Doin Time

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and discussion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died. First up on today's program, Marisa speaks with Pamela Curr, longtime advocate of refugees and asylum seekers, condemning the disgusting display outside Victoria's Parliament on Saturday, where neo-nazis dressed in black held an anti-immigration rally, and were met with a large counter-protest. They discuss some of the appalling media coverage demonising these anti-fascist protestors, and the right's creation of division in Australia's political landscape.  Each year, hundreds of people around the country gather at Myall Creek on the June long weekend to commemorate the premeditated and unprovoked massacre of Wirrayaraay women, children and older men by a group of 12 stockmen on Myall Creek Station on June 10, 1838. Marisa interviews Keith Munro, Gomeroi co-chair of the Friends of Myall Creek committee (and newly-appointed Director of First Nations Art and Cultures at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia) about their upcoming memorial commemoration of the massacre, held yearly since 2000 over the June long weekend, and other events they have planned for the weekend. He also discusses healing, memory, truth-telling, and what makes Myall Creek unique in our colonial history. See the full list of Friends of Myall Creek events this Friday 9th - Sunday 11th June here.  Last up on the show, Marisa invites Cheryl Axleby (Co-Chair of Change the Record) to discuss the ACT Government's delays in raising the age to 14, defying advice from Aboriginal, legal and human rights organisations, and how it is too little too late - risking exposing an entire generation of children to the quicksand of this country's punitive and discriminatory criminal legal system. They also talk about the need for Aboriginal-led design and delivery of culturally appropriate diversionary programs to break the intergeneral cycle of incarceration for our younger generations. Head to www.3cr.org.au/dointime for full access to links and previous podcasts.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died.  This special episode of Doin' Time falls on May Day, also known as International Workers' Day.  First up on the program, speaks to activist and advocate Marianne MacKay, a Yoorgabilya woman from the Whadjuk Noongar Nation, about the importance of the voices of people with lived experience, inequalities in securing work for Aboriginal people such as unfair criminal history checks and lack of access to identity records. She also discusses modern forms of slave labour in prisons, and why she is voting "No" to the proposed Voice to Parliament. Next up on the program, Marisa interviews Keiran Stewart-Assheton, Wani Wandian man and President of the Black Peoples Union, about the atrocious history of slavery and forced labour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country, and how the dehumanisation of Indigenous people which began before Australia's Federation continues to benefit state and private interests. He provides a comprehensive history, including of Queensland's links to the US slave trade, to indentured servitude, and now in the form of Stolen Wages and prison labour. Marisa ends up the show by reading a statement on the origins of May Day, by the Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and of deaths in custody.This episode of Doin Time is a yearly dedication and tribute to the much-loved honourable Uncle Ray Jackson (27 March 1941 – 23 April 2015). Uncle Ray was a Wiradjuri warrior who dedicated his life to fighting for justice and human rights for aboriginal people and much more. First up on the program, we hear from Julie Tongs, proud Wiradjuri woman, campaigner, and CEO of Winnunga, an organisation which provides culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and surrounding regions to access a broad scope of health and community services. She discusses culturally safe practises for Aboriginal people in prisons, in an follow-up interview of Doin' Time's broadcast of a recent VALS' Prison Healthcare Webinar, on which Julie featured. She discusses her 30+ years of experience fiercely advocating for the expansion of holistic community-controlled Aboriginal primary health services and organisations.  Next up on the program, Marisa interviews Uncle Ray's daughter, Carolyn Jackson, remembering her father and his legacy, work and the ongoing fight for justice. Doin' Time apologises for the technical difficulties encountered during this interview. Lastly, Marisa speaks with Joseph Pugliese, Uncle Ray's friend and longtime activist, also co-editor of Mapping Deathscapes: Digital Geographies of Racial and Border Violence. Discussion ranges from from his work on the waterfront in the trade union sector, to battles in Indigenous Deaths in Custody, legislating family attendance for autopsies to ensure ceremony and respect. Joseph provides the historical context to Uncle Ray's life and work, and his warmth, vision and determination in battling for all victims of violence and injustice, and the strength of his legacy which lives on today.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and graphic discussion of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, as well as self-harm, violence, abuse, and racism. If this discussion raises concerns or issues, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can call Yarning SafeNStrong for free and confidential support on 1800 959 563; non-Aboriginal people can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. This episode of Doin' Time features the VALS Prison Healthcare Webinar from Wednesday 29 March, about the health and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people in Victorian prisons. First up, you'll hear a discussion between Sarah Schwartz, and Megan Williams, about clinical and cultural safety access to public healthcare in prisons. Later there is a discussion, hosted by Nerita Waight, featuring Aunty Jill Gallagher and Julie Tongs, who have an in-depth look at topics including punitive vs. rehabilitative care and the Victorian Government Review into the culture of correctional services, issues faced by Aboriginal organisations, detainees and officers in Victoria's prisons, and how the provision of community based, culturally appropriate and ongoing care by Aboriginal healthcare providers is somehow more difficult and divisive for this Government to implement than the current "care" of privately-run companies.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died. First up on the show, Marisa speaks with Nicole Lee (President of People with Disability Australia), about the anti-trans rally and counterprotest held outside Victorian Parliament last weekend. Standing in solidarity with the trans and gender-diverse community, they condemn the hateful transphobic vilification on the day by transphobic far-right activists and the neo-nazis who were also present. They also discuss the behaviour of police on the day, discrimination, and the urgent need to tighten anti-vilification laws for the safety of all.    Next, Marisa speaks with Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition about the refugee and anti-war rallies planned for Palm Sunday, 2nd April 2023, demanding permanent visas for all refugees and also saying no to war, specifically in response to AUKUS and Australia's $368Bn nuclear submarines. A list of rallies around the country is included below.  Finally, Marisa speaks to Keiran Stewart-Assheton, Wani Wandian man and President of the Black Peoples Union, talking about their aims for Indigenous unity for the power to enforce sovereign rights, which will also ultimately benefit the wider working-class. He provides examples of the myriad ways in which government continues to oppress Indigenous peoples with ongoing divide-and-conquer tactics, and challenges in talking sovereignty as the right wing co-opts communal terms to individualistic ends.  Importantly, Kieran gives a comprehensive critical analysis of the proposed Voice to Parliament and the BPU's non-conservative no campaign, pointing to the historical establishment of dozens of synonymous "representative" advisory bodies, and the notorious toothlessness of similar institutions around the world, discussing how to meaningfully plant the seeds of which "our kids and grandkids can bear the fruit". Links to Palm Sunday Rally Events discussed on this program, Sunday 2nd April 2023: VIC Melbourne 1:30pm, State Library Victoria Wonthaggi 2pm, Wonthaggi Mine Whistle (Apex Park) Bendigo 12.30pm, Bendigo Library Gardens Ararat 2pm, Alexandra Gardens (meet at the cafe) Ballarat 2pm, View Point Lake (Wendouree) ACT  Canberra 1pm, Garema Place NSW Sydney 2pm, Belmore Park Lawson (Blue Mountains) 2pm, outside Catholic Church Somers St, Lawson Newcastle 1pm, Civic Park (King Street) Wollongong 2pm, Wollongong Town Hall Griffith 10:30am, Kooyoo St Mall (Griffith) - N.B. This event is for Saturday 8th April NT Darwin 5pm, Nightcliff Jetty (Nightcliff) QLD Brisbane 1pm, King George Square Townsville 4pm, meeting at The Rockpool, then walking to Gregory Street Amphitheatre Sunshine Coast 1pm, Tesch Park, Coral Street, Maleny SA Adelaide 2pm, Mukata (Hindmarsh Square) TAS Hobart 11am, Parliament Lawns (Hobart) - N.B. This event is on Saturday 1st April WA Perth 1pm, St Georges Cathedral

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and graphic discussion of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and police brutality. First up on the program this week, Marisa interviews journalist and author Jeff Waters, about his 2008 book, Gone for a Song: A Death in Custody on Palm Island. He gives a background of the 2004 Palm Island Death in Custody of Mulrunji (the focus of this book) and issues with the police investigation and coroner's report in this case, as well as a history of First Nations rights in QLD, and what led him to write on this series of events. Then, Marisa speaks with Dr David Abello from People With Disability Australia who gives a report back on the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) parade on Saturday 25 February as part of Sydney's World Pride 2023. He also discusses the history of the violation of human rights and police harrassment which has been long associated with the queer community, the strong intersection between disability and queer communities, and more.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and of deaths in custody. First up on today's program, Marisa speaks with proud Gunditjmara man Alan Brown, an ambassador and life-member (and former chairperson/CEO) of the Victorial Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), which this year celebrates 50 years of caring for community. He begins with a quick run-down on his experience broadcasting at 3CR with other First Nations Warriors since the 1970s, going on to share his insights on the historical and long-term resilience, courage, and vision of Victorian Aboriginal people, which led directly to the inception of VAHS as an organisation in FItzroy, and what makes it special. Next, Marisa speaks with Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition, about their recent media release, entitled: Government must stop its immigration re-detention raids. Lastly, Marisa interviews proud Wurundjeri woman, Sue-Anne Hunter, Deputy chair and Commissioner with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which on Wednesday will commence two weeks of public hearings as part of its inquiry into the systemic injustices experienced by first peoples within Victoria's child protection and criminal justice systems.  You can watch the hearings online or make a submission at yoorrookjusticecommission.org

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains graphic audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and of deaths in custody. This is the second part of the TJ Hickey commemoration, where Marisa begins the program by giving background on continued attempts by NSW police to weaken and subdue TJ's family, with claims that his death was merely an accident. She sends a message of support and strength.  Before reporting on last week's rally, however, Marisa starts by interviewing Paddy Gibson, Anti-Racist Activist based in Sydney. He discusses the February 6 sentencing of the Neo-Nazi extremist who plead guilty to his part in attacking Paddy's suburban home 2021 — 2 years with a nonparole period of 18 months. Paddy gives background to why he has been a target of harrassment, facism in general, and also far-reaching issues in regards to homeless first nations people attacked and harrassed in NSW.  For the second part of the program, Marisa is joined by Raul Bassi from the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA) Sydney, who attended the rally on Feb 14, for the 19th anniversary of TJ Hickey's passing. He provides background for the rally, and the injustice of the racist system where, despite the petiton with 14,000 signatures presented to NSW Parliament for a full independent inquiry into TJ's death, it was determined that police were never responsible, and there was no appropriate outcome or inquest. He gives listeners a report on this year's rally, comparing and contrasting it with previous anniversary rallies, and how to keep important issues active, with plans for TJ's memorial plaque and more. The struggle continues.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains graphic audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, and of deaths in custody. This episode of Doin' Time is dedicated to TJ Hickey, who died in custody on 14 February 2004 as a direct result of the actions of the Redfern Police. First up on the program, Marisa speaks with Tuffy Morwitzer, campaigner with Goongerah Environment Centre GECO, about campaigning to protect native forests and wildlife from logging on Gunnai, Monero & Bidelwel Country in so-called East Gippsland. They also speak about the mass meeting GECO is organising in regards to erosion of human rights with Victorian anti-protest laws. You can attend GECO's mass meeting on the right to organise at 6.30pm on Tuesday March 7 at 535 Elizabeth St, central Melbourne, to discuss and then vote on practical ways to support climate action and the environment, and to defend the right to protest - go to geco.org.au/calendar to book your ticket. Next up on the show, Marisa is joined by Cheryl Kaulfuss from the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA) Melbourne, about First Nations teenager TJ Hickey who died during a police pursuit in 2004. Cheryl gave a solidarity support message in the leadup to a rally happening on 14 February on the anniversary of his death. Finally, Marisa interviews Scott Cosgriff, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, about the plight of asylum seekers and refugees, despite there being good news about visas.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time contains audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died, in-depth discussion of Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and other distressing content such as suicide in detention. First up on the program, Marisa invites proud Gunditjmara woman Jill Gallagher, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), on the program for the very first time to talk about her work, particularly in the decriminalisation of public intoxication, where Victoria's draconian laws continue to create an unsafe environment for all, and disproportinately impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She discusses the 2017 death in custody of much-loved Yorta Yorta mother Tanya Day, and also her work over the past two years reviewing the culture of correctional services. Next, Marisa is joined by Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), who provides a comprehensive summary of the findings of Coronial Inquest of the death in custody of Veronica Nelson, which were handed down last Monday, 30 January 2023. Finally, Marisa interviews Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition, who calls for a full investigation on the suspected suicide of the young detainee found hanging in Villawood Detention Centre, the fourth or fifth since 2019 at this centre alone. He also gives an update on the campaign to free asylum seekers and refugees from detention, and why we need to act immediately to stop human rights abuses towards non-citizens, particularly in regards to Section 501 of the Australian Migration Act.