The Swing: Recent Episodes
RTRFM
Join us as we delve into the wonderful world of politics.
From local, national and international issues, Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon take a look at the what is happening in the halls of power.
The Swing includes interviews with experts from across the spectrum of politics, media and broadcasting.
Our presenters Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon from The Swing talk Dr Sam Han, senior lecturer of Anthropology and Sociology at UWA, and a native New Yorker.
Dr Sam sat down to discuss September 11 attacks and where he was at the time, the experiences of members of the Asian American and Pacific Islandercommunities during COVID-19 and the growing influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities in US politics.
This episode of The Swing takes a look back at the near 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the global political ramifications of such, including the Biden administration's recent withdrawal from the Middle East.
Chris and Danae spoke to Swinburne University Professor Bryan Cranston about the recent efforts to withdraw from the region.
This week of The Swing is again examining the US' military intervention in the Middle East, its recent coming to an end and its intersection with Australian politics.
Chris and Danae spoke to Curtin University's Professor Joe Siracusa about the ramifications of the US pulling out of Afghanistan, and if the criticism of President Biden's decision is warranted.
The show also features an interview with historian Dr Emma Shortis on her new book Our Exceptional Friend, about Australia's relationship with the United States and the tempestuous outcomes of such.
In Our Exceptional Friend, historian Dr Emma Shortis draws on history, current affairs and questions of morality to mount a compelling and unique case as to why Australia’s relationship with the United States needs a serious overhaul. Dr Shortis and Chloe Ward have a podcast you can listen to here
This week on The Swing we look into the what is happening in Afghanistan.
Over the last few weeks we have seen Afghanistan tumble into chaos as Taliban forces rolled through the country finally taking the capital Kabul last week.
But this is not a new concern for the Afghan people. The symbolic date of September 11 for Nato and US Forces to leave the country has weighed heavily on the minds of Afghan people as the potential end of the freedoms they have lived under for the last 20 yeas. The speed however of the Taliban takeover was surprising and it has left Afghan people scared, worried and fighting for survival.
On The Swing Chris Wheeldon spoke to Bahar Sayed, a member of the Afghan Community in Perth whose parents fled the country in the 1980's. Bahar is in constant contact with family and friends at home and those currently in detention.
He also spoke with Zaki Hadari, a Hazaras man who fled Afghanistan in 2012 at the age of 17. He is now a Employment Support Worker at Jesuit Refugee Services and a Human Rights Advocate.
In the midst of the Radiothon rush, Danae and Chris manage to squeeze in some meaty discussions on The Swing.
The Swing checks in with Sisonke Msimang from the Centre for Stories, who walks us through the civil unrest gripping South Africa after the jailing of President Jacob Zuma.
The team then recap some of the show's highlights from the year, including excerpts from interviews with former Greens Senator Scott Ludlum and the United States Studies Centre's Jared Mondschein.
We also heard our hosts dissect the big international news stories of the week – and nine full minutes of the Stone Roses' "Fools Gold" (not included in this podcast).
This episode of the Swing aired on 17 August 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking about politics local and national, including discussions of Sky News being suspended from YouTube and potential civil unrest in South Africa.
The show also features an interview with Curtin University Associate Professor Dr Htwe Htwe Thein about the developing situation in Myanmar, including Min Aung Hlaing declaring himself Prime Minister.
This episode of The Swing aired Tuesday 3rd of August 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Chris and Danae talking about upcoming election news, including a discussion with Swinburne University Associate Professor Samuel Wilson about his research into the effects of climate change policy promises on politicians' voting prospects.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 13th July 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking about various politics both local and international, including news of the Trump administration's financial advisor being charged for tax fraud.
The duo also interview The Guardian's Amy Remeikis on all things federal politics, including news on the coronavirus vaccine rollout and Barnaby Joyce's leadership of the national party.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 6th July 2021.
Chris flies solo in a locked down Perth for The Swing as he delves into the world of politics and sport.
He chats with Associate Professor Adam Karg from Swinburne University on what a post and current covid sporting world will look like. No sport seems to have got it perfect thus far and his research looks at what works and doesn't work as we head back to the watching our favourites sports.
And he chats to Michael Warner, author of The Boys Club: Power, Politics and the AFL a new book that looks at the inner workings of the AFL and how the notion of a boys clubs is well and truly alive.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking about various politics both local and international, including news on Scott Morrison's quarantine and Barnaby Joyce acting as deputy PM.
The duo also speak to Curtin University's Dr Elizabeth Jackson to talk about a new trade deal struck between Australia and the UK, and with independent journalist Callum Foote about the constant confusion regarding Australia's vaccine rollout.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 22nd June 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking about politics and the coronavirus situation both local and abroad, including a discussion with United States Study Centre Associate Professor Brendon O'Connor on the US's vaccination efforts and the continued post-mortem of Donald Trump's time as President.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 15th June 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Jeff talking about the ongoing coronavirus complications in Victoria, leading to border closures in South Australia and a potential border closure in WA to follow.
Danae also interviews historian Babette Smith, talking to her about the female population of the first wave of Australian convicts and their tales of rebellion.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 25th May 2021.
In 2009 a Russian accountant, Sergei Magnitsky, exposed state corruption and was imprisoned. He was starved, tortured and beaten to deal in squalor. Following this horrific event the USA imposed ‘Magnitsky Laws’ – sanctions removing Visas and cutting business ties with the men involved.
Geoffrey Robertson QC – colleague of Amal Clooney, defender of Julian Assange – details the torture and murder of whistle-blower Magnitsky in Russian prison in his new book Bad People - and How to be Rid of Them. A Plan B for Human Rights.
Geoffrey Robertson spoke to The Swing as the book hit the shelves and ahead of his visit to Perth for an event on 1 June 2021.
Scott Ludlam draws on his experience as a senator and activist to capture our world on a precipice and explore the possibilities for our future in Full Circle:A search for the world that comes next.
Bringing together a wealth of new ideas, Full Circle outlines a new ecological politics. Ludlam chatted with Danae Gibson for The Swing. This episode first aired on Tuesday 11 May 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking to Professor Jaya AR Dantas from Curtin University’s School of Population Health about the worsening Covid crisis in India as they surpass 20 million positive cases and the Morrison government bans Australian citizens returning home until May 15th.
The duo also discuss President Biden's 100 days in office, the vaccine rollout and the untimely passing of long time RTRFM contributor Dr Ian Cook.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 4th May 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking to researcher and business ethics lecturer, Dr Melissa Wheeler about the Australian Leadership Index and how it reflects a growing distrust of government figures in Australia, especially among women, in light of the allegations of longstanding sexual assault leveled at members of parliament and the Prime Minister's response.
The duo also talk about the death of Prince Philip and the outlook of the UK's political situation, as well as the fluctuating situation regarding local COVID-19 vaccinations.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Danae and Chris talking to UWA Senior Lecturer Dr Sam Han about the early months of Joe Biden's presidency, as well as the state of the pandemic in the United States.
The two also talk about the pandemic's progress in other areas such as Brazil, as well as some of the fallout from the election results and the curious case of the Daylight Savings party seizing a seat under dubious circumstances.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
This episode of The Swing sees Chris and Danae talking about the rough one year anniversary since WA's lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and talk about Australia's standing on fighting back against COVID-19 and how it has fared compared to the rest of the world, with a discussion with Curtin University Epidemiology Professor Archie Clements about where the pandemic may be going from here.
The two also touch on the allegations of sexual abuse within the walls of parliament, and the band-aid solutions proposed by Scott Morrison.
Curtin University Associate Professor Dr Htwe Htwe Thein also returns to speak more on the situation in Myanmar, with one of the deadliest days in the country since the coup began.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 30 March 2021.
With the footy kicking off we are seeing allocation of crowds as large as 75,000 at places like the MCG. However, music venues, both small and large, are still under strict capacity regulations.
In cities without community transmission we are still seeing venues and festivals struggle to hold events with sustainable numbers and the ending of JobKeeper is putting extra pressure on our music arts sector.
Though neither side is against the other, it is hard not to compare the difference in these regulations.
Executive General Manager of the Australian Live Music Council, Craig Spann, rang in for a chat with Chris and Danae on The Swing to discuss where the distinction between these events lies and what this means for our music industry.
This episode of The Swing sees Chris talking about the recently concluded WA State Elections, in which Labor won by an unprecedented landslide, even forcing Liberal opposition leader Zak Kirkup to drop his seat, and includes a discussion with ABC political reporter Jacob Kagi about the election results.
This episode also features a talk between RTRFM's Jeff Bullen and Curtin University Professor John Phillimore about the election, as well as possible results of future elections both local and federal in light of this outcome.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 16 March 2021.
This week as we head towards the WA State Election, Danae, Chris and Jeff Bullen speak to WA politics master and legendary journalist, Peter Kennedy.
Later in the show, they turn their gaze to the Middle East as Dr Ben Rich from Curtin University discusses his thoughts on what a Biden administration means for the region.
This week Chris and Danae delve into the goings on in Canberra.
With the Morrison Government facing political and moral crisis's from all sides, they chat with Guardian Political Reporter Amy Remeikis about the allegations of sexual assualt by a Cabinet Minister, the WA Election on a federal stage and the constant roller coaster of political reporting in 2020/21.
They also chat with the Poll Bludger, Willam Bowe about the WA State Election and the potential of a upcoming landslide towards Labor.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
This episode of The Swing sees Chris and Danae talking about the WA 'snap lockdown', a five day lockdown after a quarantine hotel security guard tested positive for COVID-19, and the community's response to such a lockdown that has also occurred over in several Eastern states.
The duo also speak to retired political journalist Peter Kennedy about the upcoming state election in WA, and the ongoing schism between state and federal governments.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 2 February 2021.
This January 26th episode of The Swing sees Chris and Danae discussing the public holiday, what it has come to represent over the years and the rallies around Australia for reconciliation and reparations for Indigenous Australians, and to possibly change the date of Australia Day.
The duo also speaks about the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the aftermath of the Donald Trump presidency and how it will reverberate throughout the years.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 26 January 2021.
The first episode of The Swing for 2021 sees Chris and Danae discussing the last days of the Trump administration and what the future holds for Biden, as well as the attack on the Capitol.
The duo spoke to Swinburne University Online Politics and Social Science lead unit coordinator Bryan Cranston about the weight of the US' claims of a true democracy, and what might be happening with Trump in the fallout of his claims of a fixed election, and his second impeachment.
The two also spoke to UWA Anthropology senior lecturer Dr Sam Han about the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, including a DC lockdown peripheral to the ongoing pandemic and discussion of Trump's cult of personality and its seeping into the Republican voter base from here on out.
This episode of the Swing aired on Tuesday 19 January 2021.
On this week's episode of The Swing, Chris and Danae bring you the latest coverage of the 2020 US Presidential elections, and more.
Danae spoke with Jenny Hocking and her battle to bring The Palace Letters, letters written by John Kerr to the Queen as he looked to remove Gough Whitlam from office, to the people of Australia.
They also spoke to Dr Ian Cook about his new book The Politics of the Final Hundred Years of Humanity and how a Trump defeat and a changing relationship with the climate may aid or hinder the planet.
This episode of the Swing aired on Tuesday 10 November 2020.
This is it... on the eve of the US Election Chris and Danae go deep on The Swing.
They chat to:
Dr Amanda Sturgill … an associate professor of communications atElon University, in North Carolina. Dr Sturgill teaches courses in journalism and new media. Her major research interest is how effective online communication technologies are for disadvantaged populations such as the elderly, the rural, the poor and the disabled.
Amelia Thomson- Deveaux - Senior Writer for Five Thirty Eight. The gold standard in political forecasting and polling analysis across the US.
Professor Gordon Flake - CEO of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University of Western Australia.
Chris Wheeldon and Danae Gibson take a swing at politics in the USA with BBC journalist Nick Bryant and Jeff Bullen chats about compulsory voting with Professor Lisa Hill
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 27 October 2020.
Sally Whyte from The Canberra Times chats with Chris Wheeldon and Danae Gibson about the latest in Federal Australian politics.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 20 October 2020.
A packed show on The Swing this week with three interviews covering this weeks political drama.
William Bowe, the Poll Bludger joins the show to breakdown all the polling data behind the Queensland and US Election.
Professor Gordon Flake, the founding CEO of the Perth US/Asia Centre discusses the US election and how it will influence politics in the Indo-Pacific region.
Student protests have erupted over the past weeks over the governments proposed changed to working laws in Indonesia. Danae Gibson spoke with Indonesian journalist Ella S. Prihatini from her base in Jakarta. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 13 October 2020.
The Australian Federal Budget is the agenda today as The Swing team break down the budget in the most financially unstable years since World War 2.
Professor David Gilchrist is economic historian from the University of Western Australia and is in studio to give insight into this important budget rollout.
It's been a huge week in US politics with the "bin" fire of a first Presidential debate and an outbreak of COVID-19 in the White House.
Danae and Chris discuss how this could affect the election with only 27 days left in the race for the White House.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court died at the weekend, at the age of 87. To explain the political ramifications of RBG’s death, Bryan Cranston, Academic Teacher, from Swinburne University chatted with Chris and Danae.
Curtin University’s International security expert, Professor Alexei Muraviev, talked about the ongoing protests in Belarus. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 22 September 2020.
This week on The Swing, Chris Wheeldon is joined by James Hall to discuss 'the week that was' in politics.
A cliche in the making, each week The Swing delve into what has happened in the week of politics.
In this episode they chat to Professor John Fitzgerald from Swinburne University on the rising tensions between Australia and China.
Danae also speaks to Canadian Economist and Author of The Expendables: How the Middle Class Got Screwed by Globalisation, Jeff Rubin.
Plus, Ron Howard's tweet and Trump's chat with Bob Woodward. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 15 September 2020.
Sally Whyte from The Canberra Times shares the latest political news from the nation's capital and Dr Chris Salisbury shares his thoughts on the looming Queensland election.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 8 September 2020.
Nick Bryant, BBC's New York correspondent and author of When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present and Bryan Cranston, US electoral politics expert from Swinburne University are the guests on The Swing. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 1 September 2020.
Another jam-packed edition of The Swing this week!
Rose Kerr speaks to U.S. political expert Jared Mondschein, about Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as Vice Presidential candidate.
Jesse Begley talks to a leading expert on international security, Associate Professor Alexey Muraviev, about the results from the recent Belarus Presidential election.
Finally, Chris and Danae review the U.S. Democrat and Republican National Conventions. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 25 August 2020.
A massive episode of The Swing this week!
Chris and Danae catch up with WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt about the state economy, government investment and maintaining the hard border.
We take a heartbreaking look at the Beirut Blast and the chaotic future of Lebanon.
Finally, Jesse Begley speaks with Turkish human rights lawyer Meline Çilingir about femicide in Turkey, the Istanbul convention and the Women supporting Women hashtag campaign. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 11 August 2020.
This week on The Swing we delved into the world of COVID-19 economics with Matt Cowgillof the Grattan Institute.
We also looked into Clive Palmer's High Court Challenge to WA's hard border closure with Murdoch University's Lorraine Finlay.
Danae also delved into the Happiness Index and New Zealand's new way of governing.
We checked out the Trump Golf Count and headed to Turkey for a potential disastrous decision for domestic violence and women's rights.
This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 4 August 2020.
This week on The Swing, Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon delve into the week that was from the world of politics.
Jesse Begley speaks with The Poll Bludger, William Bowe about the science of polls and why they can be so wrong but also so right.
We also speak about where the local politics and where the Australia economy is heading, and what is a 'suburban voter'.
Plus, the happiness index and Dads with leaf blowers. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 28 July 2020.
The Swing is our weekly look into the world of politics in Australia and around the world. Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon look at the serious and the silly.
This week,Jared Mondscheinfrom the United States Studies Centre spoke to us about Trump's 2020 chances, COVID-19 and that interview with Chris Wallace.
Plus, RTRFM favourite and Senior Politics Lecturer at Murdoch UniversityDr Ian Cook spoke to us about the Polish Election, why the Australian Parliament can't set up a Zoom meeting and what Job Keeper and Seeker extensions mean for the country.
Plus, The Whip Around and What to Look Out For and a tribute to Civil Rights Leader, John Lewis. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 21 July 2020.
The Swing is our weekly look into the world of politics in Australia and around the world. Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon look at the serious and the silly.
This week, Deakin University's Dr Geoffrey Robinson discussed the potential political fallout of the current second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria. Will the electorate remember this in 2022 when Premier Daniel Andrews is up for re-election?
Essendon Bomber tragic and bloody funny comic, Geraldine Hickey, talks about remote broadcasting at our community radio cousin, Triple R, as part of The Breakfasters show. We find out what lock down again has meant for her and the world of broadcasting.
Plus, The Whip Around and What to Look Out For. This episode of The Swing aired on 14 July 2020.
Join us for the first episode of The Swing, our weekly look into the world of politics in Australia and around the world.
With your hosts Danae Gibson and Chris Wheeldon, they look at the serious and the silly.
This week they were joined by Senior Lecturer of Politics at Murdoch University, Dr Ian Cook, to discuss how Americans may vote (how and who) in the November election, the Eden Monaro by-election over the weekend and the growing divide in USA between Republicans and Democrats.
We were also joined by Dr Sam Han, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education, Discipline of Anthropology and Sociology at University of Western Australia to chat about Joe Biden's campaign, how folks in the US are feeling with increasing COVID-19 numbers and where to for them in the battle against the pandemic.
Plus, The Whip Around and What to Look Out For. This episode of The Swing aired on Tuesday 7 July 2020.