Future Perfect

Dylan is joined by Julian Assange’s father John Shipton to update on the campaign to free his son, following the London High Court’s ruling to grant Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the United States. (1:02)

Hannah Dickinson, Principal Solicitor at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, visits to unpack the moral panic, media coverage and government rhetoric towards immigration detainees released as a result of last year’s High Court decision that found indefinite immigration detention was unlawful. (19:49)

Dr Jennifer Rayner, Head of Advocacy at the Climate Council, digs into her new book Climate Clangers: The Bad Ideas Blocking Real Action, exploring some of the current processes and strategies that aren’t working and what needs to be done to bring about more ambitious action on climate change. (34:56)

Plus, musician Tom Lyngcoln, formerly of bands Harmony and The Nation Blue, chats about the conception of his new band Down Under, and their self-titled debut album released earlier this year. (49:52)

And finally, Liam Blair and Stefan Parsons of Melbourne band Good Morning drop by to chat about their latest album Seven and how they collaborate while living in different countries ahead of their upcoming gig for Rising Festival. (1:00:59)

Dylan is joined by Andrea Furger, Graduate Researcher in International Law at The University of Melbourne and former member of staff at the International Criminal Court, to discuss the ICC Chief Prosecutor’s arrest warrant application for members of both the Israeli government and Hamas, and how the US government likes to pick and choose when it supports the work of the ICC. (0:55)

Peter Mares, independent writer and researcher and Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, cuts through the spin in the federal Opposition's attempt to link the housing crisis with migration. (13:34)

Prof John Evans, Wiradjuri man and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Engagement at Swinburne University, looks at what’s behind the drop-off in numbers of Indigenous players in the AFL and what can be done to support Indigenous participation and pathways to senior roles in football, as analysed in his recent piece for The Age. (33:57)

Plus, award-winning Noongar artist and Triple R broadcaster Bumpy drops in to chat about her big year of touring and delivering workshops around the country ahead of her upcoming gigs including a debut appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE on May 31. (44:13)

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of homophobia and queerphobia in sport - if you find any of this distressing, you can receive specialised peer support via QLife on 1800 184 527 or head to switchboard.org.au for more info.

Dylan is joined by Dr Ryan Storr, Research Fellow at Swinburne University, to discuss new research revealing the continued extent of discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ people in community sport. (0:52)

Regular guest Jeff Sparrow unpacks his new analysis featured in Overland ‘Why conservatives are so afraid of the Palestine solidarity movement’ and why the protests on university campuses against Israel’s assault on Gaza are some of the most significant in Australia’s recent history. (15:16)

Samantha Hepburn, Professor at Deakin University, breaks down how the federal government's new gas policy is at odds with Australia's commitments under the Paris Agreement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. (29:31)

Plus, Frazer Thorpe, Education and Engagement Manager at Plants 4 Space chats about the upcoming event for Melbourne Design Week ‘Design Beyond Earth: A Future on the Moon’, exploring how growing plants on the Moon could innovate our sustainability on Earth. (42:02)

Content warning: our first interview this week touches on issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and violence against women in Australia. If any of these topics are sensitive or impact you, or if you require any assistance – you can call 1800 RESPECT to speak to a domestic violence counsellor.

For men who are worried that they may be violent toward their partners or family, and would like to seek help and support – you can call 1300 766 491 to reach the Men's Referral Service for counselling, information and behaviour change program details.

Dylan is joined by Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences at Monash University, following the federal government’s pledge to combat the escalating crisis of violence against women, and discusses new research into domestic violence disclosure schemes and whether they improve safety for victim-survivors. (1:09)

Journalist and author Antony Loewenstein speaks on his experience as a Jewish person who has long been critical of the Israeli government and its persecution of Palestinians, as explored in the new episode ‘Not In My Name’ for ABC documentary series Compass, now available on ABC iView. (16:09)

Broadcaster and writer Jonathan Green unpacks his new piece for The Monthly ‘A Common Good’, which explores how the digital age is fracturing our sense of community, and gets into how we might re-capture a sense of shared humanity in an age of individualism. (36:17)

Plus, Melbourne-based rapper and producer Joel Ma (AKA Joelistics) drops by to chat about his upcoming show All The People You’ve Never Met at Frankston Art Centre for South Side Festival 2024. (52:30)

Finally, multi-instrumentalist Isobel D’Cruz visits to get into her solo project Hantu, her studies in ethnomusicology and Melbourne’s music scene and culture, and her prolific output across genres ahead of her upcoming show at Eastmint in Melbourne. (1:10:48)

Dylan is joined by Benita Kolovos, Victorian state correspondent for Guardian Australia, who explains the state government’s decision not to proceed with a second safe injecting room in Melbourne, despite an expert report finding a new facility would save lives. (1:02)

Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, Co-founder and Director of the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Detention Alliance, speaks on the formation of the new organisation and her experience as a leading voice in hostage diplomacy since returning to Australia in a prisoner swap deal after spending 804 days in an Iranian prison. (18:13)

Forest advocate Sarah Rees discusses the long-proposed establishment of the Great Forest National Park – which would comprise more than 500,000 hectares of protected forests in Victoria – amid the Victorian government opening public consultation for future uses of the Central Highlands state forest. (32:23)

Plus, producer of the documentary Things Will Be Different Celeste De Clario, and the film’s lead subject William Gwynne, visit to chat about the forced relocation of people from the Walker Street public housing estate in Northcote that the film explores, ahead of its premiere at the Setting Sun International Film Festival in May. (50:46)

Finally, Melbourne musician darvid thor drops by to chat about his return to solo music and performs a live rendition of his new single ‘Changing Shape’ ahead of its launch show at Shotkickers on May 2. (1:13:20)

Dylan is joined by journalists Stephanie Tran and Eve Cogan to get into their investigative report for Declassified Australia The Pentagon’s Infiltration of Australian Universities, which uncovered that the US Defence Department has been funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into Australia’s higher education sector to fund research activities that benefit American military power. (1:05)

Dave Nichols, Professor of Urban Planning at The University of Melbourne, visits to discuss the saga that has followed the state government announcing last year that it would demolish 44 public housing towers, raising conversations about their importance and value to Melbourne’s history. (17:01)

Journalist Mahmood Fazal unpacks his report ‘Meth Highway’ for Four Corners, which tracks the crystal meth pipeline from the streets of Melbourne to production sites in South-East Asia. (33:24)

Plus, Ro Bright, CEO of Tilde Film Festival, celebrates and reflects on the festival’s 10th anniversary and speaks on the importance of centring non-binary, gender diverse and trans voices within both the festival's programming and its new governance structure and board. (43:53)

Finally, Lisa Salvo, singer and songwriter of Melbourne experimental pop band On Diamond, chats about getting back into the swing of live performances and their upcoming residency at Cross Street Music Hall in Melbourne. (57:12)

Warning: this episode contains topics around mental health, violence and the recent attack at Bondi Junction on Saturday April 13. If any of these issues bring you distress, you can visit lifeline at lifeline.org.au or speak with someone on 13 11 14.

This episode also contains discussion of homophobia and queerphobia in sport - if you find any of this distressing, you can receive specialised peer support via QLife on 1800 184 527 or head to switchboard.org.au for more info.

Dr Christen Cornell, Researcher at Creative Australia, discusses the new research report Soundcheck which analyses the challenges facing the Australian music festival sector amid the recent cancellation of Splendour in the Grass and a number of other Australian music culture mainstays. (0:47)

Cam Walker, campaigns coordinator at Friends of the Earth, shares his insights on the Coalition’s recent announcement of the push for nuclear power in its energy policy, and reflects on the 50-year anniversary of Friends of the Earth and their place in community anti-nuclear campaigning. (16:27)

Amateur footballer and coach Michael O’Donnell gets into the AFL suspending Jeremy Finlayson for using a homophobic slur, and offers his thoughts on broader issues around safety and the embrace of gay players across professional and amateur levels. (30:24)

Dr Anna Ross, Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne, speaks on the responsibility of media reporting on crime and reducing stigma around mental health following the attack at Bondi Junction on Saturday April 13. (43:56)

Finally, Melbourne pop eccentric artist Gregor visits to chat about his return from musical hiatus and his creative processes and inspirations as he gears up for his forthcoming album Satanic Lullabies, out May 10 on Chapter Records. (54:37)

Dylan is joined by Andrew Macintosh, Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at ANU, who discusses his research into the integrity of Australia’s carbon credit scheme, which formed the basis of an article in The Saturday Paper The Great Carbon Offset Scam. (0:57)

Jeff Sparrow, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, shares his analysis on the recent killing of a number of humanitarian workers in Gaza by the IDF, the response from the Australian and United States governments, and the public outcry in response to the latest wave of violence. (19:20)

Artist and audio producer Jess Shane discusses Shocking, Heartbreaking,Transformative - her new podcast out through Radiotopia that subverts the documentary format to analyse the ethics of nonfiction storytelling and the exploitation of people’s real stories. (34:25)

Plus, comedian Urvi Majumdar drops by to explore the personal experiences that inspired her new show ‘Burnt’ for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and the craft of constructing a comedy show. (1:00:17)

And finally, Melbourne musician Maxine Gillon visits to chat about their new single ‘Lipstick’ and current residency at The Old Bar in Melbourne. (1:12:45)

Dylan is joined by David Manne, Executive Director of Refugee Legal, to talk about their work helping Palestinians who had their visitor visas cancelled en-route to Australia.

Jill Young drops by to chat about organising Run The Tan for Sam – a run around Melbourne’s iconic Tan track to commemorate Samantha Murphy and reclaim public spaces for women to exercise without fear.

Plus, renowned percussionist Jim White tells the story behind his debut solo album All Hits: Memories, the creative experience of writing and recording individually, and his busy touring schedule ahead - including a rare Melbourne headline show with The Dirty Three.

Dylan is joined by economist and bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis to unpack his recent book Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism and why we should be concerned about this new economic and political age.

Journalist and author Lech Blaine discusses his Quarterly Essay Bad Cop: Peter Dutton’s Strongman Politics and how Dutton’s political history and identity inform his approach as opposition leader.

Plus, Aaron Curnow looks back over the history of his label Spunk Records - which has put out seminal releases from the likes of Smog/Bill Callahan, Sufjan Stevens, Aldous Harding and many more - and why he's decided to call it a day after 25 years.

And finally, Deborah Di Natale, CEO of The Council to Homeless Persons, discusses the dire state of homelessness in Victoria ahead of anticipated state government funding cuts.