Episode 108: Anti-government protests sweep Iran, Thorburn saga is about more than money and the good news is no new extinctions in Australia

Van Badham and Ben Davison open by looking at the sweeping reforms of paid family and domestic violence leave and enshrining an employers responsibility to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace that the union movement in Australia has won and how women leaders make societies, and social movements, better (you can join at australianunions.org.au/wow). 

Our hosts contrast this democratic advancement with the repressive regime in Iran and the violence that oppression of women in Iran has created.

The killing of Mahsa Amini and the weeks of violent clashes, government suppression, mass arrests and murders has some suggesting that the Iranian people have had enough of the theocratic regime.  Van and Ben explore what's been happening, why it is happening and what might be next.

In Australia, disgraced former NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn has resigned as CEO of Essendon football club after 30 hours in the job.  Van and Ben unpack how this multi-millionaire with powerful political connections, who was slammed by the banking royal commission, was engaged to review the club, managed to become CEO and when told he had to choose between his role as chairman of the "City on a hill church" or his paid employment at Essendon football club he chose to quit his job.

Warning: The rich, white, male, privileged whining that Thorburn has since embarked on gets thoroughly dismantled and his time as NAB CEO critically examined. 

The good news is that Tanya Plibersek has announced the Albanese government's plan to prevent species extinction in Australia!

Also The Week on Wednesday LIVE! at Melbourne Fringe is happening on the 12th of October at Victorian Trades Hall and you can get tickets at www.melbournefringe.com.au/event/the-week-on-wednesday-live

Plus we give a shout out to all of our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters.