The eucalyptus tree - in particular the Southern Blue Gum - has been caught up in the blame game for Los Angeles' catastrophic fires, due to its oily combustible foliage. Scientists dispute these claims, but how did these Australian trees spread to California (and beyond) in the first place?

A new agreement sets minimum working conditions for underpaid and poorly treated Pacific fishing crews. The agreement is the first of its kind, in the world. 

Guest: Ed Cavanaugh, CEO, McKell Institute 

Pacific specialist 

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have spent summer on the hustings as they prepare for the 2025 election campaign. So where are the major parties positioned for the year ahead? And who are the challengers? 

Guest: Laura Tingle, Chief Political Correspondent, 7.30

Stephen Fry reflects on the power of story-telling, how to counter impostor syndrome and the things he absolutely can’t do. 

Guest: Stephen Fry

Originally broadcast: 28 October 2024 

When India gained its independence, the rulers of the princely states - the Maharajas - had to be convinced to give up control of their territories to create the nation of India. It was a difficult negotiation for Lord Mountbatten as each prince wanted something different in return for giving up land, power and armies.

Guest: John Zubrzycki, former diplomat and author of Dethroned: the downfall of India's princely states (Hurst/NewSouth)

This story originally aired on 03 October 2024.

Until the late 1980s Indigenous art was being ripped off left right and centre. It was open slather. First at the cheap end of the market on T-shirts and then on fancy carpets made in Vietnam. The rip-off merchants maintained black artists were just painting old patterns, so their work was for the taking. The lawyer who proved them wrong was Colin Golvan AM, and his new book shares historical stories of Indigenous copyright infringement and his experiences travelling around, often to remote communities, to work with artists to fight for their rights. Bronwyn Bancroft is one of Australia's most recognised First Nation artists and when she stumbled across the theft of her work, Colin took up the legal fight and they settled out of court. Bronwyn now mentors other Aboriginal artists to assert their copyright.

Guests:

• Colin Golvan AM is a lawyer, QC and author of new book, Protecting Indigenous Art
• Bronwyn Bancroft AM is a Bundjalung woman, artist and author of 45 books

This story originally aired on 03 October 2024.

Upon discovering that sex work is decriminalised in New Zealand, Antonia Murphy decided to build her own business: an ethical escort agency called The Bach. 

Learning how birds communicate could help us to better understand the health of our natural ecosystems. 

This story originally aired on 17 October 2024.

Journalist Gareth Gore investigates the finances and political influence of the conservative Catholic order, Opus Dei. 

This story originally aired on 17 October 2024.

Alfred Dreyfus was an officer in the French Army when he was arrested 130 years ago for treason, convicted and sent to Devils Island for 5 years in solitary confinement.  His battle for justice divided the population of France and fascinated people across the globe.