Acknowledgment of Country//

News Headlines//

• Helen Haines// 

• Sudan// 

• Ethiopia / Tigray//

• Gaza and West Bank// 

CW: This segment contains mention of colonial state violence including genocide and ecoside. If you need support, you can call mob only helplines 13 YARN on 13 92 76 and Yarning Safe'n'Strong on 1800 959 563, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 which is open to anyone.//

We heard a statement from Disrupt Wars about events on Djab Wurrung land this Tuesday 20 October. Defenders of sacred birthing trees and a Djab Wurrung lore keeper were raided and arrested whilst working to protect the sacred women's site from destruction by Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) contractors. Police proceeded to assist VIDA in cutting down a number of sacred birthing trees, a shameful act of cultural genocide. Please support Djab Wurrung community at this time by donating to the Djab Wurrung Arrestee Fund and the Djab Wurrung Sovereign Fund.// 

Peter Marshal, National Secretary of United Firefighters Union (UFU), joins us to discuss the recent independent report by the Victorian Auditor General 'Managing Victoria’s Firefighting Fleet'. The damning report identified serious shortcomings in Victoria's firefighting appliances - confirming firefighters’ longstanding concerns over ageing trucks, maintenance failures and inadequate fleet replacement funding. Only ~$390 million — about a quarter of what was needed — had been allocated in grant and budget funds so far, an investment shortfall of more than $1 billion. We discuss the dangerous impact this has and what is needed in the upcoming state election.//

Cameron Bloye, CEO of Tenants VIC joins us to talk about the biggest issues facing Victorian renters, trends across the state's electorates, and what the non-profit organisation would like to see political parties commit to for renters as we approach the state election. Cameron is an experienced community-sector leader driven by a strong commitment to social justice and to creating systemic change to address structural barriers for people experiencing disadvantage and marginalisation.//

Australian Unemployed Workers Union member Jessica Harrison joins us to speak about the looming resumption of payment cancellations under the federal government's punitive Targeted Compliance Framework. Multiple elements of the framework, which governs the cancellation of social security payments, are set to re-start from the 26th of October after being paused since March of 2025 in the face of revelations of the TCF's unlawful operation and catastrophic impacts on people living below the poverty line. The AUWU is organising a protest on Tuesday the 27th of October outside DEWRVIC at 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne to fight back against the resumption of TCF measures. RSVP at the event page. If you need support, call AUWU advocacy line between 10am-2pm on 1800 259 848 or email advocacy@auwu.org.au.//

Tori Ball, one of the organisers of the Conference Against Nuclear and Militarism (CANaM), speaks with us about the impetus for creating this event, the importance of creating a broad base of knowledge and community solidarity against militarism and nuclear expansion, and what's in store for attendees. CANaM is running across Friday the 30th of October to Sunday the 1st of November at Schoolhouse Studios in Coburg, and you can get your tickets here. Support CANaM speakers by donating here.//