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Discussion and analysis of politics, history, theory and activism from a radical revolutionary socialist perspective.
Welcome to Red Flag Radio
We are a socialist podcast based in Australia. We discuss politics, theory and history from a revolutionary Marxist perspective. We aim to explain socialist ideas in a clear and accessible way and to promote the voices of anti-capitalist activists worldwide.
Episodes
Sunday May 10, 2020
Sunday May 10, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has halted the lucrative international student 'market' in Australian universities. As a result, university executives around the country moved to immediately sack or stand down hundreds of casuals and threaten to attack the conditions and pay of all workers in the sector. In response, the leadership of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) have entered into negotiations that offer to 'sacrifice' hard-won conditions in a misguided attempt to save jobs. Rank and file unionists are organising and campaigning to resist any concessions and amendments to existing enterprise agreements through NTEU Fightback - Vote No - No Concessions. Roz and Liam are joined in a discussion of the issues by leading activists Alma Torlakovic and Katie Wood.
For more on the campaign - https://www.facebook.com/NTEUfightback
Coverage in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/node/7170
Please support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
You can also make a one-off donation at
https://donorbox.org/support-the-red-flag-radio-podcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Trotsky is a controversial historical figure whose legacy continues to generate interest and debate around the left internationally. In this discussion with socialist activists Emma Norton and Luca Tavan, we investigate Trotsky's life, legacy, and how Trotskyism continues to impact politics today.
Who's afraid of Leon Trotsky? https://redflag.org.au/node/5456
Please support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
You can also make a one-off donation at
https://donorbox.org/support-the-red-flag-radio-podcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Under the ALP-ACTU Prices and Incomes Accord (1983-1996) union leaders in Australia agreed to abandon striking and struggle in return for having their wages indexed by the Arbitration Commission and the promises of the Labor government for a few social reforms. While the Accord is generally portrayed as being welcomed by workers, many workers angrily resisted the attacks on their wages, conditions, jobs, and unions. Veteran socialist activist and historian Liz Ross' latest book Stuff the Accord! Pay up! Workers Resistance to the ALP-ACTU Accord tells the hidden stories of how these workers fought back. Liz shares stories from this period with Roz and Liam in a discussion that has many ramifications on the struggles we face today.
Please support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
You can also make a one-off donation at
https://donorbox.org/support-the-red-flag-radio-podcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Remembering has been replaced with remembrance as the Australian ruling class promote nationalism and war at the annual ANZAC day events on April 25. Mainstream histories of World War I in Australia have been deliberately overshadowed by the events that took place in Gallipoli. On this episode, Roz and Liam are joined by historian Robert Bollard to uncover the history of ANZAC day from a working-class perspective. Robert is widely published on the labour movement in Australia during World War I and author of the book In the shadow of Gallipoli available through Red Flag books.
Please support us on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
Saturday Apr 18, 2020
The major crises developing from the COVID-19 pandemic are leading many people to think seriously about alternatives to capitalism. As governments around the world spend billions more than usual on welfare and bailouts, questions are being raised about what socialism actually looks like. On this episode, we discuss how to understand socialism from a revolutionary perspective and how we can fight for it with guests Sarah Garnham and Moira Leahy.
We're still working on our sound quality (it gets better through the episode!) Please support us on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Livestream on Sunday 19th April - https://www.facebook.com/events/2640038589652374/
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
The 'Spanish Flu' pandemic of 1918-1920 killed millions of people around the world. Many comparisons are being made to the current crisis, but little attention has been paid to the militant working class rebellion and resistance that broke out in a number of countries, including Australia. Socialist activist and historian Mick Armstrong joins Roz and Liam to uncover stories of struggle in India, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia.
Please support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Sunday Apr 05, 2020
Right wing and far-right responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have included outright denial, racist conspiracy theories, extreme nationalism, and anti-democratic authoritarianism. In Australia, incidents of anti-Asian racism have increased and the police are already using the new conditions to crack down on marginal communities. In the long term, this crisis has the potential to build and strengthen the far-right unless there is organised left wing opposition. Roz and Liam are joined in discussion by Vashti Fox, a socialist activist and writer who is currently researching the history of anti-fascism in Australia since the 1970s.*
*we're working on our remote recording quality - please support the podcast on Patreon to help us get better equipment to record outside our usual home studio space. https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
Sunday Mar 29, 2020
The economic impact of the COVID-19 virus is only just beginning to hit as tens of thousands of workers lose their jobs in Australia and trillions of dollars are spent by governments internationally to bailout business. Analysts are already predicting an economic crisis on a scale potentially bigger than the Great Depression of the 1930s. On this episode, Roz is joined by Rick Kuhn, a Marxist economist, writer, political activist, and honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University to discuss how we can understand the economic situation.*
*we're working on our remote recording quality - please support the podcast on Patreon to help us get better equipment to record outside our usual home studio space. https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
Wednesday Mar 25, 2020
Educators, parents and students are fighting to shut down schools and childcare centres in Australia to keep all workers and families safe. They are demanding full pay for all workers impacted by closures, and safe provision of care for health workers and other essential service workers. While the government has banned gatherings of more than 10 people they still refuse to shut down schools nationwide. In response, ordinary people are organising resistance. Roz is joined by parents Cathy and Anita alongside year-six student Maya for a discussion of what has been happening, and why it is so important to keep fighting*.
*we're working on our remote recording quality - please support the podcast on Patreon to help us get better equipment to record outside our usual home studio space. https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow Workers Organising Resistance in the Pandemic
https://www.facebook.com/WorkersOrganisingResistance
National School Boycott M23 #ShutTheSchoolsNow
https://www.facebook.com/events/538206863490269/
Livestream event Weds 25th 7pm (Melb time)
https://www.facebook.com/events/586894028580228/
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Mar 21, 2020
Saturday Mar 21, 2020
The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workers around the world is on a scale unprecedented in living memory. In Australia, hundreds of thousands of workers have already lost their jobs, many others are working in hazardous conditions, and almost all have inadequate sick leave allowances. In the face of this, Australian-based workers and unionists are already organising resistance in their workplaces. Roz and Liam are joined by union activists Kath Larkin and Jerome Small for an urgent discussion*.
*we're working on our remote recording quality - please support the podcast on Patreon to help us get better equipment to record outside our usual home studio - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow Workers Organising Resistance in the Pandemic https://www.facebook.com/WorkersOrganisingResistance
National School Boycott M23 #ShutTheSchoolsNow
https://www.facebook.com/events/538206863490269/
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
With the prospect of a rapid escalation in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia, the risk of hundreds if not thousands of deaths, and a growing international economic crisis the brutal reality of capitalism is being revealed more each day. Private profits have been prioritised over public health and workers rights. Roz and Liam are joined in discussion by Red Flag editor Louise O'Shea and veteran activist, historian and writer Sandra Bloodworth.
*we're working on our remote recording quality - please support the podcast on Patreon to help us get better equipment to record outside our usual home studio - https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Follow our coverage of the crisis in Red Flag online - https://redflag.org.au/
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Friday Mar 13, 2020
Friday Mar 13, 2020
As capitalism lurches from crisis to crisis, the question of revolutionary change has become increasingly important. But what do Marxists mean by revolution? Can revolutions actually happen? What does a revolution look like? Roz Ward is joined in conversation with Tess Dimos and Omar Hassan for an introduction to one of the key concepts of Marxism.
*Please note this episode was recorded on 15 January 2020*
For more reading on this and other topics check out Red Flag's new Introduction to Socialism section.
Thank you to our Patreon supporters! Please chip in some dollars to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Red Flag Radio is a revolutionary socialist podcast.
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper. Australia's leading socialist publication.
Contact the show: redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
International Working Women's Day has a socialist history. On this episode, we discuss the rebellious and revolutionary women who have been at the forefront of working class struggles from 1917 to today. From the legacy of the women's liberation in the 1970s to the global struggles erupting in 2019, there is much to celebrate and so much more to win. Roz is joined by Melbourne socialist activists Liz Walsh and Louisa Bassini to discuss how we fight sexism, and where we have the power to achieve genuine liberation.
Read more of the history of IWWD in Red Flag here and explore our coverage of gender and sexuality.
For more discussions like this one (with you in them!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
Wednesday Feb 26, 2020
The agriculture industry is responsible for huge volumes of greenhouse gas emissions and is a key driver of mass deforestation. Crops are sprayed with millions of tonnes of toxic pesticides and fertilizers which ruin the soil and run into the waterways. Despite all this, 9 million people a year will starve to death. On this episode, we explore the production of food in recent human history and uncover the reasons why sustainable food production is not possible in a capitalist system. With special guest scientist Roxanne Kelly.
For more discussions like this one (with you in them!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
The second of our series of beginners guide episodes offers an introduction to Marxist economics. What is the difference between mainstream economics and Marxist economics? What are the relationships of economic production that shape life within capitalism? What is the labour theory of value? What does knowing anything about economics have to do with trying to change the world? Host Roz Ward discusses the answers to these questions and more with activists Sarah Garnham and Luca Tavan.
For more reading on this and other topics check out Red Flag's new Introduction to Socialism section.
For more discussions like this one (in real life!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Red Flag Radio is a revolutionary socialist podcast.
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper. Australia's leading socialist publication.
Contact the show: redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Friday Feb 21, 2020
Friday Feb 21, 2020
The Jabiluka uranium deposit in the Northern Territory is one of the richest in the world. In 1998, work was scheduled to begin on a mine that would have extracted 19 million tonnes of ore. Led by the traditional owners of the land - the Mirarr people - a campaign was built that successfully stopped the construction of the mine. Fleur and Jerome were activists in the Jabiluka Action Group in Melbourne that organised solidarity protests and blockades in the city. On this episode, they share the story of how a campaign of (extra)ordinary people managed to force a massive mining company to keep it in the ground.
Read Fleur's full story in Red Flag here.
For more discussions like this one (in real life!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Friday Feb 14, 2020
Friday Feb 14, 2020
As a follow up from our previous episode, Red Flag editor Ben Hillier reports directly from the ground in Hong Kong on how the democracy movement has been impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. We also discuss the impact of changes in police tactics and the development of union organisations as the protesters vow to continue the struggle.
Ben's latest piece in Red Flag is here.
For more discussions like this one (in real life!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper - https://subscribe.redflag.org.au/
Contact the show - redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
The first in a new series of 'beginners guide' episodes aimed at people who are new to socialist politics or those who want to refresh their interest! This show focuses on capitalism and asks: What is capitalism? Where did capitalism come from? Why is it such a shit system? It is possible to change capitalism for the better? Can we really get rid of capitalism? Host Roz Ward is joined by activists Anneke Demanuele and Emma Black in the discussion.
For more reading on this and other topics check out Red Flag's new Introduction to Socialism section.
For more discussions like this one (in real life!) come to Australia's biggest socialist conference Marxism 2020.
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Red Flag Radio is a revolutionary socialist podcast.
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper. Australia's leading socialist publication.
Contact the show: redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
On this special episode we talk to Australian comedian Tom Ballard. Tom is a former triple j presenter, host of ABC tv show Tonightly, writer, podcaster, and stand-up comedian. Tom asks us some big questions about revolution and socialism. Roz and Liam are joined by Sarah Garnham for a lively and serious discussion about how to change the world.
For more discussions like this come to Marxism 2020 - Australia's biggest socialist conference. Tom already bought his ticket!
Please support the podcast on Patreon to help us keep making the show.
https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Tom Ballard's podcast is here -http://tomballard.com.au/podcast/
Red Flag Radio is a revolutionary socialist podcast.
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper. Australia's leading socialist publication.
Contact the show: redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Feb 01, 2020
Saturday Feb 01, 2020
The Liberal government's proposed 'Religious Discrimination' Bills would enshrine the right for individuals to express bigoted views and for organisations to discriminate in employment and the provision of services. The laws would restrict access to healthcare for LGBTI+ people and reproductive rights as well as increasing prejudice against other minorities. On this episode, we talk to activists Ali Hogg and April Holcombe about what lessons to take from the marriage equality campaign, how we can beat the bigots, and why Scomo has to go.
Join the protests in Melbourne on Sunday 9th Feb or Sydney on Saturday 8th Feb.
Come to Marxism 2020, Australia's biggest socialist conference.
Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/redflagradiopodcast
Red Flag Radio is a revolutionary socialist podcast.
Hosted by Roz Ward. Produced by Liam Ward.
Music by Dan Kenny.
Subscribe to Red Flag newspaper. Australia's leading socialist publication.
Contact the show: redflagradiopodcast@gmail.com