Has Australia Become a Conspiracy Nation?
Australian True Crime
Meshel Laurie
4.6 • 979 Ratings
🗓️ 3 August 2025
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Conspiracy theories are reshaping Australian society, with some having devastating real-world consequences.
Drawing on years of investigative reporting, Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson explore how online extremism takes hold, the uniquely Australian anxieties that fuel it, and how it's weaponised by powerful figures.
You can purchase your copy of Conspiracy Nation here.
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CREDITS:
Host: Meshel Laurie
Guest: Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson
Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | There are plenty of criticisms about mainstream media that now were saying no new things pop up in independent media that are great. |
| 0:06.2 | It was very reasonable to question mainstream what people thought was the only truth or the only way to do things. |
| 0:12.9 | But that also means that there is now more dissenting views and people who believe things that I personally don't think are real, |
| 0:18.6 | who have audiences and abilities to reach people. |
| 0:21.3 | That's why it's so complex. |
| 0:22.7 | Anyone out there can now find someone or something that confirms what they want to believe. |
| 0:27.6 | That's the kind of thing that we have to deal with when we're talking about conspiracy theories. |
| 0:36.3 | Conspiracy Nation is a new book written by two of Australia's brightest young journalists, |
| 0:41.6 | Walkley Award winner Ariel Bogle from The Guardian and Cam Wilson from Crikey. |
| 0:47.2 | The book covers every nook and cranny of the conspiracy landscape as it pertains specifically to Australia. |
| 0:53.8 | And it turns out there are many more nooks |
| 0:56.0 | than I for one realised. In fact, when I read the title, I must admit I was a bit insulted. I mean, |
| 1:03.6 | I know we dabble, but surely they can't be referring to Australia as a conspiracy nation. |
| 1:10.2 | This is Australian true crime. |
| 1:12.6 | We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which this podcast is created, |
| 1:17.2 | the Wurundri, Woi Wurang people of the Koolan Nation. |
| 1:21.1 | And a warning, this episode of the podcast contains graphic descriptions of violence. |
| 1:30.7 | Hi, guys, it's Sam and Pete from the Staying Red of a Podcasts and we're sponsored by Gemini, |
| 1:35.0 | Google's personal AI assistant. Listen to this. You're going to hate this. Hi Gemini. My co-host, |
| 1:39.6 | Peter, he's in a bit of a grump. Can you give me some quick ways to cheer him up, please? |
| 1:43.6 | Of course. You could start by offering him his favourite snack or drink. Maybe tell a funny joke or share a funny meme to lighten the mood. Thank you, Gemini. That's actually really good. How are you feeling, Pete? Well, I feel better now. Download the Gemini app today to unlock the power of Google AI on your phone. |
| 2:01.2 | Check responses, compatibility and availability varies 18 plus. |
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