Paul Farrell is a Guardian Australia journalist who writes about juicy stuff like national security, privacy and immigration. He’s concerned with what our government does and doesn’t let us know.
In this conversation Paul and I discuss Freedom Of Information, data retention, whistle-blowing, what’s happening inside Australia’s detention centres and the shocking truth behind Channel Nine’s Border Security.
I’m performing this super-special comedy event at the 2016 Melbourne Comedy Festival (alongside my stand up show The World Keeps Happening).
It’s being presented with the help of the Moosehead Awardsand I think it’s going to be really different and cool.
11 PERFORMANCES ONLY.
Here’s the hot spiel:
Australia has a complicated history with boats. They’ve brought us disease, trade, cane toads, the America’s Cup and Water Rats.
Oh – and people.
And fear. HEAPS of fear.
Award-winning comedian and occasional Tony Jones Tom Ballard (The Project) presents a comedic exploration of Australia’s fucked up immigration situation.
From our racist Federation to Tampa to Johnny Depp’s dogs, this show will make you piss yourself and cry so much the venue will be considered an “on-water matter”.
As seen on Q&A. As heard on triple j.
Directed by Scott Edgar.
TRADES HALL, NEW BALLROOM
SATURDAYS @ 5:15pm (March 26, April 2 & April 16)
SATURDAY April 9th @ 5:45pm
SUNDAYS @ 4:15pm (March 27, April 3, April 10 & April 17)
My chat with the Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby continues.
Things get heated as Lyle and I discuss the ACL’s objections to the Safe Schools program and how we educate young people about sexual and gender diversity.
Here’s a quick taste of the in-depth radio investigation I put together for ABC Radio National.
In the mid-1990s, the US Air Force considered investing $7.5 million in the development of a ‘Gay Bomb’—a chemical weapon designed to alter the enemy’s sexual orientation.
When out-and-proud comedian Tom Ballard saw this story being referenced on one of his favourite TV shows, he thought it was hilarious. When he found out that it actually happened, he was gobsmacked.
So Tom decides to do some digging… and finds out a lot more than he bargained for.
After finally receiving security clearance from the very highest echelons of the American military, he can now officially bring you this unbelievable story: a story of political intrigue, secrets, betrayal, death and sex; a story that proves once and for all that truth is always stranger than fiction.
This is something I’ve been working on for a while but have had to keep it on the DL because of intense security concerns. It’s a radio investigation I’ve put together for ABC Radio National.
In the mid-1990s, the US Air Force considered investing $7.5 million in the development of a ‘Gay Bomb’—a chemical weapon designed to alter the enemy’s sexual orientation.
When out-and-proud comedian Tom Ballard saw this story being referenced on one of his favourite TV shows, he thought it was hilarious. When he found out that it actually happened, he was gobsmacked.
So Tom decides to do some digging… and finds out a lot more than he bargained for.
After finally receiving security clearance from the very highest echelons of the American military, he can now officially bring you this unbelievable story: a story of political intrigue, secrets, betrayal, death and sex; a story that proves once and for all that truth is always stranger than fiction.
Merry Christmas everyone! To remind us all of the reason for the season, who better to talk to than the Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, Lyle Shelton.
The ACL is a significant political force in Australian politics and Lyle and his team are active and determined about advocating on public policy issues from a faith perspective, from life issues to same-sex marriage to Australia’s treatment of refugees.
In the first part of this polite but passionate conversation, Lyle and I discussed the role faith should play in politics, evidence, reason, marriage, parenting and gender.
Activist Ali Hogg is the Victorian convenor of national marriage equality campaign Equal Love. She’s proudly radically progressive and she’s been leading the call for same-sex marriage in Australia for over a decade.
In this chat Ali talked me through her progressive upbringing, her personal experiences with homophobia, the Socialist Alternative, the next steps in the equal marriage debate, the ethics of protest and that time she charged into a restaurant on Lygon Street to confront former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
David Marr is a self-described “bourgeois do-gooder”. He’s written for Fairfax Media, The Monthly, The Saturday Paper andGuardian Australia, appeared on Q&A, The Drum and Insiders and is the author of multiple in-depth profiles for the Quarterly Essay.
In this second part of our chat, I ask David to outline the complex and bleak politics surrounding our policies towards refugees. Why are we so terrified of the boats? Why do our politicians stoke those fears? Is there any possibility of a solution?
Paul Farrell is a Guardian Australia journalist who writes about juicy stuff like national security, privacy and immigration. He’s concerned with what our government does and doesn’t let us know.
