual assault culture of Parliament House

This week, Tania recommended to talk to those around you about the issue of sexual assault, listen to others' experiences and clarify your own misconceptions. Vanessa recommended a book by Chanel Miller titled 'Know My Name', a memoir about the author's experience with sexual assault and the treatment of victims within the legal system.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram  @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained we dive deep into Anzac Day - the reality of the event and the debates that surround it.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

Ellis Ashmead Bartlett’s reports from Gallipoli

The ‘history wars’ over ANZAC Day

What do historians say about ANZAC Day?

Australia’s spending on commemoration 

This week, Tania recommended this educational resource by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with a range of historical sources on either side of the ANZAC legend debate. Vanessa recommended an article from The Guardian discussing the waitlist for veteran payments in Australia.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram & TikTok @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Australia, Explained, we break down JobKeeper - why it’s ending, how it affected Aussies and what will happen next.

Bits and pieces mentioned:

How JobKeeper has benefitted us

JobKeeper turns into a profit maker

300 ASX companies + JobKeeper

How we spent JobKeeper

Examples of JobKeeper fraud

This week, Tania recommended a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding household finances following COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting whether payment schemes during COVID-19 left them better off or worse. Vanessa recommended an edition of the Quarterly Essay called “Dead Right” about the changes in government spending over time.

If you’re new to Australia, Explained, we are a weekly news podcast dedicated to helping Aussies get on top of things Down Under. You can support us by clicking ‘Subscribe’ or ‘Follow’ on your preferred podcast app, leaving a review, and most importantly - share this podcast with your friends!

Follow us for more short, sweet and simple Aussie content on Instagram & TikTok @australiaexplainedpod.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.