Global trade could be all about solidarity and meeting human needs. Instead it's a game of bullies, billionaires, bullets, and embargoes. How do we stand up - as nations, as people - for something better?

Latin America has decades of experience of US interference in their economies and governments that the rest of the world can learn from.

Dr Rodrigo Acuña - journalist, filmmaker, teacher, Latin America expert - spoke about the Latin American experience on Cuban National Rebellion Day.

This episode was recorded at the Family Hotel, Katoomba during "Politics in the Pub" on 26th July 2025.

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Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community. 

Image credit: 'Trump' by Isaszas CCO 1.0

"Paul Robeson was once the most famous African American in the world."Historian and author Ann Curthoys has written a book "The Last Tour" about the 1960 tour of Australia by singer Paul Robeson and his wife Eslande.

Many Australians know about Robeson's performance of "Ol' Man River" on the construction site of the Sydney Opera House but his other activities during that tour are worthy of being remembered, although they may be less well known.

In this episode of Rights, Rorts and Rants, Ann Curthoys talks to Nick Franklin and Deb Smith about Robeson's Australian tour.

CONTENT WARNING - Discussion of attempted suicide. You can talk to Lifeline 131114 or TEXT 0477 131114 for help.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 8th August 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community.

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Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community. 

Think about your list of the 10 best things about Katoomba. It's not hard to fill the list with World Heritage Listing, Scenic World, Echo Point, Garguree (The Gully) and the Cultural Centre at the top of the list. But the problem of derelict buildings and empty shopfronts brought into focus by the state of the Paragon Cafe cannot be ignored.

In this interview on Rights, Rorts and Rants presenters Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman talk with Jim Angel a former mayor who worked on a revitalisation of Katoomba including building the Cultural Centre about looking for solutions for Katoomba.

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 23 May 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

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Authorised by D Smith, Management Committee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.

Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community. 

Merran Mclaren and Emmanuela (Manu) Prigoni co-founder and coordinator of Farm It Forward speak at Farm It Forward's central Katoomba, NSW organic vegetable plot.

Manu speaks about the origin and evolution behind the social enterprise begun in 2019, recently with a youth focus including Katoomba High School in recent years.

The Katoomba High School programme needs funding assistance and listeners can donate (tax deductible) through Farm It Forward's social media or online at farmitforward.com.au

Farm It Forward sell weekly organic vegetable boxes.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 20 June 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Mclaren.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

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Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.

Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community. 

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle updates listeners on a range of issues of interest to Blue Mountains residents. From PFAS to the Paragon Cafe - to DV and moving towards a new hospital in the Mountains and heritage protection,

This interview provides a comprehensive update on all State issues. It's all here.

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 20 June 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Merran Maclaren, Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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Authorised by D Smith, Management Committee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.

Peter Lammiman and Nick Franklin spoke to Greens candidate Terry Morgan about his perspectives on the Greens 2025 Federal Election campaign and post the election the Greens political priorities under the new ALP Government.

Terry kindly spoke to the Radio Blue Mountains studio in Katoomba by phone from Queensland accompanied by lovely bird sounds.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 23 May 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community. 

Ahead of speaking at the Mountains for Palestine rally on 14 June 2025, Zuzia Buszewicz spoke with Peter Lammiman by phone on Rights, Rorts and Rants on 13 June.

Due to the stopping of internet in the Gaza Strip Zuzia told listeners that they may purchase eSIMS for the Middle East & Israel online and send them through [email protected]

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 13 June 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman.

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

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Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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On Rights, Rorts and Rants 13 June 2025 show (on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM) Nick Franklin discussed with Mike Holland his investigation into the Government's planned tax on superannuation earnings above $3m.

Most of your questions will be answered.

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 13 June 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Nick Franklin.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

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Long term Blue Mountains City Councillor Don McGregor explains the complex creation of the valued Blue Mountains Cultural Centre through an intense charrette process during the late 1990s and early 2000s. With Ann-Maree McEwan. Sitting above Coles and the Village Shopping Centre in Katoomba how it came about is an interesting story.

This episode was first broadcast on ⁠⁠Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM⁠⁠ on 9 December 2022.

Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives but that means that views expressed in these podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by the ⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠.

⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our show⁠⁠. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠join online⁠⁠.

On 11 April Presenter Merran Maclaren interviewed Kathie Herbert, chairperson and Ann-Maree McEwan, committee member, both from Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group known as BMRSG, about the work of the group ahead of the annual Sydney Palm Sunday Rally and March on 13 April.

Merran finishes the segment with a brief description of portrait Red Marie by Paul Standen which is a portrait of one of the founders of BMRSG, Marie Standen.

As mentioned in the interview listeners can find out more BMRSG by going to bmrsg.org.au

Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded.

The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 11 April 2025 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Merran Maclaren. The podcast was produced by Ann-Maree McEwan. 

If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Authorised by D Smith, Management Committee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.