Big Ideas

How can the LGBTI and trans community respond to the backlash of the global anti-gender movements? These movements are trying to restrict or deny them access to human rights, legal gender recognition and gender affirming healthcare. On Big Ideas, a panel of trans activists comments on the 'transing' of gender as a practice of freedom, analyses how identity can be a problem and why despite all the struggle there is scope for optimism.

Australia’s secrets are guarded by intelligence agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate and Rachel Noble is the first woman to head the ASD. The ASD has two jobs : to reveal the secrets of others while protecting our own- that’s the agency motto. Rachel talks about the history of women in intelligence and her steps to encourage women into a career at the ASD.

Climate change will impact all parts of our life.It's been identified as a national security risk as natural disasters and unseasonal weather displace populations, disrupt food production and fuel regional social and political instability.

Engaging with art is shown to have health benefits and is recommended as a form of therapy for those experiencing mental illness.

It is also a vital form of expression and connection for those who feel marginalised and oppressed.

There are few things more in common across cultures than the belief in ghosts. It's part of the very essence of what it is to be human – as evidenced in thousands-of-year-old artefacts and even concepts in modern religions.

British Museum curator Irving Finkel explains ancient rituals of how to live with ghosts, how to get rid of them (and bring them back) and how to avoid becoming one. He has embarked upon an ancient ghost hunt, scouring these tablets to unlock the secrets of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians to breathe new life into the first ghost stories ever written.

It’s one year since the Taliban swept through Afghanistan and ousted the elected government. Life changed overnight for millions of Afghan women and the economy took a nosedive. While the west imposed sanctions , western humanitarian aid continues to flow into the country.But under Taliban rule, can aid agencies improve the lives of ordinary Afghans?

Australia is a land of plenty, yet 35 years after Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, pledged no child would live in poverty, one in six children are currently in this very predicament.

Many children struggle to get a roof over their head, and enough food into their mouth. 

What underpins poverty in Australia, and what needs to be done to alleviate it? 

Paul Barclay moderates a panel discussion hosted by PeakCare.  Recorded October 17, 2022, at Queensland Parliament House

Speakers

Natalie Lewis — Queensland Family and Child Commissioner.  

Dr Sharon Bessell – Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU; director, Children's Policy Centre, and Poverty and Inequality Research Centre.  

Cath Bartolo – CEO, Youth and Family Services, Logan, SE Queensland. 

Paul Barclay - presenter / producer

David Le May - sound engineer

Climate change is a threat to the food we produce and the way we produce it. Vulnerable Pacific island nations will need enhanced support from Australian aid and research and Australian farmers are focused on enhancing their clean and green reputation .

Many countries are pushing back against the millions of refugees on their doorstep. But Australia has one of the harshest responses to those seeking asylum by boat. Offshore detention began with the infamous Tampa affair twenty years ago. Afghan refugee Abbas Nazari was on board the Tampa and he's written the story of his life after his family's perilous journey from Afghanistan.

Investigative journalism is changing, and it's as powerful as never before. That's despite the increasing threats to journalists' lives and media freedom around the world. Formerly competing journalists are now working together, crowdfunding is financing research and computer powers is dealing with the details of secret documents.