The Informer

Israel Folau’s desire to post homophobic memes on Instagram is what brought this case on, but another case is raising some fascinating questions about the entire debate: Rachel Colvin says Ballarat Christian College pressured her to resign over her support for marriage equality.

At the core of the Government’s religious freedom bill is the belief that the protections that exist in Australian presently fail to adequately protect people’s religious beliefs. 

A new survey into the sexual health of Australia’s trans and gender communities has revealed alarming rates of discrimination and a lack of resources and services.  

The Kirby Institute survey is the largest study of trans and gender diverse people conducted in Australia. We speak to Liz Duck Chong about the findings.

Construction of the Victorian Pride Centre is well under way. Informer Associate Producer Arion Potts travelled over to Fitzroy St, St Kilda to speak to Stuart Kollmorgen about the developments.

It’s been yet another very unusual week in Australian Politics. This week, we speak with Guardian journalist Amy Remeikis about why Pauline Hanson wants an inquiry into the family court, climate strike and asylum seekers.

Dale Campisi and Brady Michaels, known as The Gents, have a new guidebook for Melbourne. Melbourne Pocket Precincts takes readers on a journey around some of Melbourne’s most unique and unusual locations. They talk to us about their book and how dramatically Melbourne’s CBD has changed in the past few years.

Sydney Activist Garry Burns copped an amazing spray from Mark Latham, former ALP leader, now a One Nation member in the New South Wales Upper House. Latham used his parliamentary privilege to accuse Garry Burns of using the New South Wales Anti-discrimination tribunal to harass Bernard Gaynor, a conservative Catholic commentator.  Garry talks to us about how he’s responding to this attack and his work.

Content warning – This episode contains discussion of suicide, and mental health.

LGBTIQ+ people are several times more likely to be suicidal or attempt suicide. Recognising this challenge, the Victorian Government has awarded a $500,000 funding package to Switchboard Victoria for new suicide prevention activities. Arion Potts speaks with Anna Bernasochi from Switchboard.

 

Reason Party MP Fiona Patten has proposed new legislation in Parliament. It would change the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act to the Vilification Act. As part of that change, it would expand the categories that can be considered vilification.

Fiona explains why we need these changes – urgently.

Business groups are starting to come out against the government’s proposed Religious Discrimination bill. Equality Australia talks to us about why that is and what other concerns they have about the legislation.

We speak to Legal Director of Equality Australia Ghassan Kassisieh.

Anti-anxiety medications from the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines (or benzos for short) are prescribed to about 1.5 million Australians every year. While often very effective for treating anxiety or insomnia, they are also highly addictive. We speak to some experts in the field about this evolving challenge.

If you’re struggling with benzo addiction, contact Reconnexion on 1300 273 266.

And if you’re struggling with mental health issues more generally you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or

QLife on 1800 184 527.