Seventy-five years ago, five Australians, including an eleven-year old boy and his mother, were executed for spying by a Japanese firing squad in Rabaul, in the Australian territory of New Guinea. Writer and journalist, Ian Townsend, unearths the story behind their deaths.  In doing so, he uncovers a forgotten story of World War Two. The Japanese invaded and occupied the island of New Britain, then a part of Australia, and intended it to be there South Pacific military base. Over a thousand Australians died. It was the first combat in WW2 between Australians and an invading force. Why don’t we know this part of our history? Paul Barclay is in conversation with Ian Townsend

In 1942, Japan invaded Rabaul, in New Guinea, then a part of Australia. Over a thousand Australians died. Why have we forgotten this?

Does the traditional travelling circus have a future in Australia?

Will the working class become the useless class as technology destroys millions of jobs?

Where would we be without spectacles, light bulbs and windscreens? How many lives were saved through germ identifying microscope lenses? And how pleasurable would life be without windows, computers or telephones?

How is genomics changing medical practice?

The frozen and fragile continent of Antarctica needs international attention.

With increasing state rivalries, environmental concerns, and the need for resources, is the Antarctic Treaty System in need of reform?

The frozen and fragile continent of Antarctica needs international attention.

With increasing state rivalries, environmental concerns, and the need for resources, is the Antarctic Treaty System in need of reform?

How much is Western culture is derived from the Abrahamic religions and traditions? And are some core Islamic values at odds with the contemporary materialistic world? A panel of experts tries to explain Islam.

The search for identity and the search for self.

Lost memories and the historical record.