Represent

The history book on the shelf... is always repeating itseeeeeelf, WATERL- oh, not that kind of Waterloo? Ohhhhh the Waterloo Renewal Project, the one in inner Sydney. The one that's turning 750 public homes to 3,300 private, social and affordable homes. That one. Not the hit ABBA song that was Sweden's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Right. Also, Keir Starmer resigned. And who said Brexit was a bad idea??????  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh, would you look at that? Pauline Hanson said something bonkers on the national stage, again. Listen to Dana and Bernie dissect her most recent tirade while discussing her newfound popularity. Bernie then takes us through the UK Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Finally, Dana takes a detour to the FIFA Men's World Cup and explores why authoritarian governments are always so keen to engage in global sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Represent speaks with one of the youngest women ever elected to the Victorian Parliament, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, about why voters should care about animal justice issues, sexism in parliament, and the political legacy she hopes to leave behind. Zoe takes us through very controversial ginormous data centres planned for Melbourne's western suburbs and our ever-increasing, insatiable demand for AI and digital services.  Patty explains how a Somali FIFA referee was denied entry to the US ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the Trump administration claiming he posed a 'security threat' (riiight...).  Follow us @synrepresent on Instagram to keep up to date and get in touch! Represent is a Syn Media podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democracy is a big old word. But what does it actually mean? Or better yet, what does it look like? We get an answer to this with Ross Coulter's 'Picturing Democracy'. The exhibition that dove into the City of Port Phillip City archives to create a local view of democracy that spans over 100 years. That exhibition is now over but still available for viewing on www.coultercoulter.com We spoke to Ross about his experience in bringing the exhibition together and his biggest takeaways now that it's over.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoe covers the thousands of people who took part in the National Walk For Truth all the way from Naarm, on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, to Parliament House in Canberra on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. Bernie discusses the rumored possibility of a socially progressive, fiscally conservative (huh?) 'Teal' party. Finally, Dana talks about the new wave of 'ISIS Brides' that have returned home and why the term 'ISIS Bride' leaves a bad taste in her mouth (hello year 11 The Wife of Martin Guerre).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patty takes us through the week of... somewhat bizarre local politics. Dana goes over the fact that Russia visited China exactly a week after America, dasvidaniya Thucydides! And Bernie brings us up to date on the interception of the Freedom Flotilla over international waters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we use Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War to guide us on US-China relations? Man who knows, whatever. Anyway, we also had the privilege of talking to Andrew Bretherton the convenor for Accessible Victorian Greens and a member of Disability Rights & Culture on his experience with the imposed bureaucracy of being a disabled person and what the NDIS cuts actually mean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Zoe and Patty take us through the ins and outs of Labor's recently released Victorian State Budget! And Bernie introduces us to the Council strike they just happened to pass. So much goes on and we don't even know it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight Zoe, Bernie, Patty take you through the booing that was heard across the country at multiple ANZAC Dawn Services throughout Australia. They also look over the recently released Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. An finally gang looks ahead to the Nepean by-election being held this Saturday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving into the second half of this year's first season we welcome new addition Patrick!!! Wowowowow FOUR presenters?! What a treat! To start us off, Bernie takes us through the new proposed Gas Tax. Zoe then addresses the recently announced changes to the NDIS. And finally, Dana gives us her review of The Godfather Part Two and why it's less gangster movie and more political thriller...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we interviewed the wonderful Tara Burnett, former (and hopefully future) Greens candidate for Cooper. Dana also gives us an all around update on the war in the Middle East... again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana takes you through the latest on the War in the Middle East as well as the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith and why you've DEFINITELY heard that name before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Okay go off girl give us nothing!!!! Bernie and Dana discuss the PM's national address that was given yesterday and Bernie links it back to what's actually going on with the Fuel Crisis. Dana then touches on Donald Trump's national address that was given just a day later and was MUCH longer...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teachers, the ABC, Formula E (not really), everyone's gained class consciousness all of a sudden! Bernie went to the AEU teacher's strike on Tuesday give us his report. Zoe gives us the latest updates on the Fuel Crisis and why the Strait of Hormuz is throwing everything out of wack.Finally, Dana provides the inside scoop on the first ABC strike in 20 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoe gets us up to speed on the current fuel crisis and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Bernie takes us to American House of Representatives elections in Illinois. Finally, Dana takes a look at the intervention that Fiji filed in South Africa's genocide case against Israel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going it alone this week, Dana covers Nationals Leader David Littleproud's resignation from the top job that seems to have blindsided just about everyone. She also looks at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which investigated 6 public servants, including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, for their involvement in the disastrous Robodebt Scheme. Two of the six public servants have been found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct; however, they will not be referred to face criminal charges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Represent is entirely dedicated to the outbreak of warfare in the Middle East between US and Israeli joint forces and Iran. Dana takes us through the history that led us up to this point. Bernie goes over what's happened in this new war so far. And finally, Zoe looks at the global reaction and where we might be headed next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoe takes Dana and Bernie through the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and some of its issues. Dana covers the bomb threat against Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and religious dance troupe Shen Yun that led to the PM being briefly evacuated from the Lodge on Tuesday night. Finally, Bernie discusses the relationship between Pride in Protest and Protect Mardi Gras, and whether the police should be able to participate in Mardi Gras at all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bernie introduces the new federal opposition leader and where you might have met him before......  Dana unpacks Pauline Hanson's latest Islamophobic slip-up and how it applies to 34 Australian citizens (made up of women and children) trying to come back to Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Year!!!! New Presenters!!!! Same Politics :/ Actually, that's a lie. There's been some wild politics over the holidays!! So much so that Represent needs two new presenters and an extra hour to go over it all!! Please welcome Zoe and Bernie as they join Dana to discuss the shambles that is the Federal Coalition and Sussan Ley's upcoming leadership spill. Bernie takes us through Isaac Herzog's controversial visit to Australia, Zoe dissects One Nation's apparent rise in popularity, and they cap it all off by listening to an interview with American journalist Jacob Ward from late last year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Dana looks over New York's new mayoral elect whilst getting distracted by her love for Denzel Washington. Who is Zohran Mamdani, and what did he promise New Yorkers in his campaign? She then sidesteps into Europe by introducing the new Dutch Prime Minister elect, Rob Jetten and his strange connection to friendly party leader Jesse Klaver.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana dedicates the whole show to the flip-flopping ban on publicly prescribed puberty blockers and hormones for children experiencing gender dysphoria. The ban was announced to everyone's shock in late January of this year by Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren, ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court of Queensland, and then almost immediately reinstated by Minister for Health Tim Nicholls, what the heck!? Listen to Dana pick her way through this one as best she can.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Dana checks in with listeners on how they're going because, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, life satisfaction is on the decline, and people are more stressed and lonely than they used to be. She also has a look at the surprise ban on publicly prescribed puberty blockers and hormones for children in Queensland by Queensland Health Director-General Dr David Rosengren.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first official episode of the new season Dana unpacks the US government shutdown, why it happened, why it keeps happening, and what it means for the people on the ground. She also discusses Trump's most recent Gaza Peal Deal and some of its demands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana interviews the new Federal Labor Member for Menzies, Gabriel Ng. They talk about what it is to be an individual part of a larger party, the generational shift away from Labor, and compare notes on the noodles their dads took them to get at Box Hill growing up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the season finale and Will's final episode Dana and Will kick things off by exploring the power of young people through Nepal's recently dubbed "Gen Z protests", with heads of state, protest demands and elections organised on Discord??????? Will also takes us through the surprise failure to close the deal on Defence between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Finally! A huge thank you and goodbye to Will, who is moving onwards and upwards following the season finale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A slightly stunned Dana discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who he was, why someone might have targeted him, and whether assassination is even the right word.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana and Will discuss the aftermath of the immigration protests that were carried out on Sunday. They then take a sharp left to discuss the history of comfort women in World War II and the question of where to put Australia’s first Chinese comfort women statue in Melbourne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Will and Dana discuss NDIS Minister Mark Butler's proposed “Thriving Kids” program and whatever that means. They also chat fugitive Dezi Freeman, the sovereign citizens, and whatever THAT means.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana and Will interview new Labour member for Deakin, Matt Gregg. They discuss Matt's hard-fought win, the "Australian Dream", and educational pathways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Dana revisit the impending social media ban for under-16s and the new decision to include YouTube on the list of platforms that are to be banned. Then Dana gets a little too into the new Superman movie and the political frenzy it created, while spoiling the whole movie for Will and listeners alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana and Will have a look at how the first week in office has set the tone of the historic 48th Australian Federal Parliament. They also discuss two recent cases around Native Title. One, an unsuccessful lawsuit brought by Uncles Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai. These elders from the Torres Strait Islands lost their bid to sue the commonwealth government for negligence in failing to meet their duty of care to prevent damages from climate change. The other, a historic court decision that acknowledged the Millewa-Mallee's native title claim, including areas with exclusive rights for traditional owners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Season Two's penultimate episode, Freddie, Bridie and Dana look at the escalating situation in the Middle East with Israel launching missiles at Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and what this might mean for the wavering AUKUS relationship. They then head back home to discuss previous Represent Guest John Pesutto's request to his own party for a loan to pay off his $2.3 million debt to colleague Moira Deeming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we say goodbye to Represent giants Freddie and Bridie as they pass on the baton to Dana :( Listen to Freddie do his best in trying to train Dana on the job while discussing conflicts in the Middle East, Albanese's will they, won't they at NATO, John Pesutto's $1.5 million mistake, and the ever-elusive social media ban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a cacophonous start, Dana and new presenter Will kick off the season with the all-new news bulletin feature! They then discuss what everyone else is talking about: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's trip to China and his concerning amount of sports paraphernalia. They also discuss the new report on the exploitation of young workers by the University of Melbourne, in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. Finally, they look at the report to combat antisemitism handed down by Special Envoy Jillian Segal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freddie, Bridie and Dana interview the Nationals Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, on his commute to Melbourne. They also chat the no-confidence motion against Jeremy Rockliffe and how the ever elusive Tasmanian AFL Stadium comes into play.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a quick break in which nothing happened (we got a new Pope, The Little Prexit, Bridie's friend did his ACL). Freddie, Bridie, and Dana look at the aftermath of the election, leading to the National Party's unexpected withdrawal from the coalition and what happens next. They also discuss the worsening famine in Gaza and Trump's latest antics with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relive Represent's 2025 Federal Election live coverage!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie return post election to reflect on the bloodbath that was. They also chat new developments in the Israel/Palestine war and place their predictions on who will be elected Pope in the current Conclave!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie, Dana & Freddie return to the studio together to discuss the final debate before Australians head to the polls for the Federal Election and break down the Liberals costings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie is away this week so Freddie wastes no time replacing her (she'll be back next week) with Represent's newest recruit Dana! (who will also be back next week! Three hosts now woo!) Freddie and Dana break down the latest leaders debate and ask the burning question, does anyone actually care about these things? Plus a new installment of "candidates straight up lying about who they are" and whether early voting has already decided this election. Let us know what you think of the show by texting 0489 998 441, DMing @SYNRepresent on Instagram or emailing us at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie talk to Independent Candidate for Deakin Jess Ness, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Member for Bruce Julian Hill and discuss the 2nd leaders debate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie are finally reunited in the studio (Freddie's fault they've been apart for so long) to chat what the current outlook of the election is looking like. After that, the duo chat to Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the middle of an election cycle spring, Bridie and Freddie welcome environmental lawyer turned Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May to the studio! Steph talks to the duo about how she got into politics, her switch from House candidate to Senator, her portfolio of Childhood Education and shares her outlook for the election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie talks to Samantha Ratnam! Previous the Member for the Northern Metropolitan region in the Victorian Legislative Council and leader of the Victorian Greens, Ratnam is gearing up for the Federal Election where she's running in the seat of Wills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie kick off their interviews at Parliament House by chatting to Independent MP Dr. Monique Ryan! Monique is the Member for Kooyong (Freddie's electorate!) and a former paediatric neurologist. She joins Bridie and Freddie to talk all things budget, the story behind her sudden career shift and where she sees the imminent election going!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaker Milton Dick joins Represent, chatting to Bridie and Freddie in his stunning courtyard at his parliament house office! Milton is the Labor member for Oxley and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, you've probably seen him on social media trying to keep all the politicians in line during question time! Milton chats to us about what being speaker is like and his programs for engaging school students in politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor MP Kate Thwaites joins Bridie and Freddie in their Budget Week series of interviews! Former journalist, community radio presenter and current Member for Jagajaga, Kate Thwaites shares how she made the jump from media to politics, her days in community radio and what she's most excited for in the budget.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie are joined by Senator Jana Stewart! Senator Jana Stewart is a proud Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman and a Labor senator, the youngest Aboriginal woman to sit in the upper house. Jana joins the duo to chat what the budget means for Aboriginal people, what it's like being one of the youngest people in the Labor party room and how she made the leap from family therapist to politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bridie and Freddie continue their Federal Budget Week series of interviews with Helen Haines. Helen is an Independent MP for the seat of Indi, covering Victoria's north east regions. Helen joins us to give her perspective on the budget, what she would have changed and what it's like being a regional MP in a room full of metropolitan ones and how she See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.