E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Topics: Family, domestic and sexual violence, JOYFM funding, 2025 reflections
DAVID ‘MACCA’ MCCARTHY: Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Prevention of family violence. Welcome to the Sat Mag studio. It's lovely to have you here rather than on the phone.
GED KEARNEY: Thank you, it's great to be here.
MACCA MCCARTHY: How's your weekend going?
GED KEARNEY: Oh, well, I babysat the grandchildren last night.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Oh, yes.
GED KEARNEY: I'm a little bit sleep deprived.
MACCA MCCARTHY: You're not the only one in the studio that's sleep deprived.
GED KEARNEY: No, it's been a lovely morning so far. It's a bit of a drive for me from the northern suburbs.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Well, I live in Pascoe Vale.
GED KEARNEY: Oh, not far.
MACCA MCCARTHY: So, it's not that far. And Nev used to be in Preston. She's now in Brunswick West. People's Republic of Brunswick.
PAUL HORWELL: I'll say it wasn't. It wasn't a cheap cabin from Water Gardens this morning either.
GED KEARNEY: So, I've got nothing on you guys, but it's a lovely part of the world though, down here.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Welcome. I wanted to first, you know, reflect. Well, we'll reflect on 2025, but I want to ask you about, you know, family violence. Now, this includes all families. All families. And, you know, particularly, you know, a lot of our listeners, you know, within the queer community have experienced that. And family violence is so pervasive, yet it's something that, until quite recently, people really didn't feel comfortable talking about. And I know a lot of people still feel uncomfortable about it. How do you think we're going on that journey, Ged? Government plays a role, of course, in providing resources in education and support. But how do you think we're going?
GED KEARNEY: Well, I don't think we've shifted the dial enough, Macca. I mean, the government has invested around $4 billion in family and domestic violence support for victim survivors. Most of that funding is in crisis. And of course that's important. You know, the leaving family violence payment of $5,000, we've made that permanent. We've invested a lot in frontline services, an extra 500 workers into the sector. We've really, you know, intensified the resources that the sector needs for the crisis element of that. What we haven't really invested enough in, I think, is the prevention aspect. Primary prevention, early intervention, and. And of course, there's healing and recovery. So, Tanya Plibersek, who's my senior Minister, and I, we're really interested in how we can work much better with communities around primary prevention. And that's where we're going to be focusing a lot. I've also been asked to work with the LGBTIQA+ community because, you know, it's all pervasive family and domestic violence and as you said, across all families. And so it does exist in the LGBTIQA+ communities and I think there's policy responses, I think that are quite unique that will be needed for that sector. And so I've started working with great organisations like Thorne Harbour, Rainbow Families, LHA, Rainbow Health. So, we're all starting to think about how we can work with the communities to deal with family and domestic violence.
MACCA MCCARTHY: And I'm so glad to hear that, you know, government has a role and $4 billion, that's a lot of money. I can't help thinking though that it. Not a, not a criticism at all, but it gets back to people's attitudes that, you know, why do, you know, why do some people, male and female and other genders, why do they think it's acceptable to engage in family violence in all its forms? Like, you know, what is, what is, what is wrong with people when they have this sort of an attitude that it's okay, you know, to do that?
GED KEARNEY: There's a lot of sit there with.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Do you ever have your finger on your chin going, wtf?
GED KEARNEY: Definitely. Yes. Most definitely. There are a lot of drivers, a lot of drivers for people to use violence and they're quite complex and deep-seated. Of course. I've been doing a lot of work with the First Nations communities, for example, there's intergenerational trauma, there's, you know, all sorts of really deep-seated generational issues. We do find that people who have been victims of family domestic violence themselves often become perpetrators. Not always. Not always, but there's often a history there themselves. But I think, I think a better question rather than, you know, once we understand some of those drivers and there has been a lot of work done, how do we intercept and intervene when we know that somebody is at risk of using violence? How do we intervene? One of the really worrying things that's coming up in recent research is with young men on their phones getting influenced by you know, the Andrew Tates of the world.
JACK CRNJANIN: The manosphere.
GED KEARNEY: That's the word. That's the word, the manosphere. I'd never heard of that word before. Do you know, until I came into this area.
JACK CRNJANIN: Don’t think you are really missing much.
GED KEARNEY: Have you seen any of it?
JACK CRNJANIN: No. I work in social media, so I tend to try and get away from social media otherwise. But the impacts that I have seen on some of my friends and family. They haven't been like, terrible, terrible, but it takes people in a direction, kind of mentally, or how they think about the world and how they see other people in directions that I don't really agree with.
GED KEARNEY: No, it's very worrying. And of course, access. We know that young men get access to pornography very early and a lot of that is not healthy sex that they see in pornography. And so we're thinking of interventions, early interventions there, working with younger and younger men. Something that I'm going to be doing, actually, is working on an area policy area called healthy masculinity. And this is how we grow healthy young men. So, yeah, that's it. There's a perfect example.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: So Ged that's a difficult part of your work, but obviously a very important part of your portfolio. One of the things that we want to talk about today is some of the highs that you've had for 2025. Does anything in particular spark to mind?
GED KEARNEY: We won an election. That was a pretty big high.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: That's always a good start, isn't it?
MACCA MCCARTHY: It's always a good start. Well, that was kind of in the middle of this.
Kenny: Sorry Ged.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Yes, yes. I beg your pardon?
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: There seems to be a delivery.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: Oh, my goodness.
GED KEARNEY: It's a big cheque.
JACK CRNJANIN: So, we've just had Josh Burns walk in the studio.
JACK CRNJANIN: With a great big cheque
GED KEARNEY: But wait, there's more. But wait, there's more.
JACK CRNJANIN: We have quite a lot of people in the studio at the moment alongside the huge rainbow check that Josh Burns happens to be holding. And he's sitting down at the desk now. I think you said it. Josh Burns, welcome to the studio.
JOSH BURNS: I know that this is not a visual medium, but if I can describe. We tried to design the most flamboyant, oversized check we could possibly.
JACK CRNJANIN: I was trying my best to describe it as it happened.
MACCA MCCARTHY: I wanted a big cheque.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: And did you get one?
MACCA MCCARTHY: I've got a big cheque.
PAUL HORWELL: What would that be? Like a metre and a half by, like about a metre.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: Okay. Size queen.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Also, you know, we have Ged Kearney in the studio. We have Paul. Scott Williams, our CEO. We have Paul Horwell, CEO of the Pride Centre.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: We have Ms. Georgie Purcell who's very pregnant. And you won't be at the Meadows tonight. I know, because you're pregnant. Oh, you are going to be there demonstrating against the Greyhounds. Hang on, I need to stand up for a picture.
PAUL HORWELL: There's a lot happening in studio. I think Macca's just grabbing the check now. Savour the moment, you might say.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: So, Macca, what is this cheque and how did it come to be?
MACCA MCCARTHY: Well, in 33 years of Joy's existence, we didn't have one bloody cent from the Federal Government. Josh Burns, Peter Khalil and Ged Kearney were very fortunate to be on the receiving end of my gentle lobbying.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: And what did that sound like? I heard some of those messages from time to time. I was almost as colourful as this cheque.
MACCA MCCARTHY: I could breach broadcasting regulations.
PAUL HORWELL: I probably wouldn't do that, just as you've gotten the cheque.
GED KEARNEY: But getting asked on air was a highlight.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: It's not so gentle lobbying, Jeff.
MACCA MCCARTHY: It's called an ambush. But, you know, the reality is, you know, we as a community organisation have been around for a very long time. And when I spoke, the very first conversation I had with Josh was in Michael Danby's office up Fitzroy Street when Michael was moving offices and it was the end of his term and Josh came up to me and he introduced himself and he said, there's one thing that I want to do. I want you to tell me how I can help Joy. And that was how long ago, Josh?
JOSH BURNS: Almost seven. Seven and a half years ago.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Yeah, the seven-year itch. There we go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And, you know, Ged has, you know, really engaged with us. Peter Khalil's engaged with us. On the other side of the fence, you know, some of the Opposition have engaged with us. And at the end of the day, this is about community and it is about supporting the community that we, you know, that we live in. This is radio made by us for us. And the support we get from you guys and Georgie and. And Betty. Thanks you. Georgie is really, really important because. Because it's not just about the money. It's about visibility and it's about policy and it really bloody matters. And Paul's looking at me thinking, oh, my God, Mac is going to tear up again. It is really important. Whether it's about family violence, you know, whether it's about social services, whether it's about health for our community, there's nothing better than actually being heard and being supported. So, I say thank you.
JACK CRNJANIN: You might want to say that one more time because we're not done with the ambushes. Who's on the phone? Do you want to make yourself known?
PETER KHALIL: Hello, It's Peter.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Oh, Peter Khalil from the People's Republic of Merri-bek.
PETER KHALIL: I'm not in Melbourne this weekend, so I'm so sorry I can't join the party, but I heard you got ambushed. Is that true?
MACCA MCCARTHY: And it's a rainbow. You know how I love. I'm not a size queen, Peter, but I got a big cheque.
PETER KHALIL: Wow.
MACCA MCCARTHY: And where are you?
PETER KHALIL: I'm in Country Victoria.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Where? Come on, tell us.
PETER KHALIL: In the bush.
MACCA MCCARTHY: In the bush. Okay.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: Watch out for those fires, Peter.
PETER KHALIL: I'll try. It was very hot yesterday and congratulations to back. A good rainbow cheque is always good to have. How big is it, Peter?
JACK CRNJANIN: It's not the size that counts, mate.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: It's the amount that's on it.
PAUL HORWELL: It's the amount that's on it.
MACCA MCCARTHY: It's what you do with it. That's right.
PETER KHALIL: Exactly. That's right.
MACCA MCCARTHY: It's where you. It's where you deposit it.
JOSH BURNS: Macca, can I say something?
MACCA MCCARTHY: Of course.
JOSH BURNS: Because I feel like we're falling off a cliff here. No, no, no, Macca, you told a very generous storey. But actually, the conversations that Ged, Peter and I have had, especially with yourself and all of the other team at Joy, have all revolved around. And it's all revolved around wanting to pass the baton on after your incredible time as leading this organisation, but also making sure it's sustainable into the future. And in every conversation that we had, it was never about you or your legacy. It was about how do we help ensure that Joy Media is there and continues to play the role that it does into the future. And I think that that is a great sign of leadership, that it's not just about what's going on today, but how do we help build for tomorrow. And I think when we looked at how we can support Joy Media, it was really about how do we help you, but how do we help this organisation be a really proud and loud voice for a community that deserves a loud and proud voice? And I know that Ged helped, when we were getting a bit stuck internally, make sure we move the dial. And Peter was also making sure that we're on the phones adding to this call. And it was a team effort and we're all very proud to be here and well done for being relentless. And I said to you, I think once government moves very, very slow until it moves very, very fast. And you were patient and also relentless in ensuring that JOY had a seat and a voice at the table. So, well done, mate, and very proud to support.
MACCA MCCARTHY: And Peter and Ged and Josh. I'm not going to completely apologise for my lobbying style.
GED KEARNEY: There's nothing to apologise.
MACCA MCCARTHY: I don't know. You got the easier end of it.
PETER KHALIL: But he called me. You were calling me every day.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Yeah.
JACK CRNJANIN: What did he. What did he call you, Peter? What did he call you?
PETER KHALIL: My friend? Yes, I got a few lengthy text messages late at night.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Yeah. You know, but also, you know, you know, in. In the state arena, Georgie Purcell, you know, from Animal Justice, Legalised Cannabis and others, you know, really have supported joy. And, you know, for me, this is about the community that has been so good to me and this radio station is so important to our community. The issues that we raise. We have a voice and we get heard and that is what makes it all worthwhile. So, I don't know.
PETER KHALIL: Well, I've got to say, Macca, I agree with everything Josh said, but I just want a slight difference there. Just a big thank you to you because it is partly about your legacy, the work that you've done and many others on the team. And you know, you should be celebrated and given a rainbow cheque. That's the least that can be done there for the photo opportunity. But you've been amazing in the many, many years we've known each other. Your advocacy, your lobbying, your friendship and your, your passion for the station and for the community is just. It shines through, I think. Shinier and sparklier than that chick, frankly.
JACK CRNJANIN: Tall task.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Look, I, I, I, really. A listener here has said, we want a lobbyist guide by Macca. Well, yes, that's a great idea, but you know, our CEO, you know, and Paul Scott Williams, a previous president of joy, Paul Horwell, a current president of joy, Paul Winle, who's coming only because I've left him some jam in the thing. You know, everyone else that's here, this is what our community is about.
JACK CRNJANIN: Yeah.
MACCA MCCARTHY: And I don't know, I don't know what else to say other than, you.
JACK CRNJANIN: Know, you've usually got plenty to say.
MACCA MCCARTHY: You've been very gracious and, you know, when Josh rang me and said. And when Paul, our CEO, said, the money. You know, there are three things, there are three great lies. And Paul's thinking, oh, my God, he's going to say this. The cheques in the mail, I'll respect you in the morning. I won't say the third one, but, you know…
JACK CRNJANIN: Lucky this isn’t recorded and being broadcasted, some of the advantages of this medium.
MACCA MCCARTHY: There are people, you know, who wonder what I'm going to say next. Well, guess what? I'm holding back now. I want Nevena to say something. Or Paul or John or Paul Scott Williams, you know, please say something because I just need a few seconds to go.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: I'm saying this here. Have a tissue, dog.
MACCA MCCARTHY: No, no, I don't want a tissue. No, I'm not gonna let my makeup run, but please say something.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: We're gonna shortly go to a break and we'll be back with some words for me.
MACCA MCCARTHY: No, no, we're gonna. No, keep talking.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: Oh, Jesus. All right, we can actually just go.
PAUL SCOTT WILLIAMS: Hello, it's Paul here. Hello. Look, it's just such a fantastic gesture of solidarity and enabling, you know, us to continue to do the really important work that somehow seems to get more important as, you know, we're really activated and, you know, energetic about, about the future. So, it just means so much, you know, in terms of not just the, the financial support, but you know, what that, that deeper meaning of, you know, recognising what we're doing. We feel, how do they say it on the American. I feel heard, I feel seen, you know, it's all that kind of thing, but also really, really supported as, as a community. So, thanks, Josh and thanks, Macca.
JOSH BURNS: Do you know, Macca, the other thing, because I've been coming here for a few years now and one of the things that I think Joy Media can be really proud of is the talent that is fostered through giving people a platform and an opportunity through community radio. And there are some amazing broadcasters that come through Joy Media and you've had some cohosts over the years as well and of course to have present company included. But this is a station that also fosters great talent, helps people find the, hone in on their skills, help the people who respect the craft. And it's a really great thing. And I think that when I think about the sort of interviews and the conversations that we have, sometimes we have a nice Saturday morning conversation, but often it's real, it's real issues that affect the community and there's no holding back or fearlessness that's prohibiting people in these conversations. And I think that's a credit to Joy. And let me also make sure that everyone understands that this money is for Joy to be Joy, not to be some sort of extension of the federal government. The editorial and the overall decisions of how Joy Media operates is entirely for joy. This is just a recognition that in order to be a independent, busy community radio station that will give us a hard time when we need it. This is just a little bit of support that we can provide. So, keep, keep fostering great talent, keep being an amazing community organisation and keep making sure that when we do walk through these walls, we get the, the real treatment. Because I think that's what makes good listening.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Sounds like another funding submission to me.
JACK CRNJANIN: Well, we'll get to that. You're listening to Saturday Magazine. We've got way more people in the studio than we had a second ago. Stick with us, we've got more coming up in just a moment.
JACK CRNJANIN: You are indeed listening to Joy 94.9. This is Saturday Magazine. I'm Jack on the panel, barely steering the ship at this point. We've got about eight minutes left on the show and we were going to be speaking with Ged Kearney and Josh Burns who are joining Macca, Nevena and myself in the studio about their 2025 wrapping the highs and lows. We had a huge check just walk in the door and I think we're all still coming to terms with what's going on in the studio. I think.
MACCA MCCARTHY: I don't know. There was an ambush. Ged Kearney and Josh Burns are in the studio and we did the big check thing. If you weren't listening, you'll get it on the podcast. Ged and Josh, give us a quick wrap of 2025 and you've got. I'm gonna make one sarcastic comment. Did that big check come in a Comcar? Yeah.
JOSH BURNS: Why don't you. Why don't you elevate this?
GED KEARNEY: No, it didn't.
It didn't. It just walked in the door in Josh's and Georgie's very capable hands.
MACCA MCCARTHY: So, give us the wrap for the year, Ged, and what do you want next year?
GED KEARNEY: Okay. Well, a really big highlight for me. Before you walked in, I was just saying winning the election was a pretty good. A pretty good May made a good May for us. But I was really wrapped with some of the policies that we took to that election Macca, that we're now implementing, like the women's health package. Do you know, as I was walking in the door, Izzy and I were coming in to do this interview, A woman stopped me and she said, Ged, I just want to thank you for all of the things you did for women's health. She said, I've got endometriosis. And she said, I'm going through menopause. Oh, my goodness. She said, it's really made a huge difference. So, I'm really proud of that policy and really proud of the difference it's made for a lot of Australian women. Really great. Yeah, keep going. I can keep going.
JOSH BURNS: I think the election was an amazing experience. And obviously the last few years, years of politics have been extremely difficult. And to be on the other side of that and to be able to continue to work in government, I feel immensely privileged and I feel really lucky. I think the things that I feel grateful for and when I look, you know, look back on what we're doing, you know, I've got this amazing opportunity to be the special envoy for social housing and homelessness that the Prime Minister asked me to do. And we are. We are getting the Federal Government back in the provision of housing, which has been a huge effort to build up the institutional capability to help actually get the ball rolling and to then now start building. We've already built thousands of homes and we are just getting started. And this is. This is a really important task. And we want to embed this as a central core business of the federal government, which it takes time and it's a lot of work to do. So, I'm really enjoying work. I feel like I've got the enjoyment back into politics and it can be this amazingly inspirational, inspiring business, and you only want to be in it because you want to do great things, and that's been really good. And I'd be also lying, Macca, if I wasn't saying that a highlight of 2025 was knowing that Georgie and I are about to have a baby, which is also really, really exciting. So, lovely. I'm very Much looking forward to that.
MACCA MCCARTHY: And you know, Georgie is in the studio and I've said this a number of times on air when Georgie and Josh are here together. You know, often in life you don't always get to see people that are really in love and I know it's embarrassing, but, you know, it's so lovely to see across not the political divide, but perhaps the aisle a little bit. This is what Community should be about. Do you want to say something, Georgie? Yeah, come on.
JACK CRNJANIN: This is. This is a rogue. This is a rogue segment.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Yeah, yeah.
GEORGIE PURCELL: Oh, goodness, no, thanks. Thanks, Macca, that's really lovely of you. And I just want to say congratulations as well and for all your support and I think particularly for often supporting me in difficult issues. And I know you're a great internal advocate for me in some of the communities that I'm trying to work with as well. And it's been just. Yeah. Such a joy coming on Joy throughout the year and I'm looking forward to continuing to do it next year. We'll probably be coming in with a plus one. Yes, but. Yes.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Are you talking about another cheque...
JOSH BURNS: Yeah, one of one of our many animals that Georgie brings to the equation.
GEORGIE PURCELL: I probably would say as well. Josh and I said this when we came on and hosted it together, but obviously our experience together as a couple hasn't been particularly easy and we've always really appreciated that we had a home here at Joy and your support and knowing that it was a place for us to be welcome as well. And yeah, we'll always be grateful for.
MACCA MCCARTHY: That and thank you and rest assured, Georgie, I'm not giving up speaking to people in the greyhound industry. There's something that they have in common with you and we need to bridge that divide and that is their love of greyhounds. I want to make greyhound racing safer. Georgie would like a different outcome, I acknowledge that, but I also like that as well. Yeah. But you know, the reality is I'm going to continue working at that and I know GRV will be listening. Good on you guys. Glad to know you're still spending all that money the government gives you. Well, by listening to me.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: What a show. What a time. This has been an enormous Saturday magazine. Thank you to every single one of us.
MACCA MCCARTHY: It's a bloody ambush.
NEVENA SPIROVSKA: It's a bloody ambush. But aren't you bloody glad about it? To everyone who put this show together, to the amazing Kenny, to Jack on panel, to my wonderful cohost Macca, to everyone who brought this check in, to all of our listeners, to our supporters, to our detractors, to the people who send us wonderful and deranged messages, thank you. You make this show one of a kind. We have been Saturday Magazine. This has been an incredible show.
MACCA MCCARTHY: Our last actual live show for the year, even though we do Christmas Day. And for those of you who listen all the time, thank you. And remember, you can't make this up.