Rights, Rorts and Rants

Blue Mountains Unions & Community
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Selected content from Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcast weekly on Friday from 4pm to 6pm on community Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or live streamed from rbm.org.au/. Hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc). Views expressed on our show and in our podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by BMUC.

  1. May 22

    Muriel "Tibbi" Whalan and the Katoomba Reds

    Rights, Rorts and Rants Presenter Merran Maclaren uncovers Jim Angel's memories of community activist Muriel "Tibbi" (also known by Tibby) Whalan. Tibbi Whalan's campaigning included "Save our site", which is the site of the Tibbi Whalan Hall and Community Centre, free lunches for primary school children, creating the new Katoomba High School, Library and Senior Citizens Club.. which lead to the Tibbi Whalan Community Hall being named in her honour by Blue Mountains Council in 2020. Jim's interview also covers interesting background about her partner Peter Carroll, whom Peter Carroll Oval was named after, and stories of the Katoomba Communist Party known as the Katoomba Reds. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 15th May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Maclaren If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    18 min

  2. May 13

    Trish Doyle MP: Member for Blue Mountains interview May 2026

    The Member for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP spoke to listeners from Radio Blue Mountains Katoomba studio on the Rights Rorts and Rants show on 8th May 26. Note: The first 1min 50 seconds have a track playing under the interview which was not able to be erased. We apologise for this section of poor sound quality. In a long interview Trish provided our listeners with updates on major issues of current concern to residents in the Blue Mountains electorate and visitors alike. Topic discussed included the current closure of the Great Western Highway on Victoria Pass, the proposed Narrowneck housing development, affordable housing in the Blue Mountains, the lack of progress on Katoomba's Paragon Cafe restoration and workplace psychological injuries. The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains at 89.1 FM on 8 May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) presented by Nick Franklin, Peter Lammiman and Wil Tricity. The podcast was produced by Ann-Maree McEwan.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    46 min

  3. Apr 2

    Western Sydney Airport Curfew Campaign

    This podcast follows up on a November 2025 interview with Erst Carmichael from Blue Mountains Demands an Airport Curfew or BMDAC on Rights, Rorts and Rants. Erst updates listeners on the latest correspondence with BMDAC regarding noise monitors for the Mountains to monitor aircraft noise, the impacts of aircraft noise humans animals and plants in the unique Blue Mountains context and more ahead of the opening of the WSI in July2026 for cargo. She fears residents are not fully aware of the impact from aircraft noise when the airport operates for passengers in October this year and in the years to come. Presenter Merran Maclaren wraps up with her thoughts on the constant environmental issues which residents of the Blue Mountains need to attack. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on March 20 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Maclaren.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    33 min

  4. Mar 14

    Campaign against fast track development at Narrow Neck Rd, Katoomba - Part 2

    Deadline looming and fast action required! On 6 March 26 Tania De Bortoli from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society (bluemountains.org.au) spoke again with Rights, Rorts and Rants on 89.1FM with an update on the "Blue Mountains - not just a suburb of Sydney" campaign to stop the proposed oversized Narrow Neck development. Blue Mountains Conservation Society have recently run community meetings. The information from the meetings is being used to update info sheets on the Conservation Society's website essential guides for anyone intending to provide a submission when the proposal's Environment Impact Statement (EIS) is placed on public exhibition. Tania explained that the EIS is expected to be made public within the month of March and submissions must be lodged within 14 days thereafter. The deadline is short and community must be ready to submit their objections promptly. Lots of information is available on the Conservation Society's website bluemountains.org.au The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 6 March 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Rights, Rorts and Rants.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    13 min

  5. Mar 14

    Mountains Community Resource Network's fight to continue

    On 6 March 2026 Kris Newton the Executive Officer of Mountains Community Resource Network spoke to Rights, Rorts and Rants on 89.1FM about the withdrawal of all government funding by the end of March 26 and MCRN's fight to continue its work. To find out how you can help MCRN contact Kris Newton at eo@mcrn.org.au The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on Friday 6 March 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Rights, Rorts and Rants.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    17 min

  6. Mar 7

    KRAG. Katoomba Regeneration Action Group

    Presenter Merran Maclaren spoke to Brian Mackellar and Brian Coates from KRAG, a group of volunteers bringing life and colour into Katoomba in the form of Christmas trees, flowers and a new art space. This podcast was recorded from an interview broadcast on the 27 Feb 2026 on Rights, Rorts and Rants show on Radio Blue Mountains Founder Brian McKellar explains how he became sick of hearing people complain on social media about the look of Katoomba and decided to do something. Brian and Brian describe the group's projects and highlighted The Space @ The Edge project, a creative space for exhibitions, performances and workshops at The Edge Cinema, Katoomba, launching on Sat 18 March, 3pm. More information is on the website at krag.org.au The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 27 February 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Maclaren. If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    19 min

  7. Feb 22

    Andrew Fowler - The here and now on AUKUS

    Academic, researcher and author of "Nuked: the submarine fiasco that sank Australia's sovereignty" (2024), Andrew Fowler spoke to Rights, Rorts and Rants' presenter Fran Dyson in February 2026 to provide us with brief history and an update on Australia's AUKUS controversial nuclear powered submarine contract with the UK and USA. Andrew's informative interview provides insights into some of the wider implications for Australians of the AUKUS agreement and our current and future defence arrangements. The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 20 February 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Fran Dyson and turned into a podcast by Ann-Maree McEwan.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    29 min
  8. Venezuela - Dr Rodrigo Acuña

    Feb 4

    Venezuela - Dr Rodrigo Acuña

    Peter Lammiman and Dr Rodrigo Acuña discuss Venezuela and its relationship with the US. On 3 January 2026, the United States captured and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores after launching a military strike, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve. This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 23rd January, 2026. Dr Acuña, an expert on Latin America and frequent guest on Rights, Rorts and Rants, partnered with journalist Nicholas Ford to make the independent documentary ‘Venezuela: The Cost of Challenging an Empire’ (2024) "about the political process in Venezuela, the cost of the sanctions, and the people that it has affected most. Through a series of interviews with academics, journalists, members of the government and opposition, this film also looks at political violence in the country and how Venezuelans who identify themselves as part of the Bolivarian revolution have continued to resist. "

    1h 10m
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About

Selected content from Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcast weekly on Friday from 4pm to 6pm on community Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or live streamed from rbm.org.au/. Hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc). Views expressed on our show and in our podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by BMUC.

Information

  • Creator
    Blue Mountains Unions & Community
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    256
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Blue Mountains Unions & Community