Perth Dialogues

Perth Dialogues

A podcast to bring Australian and migrant communities together through understanding current issues and personal stories.

  1. #33 Is Australia's Maternity System Safe? What They're Not Telling Pregnant Women? | Alecia Staines

    4 DAYS AGO

    #33 Is Australia's Maternity System Safe? What They're Not Telling Pregnant Women? | Alecia Staines

    Australia's maternity system has one of the highest caesarean rates in the developed world — yet women still feel unheard, unsafe, and unsupported. Alicia Staines, founder of the Maternity Consumer Network, joins Perth Dialogues to explain why, and what genuine reform looks like.Whether you're pregnant, a midwife, a policymaker, or simply someone who cares about how women are treated in our health system — this conversation will change how you think about birth in Australia.00:37 Introductions and Alicia's origin story02:34 The universal theme: women not being listened to04:09 Politics, activism, and accountability in maternity outcomes07:03 The big three problems08:43 Respectful maternity care and reducing birth trauma11:16 Australia's C-section rates13:17 Gaps in preconception and birth education16:15 Home birth and free birth19:38 Why C-section rates are so high22:54 Data transparency: giving women the power28:16 Rural maternity service closures32:27 Migrant women's experiences36:39 Community-based models and culturally sensitive care38:51 Midwives vs obstetric dominance45:14 Birth trauma's lasting impact48:07 Society's pressure on women52:20 Reimagining parental leave, caregiver policy, and reproductive rights54:36 Respectful maternity care as a human right65:40 What respectful care actually means72:36 Gendered gaps in medicine76:53 Why government policy is reactive81:09 How healthcare professionals and consumers can advocate together85:43 Interpreters, communication gaps, and safety risks87:13 Respectful maternity care as a feminist issue94:44 Late-term pregnancy and IVF-related terminations106:07 The ideal maternity system in 15 years108:23 How to connect with Alicia and the MCN#MaternityCare #BirthRights #RespectfulBirth #AustralianHealth #Midwifery #BirthTrauma--------------------------------------------------------------------Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 50m
  2. #32. Institutional Childcare’s Hidden Cost, Child Development & More Choices to Women | Jen Fleming

    16 FEB

    #32. Institutional Childcare’s Hidden Cost, Child Development & More Choices to Women | Jen Fleming

    In this conversation, Jen Fleming outlines how the current Australian Childcare system doesn’t include parents in its design, or gives any kind of choice to parents. Jen is a mum to two young daughters and has firsthand experience of the difficulty many Australian families face in trying to fit rigid childcare arrangements around work and family life. Her frustration with the existing system, which she describes as exhausting and often misaligned with what felt right for her children, led her into grassroots advocacy.Join Jen Fleming at https://www.childcarechoice.com.au/#our-people00:00 Introduction to Childcare Challenges in Australia01:09 Understanding the Childcare Subsidy System04:43 The Debate on Institutionalised Childcare07:31 Advocating for One-on-One Care Models09:17 Education vs. Care: The Early Years12:01 Qualifications of Caregivers: A Comparative Analysis14:20 Government Policies and Parental Voices17:42 Profit Motives in Childcare21:33 Rural Childcare Solutions25:27 Budget Concerns and Economic Implications31:17 Regulatory Challenges in Home Care33:57 Who the Childcare really is for?38:25 The Need for Choice in Childcare42:32 Invitation to the Prime Minister44:06 The Importance of Parental Voices46:43 Conclusion and Call to Action--------------------------------------------------------------------Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    47 min
  3. #31. Who killed Australian Dream?: Neoliberalism, Investors, Migration, Red Tape | Sergio Famiano

    9 FEB

    #31. Who killed Australian Dream?: Neoliberalism, Investors, Migration, Red Tape | Sergio Famiano

    In this conversation, Sergio Famiano outlines the historical roots of the rise and later unravelling of the Australian Housing Dream and how decades of decisions shape today’s problems. Sergio Famiano is an expert in Town Planning and leader in the planning and delivery of complex projects and author of the book ‘The New Australian Dream: Rethinking our homes and cities to solve the housing crisis’. Join Sergio Famiano at https://sergiofamiano.com/ 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Start of Australian Dream 02:43 Contributions of Robert Menzies 07:18 Contribution from Industrial Strength 09:13 Unravelling of Australian Dream 10:37 Introduction of Neo-liberalism 12:39 Gough Whitlam's policies 14:46 Hawke-Keating Policies of Neo-Liberalism 18:03 Entry of Women in Workforce 19:03 The Rise of Property Investment and Its Consequences 19:57 Wages falling behind Productivity 23:10 Capital Gains & Negative Gearing Concessions 27:12 Immigration fuelling Housing Crisis 29:04 Planning Bottlenecks in Housing 31:55 Economic Factors Influencing Australia's Housing Market 32:55 Effect of COVID 37:20 Government incentives fuelling Inflation 39:15 Need to solve Housing Crisis 43:16 Requiem for the Australian Dream -------------------------------------------------------------------- Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues. Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇 Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic -------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, at Website: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    45 min
  4. #30. Three tips for buying in Australia’s million dollar housing market | Rash Dhanjal

    1 FEB

    #30. Three tips for buying in Australia’s million dollar housing market | Rash Dhanjal

    In this conversation, Rash Dhanjal, a top-performing real estate agent and director at The Agency in Perth, Western Australia, delves into the current state of the housing market in Western Australia. With median house prices soaring to a million dollars and a housing crisis looming, he sheds light on the factors driving these changes and how buyers can still buy their first home. Join Rash Dhanjal at https://teamrash.com.au/team/Join Nirmal Singh at https://nirmalsingh.au/ 01:24 Drivers of Million Dollar Homes05:04 Government Schemes and Their Impact08:32 Market Dynamics in Different Suburbs11:04 Future Projections and Economic Drivers13:57 AUKUS & WA Housing Market16:48 Unit Market Growth and Affordability21:25 Understanding Market Trends24:41 Is Million Dollar Home the New Normal?27:00 How to buy in Current Market?===============================================Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Website: https://perthdialogues.au/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perthdialoguesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xtPxMoU7ley1kiqYUt90xApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perth-dialogues/id1792572402 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5bb32f6-862c-43c3-8214-6cea11f035a0/perth-dialoguesCopyrights © All Rights Reserved with Perth Dialogues.

    43 min
  5. #29. Australian Dream, Housing Debt, Policy Failures, Negative Gearing, Immigration | Sergio Famiano

    24 JAN

    #29. Australian Dream, Housing Debt, Policy Failures, Negative Gearing, Immigration | Sergio Famiano

    Sergio Famiano is an expert in Town Planning and leader in the planning and delivery of complex projects and author of the book ‘The New Australian Dream: Rethinking our homes and cities to solve the housing crisis’. In this conversation, Sergio delves into the Australian housing crisis, exploring its historical roots, economic impacts, and potential policy solutions. The discussion highlights the complexity of the issue, emphasising the need for a multifaceted approach to address housing affordability and availability.Join Sergio Famiano at https://sergiofamiano.com/ Join Nirmal Singh at https://nirmalsingh.au/ 00:00 The Australian Housing Crisis: A Historical Perspective02:03 Rise of Australian Dream04:12 Unravelling of Australian Dream08:24 Economic Factors Influencing Australia's Housing Market11:33 The Impact of Household Debt on the Economy15:25 Consumer Expectations vs. Policy Failures in Housing20:39 The Political Landscape of Negative Gearing29:59 Addressing the Construction Crisis36:32 Short-Term Solutions for the Housing Crisis41:07 Government Actions for Housing Supply43:20 The Role of Immigration in Housing Demand46:18 Government Taxes and Housing Affordability51:06 Foreign Investment and Vacant Properties58:26 Infill Development vs. Suburban Expansion01:05:31 The Future of Housing in Australia01:12:03 Closing thoughts============================================================Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Website: https://perthdialogues.au/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perthdialoguesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xtPxMoU7ley1kiqYUt90xApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perth-dialogues/id1792572402 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5bb32f6-862c-43c3-8214-6cea11f035a0/perth-dialogues

    1h 18m
  6. #28. Prof Matthew Ogilvie on Bondi attack response, Antisemitism, Free Speech, Gun Laws, Migration

    12 JAN

    #28. Prof Matthew Ogilvie on Bondi attack response, Antisemitism, Free Speech, Gun Laws, Migration

    Professor Matthew Ogilvie is an Australian theologian and academic known for his work on Catholic identity, education, and the Catholic intellectual tradition. He serves as a professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia and has previously held leadership roles such as dean within its School of Philosophy and Theology. Prof Ogilvie is also the Chair of Friends of Israel WA and a Self-Defence Instructor at Protect WA Krav Maga. Join Prof. Matthew Ogilvie at https://www.ogilvieweb.com/ Join Nirmal Singh at https://nirmalsingh.au/ 01:50 The Bondi Terror Attack: Context and Significance07:39 Understanding Hanukkah and Its Importance13:42 Calls for a Royal Commission: Community Demands21:45 Exploring the Drivers of Terrorism28:07 The Concept of Intifada and Its Implications32:07 The Role of Protests and Media in Shaping Narratives41:17 The Lone Wolf Phenomenon in Terrorism56:31 Political Dynamics and Muslim Communities01:08:48 Free Speech vs. Hate Speech: Finding the Balance01:15:26 Universities and Ideological Dominance01:23:49 Migration Policies: Vetting and Monitoring01:39:33 Leadership and National Security: A Call to Action===============================================Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Website: https://perthdialogues.au/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perthdialoguesSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xtPxMoU7ley1kiqYUt90xApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perth-dialogues/id1792572402 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5bb32f6-862c-43c3-8214-6cea11f035a0/perth-dialogues

    1h 45m
  7. #27 Bondi Attack, Free Speech, Gun Laws, Anti-Semitism, Calls for Royal Commission | Vern Hughes

    31/12/2025

    #27 Bondi Attack, Free Speech, Gun Laws, Anti-Semitism, Calls for Royal Commission | Vern Hughes

    Vern Hughes is an Australian civil society advocate, social entrepreneur, and political organiser known for his work in community-based reform and centrist politics. He has been active for several decades in efforts to strengthen citizen participation and rebuild trust in democratic institutions. Join Vern Hughes at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vern-hughes-92341119/ Know about the host, Nirmal Singh, at https://nirmalsingh.au/ 01:28 Context of Bondi Beach Terror Attack 05:45 The Inevitable Nature of Such Incidents 08:34 The Role of Global Conflicts in Local Incidents 11:23 Media Influence and Public Debate 14:26 Freedom of Speech and Protest Dynamics 15:51 Government Responses and Political Pressures 19:56 Anti-Semitism and Its Misconceptions 24:41 Albanese Labor Government & Pro-Palestine voices 31:21 Understanding Radicalization and Law Enforcement 37:26 Far-Right vs. Islamist Extremism 44:17 Knee-Jerk Government Responses 49:17 Rising Knife Violence Among Youth 55:36 The Erosion of Civil Society 59:19 Protests and State Authority 01:03:21 Calls for a Royal Commission 01:07:52 Immigration and Foreign Conflicts 01:13:46 Supporting the Jewish Community in Grief 01:20:13 Distinguishing Between Jewish Identity and Israel 01:26:23 Hope for Peaceful Coexistence ============================================================ Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues. Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇 Website: https://perthdialogues.au/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@perthdialogues Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5xtPxMoU7ley1kiqYUt90x Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perth-dialogues/id1792572402 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5bb32f6-862c-43c3-8214-6cea11f035a0/perth-dialogues Copyrights © All Rights Reserved with Perth Dialogues.

    1h 27m
  8. #26 Teaching in Vietnam, Bridging Cultures, English Competency, Becoming Australian | Mark Ratcliff

    23/12/2025

    #26 Teaching in Vietnam, Bridging Cultures, English Competency, Becoming Australian | Mark Ratcliff

    Mark Ratcliff is a Communications Specialist and Educator with a background in systems thinking, content creation, mentoring and teaching. With qualifications in Sustainable Development and International Aid, and broad theoretical and practical experience, he understands the importance of honest and effective communication for any individual growth, organisational change or sustainable venture. Mark provides coaching and training to help migrants understand Australian values and develop the skills and confidence to better communicate, integrate and thrive.Join Mark Ratcliff at https://www.ironbarklearning.com.au/Know about the host, Nirmal Singh, at https://nirmalsingh.au/ 00:00 Introduction to Mark Ratcliff04:40 First Impressions of Australia and Vietnam08:47 Cultural Differences and Long-term Impressions14:17 Teaching Experiences in Vietnam19:15 Reverence for Foreigners in Vietnam24:21 Personal Growth and Challenges in a Foreign Land29:41 Communication Barriers for Migrants34:16 Cultural Understanding and Integration Strategies39:06 Defining Australian Culture and Values45:51 Understanding Australian Culture48:32 The Anzac Spirit and Shared Values52:03 Testing Australian Values in Migration55:28 Education and Integration for Migrants01:00:29 Communication Skills and Talking to Strangers01:17:35 Technology in Learning and Building Capacity01:21:26 Challenges in Supporting Migrants01:24:22 Connecting with Mark Radcliffe

    1h 26m
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About

A podcast to bring Australian and migrant communities together through understanding current issues and personal stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Perth Dialogues
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Perth Dialogues
  • Show Website
    Perth Dialogues