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The Morrison government has proposed uni fee changes that would ramp the costs of arts and humanities by over 100% in some courses. Sophie Johnston, a Commissioner with the National Youth Commission, explains what these changes mean for the next generation of students. The Roberta Perkins Law Project, Australia’s first-ever transgender legal service staffed by trans and gender diverse lawyers, was officially launched in Melbourne. Sam Elkin, a writer, activist, and lawyer at the Roberta Perkins Law Project to tell us what they’re doing there, and how other states can follow suit.

With the recession around the corner and unemployment on the rise, affordable housing is more important than ever. Pam Barker, CEO of youth social service Y-Foundations joins us to discuss the importance of affordable housing, particularly for at-risk youth. World Refugee Day is a time to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions made by refugees. Kate Clugston from The Social Outfit tells us how they support Sydney’s refugee community by employing, educating and training refugee women in the fashion industry.

Sydney’s Black Lives Matter protest was authorised by the Supreme Court in the knick of time, despite a campaign from NSW Police to stop it from going ahead on the grounds of public health concerns. Lawyer Sidnie Suh-rang from O'Brien Solicitors worked on both cases before the Supreme Court and shares the reasoning behind these judgements. Hashtags about arson during our last disastrous bushfire season sparked debate about the true cause of this year’s Black Summer. Our reporter Eamonn Snow dug deep on online disinformation and how it can sway the Australian public.

The Black Lives Matter protests in America catalysed from the death of unarmed African-American George Floyd by police officers, have led us to reflect on how we treat Indigenous Australians. Joshua Creamer, a Barrister at Law, Waanyi and Kalkadoon man, talks about the high rate of Indigenous deaths in custody. This week, the Government acknowledged their failed robodebt system - a highly flawed, automated crackdown on welfare. Jenny Cao talks about her experiences with being a recipient of robodebt.

One of the enduring issues faced by Indigenous communities is the forced removal of children from their families. Richard Weston from The Family Matters campaign explains why Indigenous kids are 10 times more likely to be removed than non-Indigenous children. A survey by Reconciliation Australia revealed that while 90% of Australians support reconciliation, less than a third know how to help. Yorta Yorta woman and lecturer at the University of Wollongong, Summer May Finlay explains how non-Indigenous people should engage in Indigenous spaces, and what we need to improve beyond National Reconciliation Week.

The art industry is on high alert after the NSW Government withheld an annual grant from Australia’s biggest multi-arts venue Carriageworks, forcing it to go into voluntary administration. Executive Director of the National Association for the Visual Arts, Esther Anatolitis discusses how COVID-19 has affected the arts industry. Since the pandemic venues have been shut down, meaning drag queens are unable to perform live in person, in front of large crowds until further notice. Drag Artist, Etcetera Etcetera talks about what the drag community is currently doing online and the potential future of drag.

A survey by the ABC has found only one-in-eight Aussies would feel comfortable attending a large event, one-in-five would consider flying on a plane, and only 40% would dine-in at a restaurant. Dr Rachael Murrahee, clinical psychologist and the director of the Kidman Centre joins us to talk about what social wellbeing will look like after lockdown.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen racism against Australia’s East Asian community increase in recent months. A survey by the Asian Australian Alliance revealed 178 incidents of coronavirus-related racism in just a two week window. Osmond Chew, a research fellow at social justice and inequality think tank Per Capita, joins us to talk about this spike. Later, the fashion industry is turning on its head—small businesses have closed up shop, global imports have been impacted and yet online shopping has skyrocketed during quarantine. Natalie Shehata, eco-stylist and founder of ethical fashion platform, tommie magazine, joins us to talk about unethical consumerism and the uncertainty for the future of fashion.

The government’s COVIDSafe citizen tracking app launched last week. Naturally there are concerns over privacy, and exactly how it’ll work. Professor Kimberlee Wetherall, specialist in technology law, joins us to discuss exactly what this new app is all about. Later, as the coronavirus continues to hammer the Australian economy, young people are going to bear the brunt of the downturn in the future. Ed Miller, Economic Fairness Campaigns Director at GetUp, joins us to talk to us about the economic cost of the pandemic and how we’re going to be paying for it in the future.

As families are urged to self-isolate, survivors of family violence are being forced even closer to their abusers, causing an increase in cases of domestic and family abuse. Jess Hill, investigative journalist and author of See What You Made Me Do, joins us to talk to us about how survivors of family violence are being affected by the coronavirus lockdown orders. If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or visit RESPECT.org.au

Of all of the COVID-19 news, perhaps none is absurd is the backlash against 5G data technology. Joining us first is Cameron Wilson, Buzzfeed Internet Reporter and former Backchat producer to chat with us about the conspiracies behind Coronavirus and 5G technologies. Later, Winnie Dunn is the General Manager of Sweatshop, a literacy movement which supports writers in Western Sydney. She’s got some news about Sweatshop’s new anthology. She’ll also be speaking to us about her experience living with an eating disorder in coronavirus isolation.  If this content was troubling, or you’re struggling through this crisis, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 or visit beyondblue.com.au for support.

Isabella Kwai is a reporter for the New York Times who spent several weeks in Hong Kong covering the Coronavirus first-hand. She joins us to talk about watching the virus unfold from near the heart of the pandemic. Later we’ve heard about the effects of COVID-19 on the entertainment industry, hospitality and retail, but what about sex work? Cameron Cox, CEO of the Sex Workers Outreach Project joins us to talk about how the virus is effecting the industry.

The effects of the climate crisis are clearly showing, and while our country burns, our government seems to be doing very little. Federal member for Waringah, Zali Steggall, is introducing a new bill to parliament, which will ensure Australia has a clear national response to our climate challenges. Backchat producer Eden Faithfull sat down with Steggall to find out more about the bill. Later, more and more young Australians are turning their backs on private health insurance, and many of us feel like we’re not getting value for money. We’re joined by Dean Price, Senior Campaigns & Policy Advisor at CHOICE, to unpack health insurance, and whether or not we really do need to be covered.

The All About Women festival was held at the Opera House on the weekend, for International Women’s Day. This week we speak with two incredible artists who were featured at the festival. First up, we’re joined by Stanislava Pinchuk AKA Miso, a Ukrainian-born, Melbourne-based artist, that maps areas of conflict around the world, using traditional materials like textiles, as well as tattoos. Later, Sarina Masukor is a writer and filmmaker living in Sydney, whose work explores what it’s like to live in the twenty-first century. Sarina joins up to discuss her work, as well as the importance of diversity in the arts across Sydney.

As the ongoing droughts make fresh produce more difficult to farm, it’s past time we start looking at alternative farming methods. blakthumb is a startup working to create small, networked farms in unused urban spaces. Co-founder Mel Fyfe joins us to talk about future-proofing our cities with urban farms. Later, with Mardi Gras about to kick off, there’s a lot of chatter about corporations co-opting pride. Queer activist Aiden Magro joins us in the studio discuss the corporatisation of Mardi Gras, and how it might be taking up space from more important queer conversations.

More and more 'buy now, pay later’ options are emerging, and young adults are putting themselves deeper into debt than they realise. Paridhi Jain, founder of financial training service Skilled Smart, joins us to talk about better managing our finances. Later, Kin Fertility is a new startup, looking to revolutionise reproductive healthcare in Australia, and educate people with a uterus about how to best access the healthcare they need. Co-Founder Nicole Liu joins us to talk about their work.

Earlier this year, Penrith was the hottest place on earth, and microclimates in Sydney’s urban sprawl are creating temperature disparities of over 10°C. Dr. Sebastian Pfautsch, a climate expert from Western Sydney University, joins us to talk about his work with Penrith City Council to quantify temperatures and mitigate the climate crisis. Later, while trying to hold the government, and corporations to account for the climate crisis, how much individual responsibility to we each bear? Madeleine Morris, ABC News finance reporter, joins us to talk about reducing your individual carbon footprint.

we are the mainstream is an emerging collective for Black, Indigenous and Womxn of Colour, exploring what it’s like to be a woman of colour across various industries and, within the context of every day Australian society. Founder of we are the mainstream, Priyanka Bromhead, joins us to talk about the collective, and their upcoming symposium on Feb 29th. Later, Sweaty City is a new publication focusing on environmentalism and urban ecology, aiming to chart the stories of Sydney's residents affected by climate change and rapidly expanding urban sprawl. Founder Angela Heathcote joins us to discuss the new magazine.

Recent reports indicate that the Health Star Rating System isn’t that reliable. Choice, Australia’s largest consumer advocacy group, has accused food manufacturers of "gaming" the system, by picking and choosing which products to put stars on, leading to a bias towards those products. Linda Przhedetsky, a food policy expert from Choice, joins us to explain. Later, we look into the recent ‘Yes’ vote on the referendum for Australia to become a Republic. Not for real Australia, but the alternate reality one which plays out on the Subreddit, ‘AustraliaSim’. Buzzfeed News reporter, and former Backchat producer Cameron Wilson joins us to talk about this bizarre pocket of the internet.

Grime and Drill music are becoming increasingly popular, and many are finding ties to Sydney’s Western Suburbs. Writer and host on Vice’s Violent Times, Mahmood Fazal, joins us to talk about the special connection between rap music and Sydney’s West. Later, it was recently reported that Villawood, one of Australia’s major immigration detention centres, has been scolded by a tribunal for repeatedly bringing detainees to their hearings too late. This is just one in a host of problems faced by detainees at detention centres. Buzzfeed reporter Hannah Ryan joins us to discuss lengths the Australian government has gone to in order to keep sick refugees away from our shores.