Background Briefing

The government is bringing in a new national card, called the Access Card. Everyone who uses Medicare, Centrelink, or any government service, will have one. And they're not just normal cards. They have mini-computers inside them that can store data about your name, address and anything else. The government says they're like mp3 players, and big business loves them, but opponents say they're a new version of the Australia Card - an ID card in disguise. And they say that privacy is in peril. Reporter: Sharona Coutts (Originally broadcast on 10th December 2006)

Scientists, lawyers, politicians, security forces—everyone's walking a fine line with avian flu, between the rights of the individual and the rights of the wider public. When a pandemic happens each of us will be on our own, as the authorities look at the big picture. Reporter, Ian Townsend. (Originally broadcast 16 July 2006)

The incidence of self-harm is rising and there's a search for understanding and solutions. Princess Di admitted to it. As many as one in five young people are likely to deliberately hurt themselves to release internal tension and pressure. What is it, and how can parents handle it? Reporter, Jane Shields. (Originally broadcast 23 July 2006)

Whatever happened to quarantine? As an island nation, free from many of the pests and diseases that have devastated other parts of the world Australia has always imposed extraordinarily high standards of quarantine. Until now. What has changed at Australia's quarantine service and its policy adviser Biosecurity Australia? What will it do to our food and environment? And why has there been so little debate? (Originally broadcast 23 April 2006)

Donating your body, or the body of a child, to medical research is a great gift to mankind. Most of you can be recycled: your eyes, your skin, your bone or even a little piece of your heart. Now they want to grind your bones for surgical putty. Then, your dead bits will be helping a biotech company's bottomline too. Can altruism and commerce live side-by-side when it comes to giving "the greatest gift of all"? Reporter: Ian Walker. (Originally broadcast on 17th September 2006)

Sir Robert Menzies was at the centre of the Suez crisis - one of the great failures of western political history. He was sent into negotiate with Nasser, but behind the scenes the UK, Israel, France and the USA all had other agendas. Were they treating Menzies as a mere tool in their wider game? Reporter Stan Correy. (Originally broadcast on 24th September 2006)

It's been a tough year for Australian Muslims. The Hilali controversy has exposed deep divisions in the Sydney Muslim community - between different religious factions, generations and classes. But the younger generation of Muslim leaders is saying it's also a time to renovate - and lay some new foundations. They've asked us to come on-site and watch their backyard blitz, Aussie Muslim style. Reporter: Tom Morton

The government is bringing in a new national card, called the Access Card. Everyone who uses Medicare, Centrelink, or any government service, will have one. And they're not just normal cards. They have mini-computers inside them that can store data about your name, address and anything else. The government says they're like mp3 players, and big business loves them, but opponents say they're a new version of the Australia Card - an ID card in disguise. And they say that privacy is in peril. Reporter: Sharona Coutts

Madonna, Angelina and Brad, and countless other rich celebrities seem to be taking the missionary position with small countries such as Malawi. There are suffering children and desperate need all over the world. What is it with Africa? Iman says it's in our DNA and has Gwyneth Paltrow in tribal makeup. Reporter Wendy Carlisle.

The eminent scientist Richard Dawkins puts forward, in a no holds barred manner, the arguments again religion - be it Muslim, Christian, Jewish or any of the other hundreds of gods across the world and across time. This talk was given in Philadelphia recently.