Uncommon Sense

Julian Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton joined Amy Mullins to update us as to Julian's state of mind and health ahead of the UK High Court's impending decision, which is to be handed down tonight 9.30pm AEDT (10.30am London time). The court will decide whether Wikileaks founder and journalist Julian Assange will be able to appeal the decision to extradite him from Britain to the United States where he faces 18 charges for publishing US military documents and diplomatic cables and up to 173 years in prison or even the death penalty. Gabriel tells us about his attendance as a guest of Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie at President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address and the intense lobbying efforts happening behind the scenes at the US Congress. When will the Australian government make greater representations to the United States on its citizen's behalf? Gabriel Shipton is a film producer and produced a documentary on the persecution of Assange called, ITHAKA (free to watch on ABC's iView). You can listen to that May 2022 interview here. To support Julian Assange and take action, visit the campaign website: https://www.action.assangecampaign.org.au

Graham Readfearn, the Guardian Australia’s Environment Reporter gives us the latest on local and global environmental news, including a coral bleaching event taking place right now on the Great Barrier Reef. He also tells us about Antarctica’s sea ice reaching alarmingly low levels, a mystery paralysis syndrome afflicting lorikeet populations, and his podcast series, Weight of the World – the climate scientists who saw the crisis coming. For International Women's Day, award-winning author and science journalist Angela Saini joins Amy from New York to talk about her latest book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came To Rule. Angela delves into the origins of "the patriarchy" and gendered oppression and finds that patriarchal societies are a far more recent historical development than we might imagine. She also talks about our fascination with matriarchy and women-led matrilineal societies and reveals that many different types of matrilineal societies exist across the world today. Angela explains how patriarchy is not inevitable and what feminists and people seeking a gender equal world can do to turn the tide. The Patriarchs was shortlisted for the 2023 Orwell Prize. It's published by Harper Collins Australia. This is the extended full version of the interview with Angela Saini. Angela's previous books are, Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong, and Superior: The Return of Race Science. Renowned Australian-born film critic Adrian Martin joins Amy to discuss the brilliance of Jean-Luc Godard’s cinematic masterpiece, LE MÉPRIS (Contempt, 1963), starring Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Giorgia Moll, and Fritz Lang. Filmed in Capri, Italy, LE MÉPRIS depicts the breakdown of a marriage, but it is also about much more than that as you'll hear. It has been newly restored in 4k and is having its Australian premiere at Europa Europa Film Festival in Melbourne on the 6th and 11th March 2024 (Hawthorn and Elsternwick). The screenings are co-presented by Melbourne Cinémathèque. This is the extended full version of the interview with Adrian Martin. In the original interview that aired, we heard some of the iconic music by Georges Delerue who composed the epic and sweeping soundtrack to LE MÉPRIS, including Générique and Camille. To view Godard's films from home, they can be found at your local library, university library, Picture Search Video & Vinyl in Richmond, on Kanopy (often via your library's subscription, here is LE MÉPRIS), and Apple Movies and Google Movies. Godard's films are distributed in Australia by Madman Entertainment and Umbrella Entertainment.

For International Women's Day, award-winning author and science journalist Angela Saini joins Amy from New York to talk about her latest book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came To Rule. Angela delves into the origins of "the patriarchy" and gendered oppression and finds that patriarchal societies are a far more recent historical development than we might imagine. She also talks about our fascination with matriarchy and women-led matrilineal societies and reveals that many different types of matrilineal societies exist across the world today. Angela explains how patriarchy is not inevitable and what feminists and people seeking a gender equal world can do to turn the tide. The Patriarchs was shortlisted for the 2023 Orwell Prize. It's published by Harper Collins Australia. Angela's previous books are, Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong, and Superior: The Return of Race Science. This is the extended full version of the interview with Angela Saini.

Renowned Australian-born film critic Adrian Martin joins Amy to discuss the brilliance of Jean-Luc Godard’s cinematic masterpiece, LE MÉPRIS (Contempt, 1963), starring Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Giorgia Moll, and Fritz Lang. Filmed in Capri, Italy, LE MÉPRIS depicts the breakdown of a marriage, but it is also about much more than that as you'll hear. It has been newly restored in 4k and is having its Australian premiere at Europa Europa Film Festival in Melbourne on the 6th and 11th March 2024 (Hawthorn and Elsternwick). The screenings are co-presented by Melbourne Cinémathèque. This is the extended full version of the interview. In the original interview that aired, we heard some of the iconic music by Georges Delerue who composed the epic and sweeping soundtrack to LE MÉPRIS, including Générique and Camille. To view Godard's films from home, they can be found at your local library, university library, Picture Search Video & Vinyl in Richmond, on Kanopy (often via your library's subscription, here is LE MÉPRIS), and Apple Movies and Google Movies. Godard's films are distributed in Australia by Madman Entertainment and Umbrella Entertainment.

Award-winning photojournalist Andrew Quilty joins host Amy Mullins for an in-depth conversation about his latest book, This Is Afghanistan: 2014–2021. The stunning book is a visual record of the nine years Andrew spent living and working in the complex, beautiful, and war-torn country. Andrew talks about his experiences photographing the War in Afghanistan, capturing life, destruction, conflict and the natural landscape. You can view some of Andrew's work on his website, including some of the images we discuss in this interview. Andrew's book, This Is Afghanistan, is published by Miegunyah Press: Melbourne University Publishing. Andrew Quilty is the recipient of nine Walkley Awards, including the Gold Walkley, for his work on Afghanistan, where he was based from 2013 to 2022. He has also received the George Polk Award, the World Press Photo Award and the Overseas Press Club of America award for his investigation into massacres committed by a CIA-backed Afghan militia. August in Kabul (MUP: 2022), was his first book.

Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute talks about his new essay in The Monthly on tax reform – Richard says tax reform is about democracy, not economics, and reforms should not be centred on what we want, but on who we want to be. He also talks about the intertwined issues of rising company profits, interest rates, the supermarket duopoly, and price gouging. Award-winning photojournalist Andrew Quilty joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his latest book, This Is Afghanistan: 2014–2021 (Miegunyah Press: Melbourne University Publishing). The stunning book is a visual record of the nine years Andrew spent living and working in the complex, beautiful, and war-torn country. You can view some of Andrew's work on his website, including some of the images we discuss in this interview. Dr Emma Shortis, historian and Senior Researcher in the International & Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute talks all things US politics, including President Biden’s recent foreign policy and diplomatic approach to Israel’s place in the Middle East, as well as the intersection of Russian and far-right US politics, the death of Navalny, and the war in Ukraine. Additional links as discussed in the last interview: Mehdi Hasan, Biden can end the bombing of Gaza right now. Here’s how (Guardian) White House, Remarks by President Biden, 8 February 2024 Jon Stewart, The Daily Show, On Tucker Carlson’s Putin Interview & Trip to Russia

Please note the first interview of this episode contains topics that may distress some listeners, including allegations of child sexual abuse and harm to children. Please see helpline information below. Host Amy Mullins speaks with Nick Feik, freelance journalist and former editor of The Monthly, about his essay in The Monthly which details his own investigations and the findings of a Tasmanian commission of inquiry that uncovered decades of abuse towards young people in the state's care, including at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and Launceston General Hospital. Nick also talks about the damning Richardson Report into the Home Affairs Department and the media's current lack of scrutiny towards the then responsible minister, Peter Dutton MP. Then, Amy speaks with Tom Harley, great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, and Emeritus Professor of Politics Judith Brett. They talk about the Save Ballara campaign, which is under threat of auction and development. Tom is seeking to protect the 1.68 hectare bush garden and historic home of Australia’s second Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. Ballara is a unique early 20th century bungalow home, inspired by Californian and Colonial Indian architectural styles. It was designed by Pattie Deakin and is situated in old Point Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula. Tom and Judith talk about the significance of Ballara to Deakin's personal and political life, as well as to his wife Pattie Deakin, and why Tom wants to make Ballara and its historical contents an asset for the Australian public to engage with. Finally, Amy speaks with Ray Stefani, Co-President of the Fish Creek Football Netball Club. They chat about the small town of Fish Creek in South Gippsland and the footy club’s long and successful history. The Fish Creek Football Netball Club is the most successful country footy club in the state, with its Seniors team winning 37 premierships since its inception in 1903 (well 38, really...). They also talk about the devastating fire that destroyed their clubhouse and almost everything in it on 4th November 2023 and their efforts to rebuild. Their Rising From The Ashes Gala Dinner is on Saturday 2nd March, 6pm-11pm at Leongatha Hall, with AFL and netball stars Brendan Fevola, Neil Balme, Leigh Montagna, David Parkin, Belinda Snell, and Kate Eddy in attendance. Donate to Fish Creek's GoFundMe here. HELPLINES: If you or anyone you know needs mental health support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For support related to child sexual abuse, you can call Bravehearts on 1800 272 831. Children and young people up to 25 can seek help via the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

Amy speaks with Ray Stefani, Co-President of the Fish Creek Football Netball Club. They chat about the small and very special farming town of Fish Creek in South Gippsland and the footy club’s long and successful history. The Fish Creek Football Netball Club is the most successful country footy club in the state, with its Seniors team winning 37 premierships since its inception in 1903 (well 38, really...). They also talk about the devastating fire that destroyed their clubhouse and almost everything in it on 4th November 2023 and their efforts to rebuild. Their Rising From The Ashes Gala Dinner is on Saturday 2nd March, 6pm-11pm at Leongatha Hall, with AFL and netball stars Brendan Fevola, Neil Balme, Leigh Montagna, David Parkin, Belinda Snell, and Kate Eddy in attendance. Donate to Fish Creek's GoFundMe here.

Amy speaks with Tom Harley, great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, and Emeritus Professor of Politics Judith Brett. They talk about the Save Ballara campaign, which is under threat of auction and development. Tom is seeking to protect the 1.68 hectare bush garden and historic home of Australia’s second Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. Ballara is a unique early 20th century bungalow home, inspired by Californian and Colonial Indian architectural styles. It was designed by Pattie Deakin and is situated in old Point Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula. Tom and Judith talk about the significance of Ballara to Deakin's personal and political life, as well as to his wife Pattie Deakin, and why Tom wants to make Ballara and its historical contents an asset for the Australian public to engage with. Listen to Amy's interview with Judith Brett from September 2017 about her biography of Alfred Deakin, The Enigmatic Mr. Deakin.

Amy Mullins returns to the airwaves. She speaks with Greg Jericho, Guardian columnist and Chief Economist for The Australia Institute, who dives into tax "reform" and the Stage 3 tax cut changes announced by the Albanese Labor government, as well as Australia's slowing inflation and the extent of the RBA's role in controlling it. Born in Chicago in 1938, author, artist, feminist, and commentator Sara Dowse speaks in-depth about her Jewish family history and how it is intertwined with the history of Zionism and specifically the dissenting voices within it who disagreed with the establishment of the state of Israel at the expense of Palestinians – those such as Asher Hirsch Ginsberg who wrote under the pen name Ahad Ha’am ("man of the people"). You can read Sara's columns for John Menadue's Pearls and Irritations on Israel's silencing of its critics as well as The Sabra transformed. Sara's book about her Great-Aunt is called, As the Lonely Fly. Plus we remember renowned independent journalist and filmmaker John Pilger who passed away on 30 December 2023, by re-airing an interview Amy conducted with John in February 2017 on his documentary, The Coming War On China (free to watch here).

Born in Chicago in 1938, author, artist, feminist, and commentator Sara Dowse speaks in-depth about her Jewish family history and how it is intertwined with the history of Zionism and specifically the dissenting voices within it who disagreed with the establishment of the state of Israel at the expense of Palestinians – those such as Asher Hirsch Ginsberg who wrote under the pen name Ahad Ha’am ("man of the people"). You can read Sara's columns for John Menadue's Pearls and Irritations on Israel's silencing of its critics as well as The Sabra transformed. Sara's book about her Great-Aunt is called, As the Lonely Fly. Broadcast on 6 February 2024.

We remember John Pilger, renowned Australian-born independent journalist and filmmaker, who passed away on 30 December 2023, by re-airing an interview Amy conducted with John at the Triple R studios in February 2017 on his prescient documentary, The Coming War On China (free to watch here).

El Gibbs, writer, disability advocate, and editor of Bluntshovels.au joins Amy to talk about the Disability Royal Commission's final report. The commissioner's handed down their their 222 recommendations in September after extensive hearings detailing the violence, abuse, and neglect of disabled people in Australia. El analyses the Royal Commission's activities, its findings, and what should happen next. She also addresses the ongoing COVID impacts on disabled and chronically ill people who are effectively excluded from engaging with society properly and safely as almost all COVID measures have been dropped. James Curran, international editor of the Australian Financial Review and Professor of Modern History at the University of Sydney, speaks in-depth about his latest essay for Australian Foreign Affairs, 'Excess Baggage: Is China A Genuine Threat To Australia?' James writes that, "Australia’s fears of China... are profoundly shaped by what is being said and discussed in Washington." Are Australia's fears largely unfounded? What are China's intentions toward Taiwan? What is the United States aiming to achieve through AUKUS? (Interview with Geoff Raby on China, as referenced). Sean Reynolds, cultural archaeologist and founder of @Melbourne_GhostSigns on Instagram, speaks about his passion for ghost signs in Melbourne and Victoria more broadly, and tells us what they reveal about our local histories. He also tells us about a community fundraising campaign for the Chiltern Athenaeum Museum building to get a climate control system. This will enable the Victorian gold rush town to protect their precious collection of items, photographs and records documenting the history of the Chiltern district and its people from the mid 1800s to the present.

James Curran, international editor of the Australian Financial Review and Professor of Modern History at the University of Sydney, speaks in-depth about his latest essay for Australian Foreign Affairs, 'Excess Baggage: Is China A Genuine Threat To Australia?' James writes that, "Australia’s fears of China... are profoundly shaped by what is being said and discussed in Washington." Are Australia's fears largely unfounded? What are China's intentions toward Taiwan? What is the United States aiming to achieve through AUKUS? Read an edited extract of James' essay here. Companion interview with former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby.

To mark the 70th anniversary of Britain's atomic tests at Emu Field in South Australia – the first on terrestrial land in Australia – author and academic Dr Elizabeth Tynan speaks about her book, The Secret of Emu Field: Britain’s forgotten atomic tests in Australia. It was at Emu Field, SA on October 15, 1953 that a terrifying black mist spread across the land after an atomic bomb detonation (Totem 1), bringing death and sickness to Aboriginal people and other people in its path. Secrecy around the testing activities and its effects still exists today. Totem 2 was detonated on October 27, 1953. Elizabeth is an Associate Professor at James Cook University. Her previous book, Atomic Thunder: The Maralinga Story, won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Australian History and the CHASS Australia Book Prize in 2017. Read about ICAN's Black Mist campaign here. Read Nic Maclellan's long-form article on the Emu Field tests.

Melbourne-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Claire Deak talks about her debut solo album, Sotto Voce, and the two women composers of the Baroque whose music she recovered and reimagined – Francesca Caccini (1587-c. 1645) and Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677). Some of their compositions are intuitively sensed and worked into new compositions by Claire using a range of Baroque and modern instruments, as well as innovative modern and analogue recording techniques that bend our concept of time. Claire delves into her neo-classical compositions and musical practice as we hear some of her atmospheric and imaginative new works throughout the interview. Claire has kindly given us permission to feature her music in the podcast for your listening enjoyment. Sotto Voce is out via Lost Tribe Sound. Visit Claire Deak's Bandcamp page here. Tracklist (in order) as aired in the interview: Claire Deak - Prefigured (Ritornello) Claire Deak - Dolce Tormento Claire Deak - Liberated Sighs Claire Deak - A Million Cloaked Ghosts

Don Watson and Chris Wallace analyse the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum in-depth. They also examine Australia's response to the Israel-Palestine conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Labor's unwavering support of AUKUS, as outlined in Don's recent essay in The Monthly. Don Watson is an award-winning author and former speechwriter to Paul Keating. His books include, Death Sentence: The Decay of Public Language, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, The Bush, and Watsonia. Professor Chris Wallace is a political historian, commentator, and former member of the Canberra Press Gallery and her books include, Political Lives: Australian prime ministers and their biographers and How To Win An Election. To mark the 70th anniversary of Britain's atomic tests at Emu Field in South Australia – the first on terrestrial land in Australia – author and academic Dr Elizabeth Tynan speaks about her book, The Secret of Emu Field: Britain’s forgotten atomic tests in Australia. It was at Emu Field, SA on October 15, 1953 that a terrifying black mist spread across the land after an atomic bomb detonation (Totem 1), bringing death and sickness to Aboriginal people and other people in its path. Secrecy around the testing activities and its effects still exists today. Totem 2 was detonated on October 27, 1953. Elizabeth is an Associate Professor at James Cook University. Her previous book, Atomic Thunder: The Maralinga Story, won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Australian History and the CHASS Australia Book Prize in 2017. Read about ICAN's Black Mist campaign here. Read Nic Maclellan's long-form article on the Emu Field tests. Melbourne-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Claire Deak talks about her debut solo album, Sotto Voce, and two women composers of the Baroque whose music she explored and drew inspiration from – Francesca Caccini (1587-c.1645) and Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677). Claire delves into her neo-classical compositions and musical practice as we hear some of her atmospheric and imaginative new works throughout the interview. Sotto Voce is out via Lost Tribe Sound. Tracklist (in order) as aired in the last interview: Claire Deak - Prefigured (Ritornello) Claire Deak - Dolce Tormento Claire Deak - Liberated Sighs Claire Deak - A Million Cloaked Ghosts

Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and award-winning journalist Kerry O'Brien sit down with Amy for a special in-depth conversation about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, which Australians will vote on in a referendum this Saturday 14th October 2023. Thomas and Kerry explain the history behind the Voice, why we should support it, and the consequences if we don't. They also debunk the many myths and misconceptions around it. Thomas Mayo is a proud Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. Playwright, speechwriter, and philosopher Daniel Nellor speaks with Amy about his new book, What Are They Thinking? Conversations with Australian Philosophers. Daniel explores what philosophy is with the ten philosophers in the book – among many other themes – and examines what Australian philosophers like Peter Singer, Daniel Halliday, and Margaret Cameron, are thinking and writing about today. Dr Emma Shortis, Senior Researcher in the International and Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute stopped by to discuss the latest in US politics, including the ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the ongoing court cases against Donald Trump, and the sudden escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the US' response to it. The CNN interview with Dr Mustafa Barghouti on 8 October 2023 can be watched here: https://twitter.com/FareedZakaria/status/1711073549593493988

Acclaimed writer and journalist David Marr speaks in-depth about his new book, Killing for Country: A Family Story, which details Marr's great-great grandfather Reg Uhr's involvement in Australia's frontier wars of the nineteenth century as an officer of the Queensland Native Police. Uhr also recruited his two sons into the Native Police. Marr explains how the dispossession of land and massacres of Aboriginal people occurred and how they fought back. He also explains the historical significance of this story for Australian politics today.

Triple R's very own Daniel James and The Monthly's Rachel Withers sit down with Amy to delve into the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, providing an analysis and answer to every question you might have about it before you vote at the upcoming referendum. Daniel James is a Yorta Yorta man, writer, broadcaster, and host of The Mission on 3RRR. Rachel Withers is Contributing Editor of The Monthly and columnist for The Politics. Acclaimed writer and journalist David Marr speaks in-depth about his new book, Killing for Country: A Family Story, which details Marr's great-great grandfather Reg Uhr's involvement in Australia's frontier wars of the nineteenth century as an officer of the Queensland Native Police. Uhr also recruited his two sons into the Native Police. Marr explains how the dispossession of land and massacres of Aboriginal people occurred and how they fought back. He also explains the historical significance of this story for Australian politics today. To celebrate a great year of footy so far and a controversially close AFL Grand Final, Greg Champion, broadcaster, 3RRR alumni, musician, and member of the Coodabeen Champions, comes in with his guitar to chat and sing some old and new footy songs, including a few from his new album, Footy Songs Vol. 4.