Red Flag Radio podcast

58:09

We spoke to Palestine Action Group leader and socialist Josh Lees about the renewed genocide in Gaza and the disgraceful antisemitism hoax in NSW which has been used to repress pro-Palestine activism. In a true-crime scandal for the ages, a criminal hoax in NSW was falsely reported as an antisemitic terror plot intended to cause mass casualties. Both the state and federal Labor governments knowingly lied to the public, using the hoax to ram through draconian anti-protest laws in NSW. The NSW antisemitism hoax is a particularly scandalous example of the unscrupulous campaign against pro-Palestine activism worldwide. Further reading Josh Lees on "The great antisemitism con job" for Red Flag On Josh Lees' constitutional challenge to NSW anti-protest laws in The Guardian On the People's Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine in Red Flag…

1
"Political sadism": The war on trans people 1:40:43

for 7 dage siden1:40:43

1:40:43

We sat down with trans activist April Holcombe to talk about the unrelenting war being waged against trans people. April is a socialist train driver based in Sydney and the co-convener of Community Action for Rainbow Rights. She is the author of many articles for Red Flag newspaper and the Marxist Left Review. April describes what is happening to trans people as "political sadism". She unpacks why right-wingers are so obsessed with policing gender, why socialists say gender is socially constructed, and how we can best fight back against these heinous attacks. Further Reading: April Holcombe's fantastic article in the Marxist Left Review: "The Freedom to Be": Marxism, gender oppression and the struggle for trans liberation "Trump's war on woke is a war on all the working class" - by Sarah Garnham in Red Flag…

1
Polarisation in the German election: Die Linke, the centre and the fascist AfD 1:12:00

for 27 dage siden1:12:00

1:12:00

Our guest Rick Kuhn explains the results of the German election. Rick is a socialist economist and political analyst. He is the author of a biography of Marxist economist Henryk Grossman, for which he won the Deutscher Prize. In understanding the German election, the key word is "polarisation". The fascist AfD have received their best vote yet, of over 20%. Meanwhile the anti-racist left party, Die Linke, tapped into a movement of young antifascists and picked up 9%. The centre ruling coalition has collapsed after years of economic stagnation and migrant-bashing, and has been replaced by the conservative Christian Democrats who court the far-right. Further reading: "Far right surges, but left surprises, in German elections" by Sean Larson in Red Flag Buy Rick Kuhn's book: Labor's Conflict Rick Kuhn on economic crisis: https://marxistleftreview.org/articles/economic-crises-are-unavoidable-under-capitalism/…

1
The billionaires who run the world (and why they're psychos) 1:21:29

for 4 weeks siden1:21:29

1:21:29

Emma and Chloe dunk on the billionaires who run the world. From Silicon Valley freaks like Peter Theil and Mark Zuckerberg, to Australia's own Gina Rinehart, to the world's richest man, Elon Musk. We explain how they accumulated their wealth (hint: they didn't "earn" it), explore the sickening conspicuous consumption of the ultra-rich, and discuss why they need to be expropriated for every cent. We also discuss Trump's outrageous call for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.…

1
Syria after Assad - with Omar Hassan 1:39:39

for 6 weeks siden1:39:39

1:39:39

An interview with socialist journalist Omar Hassan, editor of and contributor to the Marxist Left Review. Omar spent two weeks reporting on the ground from Syria for Red Flag. He visited cities and towns devastated by regime repression, and he spent time with and interviewed left-wing activists. The result of his travels has been some incredible coverage in English of post-Assad Syria. This recording was part of a live zoom forum with Omar in January 2025. Read Omar's reports on Syria at Red Flag: https://redflag.org.au/category/syria-after-assad…

1
Trump, Musk and the Sieg-heiling Coronation 1:22:42

for 8 weeks siden1:22:42

1:22:42

We're back for 2025! And we're talking about the fucked new mirror world we have stepped into with the second inauguration of Trump. Emma and Chloe talk through Trump's new cabinet, his executive orders and his big special inauguration day and try to explain what the hell is going on. Why have Silicon Valley ex-liberal billionaires binned their corporate wokeness and lined up to kiss the ring? Why is Trump trying to fight Denmark, Canada and Panama? Why is Australia's Penny Wong so "honoured" to have been invited to the inauguration? We answer these questions and more.…

1
2024 in review 1:00:10

for 12 weeks siden1:00:10

1:00:10

Chloe and Emma cap off a terrible year by compiling some of the chattering classes' worst takes. We hand out prestigious awards for Australian journalism, including "Most Tone-Deaf Commentary on the Cost of Living Crisis" and "Most Hapless Middle-Class Guardian Writer." We survey the ups and (mainly) downs of 2024 and discuss reasons to be hopeful about 2025.…

1
Woolies warehouse workers on strike! 58:38

for 16 weeks siden58:38

58:38

Workers at Woolworths distribution centres are on strike! For the past 2 weeks, workers have been picketing Woolies warehouses across the country to demand a pay increase and to stop a new performance management program, referred to by Woolworths as the “framework”, which is designed to monitor workers’ every move and increase the pace of work. In an already-dangerous industry where injuries are common, Woolworths is attempting to enforce 100% pick rates on workers. This is the same Woolworths that have seen their profits (and board member bonuses) soar over the past few years through price-gouging. Emma spoke to two working-class legends about the strike: Ryan Stanton and Jerome Small. Ryan Stanton is an electrician and ETU member based in Melbourne. He worked in warehousing for 5 years where he led a victorious strike at Polar Fresh back in 2016. He’s a socialist and contributor to Red Flag. Jerome Small is an industrial organiser of Socialist Alternative. He worked in construction for around 17 years and has been a socialist and union activist since the 80s. He has been covering the Woolworths strike for Red Flag newspaper. Picket addresses at the end of this article: Support striking Woolworths warehouse workers this week (and next) (19 Nov) https://redflag.org.au/article/support-striking-woolworths-warehouse-workers-this-week-and-next Jerome's latest article on the strike: https://redflag.org.au/article/hope-on-the-picket-line Check Red Flag website for more coverage of the current strike: https://redflag.org.au/ Read about the recent history of class struggle in the logistics industry: The 2015 Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre strike: Inside a Melbourne warehouse strike: https://redflag.org.au/article/inside-melbourne-warehouse-strike The 2016 Polar Fresh strike: 'Thirty bucks, no trucks!' Warehouse workers strike back against Coles https://redflag.org.au/node/5410 Coles still rattled by Polar Fresh strike, one year on https://redflag.org.au/node/5933…

1
Purple Pingers for Parliament! 50:56

for 16 weeks siden50:56

50:56

We chatted with two wonderful socialists: Jordan Van den Lamb, A.K.A. PurplePingers, and Roz Ward, the original host of Red Flag Radio. Jordan will be a senate candidate with the Victorian Socialists in the upcoming federal elections, and Roz is his campaign manager. Jordan has amassed a serious following on Tiktok and Intagram thanks to his unflinching honesty about the housing crisis and his advocacy for tenants' rights. We chatted about the housing crisis, the elections, why private schools are shit and much more. Check out the Pingers4Parliament campaign here: https://pingers4parliament.com/ Pleast volunteer, share and donate! Check out the Shit Rentals website, created by Jordan: https://www.shitrentals.org/…

1
Understanding Trump's victory - with Lance Selfa 1:17:55

for 19 weeks siden1:17:55

1:17:55

We spoke to Lance Selfa, a long-time socialist based in Chicago, about Trump's re-election. Lance explains how this could have happened, again , and what lessons socialists can learn from the election. Lance is the author of The Democrats: A Critical History. He is a member of the International Socialism Project, whose website has published Lance's election coverage and analysis. He has also been covering the election for Red Flag newspaper. Further reading "It's the economy stupid!" - By Lance Selfa and Sharon Smith "Return of the Beast" - by Red Flag editors A collection of Lance Selfa's articles in Red Flag "Why is the US election so close" - by Lance Selfa…

1
Modi and Hindutva: The rise of Indian fascism with Sagar Sanyal 1:06:09

for 20 weeks siden1:06:09

1:06:09

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the leader of India's far-right Hindu nationalist or "Hindutva" movement. Sagar Sanyal, socialist and regular on the pod, delves into the roots of Hidutva in both European fascism and the Indian caste system. He explains how, over the course of 100 years, Indian fascism moved from the margins of Indian politics to the centre of government. Further Reading Sagar's previous guest appearance on Red Flag Radio discussing the GFC "Modi and the Threat to Indian Democracy" by Sagar Sanyal "India's Farmer Protests: What you need to know" by Sagar Sanyal…

1
Defying repression with "serial protestor" Josh Lees 38:07

for 22 weeks siden38:07

38:07

The Murdoch press has been on a tear against the Palestine movement and particularly "serial protestor" Josh Lees, a leading member of the Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Socialist Alternative, and our guest for this episode. NSW Premier Chris Minns accused Josh of costing tax-payers $5 million to police the protests. The attacks on Josh and PAG are part of a fresh wave of repression and censorship against the Palestine movement in Australia. These attacks are happening on campuses and in the streets, they are coming from the media, Labor governments, the Liberals and university vice-chancellors. Emma spoke to Josh about the nature of that repression and the way charges of anti-semitism have been weaponised against anti-war campaigners protesting a genocide. Relevant articles: "Zionist groups are falsifying antisemitism statistics and the media are playing along" - by Joel Schneider "NSW police fail to ban pro-Palestine protests" by Emma Norton "Fighting for Palestine, one year on" - by Josh Lees "Slander won't stop students from resisting genocide" - by Jack Mansell…

1
Israel's Invasion of Lebanon, with Omar Hassan 1:10:13

for 24 weeks siden1:10:13

1:10:13

Israel’s invasion of Lebanon with Omar Hassan After a year of genocidal war in Gaza, Israel has now begun a ground invasion of Lebanon. In less than a week Israel has killed over 2000 people in Lebanon through massive bombardment of civilians in the capital of Beirut and a renewed offensive against the already devastated South. Israeli aggression and repeated military strikes on Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Iran have led the Middle East to the brink of all-out regional war. This episode Chloe spoke to Omar Hassan, a Lebanese-Australian socialist and editor of the Marxist Left Review about the invasion of Lebanon, the threat of regional war and the history of Israeli aggression. Omar touched on the role Israel has played as attack dog for US imperialism from the Suez Crisis invasion of Egypt in 1956 to the 18 year long Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. This week the Australian Government, the NSW Police and the capitalist media have engaged in a massive smear campaign against the pro-Palestine anti-war movement. The NSW police unsuccessfully attempted to ban the rallies commemorating the 1 year anniversary of the genocide. Omar spoke about the hypocrisy and cynicism of the media as well as the role of Labor in supporting Israeli aggression and US imperialism. Further reading: https://redflag.org.au/article/by-attacking-lebanon-israel-seeks-to-expand-its-genocidal-war https://redflag.org.au/article/israels-history-of-aggression-against-lebanon Get involved with Victorian Socialists https://victoriansocialists.org.au/candidates/omar-hassan…

1
Labor's union-busting attacks on the CFMEU 58:29

for 25 weeks siden58:29

58:29

In one of the worst attacks on a union in Australian history, the Labor government has imposed a dictatorial administrator on the construction union, the CFMEU. This move has disenfranchised the union's entire membership. Chloe spoke to Jerome Small, ex-construction worker and reporter for Red Flag, about the causes and consequences of this unprecedented anti-union attack. Further reading "Labor set to impose dictatorial powers over construction union" by Jerome Small in Red Flag "Strike shows stakes for Queensland CFMEU" by Duncan Hart in Red Flag…

1
Anti-war protestors vs. the Land Forces weapons expo 44:16

for 25 weeks siden44:16