Acknowledgement of Country//
Headlines:
Lelianna, a lead marshal from Community Defence Marshalling System, joined us to discuss the fight for justice by Bangladeshi migrant workers subjected to appalling unlawful treatment by Malaysian company MediCeram, a glove mold supplier of Naarm-based multi-billion dollar latex corporation Ansell. MediCeram has gone bankrupt after years of alleged labour violations including passport confiscation, wage theft, debt bondage and unsafe working conditions, but Ansell, despite having profited from these practices, has chosen to abandon MediCeram workers. The 'Slavery in the Supply Chain' rally will be held at 5PM on Saturday the 14th of February at Ansell's head office, 678 Victoria Street, Richmond, mobilising Australian worker solidarity with migrant workers impacted by MediCeram's violations and Ansell's neglect.//
Emma Bennison, CEO of Disability Advocacy Network Australia, spoke with us about the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) adoption of artificial intelligence for the development and review of NDIS plans. There is widespread concern from Disability Representative Organisations about the use of computer automated systems to determine how people living with disabilities access support. In this interview, Emma unpacks how AI is being used by the NDIA, who these systems impact most, and how they might change NDIS plan review processes.//
Naarm-based organiser Renee came on the show to talk about today's rally against israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre. Herzog’s Naarm visit follows his presence in Sydney on Monday, where a protest by tens of thousands of people was met with what legal observers and groups describe as unchecked police brutality. Alongside direct police violence against protestors and Muslims praying at the rally, police were seen to have brought a long-range acoustic device or ‘sound cannon’, a militarised crowd control device emitting directional sound blasts of over 160 decibels, which can cause permanent hearing damage. NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended Herzog’s visit as well as actions taken by police. Join the rally today in Naarm, Thursday 12 February, from 5PM at Flinders Street Station. Victoria Police have been granted special powers today under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 - find out more about what to expect and how to stay safe here, and follow Melbourne Activist Legal Support and Fitzroy Legal Service on Instagram for updates and legal support information.//
Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong and Djap Wurrung runner Sissy Austin, founder of the Take Back the Track movement, spoke with us about the ongoing fight to ensure the safety and bodily autonomy of women and gender diverse people running in public space in the lead up to Take Back the Track Day on Sunday the 15th of February. This Sunday marks the second year of Take Back the Track, which has grown from a community-led action into a nationwide movement advocating for the right of women and gender diverse people to run without the fear of violence, with events planned in over 70 locations around the country. Find an event near you and register to run here, and follow Take Back the Track on Instagram here.//
Emily, Inez, Leila, Priya, River, Candy
