A new study has revealed Australia’s highly complex insurance landscape is a major factor in the underinsurance of homes in flood zones, rather than owner’s complacency.

Researchers of the study investigated over 600 households across Melbourne’s flood-prone areas to understand how people make decisions over flood insurance.

Image: Feature image: Helena Jankovičová Kováčová / Pexels

Produced By: Toni Pankaluic

Featured in this story: Dr Brian Cook – Associate Professor and Geographer at the University of Melbourne

Story provided courtesy of The Wire.

The post Complex insurance policies a leading factor in underinsurance of flood-prone homes appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

The Queensland government has introduced amendments to fast track projects approvals, especially with critical minerals.

The aim of these amendments is to get faster access to these minerals, but advocacy groups are concerned about environmental protections being watered down.

Image: Feature image: Gilberto Olimpio / Pexels

Produced By: Eduardo Jordan

Featured in this story: Tony Fontes – President of the Whitsunday Conservation Council

Story provided courtesy of The Wire.

The post QLD Government fast tracking of critical mineral projects is concerning appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

This year marks the 60th anniversary since the Pine Gap Agreement was signed between Australia and the US.

This weekend, activists from across Australia will gather in Mparntwe – Alice Springs to demand the closure of Pine Gap with discussion panels, workshops, and protests.

For the full interviews:

Interview with Slumbi

Interview with Oongi Barb Flick

Interview with Lloyd Riman

Image: Feature image: Oongi Barb Flick – Image supplied

Produced By: Kate Lyons-Dawson

Featured in this story: Lloyd Riman – Child Educator and attendee, Oongi Barb Flick – Yuwaalaayi/Gomeroi/Bigambul woman, and Slumbi – Organiser of Close Pine Gap

Story provided courtesy of The Wire.

The post Calls for Pine Gap closure on 60th Anniversary of Agreement appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

After more than a decade working in international development, Ragna Gilmour is turning a long-held vision into reality.

Her organization, Sustain-Ed, is now rolling out its first project in Uganda using permaculture principles to help communities improve food security, nutrition and long-term self-reliance.

The charity is partnering with a primary school in eastern Uganda, where teachers and community leaders are to receive training in sustainable food production, water harvesting and small-scale income generation as part of a three-year program.

Image: Feature image: Wadim Ł / Pexels

Produced By: Emma Setterfield-Smith

Featured in this story: Ragna Gilmore

Story provided courtesy of The Wire.

The post Sustain-Ed helping Ugandan communities improve food security and self-reliance appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Workskil Australia, our largest not-for-profit employment and community services provider, has officially opened its new Darwin office and expanded into Alice Springs, with plans for a presence in Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy. 8CCC’s Kate Lyons-Dawson spoke with their General Manager Youth, Justice and Industry, Alex Apostolakis to hear how this pilot Ready To Work program will support people with criminal histories into stable employment.

Through the two-year trial program, Territorians in custody or serving a Community 
Corrections order are able to access mentoring and personalised training to help them land 
a job upon release. They’’ve received 295 referrals to date, including around 70 in the first two days of services in Alice Springs which only launched last week. Workskil Australia are aiming for 800 participants over the trial as they expand the service.

The post Workskil Australia’s Ready To Work Program arrives in the Red Centre appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

People from all over the continent are converging on Mparntwe Alice Springs for the Close Pine Gap – Sacred Land Back Convergence this weekend. A bus load of committed activists and travellers have arrived from Naarm Melbourne hoping to meet with like minded souls and make sense of the present state of the world. They come to attend panels of experts in social justice and first nations struggles, and to hear the story from historians, storytellers, elders and local mob, of land taken without consent to build a world wide surveillance facility, linked to death and destruction across the globe. Many were here in the 1987 Convergence, but some like Lloyd Riman, have only recently been made aware of Pine Gap and what has happened on Arrernte land.

The post Close Pine Gap Convergence Bus From Naarm with Lloyd Riman appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Oongi Barb Flick is a Yuwaalaayi/Gomeroi/Bigambul woman, who comes from a family of activists for social justice and Indigenous rights. She spoke with 8CCC’s Kate Lyons-Dawson about her workshop with Professor Richard Tanter as part of the Close Pine Gap – Sacred Land Back Convergence happening 18-20 July in Mparntwe Alice Springs – US Imperial Power Projection from Northern Australia.

Barbara Flick was director of the Alice Springs-based Institute for Aboriginal Development IAD and a core member of the Alice Springs Peace Group, which organised the 1987 convergence on Pine Gap, which called for the closure not only of Pine Gap, but of bases right across the Asia-Pacific, as a first step towards the demilitarisation and decolonisation of the entire region.

She helped establish Redfern’s first Aboriginal health and legal services in the 1970s, was 
coordinator at Western Aboriginal Legal Service, Dubbo, and served as Secretary on the Interim NSW Aboriginal Land Council. Barb also served as Secretary of the National Federation of Land Councils, addressiong the Inquiry into the Sizewell B Nuclear Power facility in Suffolk, England 1983-1985. UK Labour has just approved the continuing operation of Sizewell B until 2055.

The post Oonga Barb Flick Presents Workshop for Sacred Land Back Convergence appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Image: Source – Pexel – Tara Winstead

Produced By: Sam Georgiou

Featured In Story: Dr Louise Buckingham – CEO of arts law centre of Australia , Issac Hayward – Local artist and member of Opulence , and Tuakana Wharerau – Local artist and member of Blinder and No Way Foward

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 16 July 2026

The post Calls to boost AI regulation as concern rises in arts sector appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Disability advocate El Gibbs is no exception, after isolation and several job rejections she transformed her experiences into a powerful political identity. Ms Gibbs says the community is the most valuable tool when it comes to progress staying connected.  

Powerd Media’s Emma Myers spoke with El Gibbs about her journey into becoming a disability advocate. 

Image: Pexels -Marcus Aurelius

Produced By: Emma Myers

Featured In Story: El Gibbs – Disability Advocate, , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 16 July 2026

The post From isolation to political identity: El Gibbs appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Image: Pexels Ivan S

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Glenys Reid – Chatty Café Australia Founder and CEO

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 16 July 2026

The post Chatty Café: the power of conversation in combating loneliness appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Image: Source- Pexel – Regan Dsouza

Produced By: Nicky Page

Featured In Story: Eileen Darley – Member of Port Adelaide Community Opposing AUKUS, Organizer with the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network , , , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 16 July 2026

The post “Festival of Peace” unites anti-AUKUS campaigners in a push for sovereignty appeared first on 8CCC Radio.

Produced By: Sam Georgiou

Featured in this story: Issac Hayward – Local artist and member of Opulence, and Tuakana Wharerau – Local artist and member of Blinder and No Way Foward

Story provided courtesy of The Wire.

The post Calls to boost AI regulation as concern rises in arts sector appeared first on 8CCC Radio.