Radioactive Show

We mark the 16 Days of Activism on Gender-based Violence by hearing from Ray Acheson, an organizer, activist, writer and Director of Reaching Critical Will, the disarmament program of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the world's oldest feminist peace organisation. Between 2008–2024 Ray Acheson served on the steering group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its work to initiate and organise for the ban. Ray wrote about this work in their book 'Banning the Bomb, Smashing the Patriarchy' and we bring you excerpts of a book launch event hosted on 5 May, 2021 by the Elliott School of International Affairs.Support First nations people working to protect people and planet from nuclear risks go to the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance website.

Alison from Demilitarise Newcastle speaks with us about the military expansion in their region and their week of mobilisation for #earthcarenotwarfare coming up from December 1-9. Followed by Adam from Mparntwe for Falastin, a community group protesting the role of the Pine Gap joint US-Australian facility in attacks on Palestine and Sudan.

Today we bring you some interviews from the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance Meeting 2025, held on Nukunu country at Pichi Richi park over the 29-31 August.  Adnyamathanha woman Deidre Coulthard shared their concerns about ongoing impacts of the Leigh Creek coal mine that continues to pollute the local area despite its 70 year operations ending in 2015.  And she shares excitement about efforts to protect the region from mining through a UNESCO World Heritage listing.  The Gammon and Flinders Ranges contain the best fossil evidence from 350 million years ago when the first multicellular life forms emerged.  Taking inspiration for a World Heritage listing for the Brewarrina fish traps is Ngambri woman Trish Frail.  Then we hear from Regina McKenzie, who won the Peter Rawlinson Award 2016 and was named Human Rights Hero in 2020 for her work in stopping a nuclear waste dump at Barndioota, about new uranium mine threats and the ongoing impacts of Olympic Dam uranium mine on the ecology.

In this program we spoke with Michelle Fahy, an independent researcher investigating links between the weapons industry and Australian Government about her latest report on arms companies providing almost a quarter of the National Press Club's sponsorship. We also catch up with Australian Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Gem Romuld to bring an update on their work to get Australia to sign on the the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the rising threats to global security posed by nuclear brinkmanship and the AUKUS partnership.Links:Subscribe to Michelle Fahy's substack 'Undue Influence' where she publishes independent investigative reporting on the weapons industry and its close connections with the Australian government.ICAN's MP Meeting Guide.Nuclear Truth Project's Webinar 'Holding the Memories: Communities Leading the Fight for Nuclear Archival Justice' - November 19 & 20.Darebin Climate Action Now AGM with guest speaker David Spratt - 6.30pm November 13.  David speaking about his new discussion paper 'Warming has reached 1.5°C. What does that mean for climate advocacy?' from 7.30-8.30pm.

We are joined by Reed O'Loughlin - one of the Coordinators for the Friends of the Earth Nuclear Free Collective and David Noonan - Independent Environmental Campaigner, to discuss some of the latest developments under AUKUS.On 1 November, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency handed over regulatory oversight of relevant licences related to the Australian nuclear-powered submarine program to the new Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator marking a significant shift in the way that nuclear activities and materials are regulated..  David Noonan discusses the imposition of military and nuclear risks posed by the AUKUS override of State & Territory laws that prohibit nuclear waste storage. You can read his submission to the 'AUKUS ‘Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations – public consultation’.Upcoming events:Protest the Indo PacificKeeping WA Nuclear Free6pm Wednesday 19 NovemberThe Buffalo Club, 54 High St, Freemantle, WAOrganised by Nuclear Free WABook Launch 'Search for Security: AUKUS and the new militarism'6pm Thursday 20 NovemberMelbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church, 110 Grey St, East Melbourne, VICOrganised by No AUKUS Coalition VicLet's Talk About AUKUS6pm Tuesday 25 NovemberFood Coop, Kingsley St, Acton, ACTA night of conversation, food and music with Dr.Jim Green and friends.Organised by Beyond Uranium Canberra.

Today we bring you more speeches from the rally against rocket testing on Googatha country, led by Googatha elder Aunty Sue Haseldine, that brought together hundred of supporters at the Australian Space Agency offices and Parliament House in Adelaide on unceded Kaurna yarta, on 10 October 2025.We'll hear excerpts from speeches by: Dylan Coleman - Googatha woman and lecturer in Indigenous health; Irene Watson a Tanganekald, Meintangk, Bunganditj and Potaruwutj woman and Professor of Law at the University of South Australia; Dr. Amanda Palmer Vice President of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and Derek Burke from Port Adelaide Community Opposing AUKUS.Southern Launch's Koonibba rocket testing range is the largest overland suborbital rocket testing facility in the Southern Hemisphere and covers over 40,000 square kilometre of pristine mallee woodland that is home to Googatha sacred sites and endangered flora and fauna. They began operations at the Koonibba range in 2020 and started commercial launches in 2024.Write a letter in support of the campaign to get Southern Launch and rocket testing of sacred Googatha lands.

We dive into the story and recent organising of WAWAN, Wollongong Against War and Nukes, with founding members Gem Romuld and Alexander Brown. We hear about WAWAN's formation in response to the proposal of a nuclear submarine port at Port Kembla, as well as the strong peace and anti-military history of the region.Winter of 2025 has been a hive of busyness for WAWAN, including a peace exhibition at the Wollongong library and a residency at Wollongong Gallery, alongside ongoing support and participation in the pickets at Bisalloy Steel, as organised by Wollongong Friends of Palestine. Wollongong Against War and NukesWollongong Friends of Palestine

On 10 October West Mallee Protection held a 'No Consent!' rally and march in Adelaide to oppose a rocket testing range on Googatha country.  Googatha elder Aunty Sue Haseldine traveled from Ceduna in South Australia's far west to visit the Australian Space Agency and SA Parliament in Adelaide to build a metro campaign to shut down Southern Launch's Koonibba Rocket Testing range. “My Country is not a military zone. It is an important place - culturally, spiritually, and environmentally. We have been battling for a long time for the protection of Country, and this battle continues here today. Any company or Government agency that decides they're going to use my Country as their playground for warfare, for testing war materials - they're not welcome"Today we hear from Kaurna woman Bonnie Brody, Googatha elder Aunty Sue Haseldine, West Mallee Protection's Reed O'Loughlin & Dr. Kate Wylie from Doctors for the Environment.Support West Mallee Protection here.

Sam conducts an interview with former producer of the Radioactive Show: Eric Miller. Eric wrote, produced, panelled and drove the Radioactive Show for an incredible 18 year period from 1988-2006.Eric transferred his archives of the show back to the Radioactive Show team , and we discussed the collection and Eric's history with the show.