Rights, Rorts and Rants: Recent Episodes
Blue Mountains Unions & Community
Selected content from Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcast weekly on Friday from 4pm to 6pm on community Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or live streamed from rbm.org.au/. Hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc). Views expressed on our show and in our podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by BMUC.
In this interview selected from our Rights, Rorts and Rants show on 23rd May Mike Holland provides an update on the feasibility of the Liberal National Coalition's nuclear energy option following the release of CSIRO's GenCost report. Nick Franklin highlights the political realities of plans to build a nuclear power plant in your electorate.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 24 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Debra Smith. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this part of the interview on Rights Rorts and Rants on 31 May Fran Dyson discusses with Alana Lentin her views on local reactions to the War in Palestine in Sydney and nationally. Alana raises the decision announced in May 2024 by the Australian Human Rights Commission to lead an anti-racism study into universities with an emphasis on anti-semitism. Listeners are urged to be vigilant about what this research throws up.
The need to protect university students of Arabic background in Western Sydney from the ramifications of the genocide on them and recognise the destruction of schools and education in Gaza are also raised in the interview's conclusion.
For follow-up reading Alana quotes American scholar Ruth Wilson Gilmore.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 31 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this part of Fran Dyson's interview with Alana Lentin, Alana explains the ideology and place of Zionism from its origins to the present.
The interview was first broadcast on the Rights, Rorts and Rants show on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 31 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this interview played on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on Rights, Rorts and Rants, BMUC's Fran Dyson presents an extended interview with Alana Lentin on her analysis of the War in Palestine.
Alana Lentin is a scholar of race from Western Sydney University.
In this part of the interview Alana Lentin refers to a periodical article by Max Ajl. For listeners who'd like to read the article it was published in Ebb, Issue 1, For Palestine, on 1 Jan 2024.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 31 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Advisory: This podcast mentions aboriginal people who have died.
In this segment of a Rights, Rorts and Rants show BMUC's Mike Holland explains his visit to the National Gallery of Australia to view Vincent Namatjira's latest exhibition Australia in Colour which charts the career of the artist (& includes a portrait of mining owner Gina Rhinehart as "a very small part of the exhibition").
Mike discusses the extensive exhibition which touches on the influence of Vincent's great great grandfather renowned artist Albert Namatjira.
[Claification: The artist did not agree to have his Rhinehart portrait shown in Times Square and it did not occur].
The show was first broadcast live on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 24 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Debra Smith.
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.
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, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Presenter Merran Maclaren hits the streets and speaks to a Sydney protestor and activist Colin Charlton about university campus protests commencing in 1970. Merran follows up with an interview with an organiser from the weekly Palestinian Action Group Sydney Gaza support rallies, Josh Lees.
The interviews highlight comparisons, differences and the impact of student campus protests from the 60's and 70's to the present campus protests.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 17 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) 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.
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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Shadiya Sakkouri started Mountains for Palestine, the local Blue Mountains NSW action group for Palestine. Shadiya is due to travel to the West Bank as the Australian delegate for Know Thy Heritage in June 2024. She is also running the social media based project GoFundGazans.
In this podcast of the Rights, Rorts and Rants radio show on 10th May, presenters Fran Dyson and Peter Lammiman discuss with Shadiya Sakkouri the war being waged in the Gaza Strip, the wider historical background, Shadiya's upcoming journey of discovery with Know They Heritage and the displacement of her family from their homeland in Palestine.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 10 May 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson and Peter Lammiman.
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.
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.
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, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
In the show presenter Debra Smith reports on a Women's Health Forum held on 6 Mach 2024 in Katoomba, NSW as part of International Women's Week. She is joined in the discussion by RRR regular Peter Lammiman.
The forum was organised by Susan Templeman MP Member for Macquarie with invited guest Ged Kearney MP Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care with participation by a range of women interested in health.
Topics discussed at the forum included bias against women in medical research or medical misogyny - The Women's Health Advisory Council - endometriosis-practicality of telehealth and a shortage of aged care.
The show was first broadcast on Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 8 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Debra Smith and Peter Lammiman. The podcast was produced by Ann-Maree McEwan.
References mentioned in the podcast were:-
Jackson, Gabrielle Pain and prejudice Allen & Unwin 2020
West, Lindy I'm to going to answer the same question about being fat any more, The Guardian 4 Apr 2017.
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Sue Wildman is interviewed by Merran McLaren and Peter Lammiman about the effects of housing security in the Upper Blue Mountains.
Sue Wildman is a psychological therapist who, with others, created a community project resulting in the song Somewhere to Live (available onYouTube). Sue works with people who are living with homelessness.
The show contains Somewhere to Live and audio clips recorded at a housing insecurity rally in Katoomba held on Friday 22 March 2024.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 15 April 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Merran McLaren and Peter Lammiman. The podcast is 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Registered Nurse working in Aged Care, a member of the Australian Nursing and Midwivery Association Jocelyn Hofman shares her insights on what's needed in Aged Care. Jocelyn also provided a witness statement in the Fair Work Commission salary case. In this interview Jocelyn discusses the importance of urgent reform to the Aged Care Act 1997 .
Jocelyn spoke with Peter Lammiman live in the Radio Blue Mountains studio along with Merran McLaren and fellow guest Sue Wildman.
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 15 April 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Merran McLaren. 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, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Two recent industrial examples highlight the absolute importance of being in a union.
Mike Holland and Presenter Fran Dyson discuss a significant salary win in the Fair Work Commission on 15 March 2024 by the Health Services Union NSW and members working in Aged Care. HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes said the win came after work by many determined people and persistence by the Union since November 2020.
The interview then moves to the Transport Workers Union which has filed a dispute with the Fair Work Commission on behalf of food delivery rider Zhuoying Wang employed by Hungry Panda an operator in the notorious gig economy. Ms Wang complaint to the Commission is that her orders were slashed following her role in raising concerns with the company.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 22 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Mike Holland spoke with RRR Presenter Fran Dyson with his analysis of the Federal Opposition's nuclear energy proposal on Rights, Rorts and Rants.
Mike uncovers some of the realities (including disposal of waste, workers' rights and the eye watering cost) behind builds of both small-scale and large-scale nuclear power operations overseas including the UK, USA and United Arab Emirates.
The conclusion? The Dutton nuclear proposal doesn't stack up.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 22 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. The podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Mike Holland shares his research and legal perspective on Julian Assange's February hearing concerning his extradition to the USA, with RRR's presenter Fran Dyson. Mike supplies listeners with a brief chronology from the start of WikiLeaks' publications to the February 2024 hearing to put it all in perspective for listeners.
The interview illustrates the personal ordeal for Assange and concerning gaps in legal protections and transparency for Assange, the media and potentially other Australians.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 22 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Fran Dyson. The podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
For the Rights, Rorts and Rants International Women's Day show feminist and Blue Mountains Unions & Community member Peter Lammiman chats to Debra Smith about the fascinating origins of IWD. We learn how IWD started in Europe in 1857 and spread to Sydney in 1928 to become an annual celebration of women world-wide.
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 8 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Debra Smith and Peter Lammiman. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants' International Women's Day 2024 show included this interview by Debra Smith with Ged Kearney. Ged is with Susan Templeman after a Women's Health Forum held in Katoomba on 6th March which all had attended. Debra Smith asks Ged some questions about Aged Care.
Ged is Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, and former President of the ACTU and the first MP to raise menopause in Parliament. Susan is Member for Macquarie.
Debra's report on the forum is below -
Draft Report on the Forum docx file
The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 8 March 2024 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community and presented by Debra Smith and Peter Lammiman. Podcast 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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A remarkable project created by APOPO has been running in Cambodia to save lives and prevent the loss of limbs from landmines. APOPO is a Belgian NGO and US non-profit which trains southern giant pouched rats to detect landmines. Because of the rats' work in saving lives they are called HeroRATS.
BMUC members Susan and Peter Lammiman recently visited APOPO in Siem Reap and tell their story to Merran McLaren, a Rights Rorts and Rants Presenter.
Peter mentions an essay by John Pilger called "The long secret alliance: Uncle Sam and Pol Pot" msuweb.montclair.edu
This interview was recorded during BMUC's Rights, Rorts and Rants show on 15 March 2024 on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM.
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.
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.
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, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants presenter Fran Dyson and BMUC member Bruce Cornwell discuss the alarming ramifications for Australia (and other nations) arising from Australia's membership of the AUKUS tripartite military alliance.
In contrast the economic, skills benefits and strategic advantages for the USA, and to a lesser degree the UK, from Australia's membership of the alliance, are discussed.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 1st March 2024.
We acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples, the First Peoples of the Blue Mountains .. and their Elders past and present.
Apply to be a guest on our show
[ https://form.jotform.co/BMUC/RightsRortsAndRants].
Join a union [https://www.australianunions.org.au/why_join] - 1300 486 466 or join online [https://www.australianunions.org.au/why_join].
Join BMUC [https://bmuc.blogspot.com/2018/06/httpsbmuc.html]
Rights, Rorts and Rants
[ https://www.facebook.com/RightsRortsandRants/] is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au .
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 [l.ead.me/bmuc].
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Nick Franklin interviews Julie Favell from the Lithgow Environment Group. Lithgow is still in the firing line for a waste incinerator (as with many other locations across NSW). Whilst the West Lithgow Precinct map was revoked the designated West Lithgow Precinct - Waste to Energy still remains for Lithgow. Listeners can sign the ePetition found on the NSW Legislative Assembly webpage parliament.nsw.gov.au and go to Petitioning then ePetitions. The deadline is 9th April.
The interview was first broadcast on RBM 89.1 FM on 1 March 2024 on Rights, Rorts and Rants.
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants Presenter Merran McLaren interviews peace activist, union organiser and BMUC member Pat Donohoe about prolonged Sydney activism against the deadly consequences of the ongoing Israel Gaza conflict.
Pat performed two songs about Gaza for listeners live in the studio accompanied by his mandolin.
First heard live on Rights, Rorts and Rants on 23 Feb 2024.
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
CONTENT WARNING - Discussion of suicide and troubled families.
Support services: https://bth.humanrights.gov.au/healing/support-organisations
A worker describes the feedback she is getting from First Nations people from La Perouse to Lithgow - and her fears if a Voice to Parliament is rejected.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident asks, "How do we counter some of the misinformation, for instance, in the Electoral Commission booklet, it (the No campaign case) said, the statement cycle is going to hold up the courts forever". Kerry O'Brien responds.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident draws on her own Irish heritage of dispossession and oppression to understand the different perspectives of both First Nations people, and our settler/convict forebears.
She asks, "How can bring some of the cultural survival methods that our First Nations people have used into our...community, which is facing more and more crises, and collapse?"
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident asks if "Yes" vote supporters in the Voice to Parliament referendum have reason for cautious optimism?
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks for comment on why some First Nations people weren't included in the Regional Dialogues which developed the Uluru Statement from the Heart, including the Darug and Gundungurra peoples of the Blue Mountains. Thomas Mayo responds.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident asks, "What would be the strategy to cut through that to make sure that this [Yes] case is well argued for? And while the media seems to focus on the no side, what would be the key to sure that the yes, the prize of the yes Voice are really well heard?" Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien respond.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident asks, "How does the Voice guarantee that there isn't going to be a more divisive community? Based on what what the no argument, no people are saying?" Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien respond.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien to respond to issues raised by the "No" campaign.
These questions and answers are also duplicated in separate podcast episodes.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident asks "What about a treaty?". Thomas Mayo responds.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support future events and activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Blue Mountains resident compares New Zealand's inclusion of Māori people to Australia's treatment of First Nations people and asks, "Where did we go wrong?". Kerry O'Brien responds.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks Kerry O'Brien and Thomas Mayo about the details of the Voice to Parliament. Here's their responses.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks "Will a Voice to Parliament cede Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander sovereignty? Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien respond.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks "Why should people vote 'yes'"? Here's Kerry O'Brien's and Thomas Mayo's answers.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support future events and activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks Why does the Voice to Parliament matter to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.? Here's Thomas Mayo's answer.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks "Why does the Voice to Parliament matter to non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples"? Here's Kerry O'Brien's answer.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, 2786.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Dr Lana Leslie asks what Is the Voice to Parliament and what are its origins? Here's Thomas Mayo's answer.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
This is the first question they were asked with Thomas Mayo's answer.
You can listen to the full event here.
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.
You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
On a sunny spring day in the Blue Mountains, almost 400 people filled a theatre in Springwood to listen to Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, authors of the book "The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need", answer questions put to them by the audience and MC Dr Lana Leslie about why we should write "Yes" when we vote to make the following proposed amendment to the Constitution on 14th October 2023.
"In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
ii. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
iii. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures."
You can read the Uluru Statement of the Heart here, and listen to a short recording of Thomas Mayo reciting it here.
You can make a donation to support this and future activities of Blue Mountains Unions & Community here.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
This episode was recorded at the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub on 2nd September 2023, with excerpts broadcast on 8th and 15th September on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm Fridays on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
At the conclusion of "The Voice - Finding Our Heart" in the Blue Mountains, Thomas Mayo recites the Uluru Statement from the Heart to a packed house.
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.
This episode was part of an address by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, chaired by Dr Lana Leslie at the Hub Theatre in Springwood NSW on 2nd September 2023 where they answered the questions of Blue Mountains residents about the upcoming Referendum on 14th October 2023.
We acknowledge the support of:
- Australians for Native Title and Recognition (ANTaR)
- Blue Mountains Residents for Yes
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Susan Templeman MP, Member for Macquarie
- Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains
- Unions NSW
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Health Services Union (HSU)
- Independent Education Union (IEU)
- Mountains Community Resource Network (MCRN)
- Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
The coup in Chile which overthrew the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende on Sept 11th 1973 is marked in this 50th anniversary discussion between Dr Rodrigo Acuña and Peter Lammiman.
Some listeners may find discussion of the plight of refugees and other victims of the military regime which followed the coup distressing. The Black Dog Institute has information about counselling and treatment.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 1st September 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith explores the role of shame and shaming of social security recipients in the fiasco that's know as Robodebt.
You can also listen to individual episodes;
- "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 1", first broadcast 9th September 2022
- "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 2", first broadcast on 21st October 2022 and
- "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 3", first broadcast on 11th November 2022,
- "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 4", first broadcast on 23rd December on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
- "The Robodebt Fiasco - Parts 1 to 4".
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 show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Legal commentator Mike Holland gives an update on the latest to emerge from the PWC scandal.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14/7/2023. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
With the Royal Commission Report on Robodebt being handed down a little over a week ago the parallels with the PWC scandal are prompting many to question the entire governance and administration of Australia's welfare and taxation systems. In this episode Deb Smith and Mike Holland - - who have been reporting on Robodebt and PWC respectively - discuss some of the interesting similarities between the two rorts, and their wider implications for outsourcing the public service, the use of consultants and government ethical standards.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14/7/2023. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Part 2 - the coverup
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
This episode features Rights, Rorts and Rants legal commentator, Mike Holland's lengthy investigation into the Price Waterhouse Coopers scandal. Part 1 covers the background to the scandal, the warnings issued by the TPB (Tax Practitioners Board) and the Senate Inquiry that began in 2023, and PWC's response. Part 2 (next episode) examines the role of various private and governmental agencies in what could be described as one of the biggest coverups in Australian taxation history.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Peter Lammiman and Dr Rodrigo Acuña discuss the latest developments in South American politics.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 9th June 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith talks to Karyn Brown about the battle to save public housing in Waterloo.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th May 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Thirty odd years ago an application to build a crocodile park in Wentworth Falls was approved and this zombie application has risen from the dead in a new and possibly scarier incarnation.
Blue Mountains City Ward 2 Councillor Romola Hollywood who discusses Council's response with Merran and Ann-Maree McEwan.
You can find more information and links to the proposal via this link.
You can also hear the concerns of Rod Provis and Murray Matin of the Bodington Hill Wildlife Resort Action Group in a separate podcast via this link.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th May 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Thirty odd years ago an application to build a crocodile park in Wentworth Falls was approved and this zombie application has risen from the dead in a new and possibly scarier incarnation.
Blue Mountains residents Rod Provis and Murray Matin, representing the Bodington Hill Wildlife Resort Action Group discuss their concerns about this proposal with Merran MacLaren.
We then hear from Blue Mountains City Ward 2 Councillor Romola Hollywood who discusses Council's response with Merran and Ann-Maree McEwan.
You can find more information and links to the proposal via this link.
You can also hear Councillor Hollywood's response as a stand alone podcast via this link.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th May 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Mike Holland and Merran MacLaren discuss the international and Australian history of May Day in the labour movement.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM and published as a podcast on 28th April 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Merran MacLaren and Peter Lammiman ask Nick Tribbia, Delegate at the Blue Mountains Health Branch of the NSW Nurses' and Midwives' Association, about their Patient:Staff Ratio campaign, the value of essential workers, union activism and the things unions need to do to stay effective.
Figures referenced by Nick can be found on Page 19 of the report "The Cumulative Costs of Wages Caps for Essential Service Workers in NSW from the Australia Institute Centre for Future Work".
"Figure 6 illustrates the growing costs for nurses and midwives of long-term wage caps in NSW. Compared to the previous trend in nominal compensation, wages under the pay cap have lagged by a growing margin. After a decade of pay caps, pay for experienced RN/RMs under this policy was $335 per week (or over $17,000 per year) lower in 2021 than if the previous pace of wage increases had been retained. Once again, making matters worse is the fact that those lost earnings accumulate over time into very large sums of foregone income. Figure 7 shows the accumulating path of foregone earnings for a full-time RN/RM under the NSW wage cap policy. For a nurse or midwife working full-time throughout the period covered by the wage caps, cumulative earnings were $80,000 lower over that decade than they would have been under the previous wage trajectory. Continuing pay caps will extend and expand that cumulative loss, forecast to reach $120,000 by 2023-24."
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM and published as a podcast on 31st March 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Louise Redmond of Mountain Mentors talks to Deb Smith about some of the challenges faced by refugees when they arrive in Australia and how refugee advocates provide practical support to refugees...with some commentary on the inadequacy of ALP refugee policies.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM 14th April 2023 and published as a podcast on 17th April 2023..
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council/Blue Mountains Unions & Community, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Owen Holmwood has qualifications in electrical engineering, physics and science and has worked and taught at TAFE in these fields in Australia, Canada and Antarctica. He is a also passionate bush walker in the greater Blue Mountains.
In Part 3 of the interview (broadcast on Rights Rorts & Rants on 24 March 2023) Owen chats with presenter Ann-Maree McEwan to explain what Radio Blue Mountain's call signal 89.1 FM means, how radio can be used on mobile devices using Global Positioning Systems as a navigation aid, and he reflects on whether radio is dead or has a place in modern life.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
In Part 2 of How Radio Works Owen Holmwood chats to presenter Ann-Maree McEwan about radio transmission, the politics and technology
of Radio Australia and ham radio, morse code and Summits on the Air. This interview was broadcast on Rights Rorts & Rants on 24 March 2023 on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Owen Holmwood has qualifications in electrical engineering, physics and science and has worked and taught at TAFE in these fields in Australia, Canada and Antarctica. He is a also passionate bush walker in the greater Blue Mountains. In these interviews (broadcast on Rights Rorts & Rants on March 24 2023) Owen chats with presenter Ann-Maree McEwan about how radio works and some practical applications for radio physics.
In this episode Owen's conversation is about his research and work in Antarctica.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rightsrortsandrants/message
Many Australians are still trying to rebuild their lives after fires and floods in recent years, further complicated by COVID. It takes government support to both mitigate the potential impact of these disasters and to help communities recover afterwards.In the mountains we've seen an explosive increase in plant growth - fuel - and are expecting a dry winter, creating a dangerous risk in the upcoming fire season. This is further exacerbated by lengthening fire seasons caused by climate change.
How well prepared are we for future fire seasons?
And what was the effect when the Blue Mountains and other non-Coalition electorates missed out on grants from the state government's Bushfire Local Economic Recovery funds?
- Speakers are:
Kim de Govrik, an Organiser for the Public Service Association with remote fire fighting experience in his former job with National Parks. - Mike Holland, lawyer since 1979 and a law lecturer who retired from legal practice and academia in 2016. Mike is a BMUC member and a commenter on issues of government integrity and corruption on Rights, Rorts and Rants, Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
- Mark Greenhill OAM, a Blue Mountains City Councillor for 20 years, ten of which he has served as Mayor, brings a Council perspective. He was Mayor during both the 2013 fires when 210 local houses and other buildings were destroyed, and during the Black Summer fires, when 2,448 homes, including 90 in the Blue Mountains, were destroyed across NSW.
- MC is Ann-Maree McEwan.
Politics in the Pub - Money to Burn was recorded at the Family Hotel, 15 Parke St, Katoomba on 18th March 2023.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council/Blue Mountains Unions & Community, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
There will be a rally in support of safe patient:staff ratios outside Blue Mountains District Hospital in Katoomba on MONDAY 20th March 2023 at 3:30pm. Speaker: Nick Tribbia NSWNMA Delegate at BMDH, addressing a Politics in the Pub audience a couple of days before.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria 2786.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
After initially refusing to confirm or deny whether a re-elected Liberal NSW government would privatise Sydney Water, Premier Perrottet later denied there were plans to do so. But, after that denial, 2GB's Chris O'Keefe broke the news that confidential documents prepared by Clayton Utz and KPMG indicated the NSW Liberal government actively considered the privatisation of a key water plant at Kemps Creek in Western Sydney.
Deb Smith asked Angus McFarland, Secretary of the NSW branch of the Australian Services Union which represents Sydney Water workers, what can we believe?
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM and published as a podcast on 17th March 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Kim de Govrik, an Organiser for the Public Service Association, formerly a Manager for NSW National Parks with remote fire fighting experience, talks to Nick Franklin and Debra Smith about the challenges we face in past, present and future bushfire seasons.
Kim will also be speaking at Politics in the Pub "Money to Burn" at the Family Hotel, 15 Parke St, Katoomba, from 3pm, along with Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill and retired lawyer and academic, Mike Holland. Admission is free.
The podcast of Kim's 2020 interview with us remains our most popular yet.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th March 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Trish Doyle, currently Blue Mountains MP and ALP candidate in the March 25th 2023 NSW state election answers questions from Nick Franklin and Debra Smith about the policies of the Australian Labor Party.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th March 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Richard Marschall, Sustainable Australia Party candidate for the Blue Mountains electorate in the March 25th 2023 NSW state election talks to Merran MacLaren and Peter Lammiman about the policies of the Sustainable Australia Party.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 3rd March 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Greg Keightley, Animal Justice Party candidate for the Blue Mountains electorate in the March 25th 2023 NSW state election talks to Ann-Maree McEwan and Jeanie Baxter about the policies of the Animal Justice Party.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 24th February 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Greens candidate for the Blue Mountains electorate in the March 25th 2023 NSW state election talks to Fran Dyson, Jeanie Baxter and Peter Lammiman about Greens policies.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th February 2023.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The NSW leader of the Australian Labor Party, Chris Minns, recently outlined the ALP's policy on poker machines in response to the Liberal Party's announcements. It included an immediate ban on the ALP accepting donations related to pokies.
We asked Michael Cooke, a BMUC member who has worked with poker machines in the hospitality industry for his views on poker machine policies.
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.
This episode is from our Politics in the Pub archives. It was recorded at the Family Hotel in Katoomba on 4th July 2015 and broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30th December 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.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.
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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
On hearing about a Parliamentary Inquiry into Workforce Australia - the privatised employment services funded by government - we dug into our archives and found this fascinating recording from July 2015, 70 years after the publishing of the Full Employment White Paper in 1945, of Dr Victor Quirk from CofFEE when he spoke about the history of employment policies in Australia at "Politics in the Pub - Your Rights 2 Work".
You can make a submission to the Inquiry until 28th February 2023.
Also speaking but not featured in this episode were Professor Bill Mitchell, who spoke about the benefits of a Job Guarantee, and Jane Grundy, about the pitfalls of insecure work. Video of the other speakers can be found on our YouTube Channel @BMUCInc and via the above links in their names.
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.
This episode is from our Politics in the Pub archives. It was recorded at the Family Hotel in Katoomba on 4th July 2015 and broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30th December 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
When the Albanese Government announced a Royal Commission into Robodebt, Deb Smith put the pieces together with a series of reports as the Royal Commission progresses, including an analysis of the history of the data matching program which compares tax data against social security records, its corruption by the "robodebt" policy and reports on the hearings, from a union perspective. What do we already know about what went wrong and what has the Royal Commission found?
This episode includes:
- testimony from a victim of Robodebt, Sandra Bevan,
- a frontline Centrelink worker who tried to raise the alarm, Colleen Taylor,
- Community and Public Sector union representatives of Centrelink workers, Melissa Donnelly and Lisa Newman
- former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 23rd December 2022.
You can also listen to "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 1", "The Robodebt Fiasco Part 2" , "The Robodebt Fiasco Part 3" or the complete collection "The Robodebt Fiasco - All Episodes"
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The Quiet Australian, with a few Blue Hawaiians under his belt, sends his end of 2022 greetings from the Trump Hotel in Waikiki, and shares his expectations for 2023.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 23rd December 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Jeannie Baxter take a closer look at the recent data leaks from Optus and Medibank Private and raises the question of who owns your personal data, and why do media giants like Google and Facebook believe that your online life experience belongs to them? As Jeannie discusses, the field of data collection is huge - and involves not only the data users are willing to share but also what is known as “incidental” data: the data that you wouldn’t normally share online, including things like emails, health records, trips, calendar entries, and, through targeted algorithms, your likes, dislikes, motivations, wishes, in other words your life experience. It's the wild West out there” and at present there is no set remedy for preventing leaks such as those in the recent past. At the end of the interview Jeannie suggests some organisations that listeners can turn to to help protect their own data and to address data leaks if they have occurred.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 4/11/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Mike Holland, our legal expert, examines the new anticorruption commission legislation currently before Parliament, pointing out many of its shortcomings. of special concern is the “exceptional circumstances” rule which severely limits the opportunity for public hearings. the legislation also offers very little protection for whistleblowers, and Mike investigates the case of Richard Boyle – the ATO whistleblower who revealed some of the tactics the ATO was using to recover debt from small business owners, and Major David McBride, who uncovered illegal and unethical decisions made by the Australian government which affected Australian troops in Afghanistan. later in the program Mike discusses some of the anti-protest laws in the UK, the decline of democracy in the West and the extraordinary powers adopted by the Australian government over the past two decades.
This program was presented by Fran Dyson on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 4/11/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
When the Albanese Government announced a Royal Commission into Robodebt, Deb Smith put the pieces together with this analysis of the history of the data matching program which compares tax data against social security records, and its corruption by the "robodebt" policy. What do we already know about what went wrong and what has the Royal Commission found?
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21st October 2022.
You can also listen to "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 1", "The Robodebt Fiasco Part 2" , or the complete collection "The Robodebt Fiasco - All Episodes"
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
When the Albanese Government announced a Royal Commission into Robodebt, Deb Smith put the pieces together with this analysis of the history of the data matching program which compares tax data against social security records, and its corruption by the "robodebt" policy. What do we already know about what went wrong and what has the Royal Commission found?
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21st October 2022.
You can also listen to "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 1", "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 3" , or the complete collection "The Robodebt Fiasco - All Episodes"
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
When the Albanese Government announced a Royal Commission into Robodebt, Deb Smith put the pieces together with this analysis of the history of the data matching program which compares tax data against social security records, and its corruption by the "robodebt" policy. What do we already know about what went wrong and what has the Royal Commission found?
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 9th September 2022.
You can also listen to "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 2" , "The Robodebt Fiasco - Part 3", or the complete collection "The Robodebt Fiasco - All Episodes"
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
BMUC member Peter Lammiman discusses the Brazilian election results and the referendum on a new Chilean Constitution with Dr Rodrigo Acuña
Dr Rodrigo Acuña is a teacher, writer and expert on Latin American politics. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics and International Relations and Spanish/Latin American Studies from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, as well as a Diploma in Education from that same institution. In 2013 he completed a PhD on Venezuelan foreign policy after having been awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) by the Federal Government.
Rodrigo has published in numerous media and academic outlets and worked as an educator at both tertiary and secondary level. He has been interviewed in The Australian, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), SBS Radio (Spanish), Al Jazeera (London), Sputnik (Montevideo), Radio Adelaide, 2ser, Venezolana de Televisión and The Wire. He currently works for the NSW Department of Education and is a contributing editor at Alborada: Latin America Uncovered. He is also the host of Alborada’s new podcast Indestructible: Latin America with Rodrigo Acuña.
Emails: rodrigo.indepj@gmail.com rodrigo.indepj@protonmail.com
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 11th November 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
George Mann (US) is a songwriter's singer who would just as soon share stories and songs from the long history of folk music as sing his own songs. His concerts are singalong sessions as well as history lessons.
He will be playing at the Katoomba Family Hotel on 20th October 2022 and we thank the Family for their generous sponsorship of this event. Profits go to Blue Mountains Unions & Community to help with our activities, like Politics in the Pub, our radio show, Rights, Rorts and Rants, and these podcasts.
Tickets to his Katoomba concert can be booked via l.ead.me/GeorgeMann.
He has produced albums featuring such folk music legends as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton, and produced national tours of the US and Australia in honour of the Almanac Singers (2013) and Joe Hill (2015).
George brings his experience as a union organiser and educator to his concerts - stories and songs about real events and the struggle for a better life.
He has played the Illawarra Folk Festival several times and performed for most of the folk clubs in Australia, and will be at the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival and touring Australia in October 2022.
His latest CD “A World Like This” is featured at this link: https://georgemann.org/a-world-like-this/
Some songs from the CD are included in this podcast - Let the Healing Begin, We Only Turn Right Here, I Don't Miss What-His-Name At All, and They All Sang Bread and Roses.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 7th October, 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Fran Dyson talks to Professor Simon Penny (University of California, Irvine) about the myth of recycling, greenwashing and the need to take a radically different approach to consumerism and waste by maintaining what you have, and repurposing tools and materials instead of putting them in landfill.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16/9/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Fran Dyson interviews Professor Simon Penny from the University of California at Irvine about the dire state of Colorado River, the impacts of climate change, and the political and economic forces shaping California's sustainability.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16/9/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
With the Albanese government announcing a Royal Commission into Robodebt, and the class action against it about to be settled, Deb Smith puts the pieces together with this analysis of the history of the data matching program which compares tax data against social security records, and its corruption by the "robodebt" policy. What do we already know about what went wrong and what will an RC investigate? How did the class action against robodebt work? And what was the cost to robodebt victims, and to Australian taxpayers?
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 9th September 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
How could former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison give himself sweeping autocratic powers by secretly appointing himself Minister of five portfolios?
Mike Holland examines his actions, how our government is supposed to work, and the threat posed to our democracy by the increasing use of Henry VIII proclamation laws to avoid scrutiny and accountability.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 2nd September 2022.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This interview between Fran Dyson and Jordan Shanks was recorded during a break between two sessions of his show " A Tale as Old as Rome" at the Baroque Room, Katoomba, 26/5/2022, so we apologise for the music and noise in the background. Many thanks to Jordan for being so generous with his time.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17/6/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode the programs legal expert Mike Holland, discusses the Coalitions new dam projects announced during the federal election campaign and the complete lack of any economic or environmental grounds for these mega projects.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29/4/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Journalists Matt Peacock and Nick Franklin discuss the media campaigns of the major parties in the run up to the 2022 election, and in broader terms, the future of the Murdoch press.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29/4/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29/4/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Award winning investigative journalist Andrew Fowler discusses Assange's extradition orders and Australia's response close to the 2022 election. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29/4/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Susan Templeman, Member for Macquarie and ALP candidate for the 2022 Federal election answers questions posed by Nick Franklin.
Susan is also a member of BMUC.
This episode was recorded via Zoom on 22/4/2022 and first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22/4/2022.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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 show here.
Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc, 52-52a Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW, 2786.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Michael Tull, Assistant Secretary of the CPSU (Community and Public Sector Union) and Deb Smith discuss the effects of privatisation, consultancies and labour hire on the workers in the Public Service and the adverse flow on effects to Australian citizens - cuts to services, lower standards of service and policy development which prioritises profit over community benefit.
This episode was recorded via Zoom on 17/2/2022 and first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18/2/2022.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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 show here.
Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rail workers have been taking limited industrial action to win better safety and services but "Today’s rail chaos is the result of the NSW Government’s decision to shut the train network to make a point, and not the action of the state’s rail workers, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union says."
"Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said workers turned up to work this morning prepared to take part in low level protected industrial action which would not have impacted commuters, only to be told by management that trains would not be running today.
“'This is a dummy spit from the NSW Government,' Mr Claassens said. “Workers were prepared to take protected industrial action, but only transport management would have noticed the impact, not commuters. The impact to services today is not because of workers’ actions, but because the NSW Government is spitting the dummy and trying to make a point.
“We’re ready to drive the trains whenever the NSW Government will let us.
“All members were at work, ready to work. They were ready and waiting to crew the trains only to be told the trains aren’t running today. There is no impediment, only stubbornness on behalf of the NSW Government.
"Mr Claassens said rail workers have been bitterly disappointed by the NSW’s Government’s approach to current enterprise agreement negotiations, particularly over the past days which have seen the NSW Government take a heavy-handed, expensive, legal approach to workers’ legal right to take industrial action.
“We’re tryng to negotiate an enterprise agreement that enshrines safety on our train network. For the NSW Government to suggest otherwise is unbelievable. It’s time the NSW Government stopped trying to bully workers into submission and starting resolving the laundry list of safety and employment issues workers have raised.”
"Among the key sticking points in current enterprise agreement negotiations are:
Privatisation – workers want a commitment that no train services or lines will be lost in the event of privatisation;
Safety claims – workers want a guarantee that any changes to our services will leave them as safe or safer;
Hygiene – workers want a commitment to maintaining the existing level of hygiene using good, full time jobs."
https://rtbuexpress.com.au/rail-workers-ready-to-drive-the-trains-nsw-government-dummy-spits-shuts-train-network/
Deb Smith spoke to Alex Claassens on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 last week about the industrial action - overtime bans and the like, not strike action - being taken RTBU members. Listen to his interview here on our Rights, Rorts and Rants podcasting site.
This episode was recorded via Zoom on 17/2/2022 and first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18/2/2022. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This episode features an edited version of the recent Airwatch zoom meeting, presented by Blue Mountains Unions Council and the Blue Mountains Environment Sustainability Network, to discuss the ongoing campaign of the Lithgow and Blue Mountains AirWatch. The meeting focuses on the quality of the air we breathe, and presents new evidence showing that when the air becomes polluted by bushfire smoke containing fine toxic particles, it becomes a killer. As Peter Lammiman, organiser and host of the meeting says "It’s not the bushfires that kill people it’s the smoke afterwards, with over 400 people dying from smoke inhalation on the eastern seaboard during and after the “black summer” of 2019-20". The first speaker is Julie Favell, from the Lithgow Environment Group, followed by Maggie Davidson, adjunct lecturer in Environmental Health and Occupational Hygiene from the School of Sciences at Western Sydney University, and the final speaker, Natasha Flores, is the industrial officer at Unions New South Wales.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Never short on praise for the LNP, The Quiet Australian talks up Perrottet's conservative roots and talks down the various scandals,such as I-Care, that have peppered his career.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode our legal expert Mike Holland discusses the new generations fund, set up by Dominic Perrottet purportedly to find new infrastructure projects and pay down the NSW state debt. However as Mike explains, the fund has done neither, and is instead is being used to invest in high risk ventures on the stock market. As Perrottet gambles with taxpayers money, Holland explains the history, legislative intent, financial structuring, and possible conflicts of interest (not to mention the complete disassociation between the current use of the fund and what it was intended for) that has surrounded this complicated and some would say shady endeavour.
Mike also has some good news for us: the attempt to muzzle charities was overturned by the ACT Court of Appeals, and attempts to hide from public scrutiny the secret donor to Christian Porter's blind trust have also failed.
This program was presented by Fran Dyson on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Nick Franklin discusses the importance of Palmer's UAP in the upcoming Federal Election, pointing to its membership (of allegedly over 70,000) as a possible key factor in directing preferences to the LNP. With its platform of 'freedom", the UAP may hope to win the allegiance of disaffected voters coming out of harsh lockdowns and now facing vaccine mandates, however as Franklin points out, there is no "there" there when it comes to actual policy.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Nick Franklin and Fran Dyson talk to independent candidate for the upcoming Blue Mountains City Council elections, Daniel Miles, about why he left the Liberal party, 'his views on development, employment, job security, air monitors and what he sees are the biggest challenges facing both residents of the Blue Mountains and their environment.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 12/11/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Nick Franklin and Fran Dyson talk to Labour candidate for the upcoming Blue Mountains City Council elections, Ward 2, Romola Hollywood about her views on development, employment, job security, air monitors and what she sees are the biggest challenges facing both residents of the Blue Mountains and their environment.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 12/11/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Nick Franklin talks to independent candidate for the upcoming Blue Mountains City Council elections, Chris Van der Kley, about why he left the Liberal party, 'his views on development, employment, job security, air monitors and what he sees are the biggest challenges facing both residents of the Blue Mountains and their environment.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 12/11/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode our legal expert Mike Holland talks to presenter Fran Dyson about the Transport Assets Holding Entity (TAHE), which was established by the then Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, as a way of hiding the costs incurred by New South Wales public transport system and thereby boosting the budget bottom line, and relatedly - how the "New Generation Fund" - purportedly established to pay down NSW debt, is being invested in high-risk funds on the stock market. Mike also goes into detail about Perrottet's involvement in the I-Care scandal, and the legal challenges to Scott Morrison's National Cabinet and its claims to cabinet confidentiality as a way of hiding government decision-making processes and obscuring accountability. And in a victory for the rule of law, Mike discusses the recent ruling by the ACT court of appeal in the trial of "witness K" which has upheld the principle of public scrutiny by refusing to allow the hearings to be held behind closed doors.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 8/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In the the second part of our program on domestic violence and women's financial (in)security, Deb Smith talks about "Destroy the Joint" - a feminist group committed to collecting and publishing data on domestic violence in Australia. Deb discusses the naming and origins of the group, the kinds of data they collect for their "Counting Dead Women" Facebook page and the different forms of domestic violence perpetrated on women in Australia. In the second part of the program Deb outlines the different approaches of our Social Security system towards the definition of a "couple" and how this might work against women in coercive relationships, together with a general discussion about domestic violence and coercive control during the pandemic lockdowns.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 8/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Dr Evelyne Mier talks to Fran Dyson about her project "Fearless Finance", aimed at empowering women to take control of their finances by understanding their relationship to money and the systemic inequalities which leave many women in poverty.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 8/10/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union, Daniel Walton, talks to Deb Smith about what can be done about skills shortages and why the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) proposal to increase temporary migration is short sighted.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29th October 2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The Air Watch team of Blue Mountains Unions & Community wants you to know about their campaign to reinstall air pollution monitors with publicly available data in almost real time across the Blue Mountains and Lithgow communities. Our event is one of the Blue Mountains Environmental Sustainability Network's "Let’s Showcase What We Are Doing, Even During Lockdown" online events.
In our area we can rapidly go from unpolluted air to choking bushfire smoke. Hear about the campaign to monitor and share air quality information from a panel with expertise in local environmental activism, environment science, and protecting workers health and safety.
Chaired by Peter Lammiman of BMUC's Air Watch team.
Speakers:
Julie Favell - Lithgow Environment Group
Maggie Davidson - Environment Scientist based at the Western Sydney University
Natasha Flores - Industrial Officer Unions NSW
This meeting took place on 16th October 2021. We'll be releasing a video of the event on YouTube soon.
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 show here. You can join BMUC here.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Member for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle talks about the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in the area, mental health, the slow rollout of support, vaccination passports, and ongoing local issues, including the fire season and funding of the RFS, raising Warragamba dam, Western Sydney airport and the non-disclosure of proposed flight paths, the battle over Katoomba airfield, and the proposed tunnel. Later in the program Trish discusses domestic violence, the lack of womens refuges, coercive control and its criminalisation and her support for Jodi McCaw.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17/9/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Jeannie discusses the recent preselection of Senator Christina Keneally to replace outgoing Labour MP Chris Hayes in the Western Sydney electorate of Fowler, despite local lawyer Tu Le's intention to run as a candidate. Labors "political class" have based their arguments on the idea that Keneally has "executive talent" - something which Jeannie challenges. Discrimination in Western Sydney areas makes housing affordability even more difficult and, as Jeannie point out, it is this same political class – crossing both parties - that is benefiting from Sydney's property bubble, as well as the plethora of parasitic industries ( real estate agents, developers, investors, lobby groups etc) that together make property Australia's biggest industry - according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18/9/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Ross Jones is s former merchant banker who turned insurance fraud investigator. In 2012 Ross became interested in the Peter Sipper (the House speaker)/ James Ashy scandal and began writing on the subject for Independent Australia in 2013. In 2015 Ross wrote ‘Ashbygate. the plot to destroy Australia’s speaker’. Ross is currently investigations editor for Independent Australia and convenor of the newly formed anti-corruption party, Federal ICAC Now (FIN), And in this episode he talks to Fran Dyson about political corruption and the motivation behind establishing the FIN party, what the party hopes to gain in the forthcoming federal election.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17/9/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Veteran news and current affairs reporters Matt Peacock and Nick Franklin discuss media - using the new series on ABC “The Newsreader” as a starting point to talk about television – the highs and the lows – particularly the ABCs Four Corners, which celebrated its 60th year of continuous broadcast in August this year, and is under sustained attack from the Murdoch media. This is followed by a discussion on the uniqueness of radio and why we need it, Murdoch’s political influence, the kind of news and views expressed on Sky After Dark, the coming federal election and its likely coverage by the media.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27/8/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode John Merson – one of the founding directors of the Blue Mountains world Heritage Institute and recipient of the United Nations peace prize - talks to RRR reporter Peter Lamminan, about the background of the Blue Mountains’s world Heritage Institute and its current activities.
The major focus of the theme - ‘think globally act locally’ is the urgent challenge of climate change, with the pressure of urban development, infrastructure plans such as the raising of the Warragamba dam and Badgery’s Creek airport, and commercial housing developments encroaching on our region. More broadly, John discusses the recent IPCC, the current govt stance on climate change, and the ways in which the local Blue Mountains City Council, also part of the planetary health alliance, can assist in developing sustainable tourism and preserving this unique environment.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17/8/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
With all the elements of a political thriller, this episode investigates the intrigue, derangement, and plain stupidity, of the origins and workings of the Transport Assets Holding Entity (TAHE). Our legal reporter Mike Holland outlines the peculiar status of TAHE – a shell company set up to hold the $40 billion costs of running public transport in New South Wales in order to keep the costs of running the roads, trains, buses, and transport infrastructure out of the New South Wales budget, and maintain the states Triple-A credit rating. As Mike also reports, the governments' plan to commercialise the entire transport system has landed it in deep trouble - from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the previous Auditor General of New South Wales, other governmental agencies and political commentators, who have described the scheme as "financial trickery" and a mammoth waste of taxpayers money.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27/8/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Andrew Villa, a teacher, grew up in Fairfield and lives there still. He tells us about the experience of his diverse community living under some of the harshest COVID restrictions since July, and enduring the unfair and highly political "naming and shaming" of his community. Interviewed by Nick Franklin.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 13th August 2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
While the majority of Sydneysiders are suffering under the lockdown, the quiet Australian reminds us that there is a group who are doing extremely well - with house prices surging, government stimulus monies flowing freely, and tax cuts for the wealthy soon to be implemented, the big end of town has literally "never had it so good!".
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 6/8/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode veteran ABC news reporter and author Matt Peacock discusses the reality that Covid-19 has laid bare, particularly during the hard lockdown of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Blacktown, and Liverpool. These are the areas where the majority of essential workers live, where low paid and casual work is concentrated, and where low vaccination rates are a direct result of low-wages and insecure work. Topics discussed include police surveillance, the militarisation of the pandemic, government secrecy, the unequal distribution of stimulus packages such as Jobkeeper and their associated rorts, and other issues relevant to lockdowns, the vaccination rollout, and the government's broader political and economic agenda.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 6/8/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants producer Peter Lammiman discusses the history of May Day, and talks to Rita Mallia - State President of the CFMEU - about the NSW Governments proposed demolition of the Willow Grove historic site, the draconian and undemocratic Industrial Relations laws and how they impact industrial action, threats to workers safety and the need for industrial manslaughter leglislation and much more.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30/4/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This episode features local musicians Wolf Van der Made and Sy Dyson who, with Deb Smith and Fran Dyson, discuss some of the changes to welfare flagged by the Morrison government - including the cashless welfare card. They also talk about their music, addiction, mental health, insecure work and other issues affecting young people.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21/4/2020. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.'s
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This episode features local musicians Wolf Van der Made and Sy Dyson who, with Deb Smith and Fran Dyson, discuss some of the changes to welfare flagged by the Morrison government - including the cashless welfare card. They also talk about their music, addiction, mental health, insecure work and other issues affecting young people.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21/4/2020. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.'s
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this excerpt Jeannie Baxter outlines the way that the big corporations are profiting from public private partnerships (PPP's) in the ongoing stimulus projects, funded by both state and federal governments - that is, the taxpayer. U onsing Westconnex as an example, Jeannie discusses the influence of corporations - who are also members of both political parties and large donors - in the outcome of infrastructure grants, the millions of dollars that the government has spent on promotional advertising connected to these projects, and the lack of accountability in the way taxpayer funds are being spent.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18/6/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Rights, Rorts and Rants legal expert Mike Holland describes the origins of 'Cabinet in Confidence', and increasingly, its use by ministers including the Prime Minister, as a way of sealing documents from public, and even Parliamentary scrutiny. As a result, the decision-making process and the formulation of policy can and is being carried out in secret, pre-empting debate, denying press freedom in the reporting of Parliamentary processes, and ultimately threatening the democratic process itself.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18/6/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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 show. Join BMUC.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith and Fran Dyson talk to local singer Grace Cooke from the Sydney based band Peachfield and premiere "Laneways", a track from their forthcoming album.
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.This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27/12/19.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Fran Dyson is joined by Warren Ross, Jeannie Baxter and Councillor Kerry Brown for a in-depth discussion about the World Economic Forum’s push for a “Great Reset”. Championed as a way of creating a equitqble and sustainable future, our panel digs down into both the propaganda machine and the corporate and governmental agendas behind it. We discuss the financialisation and digitalisation of our education and health systems, the involvement of the tech companies, the ways that the covid pandemic acts a perfect enabler, the possibility of a Universal Basic income and what that would mean, the notion of humans as “biohazards” and ultimately redundant in a world run by AI, and much more.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 7/8/2020
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 show. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this excerpt Greens Councillor talks about plans by the NSW government for the development of "Western Parklands" in the Western Sydney region, and some of the consequences of creating a large city housing an additional 1 million people in this environmentally sensitive area.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 7/8/2020
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 show. Join BMUC.Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Merran McLaren talks to year 11 student James Dawes and the head of the National University Education Union David Birchall, about the widespread effects of cuts to the university sector in the 2020 budget. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 3/7/2020.
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 show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Continuing their discussion about the new jail to be built in Parramatta, Nick Franklin and Mike Holland ask who it is that goes to jail, noting that those that probably should do time are the least likely to be incarcerated, whereas those who commit minor offences, such as indigenous youth, are vastly overrepresented. Mike reminds us of the enormous amount of corporate crime that goes unpunished - such as wage theft, the exploitation of migrant workers, and the outcome of the Royal commission into banking, which despite scandalous findings, did not result in one person going to jail.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30/4/2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Nick Franklin talks to our legal correspondent Mike Holland about plans for a new jail at Parramatta, which would have a capacity for 5000 beds by 2025, and will be privately run by a conglomeration of businesses including Serco, known for running prisons in America on a strictly business model. Nick and Mike discuss the rationale for this venture given that crimes statistics are plummeting and incarceration has roundly been criticised as a failure.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30/4/2021.
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 show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith and Fran Dyson ask the people who marched on May Day 2021 in Parramatta, "Why are you here? Why is this important to you?"
Many thanks to the people who agreed to talk to us.
We acknowledge that these interviews took place on Darug land which has never been ceded.
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. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14th May 2021 Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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. Join BMUC.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In the interests of balanced reporting, Rights, Rorts and Rants’ occasional interloper, the Quiet Australian, gives his opinion on the Morrison Government's “women problem”, the cabinet reshuffle, the bubble inside the Canberra bubble, the Christine Holgate affair, Porters defamation case against the ABC and his own interpretation of the rule of law.
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. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16/4/2021 Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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. Join BMUC.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Rights, Rorts and Rant’s legal correspondent, Mike Holland, continues his investigations into the awarding of so-called Henry VIII powers to ministers in the Morrison government. He focuses on the draft proposal to radically change assessment criteria for the NDIS, some of which would include employing public servants from the “Robo debt” fiasco, and giving the minister ultimate power on what disability payments could be spent on. The episode finishes with a look at the blatant misuse of public funds that have occurred under the Morrison government.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16/4/2021. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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. Join BMUC.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Rights, Rorts and Rant’s legal correspondent, Mike Holland, discusses the basic principles of the Rule of Law and Porters attitude towards those principles, as demonstrated by his proposal for a Federal Integrity Commission and his complicity in the treatment of “witness K” – a whistleblower who has been prosecuted by the government under the National Security act.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on the 16/4/2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
This is a perspective changing episode of Rights, Rorts and Rants where your attitudes to people with an intellectual disability will be challenged.
Hotel Etico Australia in Mount Victoria, Blue Mountains, is a social enterprise hotel with its roots in Italy. "Its purpose is to deliver a fantastic holiday experience to guests that powers a program providing work, training and live-in opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities, enabling them to transition to open employment and become more independent."
In this episode we talk to trainees Katrina, Joshua and Harry, along with Stella, Samantha, and Patsy.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th April 2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In part two of this broadcast Sam talks about his own struggles with mental health and addiction, and discusses the motivation behind one of his songs, written while on a train from the blue mountains, about the addictive nature of screens and their effects. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19/11/2020. 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.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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. Join BMUC.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode Deb Smith, the Secretary of Blue Mountains Unions and Community, takes a look at the industrial relations legislation proposed by the Morrison government and the effects it will have on the process of enterprise bargaining and workers ability to negotiate fair wages and conditions.
Unionists and community members fought hard against this legislation and the cross benchers listened.
Since this episode was broadcast, there were several changes made to the legislation.
"In late March, after facing resistance from the cross bench, the Government put forward a stripped back version of the Bill, with four of the five proposed schedules removed. The revised Bill has now passed the Senate and received royal assent."
"This means that the Act now only makes changes relating to casual employment in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (the FW Act), which took effect from 27 March 2021."
"The Government maintains that it intends to pass the schedules that were dropped at some stage in the future."
You can find more information about the current form of the legislation (as at May 25th 2021) via this link.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19/11/2020. 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 show.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Uncle Lex Dadd is a Warmuli man and senior Darug custodian. He has shared culture for over 20 years as Burangilli, and is now Cultural Consultant of the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Cultural Resource Centre. He is also an Adjunct Fellow at the Macquarie University’s Discipline of Geography & Planning, where he leads the Yanama budyari gumada research collective. His show ‘Budyari baya - Good Talk’ airs on Fridays from 2-4pm on 89.1FM Radio Blue Mountains. In this episode of Rights, Rorts and Rants, he talks with Deb Smith and Fran Dyson and is joined by Lithgow based singer/songwriter Sam Williams (aka Sam Bucca), who won 3rd prize in last years "Sing it Say it: Activist Fest Talent Quest" (sponsored by Blue Mountains Unions and Community and Retro Rehash). In 2018 Sam was an organiser for ‘Resilience2018’ - a mental health festival in Lithgow from which the album ‘Out of the Dark’ – was released, featuring Sam's powerful song "Understand". As you will hear, Sam's music reflects his own and indigenous struggles with invasion, occupation and disenfranchisment, as well as many of the issues that affect Australia's youth, such as mental health, unemployment, climate change, and current politics. His recordings can be found on Bandcamp, Triple j unearthed, and Spotify.
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. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19/11/2020. Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC. Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au. 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode, we hear an activist's story of a successful industrial dispute in the Blue Mountains hospitality industry and the impact of WorkChoices on two workers when former BMUC member Ken Zajicek joins us. Ken was an activist, union delegate at the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains and an Organiser for United Voice (formerly the LHMU, now the United Workers' Union.
Ken now lives on the Central Coast and you'll hear some of his local birdlife in the background.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29th January 2021.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this interview presented by Merran McLaren on Rights, Rorts and Rants, BMUC member Susan Lammiman tells the remarkable story of how, in 1996, she and five other women from Teesside, Northern England set off on an overland adventure with an important mission. The mission the six women undertook was to take a truck borrowed from the local Labor Council and "Fran's Volvo", from Middlesbrough across the North Sea by ferry, across Belgium and Germany to Banovici, Bosnia. They carried 7 tons of goods in response to a request from Mersija, a Bosnian woman, for items needed to restore the dignity of women and children following the Bosnian War (1992-1995).
[Note: the photo we have selected shows two of the English women, Sarah and Fran, with Bosnian children in front of the truck. Photographer S. 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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 31 July 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC 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: 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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The performers featured on this podcast who will be performing at Sing It! Say It! are singer Trash Baby and rapper Deej Aye.
BMUC's Fran Dyson is joined on Rights, Rorts and Rants by co-presenters Quinlan Semenetz (aka Quinlan Cementhead) and Corin Shearston. With interviews and live performances the show showcases performers who have entered Sing It! Say It! (to be held on 19 December at 6.30pm at the Family Hotel in Katoomba).
In this Part 2, you will hear Trash Baby perform followed by rapper Deej Aye
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 4th December 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
BMUC's Fran Dyson is joined on Rights, Rorts and Rants by co-presenters Quinlan Semenetz (aka Quinlan Cementhead) and Corin Shearston. With interviews and live performances the show showcases artists who have entered Sing It! Say It! 2020 to be held on 19 December at 6.30pm at the Family Hotel in Katoomba. All welcome.
On this podcast ie Part 1 of the 4th December show, you will hear Quinlan Cementhead perform Floating and I want to be beautiful. Quinlan has other musicians on his tracks: Corin Shearston and Sunny. Then Wolf Van Der Made performs live 3 of his original songs being Dragonfly, Who will carry this water to the flames and The twelfth hour.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 4th December 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Viv Langford is an experienced presenter of Beyond Zero a show on community radio station 3CR Melbourne. Her show Beyond Zero (Mondays 5.00 - 6.00) is sponsored by Beyond Zero Emissions a not for profit climate change think tank. Beyond Zero communicates what is happening in Beyond Zero Emissions and community campaigns around the country, as well as the latest science and the climate change solutions that are available now.
Viv was in Katoomba recently and BMUC's Nick Franklin took the opportunity to interview her in the Radio Blue Mountains studio for Rights, Rorts and Rants.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27th November 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The right to protest has been withdrawn during Covid so it is topical that BMUC presenter Nick Franklin recently interviewed activist Stephen Langford on Rights, Rorts and Rants. Stephen was arrested for sticking a pamphlet on a Governor Macquarie statue in Sydney and spent a "horrendous" couple of nights locked up for it. Stephen doggedly protests every Friday at Sydney Town Hall as a constant reminder of the imprisonment of refugees.
Stephen shared his recommendation of a recently released documentary called White Riot directed by Rubika Shah about Rock Against Racism, a movement that began in 1976 to take on the National Front.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27th November 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Trish Doyle offers her first hand perspectives as Nick Franklin follows up on an earlier interview with Trish. He asks about the big question of how Government is responding to last summer's bushfire crisis. Trish explains an important amendment to bushfire legislation she achieved to ensure a review every 3 months as to how government is meeting report recommendations.
The interview also covers state and local issues including Blue Mountains housing, pork barrelling spending, gaps in mental health services including youth mental health and the tragedy of youth suicides .... when services are just not adequate.
"I am determined to fight this with our firies, Fire and Rescue, every inch of the way. It's not just an extra truck. It's the crews that are needed for that truck. It's the jobs in our community." Trish Doyle.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 27th November 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith talks to BMUC members and NSW Teachers Federation union organisers Annette Bennett, TAFE Organiser, and Pat Donohue, City Organiser organising in the Blue Mountains, about issues affecting school and TAFE education.
"To return TAFE to the preeminent provider it was, requires a return to recurrent guaranteed funding and increased funding".
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 9th October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Fran Dyson's guests are RRR regulars and BMUC members Warren Ross, Kerry Brown and Jeanie Baxter. The panel who question, analyse and amuse listeners with their different takes on renewables (the myth we can have it all), The Jobs Reset Summit - 2020 World Economic Forum (kids will have to become entrepreneurs), green billionaires (think Elon Musk) and pointless jobs (overpaid company directors).
References mentioned during the show include Michael Moore presents Planet of the Humans (available on YouTube); thegrayzone.com Green Billionaires; and David Graeber's 2018 book Bullshit Jobs: A theory.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30 October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we broadcast, the Darug and Gundangara people who are the first peoples of the Blue Mountains region, and pays it respects to Elders past and present.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Sarah Redshaw has 'lived in the mountains since the 80's". She has worked in social research for over 20 years. She has developed and conducted a number of research studies on young peoples engagement with cars, health related projects including bereavement support in community nursing, community engagement and resilience, and much more. She now works across the Faculty of Arts and Education at Charles Sturt University.
Sarah is also one of the Greens Party's candidates for the next Blue Mountains Council elections. She spoke recently to Fran Dyson on Rights, Rorts and Rants about herself, her passions and her realistic approach to local issues.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 30 October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we broadcast, the Darug and Gundangara people who are the first peoples of the Blue Mountains region, and pays it respects to Elders past and present.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
At a time when corruption and standards expected of politicians are in the news Ann-Maree McEwan interviews BMUC members Mike Holland and Marilla North on Rights, Rorts and Rants. They have written a paper with Peter Lammiman for the BMUC (Blue Mountains Unions and Community) on "Federal ICAC".
The interview covers Transparency International 7 key areas for measuring and rating governments on transparency and Australia's ranking.
It moves on to look at two Federal integrity bills which have been tabled since October. The bills are measured against the relevant Transparency International key areas (and the pub test!). The first bill is the Australian Federal Integrity Commission Bill 2020 (AFIC) and the second is the Commonwealth Integrity Commission Bill 2020 (CIC).
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 13 Nov 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we broadcast, the Darug and Gundangara people who are the first peoples of the Blue Mountains region, and pays it respects to Elders past and present.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Jan O'Leary was a guest on Rights, Rorts and Rants on 13 November. Jan is an activist, founder of Stop Coal Seam Gas Blue Mountains and BMUC member.
"Out in the Pilliga forest, near Narrabri, in North West NSW, gas giant Santos want to drill 850 coal seam gas wells. It's the only CSG production project proposed in NSW, and farmers, Traditional Owners and environmentalists have been campaigning to protect the Pilliga and stop it becoming an industrial gasfield for years." CSG Free North West's website https://www.csgfreenorthwest.org.au
Jan wrote a submission to the Independent Planning Commission of NSW hearing assessing the project's approval on behalf of the BMUC (Blue Mountains Unions and Community) with a focus on worker safety. The Commission received 10,000 submissions mostly against the project and 400 experts spoke at public hearings. However, the project was approved on 30 September 2020 with 134 conditions or modifications imposed on Santos in relation to their proposal. The fight is not over and CSG Free North West's website have actions you can take.
More information is available from Stop Coal Seam Gas Blue Mountains' website http://stopcsgbm.net.au/docs/home.php
and CSG Free North West's website https://www.csgfreenorthwest.org.au
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 13 Nov 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC acknowledges the Tradioional Owners of the land on which we broadcast, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains region, and pays it respects to Elders past and present.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Associate Professor Nick McGuigan is the Director of Education at the Monash University Business School (Melbourne) but has been marooned in Katoomba for months. In this fascinating interview he shares his ideas and future thinking on accounting, the imperative for us to operate in bioregions and reduce out reliance on imports, components of good governance and more.
He also shares information about some exciting programmes such as the Masters of Indigenous Business Leaders Programme.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16th October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC acknowledges the Tradioional Owners of the land on which we broadcast, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains region, and pays it respects to Elders past and present.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
What's going on with elections in Bolivia, South America? We don't hear very much about Bolivian politics in Australia. James Dawes - school student, BMUC member and presenter of this show, dived into Bolivia's recent political history and shared his knowledge and insights with us on Rights, Rorts and Rants.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 23rd October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to, and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundangara first peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The BMUC's Debra Smith, Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman recently spoke to the Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle.
The conversation covered state politics, unanswered questions about the highway duplication at Blackheath "There needs to be a lot more transparency before they get their shovels ready" (Trish Doyle) and Labor and Greens instigation of so called coercive control bills aimed at preventing domestic violence deaths. "Coercive control behaviour is a pattern of domination .. to control victims." "Behaviours are a predictor of severe and fatal violence. " (Trish Doyle)
(Air Watch was discussed and will be added to the podcast later).
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16 October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to the Darug and Gundungurra first peoples of the Blue Mountains and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Blue Mountains Unions Council's Nick Franklin and Deb Smith invited Ms Susan Templeman MP into the studio to discuss topical issues of interest to listeners ..... Susan's response to the government's outline for a federal integrity body, alleged dodgy land deals around Western Sydney Airport, Labor policy on the environment and their Budget Reply policy to cut the cost of child care and ideas and policy on how to improve aged care and public broadcasting.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 16 October 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
The BMUC pays its respect to the Darug and Gundungurra first peoples of the Blue Mountains and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
A Legislative Council report entitled "Health impacts of exposure to poor levels of air quality resulting from bushfire and drought" (Report 54, September 2020) recommends that the Government continues its air quality monitoring programme. This reinforces the utmost importance for groups in the Mountains and Lithgow to continue a long running campaign for air monitoring equipment to be re-installed. The report states the summer 2019-2020 bush fires showed smoke from fires was the biggest cause of human deaths and also a killer of native wild life.
In this interview Peter Lammiman updates listeners on the recent report. Peter also outlines continuing the campaign to ensure that the EPA and NSW Government bring back air monitoring infrastructure through the Blue Mountains and Lithgow allowing residents and visitors to obtain real time information on air quality and hazards.
In Peter's words " What we need is a broad plan engaging people and empowering people at a grassroots level as well as at a state level".
The report's title is Report No 54 - PC2 - Health impacts of exposure to poor levels of air quality resulting from bushfires and drought
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 25th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Michael Thomson is the State Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union NSW. Prior to working for the union Michael's career background was in universities. He provides listeners with the latest on the crisis in Australian universities.
Michael estimates job losses of 30,000 people in the uni sector. Universities are billion dollar businesses largely reliant on high fee paying overseas students who now can't come to Australia. The flaws in the business model have created a disaster that the pandemic has exacerbated.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 25th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
On Rights, Rorts and Rants we meet Farm It Forward founder Emmanuela (Manu) Prigioni and farmer James Broughton. Farm It Forward is a Blue Mountain's movement and the creation of founder Manu Prigioni. It connects older residents with land to spare with younger individuals who farm that back yard to produce veggies and fruit for the older resident and the farmer with spare food being sold at a food cooperative.
We learn from Manu and John about the endless benefits of the movement that are reaching beyond fostering community and growing local food.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 25th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The discussion kicks off with David Graeber speaking on the Origins of Democracy (in America). Presenter Fran Dyson with Councillor Kerry Brown and BMUC member Warren Ross share their observations in the studio and BMUC member Jeanie Baxter provides written input on the many facets and extent of privatisation in Australia. Their discussion includes whether democracy is working, the disjoint between politicians and bureaucrats and the influence of large corporate donations on politics in a climate where public demonstrations are illegal. An insightful and thought-provoking discussion.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 11th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Blue Mountains Councillor Kerry Brown and BMUC member Warren Ross unpack benefits and negative impacts of proposed and current infrastructure projects in and around the Blue Mountains. Is Western Sydney Airport still viable? How will increased population around the Western Sydney Airport be employed? Why not invest in high speed rail infrastructure between capital cities? Why is the proposed Great Western Highway duplication ignoring rail freight and the positive expansion of rail freight lines through greater Sydney and Western NSW.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 11th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Presenter Fran Dyson and BMUC member Warren Ross' fascinating discussion of debt, money, neoliberalism, impotent government and economics under the broader banner of privatisation.
Close to the untimely passing of American anthropologist and activist David Graeber on 2 September at 59, Fran and Warren acknowledge Graeber's significant book "Debt: The first 5000 years". American linguist Noam Chomsky's thoughts on Neoliberalism also form part of their discussion.
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 11th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Until the 1970's no government would permit the unemployment rate to exceed 2%. This statement is usually met with disbelief but it's true.
The unemployment rate announced today has unexpectedly dropped from 7.5% to 6.8%. This seems like good news but a closer look shows that the drop is likely due to an increase in gig employment, which is basically a form of self employment, insecure, poorly paid and open to sham contracting and abuse. There was a time when a government would do everything it could to stop the unemployment rate from going above 2%. LIFE are one group which is calling for an end to mutual obligations, which is the requirement to undertake an activity, usually look for work, when in receipt of a Centrelink payment. Coinciding with the drop in payment rates at the end of September 2020 is the return of greater mutual obligation activities.
Often the problem isn't that there isn't enough of something, it's that access to it is governed by the market rather than planning for need says Janet Burstall of "Living Incomes For Everyone". She was talking about housing but it applies to jobs too. There is lots of work to be done. The shortage is in paid jobs.
This episode from our archives, a speaker at a 2015 Politics in the Pub event "Your Rights 2 Work". Dr Victor Quirk from the Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE) once worked for the Commonwealth Employment Service and for the privatised version, the Job Network. He is now an academic at CofFEE at the University of Newcastle. His history of employment policies in Australia is fascinating and raises the question - why don't we have a lower unemployment rate?
"Unemployment is not a mere blemish in a private enterprise economy. On the contrary, it is part of the essential mechanism of the system and has a definite function to fulfil. The first function of unemployment (which has always existed in open or disguised form) is that it maintains the authority of master over man. The master has normally been in a position to say: 'If you do not want the job, there are plenty of others who do." When a man can say, "If you do not want to employ me, there are plenty of others who will,' the situation is dramatically altered." Walter Korpi 2002
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.
This episode was broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
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. BMUC members have endorsed a Jobs Guarantee.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
LIFE - the Living Incomes for Everyone campaign are a network of grass roots organisations, with endorsements from around Australia. We encourage people to join our broad movement to win an adequate income for everyone, to have a home, food and the other necessities for an adequate standard of living.
Deb Smith spoke to Janet Burstall to find out more about their demands which include living incomes of $1100 per fortnight for everyone:
**1. Keep the Rate!
- No-One Left Behind!**
3. End Harassment! For Social Security with Dignity.
4. Secure homes for everyone
You can find out more here about LIFE's 18th - 24th September Week of Action ahead of the cuts to Coronavirus Supplement and JobKeeper payments at the end of the month.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 18th September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In this episode of Rights, Rorts and Rants, on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM BMUC Tara Cameron the President of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society discusses the current major issues of concern to the society.
Tara and presenter Merran MacLaren discuss the proposed Govetts Leap car park redesign, the Katoomba Airfield lease, the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall which will threaten " a special area for Aboriginal heritage" and is "the biggest threat to the World Heritage Area ever" and also the massive potential of the Gardens of Stone and Destination Pagoda.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 4 September 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants 21st August
BMUC member and regular guest Jeanie Baxter discusses accelerated projects with presenter Fran Dyson. The discussion raises concerns that expected regulatory checks, particularly in planning and developments, are being bypassed by the NSW Government due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21st August 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au .
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants 21 August 2020
BMUC Secretary Debra Smith presents an up to date round up of events and industrial decisions which affect all Australian workers including pandemic leave and modern slavery.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21 August 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au .
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Solicitor and BMUC member Mike Holland describes to presenter Fran Dyson Henry VIII clauses. These clauses began during King Henry's VIII's reign and continue into contemporary Australian parliamentary practices.
Note: Due to technical difficulties the following information from the start of Mike's talk was not recorded.
"Henry VIII died in 1547. Yet two acts of parliament passed during his reign still have an impact on how Australians are governed today. How can that be so?
In 1531 the English Parliament passed the Statute of Sewers....."
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 21st August 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - ring 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
At the sunset of their lives our care of the aged is failing.
In this episode of Rights, Rorts and Rants, on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM BMUC members and their guests investigate the state of aged care in Australia as "An expert witness to the Royal Commission into Aged Care has criticised Australia's response to COVID-19 in aged care homes — saying residents have been treated as second-class citizens."
"Professor Joseph Ibrahim told the inquiry there was little understanding of the size of the threat to aged-care residents, who account for about 68 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths, despite being just 1 per cent of the population."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-12/aged-care-royal-commission-hears-of-coronavirus-crisis/12549196
This week we looked at how we got to this appalling situation. We'll discuss some of the history of aged care in Australia and the effects of privatisation, casualisation, staff ratios - or the lack of them - and funding arrangements with workers in aged care, members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, the Health Services Union NSW and our own Blue Mountains Unions & Community members.
Local author, researcher and BMUC member Marilla North shares her experience of aged care - both good and bad - from the perspective of carer and advocate for her late mother, finishing with a poem she wrote which will speak to anyone who has lost a loved one to dementia.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14th August 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
"These veins of life they sustain us all
Cleanse and purify our soul
So as we jump in, remember we are whole
Give thanks and praise to the water as it flows"
Water Song in Honour of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - Manoa
Blue Mountains Unions & Community member John Hockney talks to environmental hydrologist Peter Dupen about a precious resource - water.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14th August 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - ring 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
Rights, Rorts and Rants is broadcast from 4pm to 6pm on 89.1FM or can be live streamed from rbm.org.au.
Image courtesy of mrjn Photography on Unsplash.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Poet Brendan Doyle has been writing and sharing poems in the Blue Mountains for years and, in this broadcast from the City of the Arts, he reads us some of his work.
He was born in Sydney and grew up in Newtown, in a house with no books apart from a set of Richards Topical Encylopedias. At 17 he started keeping a journal occasionally writing poetry. He was inspired by poets he learned about at University. The Blue Mountains have been his home for many years now.
Brendan is also a member of possibly the largest Australian refugee support group, the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group and he tells us of some of their vital work.
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.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17th July 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
"Where has all the money gone?"
In this episode BMUC members with a lay interest in economic matters take a look at the so called economic cliff awaiting us in September: when JobKeeper and JobSeeker are wound back, mortgage and rental arrears have to start being repaid, and unemployment/underemployment are likely to be much higher.
Warren Ross and Jeannie Baxter join Fran Dyson to discuss the debt bubble, the issue of private vs public debt, the stimulus package and various rights and rorts that are being promulgated.
- Links to resources mentioned in the show:
Bill Mitchell and Victor Quirk from the Centre of Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE) speak at Politics in the Pub about full employment policies in 2015. * Meet the Debt Monster - Background Briefing ABC Radio. * Alan Kohler talks to one of the founders of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) Bill Mitchell, * and, coincidentally, Alan Kohler on (MMT) in our current circumstances on the same day as this episode was broadcast. * Stephanie Kelton - her book, video, and in an article which is a quick and simple explanation of MMT, "The Deficit Doesn't Matter".
You can leave an audio comment about our show, which may be added to one of our podcasts.
Note: a statement made during the show about Centrelink and its role in connecting people to jobs is a common misconception. Centrelink has never had a role in finding work for people, although it has had a role in assessing personal obstacles to finding work. Historically the Dept of Social Security (DSS) was responsible for the payment of pensions and benefits while the role of the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) was to connect people to jobs. In the late 1990s the CES was privatised and its role take over employment agencies, the "Job Network" while DSS became Centrelink, an agency which delivered government services. While Centrelink continued to pay pensions and benefits and expanded the number of government services it delivered, it did not take on the role of managing a "job bank". That role was taken by private providers - ineffectively and much less successfully than the CES, in the opinion of many.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17th July 2020.
Apply to be a guest on our show. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online. Join BMUC.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In Episode 2 of "Mudmaps and Milestones", Marilla North talks about the autobiographies of Clive James.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17th July 2020.
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 - ring 1300 486 466 or join online.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Workers' News 10th July 2020 - a short summary of events in industrial relations in Australia.
In this episode, President of the ACTU, Michele O'Neil will be presenting an ACTU post COVID-19 Jobs Plan at the National Press Club, the Australian Education Union release the findings of the 2020 "State of Our TAFEs" survey and retail workers lose bid to prevent Sunday penalty rate cuts from taking effect from 1st July. You can sign a petition about how unfair this is.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th July 2020.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
In Episode 1 of "Mudmaps and Milestones", Marilla North introduces herself and the segment which will feature weekly on Rights, Rorts and Rants which broadcasts on Friday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm. What's the relationship between mudmaps and milestones? You can find out more by listening!
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 10th July 2020.
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 - ring 1300 486 466 or join online.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
A review of Zoe Fletcher's book "Frogalik's Star" by the children of the Blaxland family. The book, and accompanying colouring book, can be purchased directly from the author by ringing 0497 766 522 or emailing her at zoefletcherartist@gmail.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
When a Blue Mountains Unions & Community member member brought the issue of 5G to a meeting our members were divided in their opinions.
But some members said they didn't really know enough to form an opinion about whether 5G is a threat or an opportunity. This episode features our attempts to find out.
It begins with a basic high school physics refresher about waves. A slight correction needs to be made about the definition of "latency", which you can find in this link.
At about 14 minutes in we hear from Sean Marshall, an organiser with the Health Services Union who is a workplace safety officer for those who work with electromagnetic radiation.
Towards the end of that segment, and about half an hour in, we hear some of the discussion from BMUC members that Sean's talk generated.
As mentioned in the show, the locations of 5G towers and their official safety documentation can be found on the RFNSA website.
So, do we need to worry about 5G or not? Listen, and make up your own mind.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM over a couple of shows early in 2020, then repeated in full in June 2020.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
On Thursday, 25th June 2020 a few BMUC friends decided to go for a walk at Radiata Plateau. Who should we meet just as we arrived but our local NSW MP and BMUC member Trish Doyle MP?
Before we knew it we had the honour of witnessing the handover of Radiata Plateau to National Parks, as Trish asked us to delay our walk and wait for the NSW Minister for the Environment Matt Kean to arrive.
With the change from private ownership to public ownership came a name change. Radiata Plateau is now called Ngula Bulgarabang, meaning "very large wood forest".
The Blue Mountains Conservation Society have been campaigning for 30 years for the NSW government to purchase Ngula Bulgarabang for its inclusion in the Blue Mountains National Park. Their patient and persistent activism is inspiring.
Aunty Merle Williams and Aunty Sharyn Halls were there to welcome us to Country and had some very "interesting" things to say, particularly about Warragamba Dam and the importance of connections. We hope the Minister took note and will act on their advice!
We were so lucky to be there to record the event. This podcast has resulted from that meeting. You can also watch video of the event via our YouTube channel. We hope both become an important record of part of the Blue Mountains story. The Blue Mountains Gazette have spent many years documenting the Conservation Society's struggle and it was wonderful to see them there to record the achievement. Their work was acknowledged by Minister Kean.
We should also acknowledge the NSW Minister for the Environment, Matt Kean for making this happen. It's not often you'll see BMUC praise a Liberal so this may also be another historic event!
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 26th June 2020.
You can apply to be a guest on our show. We encourage you to join a union - ring 1300 486 466 or join online.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The Blue Mountains Gazette has reported on 22nd June 2020 that our local elected representatives from the NSW State Government, Trish Doyle MP, and the Blue Mountains City Council, Mayor Mark Greenhill and Ward 1 Councillor Don McGregor, have been excluded from community consultation meetings about the duplication of the Great Western Hwy in the upper mountains.
According to the Gazette, "The committee facilitator, Tricia Wunsch, in an emailed response, said the walk-through had been requested by the committee members to better understand all the options and it was effectively a BCC meeting."
"Only members of the BCC will be permitted to attend the inspections; if other people are present, TfNSW will cancel the inspections."
"Ms Wunsch continued: 'All members of the BCC, including you, have signed a code of conduct outlining your obligations and agreement to the BCC process.'"
"I'd particularly like to remind you of the following requirements, to ensure confidential matters handled by the committee, as indicated by the chair, are kept confidential, and not speak to the media on or off the record or through third parties about committee matters."
"Ms Doyle said: 'The fact that the NSW Government would rather completely shut down community consultation than have elected representatives attend says everything you need to know about this project.'"
In this episode we replay a discussion we had in December last year, before the formation of the committee, with Michael Paag of the Blackheath Highway Action Group about community concerns. Trish Doyle has circulated a petition regarding the highway upgrade. Email Trish Doyle's office to obtain a copy - bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au. NSW government rules mean that only original hard copy petitions are accepted.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 13th December, 2019.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
A short roundup of events and decisions which affect all Australian workers.
Compiled by Deb Smith and presented by Fran Dyson and Nick Franklin.
Join a union - 1300 486 466 or join online.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th June 2020.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Nick Franklin talks to Dr Lee Duffield about the closure of local and regional newspapers by the Murdoch press, and the future of journalism. They discuss the possibilities of a changing media landscape for local journalism and for journalists, and the rise of independent media.
Duffield is a media editor for Independent Australia.
"He has been practising and teaching journalism for over 40 years. With the ABC he was the first news editor on the youth radio service, Triple-Jay, and the Europe correspondent at the fall of the Berlin Wall."
"Until 2017, he was a senior lecturer in journalism at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and continues to follow research interests in new media, European media and development news, notably in the Pacific region."
In Part 1 of this series, Nick Franklin spoke to ABC Alumni Matt Peacock about the decimation of the ABC via ongoing budget and staffing cuts.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th June 2020. The image in the logo is from the Katoomba Times 1889.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Former ABC journalists Nick Franklin and Matt Peacock discuss the decimation of the ABC over many years, with the latest cuts threatening hundreds of jobs, and the quality and existence of our national broadcaster, the ABC. Although retired, Nick is an active member of Blue Mountains Unions & Community and one of team of volunteer presenters on Rights, Rorts & Rants Blue Mountains community radio.
Matt Peacock is also retired and is Chair of the Board of Directors of ABC Alumni. "Matt Peacock has played a major role in publicising the risks of asbestos in Australia." (International Ban Asbestos Secretariat). He is the author of "Killer Company", an expose of James Hardie. His book inspired the miniseries "Devil's Dust".
You can find more information about historical funding cuts to the ABC in this Guardian article.
This Guardian article forecasts 250 job losses at the ABC because of a funding shortfall.
If you wish to join the campaign to save the ABC, you can join Friends of the ABC. There are many local groups, including a strong and active group in the Blue Mountains, NSW.
Part 2 of this series explores the demise of local and regional newspapers, the rise of independent online media and new opportunities for journalists.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 19th June 2020. The image in the logo is from the Katoomba Times 1889.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Deb Smith talks to Dr Jenna Price, an academic at the University of Technology Sydney and a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Canberra Times about her experience of teaching and working via Zoom because of the CORONA-19 pandemic.
Dr Price wrote an article, "Getting on talking terms with our new Zoom or bust lives" which was published in the Canberra Times on 24th April 2020.
This interview was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 24th April 2020.
Nick Franklin will be revisiting the topic of working from home on Rights, Rorts and Rants on Friday 19th June, 2020 from 4pm to 6pm on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM. He'll be asking, "Will working from home be the new normal after the pandemic?".
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Archival material
In the wake of the 2019/2020 megafires we interviewed Mina Howard about the HUFF program - a community program based on neighbours knowing and helping their neighbours.
Mina, who had the idea for Heads Up For Fire after the 2009 Victorian bushfires, tells us about the HUFF program, how it's evolved and some of the lessons learnt in the Blue Mountains during the 2019 megafires.
HUFF - "The Heads Up For Fire" project aims to ensure the wellbeing of people within the communities the Blue Mountains in the event of bushfires and other emergencies."
First broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 17th January, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mount Victoria Great Train Weekend discussed in the interview has been postponed because of the pandemic.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
The "Quiet" Australian shares his horror at the removal of PM Scott Morrison's statue from Katoomba and his insider knowledge of the Queen's Birthday Honours system.
*Satire alert!
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 12th June 2020.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Rights, Rorts and Rants presenter James Dawes gives us an insightful round up of events related to the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States.
This episode was recorded on 13th June 2020 and broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 14th June.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Content warning: This episode discusses Aboriginal people who have died.
We've heard conflicting reports about a disturbance in Long Bay Prison, with authorities telling us it was an argument about drugs, but with evidence it was a Black Lives Matter protest about the more than 430 Aboriginal deaths in custody since 1991.
The voices we haven't been able to hear are those of the people who are currently most in danger of dying in custody. In this show we hear from Brett Collins. Brett, a spokesperson for the Prisoner Action Group and a Co-Ordinator for the Community Justice Coalition, talks to Nick Franklin. In 2016 Brett spoke at one of our Politics in the Pub events about the withdrawal and privatisation of teachers from gaols.
He has been representing prisoners nationally and internationally for over thirty years.
This episode was first aired on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 12th June 2020. Image from ABC News.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Part 2
Fran Dyson discusses the revival and the future of analogue media, including the work of Stephen Jones - one of the most important electronic and video artists in Australia and a pioneer of the video synthesizer in the infamous group Severed Heads - with Ricardo Moreira and Sy Dyson of Blue Mountains band Hibiscus Biscuit. We'll also be joined by Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman who'll ask Ricardo and Sy about their hopes for the future of music in the Blue Mountains post pandemic.
You can see the video of the music played during the show, We Have Come To Bless This House, music by Severed Heads and video art by Stephen Jones on YouTube.
First broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29th May 2020.
You will hear the occasional swear word in this episode but the rest of the episode is well worth any discomfort felt.
You can listen to Fran, Ricardo and Sy talking to Stephen Jones in Part 1 of this podcast.
Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives on our shows but that means that views expressed in our show are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Part 1
In this episode Fran Dyson discusses the revival of analogue media with Stephen Jones - one of the most important electronic and video artists in Australia and a pioneer of the use the video synthesizer in the infamous group Severed Heads.
We'll also be joined by Nick Franklin and Peter Lammiman to talk about the early days of Double J and the explosion of art and politics in the 70's, and Sy and Ricardo from the local psych rock band Hibiscus Biscuit, and their interest in video synthesis and the analogue aesthetic.
https://marsgallery.com.au/2018-stephen-jones-severed-heads/
The YouTube video mentioned by Fran Dyson is Goodbye Tonsils, music by Severed Heads and video art by Stephen Jones.
First broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 29th May 2020.
You will hear the occasional swear word in this episode but the rest of the episode is well worth any discomfort felt.
Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives on our shows but that means that views expressed in our show are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
How do we know if the products we buy have been ethically produced? Alison Rahill spoke about Fair Trade supply lines and the work of the Anti Slavery taskforce which has developed the "Shop for Good", ethical purchasing guide at the "Politics in the Pub - Free Trade or Fair Trade?" at the Family Hotel in Katoomba On 10th August 2019, hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community.
Alison Rahill is the Executive Officer of the Anti-Slavery Taskforce, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
The other speaker at the event was Dr Pat Ranald of AFTINET, speaking about the RCEP Free Trade Agreement.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Secrecy is the enemy of fairness.
Australia's environmental, labour, and health and safety laws are threatened by a free trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, currently being negotiated between Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Korea and the ten member countries of ASEAN - about half of the world's population. How can we ensure trade is globally fair, safe and environmentally friendly?
On 10th August 2019, Blue Mountains Unions & Community hosted a "Politics in the Pub - Free Trade or Fair Trade?" at the Family Hotel in Katoomba.
This episode is a recording of Dr Pat Ranald of AFTINET speaking at that event about the RCEP. The potential problems she spoke about in the proposed RCEP are not new and have been features of past free trade agreements. Not least of the problems is the secrecy of the negotiations as the exact terms of the agreement are not made public until after the deal is done, denying affected parties the opportunity to object or present alternatives.
If you'd like to take action against the RCEP, you can find out more and download a petition from the AFTINET website.
The other speaker at the event was Alison Rahill is the Executive Officer of the Anti-Slavery Taskforce, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
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.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
On the date of broadcast student activist plans for a nationwide student strike had to be changed because of the pandemic.
MESCA (Macquarie Electorate Student Climate Activists) member James Dawes talks to Nick Franklin and Fran Dyson about how activism can work despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
First broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 15th May 2020.
Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives on our shows but that means that views expressed in our show are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Blue Mountains Unions & Community member Monica Brooks talks to local workers in hospitality, Shane, Hannah and Adam about their COVID-19 experiences.
United Voice is the union for most hospitality workers. If you're not sure which is the right union for you, you can find out by contacting Australian Unions.
This episode was broadcast on Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 on 22nd May 2020. You can contact us via this link if you'd like to be a guest on our show.
Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives on our shows but that means that views expressed in our show are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
A brief roundup of just some of the events which affect workers and their families.
In this episode:
- Class action by Coles workers to recover alleged underpayments
- The business group AIG release their agenda to exclude unions from negotiating workers pay and conditions and call for a definition of "casual" work
- Federal Court finds that workers with full time, predictable hours of work are not "casual" but permanent employees
- ACTU President Michele O'Neil talks about unions' 8 point plan for post pandemic recovery
- The Senate fails to disallow a regulation which shortens the notice an employer can give to alter an EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement)
Decisions made by governments and businesses affect workers, their families, and communities every day. It's important to know what's happening but what can you do about it? Join a Union.
Broadcast on 22nd May 2020 on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM
Disclaimer: We seek a range of perspectives on our shows but that means that views expressed in our show are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Presenter Nick Franklin looks back at the 2019/2020 megafire with Kim de Govrik and the resources our firefighters need to do their job safely and efficiently.
Kim de Govrik had a long career with National Parks, starting as a Ranger in 1980 at Kosciusko, then a Senior Ranger in Blue Mountains West by 1990. Later he became Area Manager of Kanangra based at Oberon. He is now an Organiser with the Public Service Association managing the National Parks portfolio. He has vast experience in remote area firefighting having been through 40 fire seasons.
Blue Mountains Unions & Community normally host Politics in the Pub and will do so again when we aren't prevented by pandemic restrictions. Kim will be a guest speaker.
This interview was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 15th May 2020.
IMAGE: Ruined Castle fire which threatened Katoomba and one of several which burnt 80% of the Blue Mountains National Park, destroyed homes and threatened others.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in our show may be but are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Gay Hendriksen of the Friends of Parramatta Female Factory shares personal memories of Jack Mundey and his decades of environmental and union activism with members of Blue Mountains Unions & Community.
Vale Jack Mundey.
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 15th May, 2020.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in our show may be but are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
90% of the world's cargo is carried by ships but very little is known outside the industry about the conditions of its workers or how the industry works.
Rights, Rorts and Rants host Deb Smith talks to former seafarer David Butler about the maritime version of the Cayman Island tax shelters - flags of convenience - and their consequences for maritime workers, global security and more on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.
Since leaving the maritime industry Dave has earned a BA in International Studies from WSU and a Masters in Asian Studies from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies. While in the industry Dave was a proud member of the Maritime Union of Australia - MUA and before going to Singapore to study Dave was a active member of Blue Mountains Unions & Community.
Here's the Guardian articles which sparked our interest in the plight of international seafarers:
https://tinyurl.com/yalka2xy
https://tinyurl.com/yalka2xy
This article is about a COVID-19 outbreak on a live export ship docked in Western Australia:
https://tinyurl.com/y8pnjj7r
And this one is about the cruise ship, the Ruby Princess, thought to be the major source of infection in New South Wales, Australia:
https://tinyurl.com/y84gbrl9
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22nd May, 2020.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in our show may be but are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message
Author of "The Hockneys: Never Worry What the Neighbours Think", son of a pacifist and brother of an acclaimed artist, John Hockney talks to Nick Franklin about his family and growing up during World War II in Britain. John is well known for mentoring others in their writing.
"The Hockneys: Never Worry What the Neighbours Think" is published by Legend Press and is available at Megalong Books in Leura, Glee Books Blackheath and various online retailers.
Based in Katoomba in the beautiful Blue Mountains west of Sydney, Australia, Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcasts weekly on community Blue Mountains Radio 89.1FM and is also live streamed via rbm.org.au. Rights, Rorts and Rants is presented by volunteers who are members of Blue Mountains Unions & Community.
This episode was originally broadcast on 15th May, 2020.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in our show may be but are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rightsrortsandrants/message