The Grapevine

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with constitutional law expert, Associate Professor Luke Beck from the faculty of law at Monash University, to discuss the Federal Government’s third draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill. Prof Beck breaks down what’s in the bill, how it impacts state and federal powers, and what it could mean for the LGBTQI+ community.

And a new report has found climate activists are being institutionally suppressed. Senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, Yusur Al-Azzawi, joins the grapevine to chat about the new report she co-authored with Greenpeace and the Environmental Defenders Office, Global Warning: the threat to climate defenders in Australia, outlining how Australian governments are deterring climate action.

Then, Karen Ellis from Mend It Australia calls in to provide an update on the repairer's rights movement following an announcement from Apple that the tech company would provide spare parts for some products so customers can repair them.

On this episode of The Grapevine, as the COP26 climate summit wraps up, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with Walkley Award winning journalist, author and regular voice on The Grapevine, Jeff Sparrow, to break down the influence of corporations at the negotiations, along with accusations of greenwashing. Sparrow has a new book out; Crimes Against Nature: Capitalism and Global Heating, exploring the private sector’s role in driving climate change.

Then, expert in gender-based violence, Professor Angela Tafe from La Trobe Uni calls in to discuss women’s safety on public transport. A major collaborative project between La Trobe, Monash & RMIT called Tram Lab, has been undertaken to develop new “toolkits” to help improve women’s safety on public transport.

And as COVID disaster payments are set to end next week, CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Services, Emma King, phones in to talk about the challenges facing people who’ve lost work and will have to pursue Job Seeker as underemployment and unemployment rates continue to increase.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with the Australian Workers’ Union National Secretary, Daniel Walton, to discuss the historic win for fruit workers – who have been historically exploited by the agricultural industry – securing a minimum casual rate of pay.

Then, journalist Sean Kelly calls in to talk about his new book, The Game: A Portrait of Scott Morrison. Kelly exposes Morrison’s approach to politics as a game that is his to win, and how the Australian people are the ultimate losers. Kelly’s book is out now via Black Inc.

And Sam Floreani, program lead at Digital Rights Watch phones in to break down Facebook’s re-branding to the new company name 'Meta' and its interest in being a key architect in the evolution of  "The Metaverse” online. Floreani analyses what it is, and what’s the tech giant’s agenda behind this marketing move.

Content Warning: This episode touches on some sensitive topics including sexual violence (segment discussing sexual assault at the 36:38 mark and ending at 59:30 if you’d prefer to skip this). If anything you hear is distressing please reach out to someone who can help keep you safe. Or remember you can call 1800respect on 1800 737 732.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Dylan gets on the line with Associate Professor William Partlett at Melbourne Uni’s Law School, to discuss his article in The Conversation about the Victorian Government’s new pandemic management bill, and the apparent lack of parliamentary oversight of the powers granted under the proposed law.

Then, writer and journalist Aarti Betigeri calls in to discuss her article that appeared in the October Edition of Australian Foreign Affairs, ‘India Rising? Asia’s Huge Question’. Betigeri’s article, ‘New wave: Australia’s nation-changing Indian diaspora’, explores the fast-growing Indian-Australian community and its potential to reshape Australia’s ties to India.

And Lawyer and Writer Michael Bradley phones in to talk about his new essay for In The National Interest, ‘System Failure, The Silencing of Rape Survivors’. Bradley explores the systematic failure of the legal system to represent survivors of sexual abuse, and just how much pain a survivor must go through in the pursuit of justice.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja gets on the line with ecologist and historian Benjamin Gray to talk all about his new book Extinct: Artistic Impressions of our Lost Wildlife. Grey captures 39 unique Australian species that have been lost forever or are close to extinction.

Then, Dylan speaks with singer and songwriter of Parquet Courts, Austin Brown, about the band’s new album Sympathy For Life. Dylan and Austin discuss Parquet Court’s connection to the Melbourne music scene and their plans for their new record. 

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with Walkley Award winning journalist and author, Jeff Sparrow, to talk about the current state of accountability for corrupt politicians and why Australia doesn’t already have a federal corruption watchdog, as state investigators IBAC and ICAC scrutinise both major parties in NSW and Victoria.

Then, emergency specialist who works across a number of Melbourne hospitals, Dr Stephan Parnis, calls in to break down what’s been going on inside Victorian hospitals during the pandemic, the demands placed on health care workers, and what opening up the state could mean for the Victorian healthcare system.

And Vice President of the Afghan Australian Development Organisation & owner of Afghan Gallery Restaurant, Homaira Mershedi, gives an insight into the situation of newly arrived Afghan refugees in Melbourne, relief and support efforts that are ongoing, and how people can help.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with Dr Saul Griffith, founder of the Rewiring Australia & Rewiring America, to discuss the benefits of a net-zero emission economy. Dr Griffith breaks down the findings of the new report ‘Castles & Cars, savings in the suburbs through electrifying everything’ that details how Australian households could save up to $5000 on their bills through complete electrification.

Then, regular guest on The Grapevine, Associate Professor of Urban planning at Melbourne University, Dr Dave Nichols, calls in to talk about Melbourne opening up and what our city will look like after COVID.

And Victoria State Library Exhibition Curator, Linda Short, phones in to talk about the online exhibition ‘Changing Face of Victoria’ that among many things, details the history and evolution of coffee culture in Melbourne. 

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with author, journalist and research, Dr Suelette Dreyfus to discuss the newly released feature by Yahoo!News outlining a CIA plot to capture or assassinate Julian Assange. Assange is still being detained in London waiting to see if he will be extradited to the US to face charges of espionage.

Then, Cam Walker, campaigns director Friends of the Earth calls in to discuss Australia’s climate policy considering the upcoming COP26 climate talks, whether Scott Morrison will even turn up and the likelihood of the Coalition signing on for net-zero emissions by 2050.

And Jack Latimore, The Age’s new Indigenous Affairs journalist breaks down his role at the masthead, the difference between writing for Blak media and mainstream media, and the experience of reporting on First Nations issues in Australia.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Dylan gets on the line with associate professor of history at Monash University, Julie Kalman, to talk about the book she co-authored, ‘Smuggled; an illegal history of Journeys to Australia’.

Then, lawyer, activist, and chair of Digital Rights Watch, Lizzie O’Shea, calls in to discuss the News Media Bargaining Code in light of Facebook refusing to play ball with SBS & The Conversation in their recent negotiations over use of content on the social media platform.

And as restrictions ease, what’s happening with Melbourne’s live music scene? Musician Clare Bowditch phones in to discuss her calls for better planning to get live music up and running once vaccination targets are met.

On this episode of The Grapevine, Kulja and Dylan get on the line with Dave Sweeney from the Australian Conservation Foundation to break down what Australia’s new nuclear submarine deal means for the future of the Australian energy sector, Australia's relationship with its Pacific neighbours and with other global powers.

Then, journalist George Megalogenis discusses Victoria’s roadmap out of lockdown, vaccination targets – and the consequences of getting it wrong. Megalogenis touches on the state of the federations, in light of apparent disparity in economic conditions and vaccine distribution.

And Farmers for Climate Action member, Alisdair Tulloch, calls in to talk about how the Australian agricultural sector could hit net zero emissions by 2040, and what support is needed to achieve this target.