Represent

Eurovision won't let winning countries involved in active armed conflict host the competition in another move from the famously political singing competition that is strictly apolitical. Presumably preparing for the possibility that they enter and win one day, South Korea is calling for a new push to formally end the Korean War. Because we all know if they were ever allowed to compete in Eurovision, South Korea would absolutely SWEEP. And in their strongest worded letter so far, Australia expressed outrage at the IDF’s announcement they would not pursue criminal investigations into the strikes that killed seven humanitarian aid workers including Australian citizen, Zomi Frankcom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Represent National, we're tackling some big questions, starting with whether we should abandon the British monarchy and become a republic or not. Australia voted against ditching the Mountbatten-Windsors in 1999, and now it's dividing the Represent team in 2026.   We also talk about One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce proclaiming his party to be "one of the gayest" in Australia, after a former One Nation candidate described being gay as a "mental illness". What is One Nation's stance on homophobia, or really, on anything? We're not so sure they know.  Finally, we look at new national minimum standards for food delivery drivers, meaning they will have to be paid at least $31.30 per hour for "engaged time". But what does that mean exactly, and can we expect prices to go up for consumers? All that and more in this episode.  Represent is a Syn Media podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, has been sentenced to death in absentia while he reportedly lives a life of luxury in Russia. While al-Assad is living it up in Moscow, the Represent International team soldiers on as the studio burns down around them. After successfully fighting the fire with their bare heads, the team discusses the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia's own respective scandals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Represent National, Benita, Nayan and Zoe take a look at new questions in the National Census, including questions surveying LGBTQIA+ people.  The team also discusses a Year 11 student running in the upcoming Victorian election in November, and whether there should be minimum (or even maximum!) age restrictions for running as a political candidate.  Finally, we talk about brand new changes to Victorian voting laws abolishing 'group voting', under which you could vote for a new party called 'Free Palestine' and your preferences would flow to conservative right-wing parties without you knowing... Represent is a Syn Media podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

English is now recognised as one of the official languages in New Zealand... for some reason. The only country in the world that has a president with Japanese heritage is in... Peru? And she's not even the first, it's a family business. And the kids are not alright all over the world apparently because they can't stop cheating on their university entrance exams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content warning: This episode of Represent National discusses gambling, addiction, and child sexual abuse.  This week, Ashley, Benita Nayan and Zoe talk about Acknowledgements of Country and One Nation's takes on multiculturalism.  The team also looks at the Senate inquiry into gambling, and discusses whether our government should ban gambling advertising, or even ban gambling entirely.  Finally, we have an important conversation about the Victorian Government's apology to victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian schools, including the importance of education about autonomy, consent and abuse; ensuring survivors feel heard; and having conversations like this one.  If you'd like to seek support regarding these topics, you can contact: The National Gambling Helpline: 1800 858 858 Beyond Blue (mental health support): 1300 22 46 36Bravehearts (support relating to child sexual abuse): 1800 272 83113 YARN (support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): 13 92 76Kids Helpline (support for people aged 5-25): 1800 551 800Lifeline (crisis support and suicide prevention): 13 11 141800 RESPECT (sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line): 1800 737 732 Represent is a Syn Media podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're an international show but is USA all day today, and not in a good way. Trump deigns to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner and soft launches a 2028 campaign. There have been more mass shootings than says in the USA this year and almost all of them you've never heard about. People continue to die of starvation in Uganda without USAID intervention during a prolonged drought.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has resigned, and who on earth is this new fella who's replaced her (see: stabbed her in the back, maybe)? On this episode of Represent National, Ashley, Benita, Nayan and Zoe unpack who Ben Carroll is, what happened in the Victorian Labor Party caucus meeting, and the drama of it all!  We also check back in on Victorian teachers' and school staff's ongoing union fight for better pay and conditions, including their most recent strike action last Thursday, and the implications of Australia's only manganese smelter in Tasmania going broke.  Represent is a Syn Media podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh, so now Donald Trump cares about air pollution? Go figure. A political party of cockroaches in India? And how Christopher Nolan portrays women in his The Odyssey (spoiler: about as well as you'd expect)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second week of our new Represent National hour, Benita takes us through the return of the 'ditch the witch' billboard smearing Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, and the state of gendered abuse in politics. Ashley looks at yet more challenges for the modern Liberal Party, including Moira Deeming being unendorsed as a Victorian upper house candidate, and a greater party identity crisis.  Nayan tells of One Nation senator Pauline Hanson's wild and wacky "fact-finding" Europe and UK tour,  where she gave a speech to a mostly empty room and bemoaned the end of the White Australia Policy on a far right activist's podcast. Represent is a Syn Media podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Represent is taking the world on with our new International Hour!! On Represent's inaugural International Hour, we'll be discussing British MP Nigel Farage's self-imposed by-election, where his main opponent is a bin? Sure. We'll then be looking at reactions to a Chinese military test that involved a nuclear-capable missile launch into the Pacific Ocean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new season at SYN spells big new things for Represent! This season, we're expanding, with a new national politics hour on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, and an international hour on Thursdays from 5-6pm. We're giving the people what they want - more politics on the SYN airwaves! In this first ever national hour, we meet brand new presenters Ashley, Benita, and Nayan. Zoe takes a look at the Prime Minister's announcement of a national artificial intelligence strategy, and a new governmental Office of AI. The new team discusses whether Australia should aim to be leaders in AI, and if our government really can put its money where its mouth is and protect artists' rights from AI exploitation. Ashley walks us through the PM's strange comments on a podcast about Kylie Minogue, and other past public blunders from former Australian prime ministers. Remember when Tony Abbott chomped into a raw onion...? Benita takes a look at Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson's out-of-touch cost of living advice: just buy your t-shirts from Target or Kmart!  Represent is a Syn Media podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.