Uncommon Sense

Rod Campbell, Research Director at The Australia Institute talks about how Australia can gain a ‘Nordic Edge’ in its policy and politics. Rod co-edited a new book called, The Nordic Edge: Policy Possibilities for Australia. Author Harry Saddler discusses his new book, Questions Raised By Quolls: Fatherhood and Conservation in an Uncertain World – a very pertinent subject in a time of climate and extinction crisis. UNSW epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws examines the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination modelling and tells us whether these targets are high enough in order to safely open up. Mary-Louise is also a Member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19.

Author Linda Jaivin discusses her new book, The Shortest History of China. Linda explores with Amy the vast expanse of China's fascinating cultural, philosophical, and political history from ancient and imperial times to the modern day. Linda has been studying Chinese politics, language, and culture for more than 40 years. She has been a foreign correspondent in China, and is co-editor of the China Story Yearbook (ANU Press).

Amy speaks with Bill Bowtell about pandemic politics in Australia, the 'Zero COVID' strategy under threat in NSW, lockdowns, state and national vaccination targets, and all things public health. Bill Bowtell is an Adjunct Professor at the UNSW and a strategic public health adviser. He led Australia's response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws explains how Australia can reach herd immunity against COVID-19 and when children should be vaccinated against the virus in Australia. She also discusses the Delta variant outbreak in NSW and its concerning trajectory, the reality of Long COVID, and whether we will ever be able to treat this virus “like the flu,” as the Prime Minister suggests. Mary-Louise is a member of the WHO’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19.

Journalist Maddison Connaughton joins Amy to talk about the latest in federal politics. Epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws explains how Australia can reach herd immunity against COVID-19 and when children should be vaccinated against the virus in Australia. She also discusses the reality of Long COVID overseas and here, and whether we will ever be able to treat this virus “like the flu,” as the Prime Minister suggests. Plus when will NSW get on top of their Delta variant outbreak? Dr Kevin Rowe, senior curator of mammals at Museums Victoria talks about the exciting taxonomic resurrection of a once thought to be extinct species, Gould’s mouse, which now survives on Bernie Island, Western Australia

Rachel Withers, Contributing Editor of The Monthly discusses the latest in federal politics. People for A Living Moorabool's Cameron Steele and water law expert Dr Erin O'Donnell discuss Victoria's most flow-stressed river – the Moorabool River – and a local film about it. Nic Maclellan, Pacific affairs correspondent for Inside Story, talks about Samoa's constitutional crisis, the COVID-19 outbreak in Fiji, and the push for a third referendum on independence in New Caledonia.

People for A Living Moorabool's Cameron Steele and water law and nature rights expert Dr Erin O'Donnell discuss Victoria's most flow-stressed river – the Moorabool River – and a new local documentary film about it called, THE RIVER MOORABOOL.

Epidemiologist Professor Mary-Louise McLaws speaks in-depth about Victoria's current coronavirus outbreak and fourth lockdown, as well as the urgent drive to get Australians vaccinated.

Mary-Louise talks about how long this lockdown should last based on an epidemiological perspective. Hint: Longer than 7 days! She also talks about the science behind vaccine effectiveness against the COVID variants of interest and concern.

Epidemiologist and WHO Adviser Professor Mary-Louise McLaws speaks in-depth about Victoria's current coronavirus outbreak and fourth lockdown, as well as the urgent drive to get vaccinated. Mary-Louise talks about how we’re progressing and how long the lockdown might last, plus what policies need to be put in place now and in the future to prevent this from happening again. Historian Dr Emma Shortis, from the RMIT's EU Centre of Excellence, returns to talk about the latest in U.S. politics.