Curtain The Podcast

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This is Curtain – a podcast where we pull back the blinds to shine a light on the darkest parts of our justice system and ask – who are the victims? Could an Aboriginal man who has served 25 years in prison for Murder be innocent? Hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson

CurtainThePodcast


    • Sep 2, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 89 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Curtain The Podcast

    The Inquiry, a Simple Waste of Time!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 30:29 Transcription Available


    In episode 11 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the final report of the Senate inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children. Only ten recommendations were handed down, all with little or no relevance to the issue of femicide in this nation, the disappeared remain forgotten and the hosts explain the litany of failures.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    New Data Exposed

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 27:01


    In episode 10 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss a new set of data figures they have pieced together. The numbers highlight trends and patterns that defy the accepted status quo and challenge mainstream media assertions about the issue of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Children.  This podcast is proudly brought to you by the BlakCast network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    For Constance the Coroner Failed.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 26:14


    In episode 9 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the recent inquest findings into the death of Constance May Watcho, examine a litany of failures by the court, discuss the clear evidence that exists and examine how deeply her family and community have been failed by the system, yet again!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Long Wait for Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 33:16


    In episode 8 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the recent inquest findings into the 1987 death of Aboriginal teenagers Jacinta "Cindy" Smith and Mona Lisa Smith. From the remote NSW town of Bourke, their families have long campaigned for justice and 36 years later all has finally been revealed. A predator targeting Aboriginal children, a botched and racist police investigation, and the state that never wanted the truth to see the light of day. This episode is proudly brought to you by BlakCast and produced by Clint Curtis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Finding the Missing with their Phones.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 32:33


    In episode 7 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson explain the vital tool that is triangulation, and the way it is used to locate missing and murdered people. But it is a technology that is not applied equally, with police failing to deploy this vital resource all too often. The Australian parliament has recently passed new legislation to improve its use, but does it really address the root issue? This episode is proudly brought to you by BlakCast and produced by Clint Curtis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rolfe Takes the Stand

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 25:21


    In episode 6 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the testimony of Zachary Rolfe at the coronial inquest into the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker. Racism, repeated violence and a media determined to hide the truth is only the beginning of what was revealed. Curtain the Podcast is brought to you by the BlakCast Network and is produced by Clint Curtis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Asking Questions of an Inquiry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 29:55


    In episode 5 hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson are again analysing the National inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Children. The latest hearings took place in Queensland and once again, the failures of the police and the inquiry to hold them to account was front and centre. Curtain the Podcast is brought to you by the BlakCast Network and is produced by Clint Curtis.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Missing While Blak

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2024 27:03


    In Episode 4, Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss Missing White Woman Syndrome and compare police and media responses between when a white child goes missing to when a blak child goes missing. The data will horrify you, it's even worse than you can imagine! Curtain the Podcast is brought to you by the BlakCast Network and is produced by Clint Curtis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Aunty Queenie Hart, The Truth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 28:34


    In Episode 3, Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson speak with the niece of Aunty Queenie Hart, Debbie West. With all three having worked closely together to have Queenie reburied at home in Cherbourg, this episode provides a chance for the family to take power of their own story, for Queenie's humanity to be heard and written into history, and for her killer to be named without any equivocation. This episode is the justice the Queensland courts and police could not provide! Curtain the Podcast is brought to you by the BlakCast Network and is produced by Clint Curtis.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Landscape of Disappearance

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 23:15


    In Episode 2, Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson begin tracing the origins of the present crisis, in which Aboriginal women are being targeted for violence and disappearing. We begin with a story that connects the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) with the disappearing of Aboriginal women in our own country. Martin then looks back in the historical archive to understand how the history of gendered and racialised violence is repeated and reproduced throughout the generations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Welcome to Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 24:27


    Welcome to Season 2 of Curtain The Podcast. In this episode, hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson outline a new direction for the show, a focus on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Children. Amy explains why a different term informs her approach and the hosts preview what's to come in this season as they tackle the femicide of First Nations women that is devastating lives, families and communities.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Asking Questions of an Inquiry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 44:12


    On this episode of Curtain the Podcast, hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the short comings of the National inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Children. They look at where the inquiry is failing, the mistakes that are being made and the places and people the inquiry must turn to for answersThis week's episode was made possible with the support of Steve Bunbajee, Ivana Kovac Kuti, Susan Peterson, Simon Crewdson, Tim Levinson, Gillian Haines, Brami Jegan, Claire, Amanda Porter, Khadija Gbla, Lisa Williams, Anna Ashenden and other generous donors.They pledged support and you can too at https://www.patreon.com/CurtainPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Digging Deeper into the Data

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 31:22


    On this episode of Curtain the Podcast, hosts Martin Hodgson and Amy McQuire continue their discussion of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Australia. They examine new data, explore whether perceived ideas in the media and community are born out in the data and ask who is best placed to begin to provide answers on this vital issue facing a nation. 

    The Unanswered

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 32:50


    On this episode of Curtain the Podcast, hosts Martin Hodgson and Amy McQuire discuss their recent involvement in a number of inquests into the unsolved killings of Aboriginal women in Queensland. And discuss how these inquests impact families, the sickening role of Queensland police and the failure of the media in their reporting. 

    Disappeared and Murdered Aboriginal Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 23:41


    On this episode of Curtain the Podcast, host Martin Hodgson introduces listeners to the 2013 disappearance of Aboriginal woman Monique Clubb. We look at the failures of the Queensland Police to find her, the racism and incompetence involved in the investigation and we begin a journey with her family to find answers, to get justice and to allow them to lay their daughter to rest. 

    No Justice, No Peace!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 38:45


    On this episode of Curtain The Podcast co-hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss yet another officer getting away with the killing of an Aboriginal woman. The continued police killings, the failures of the media, and the way Aboriginal people are constantly targeted and deemed a threat to society.

    New Evidence Support's Reed's Innocence

    Play Episode Play 15 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 35:14


    In this episode of Curtain, hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson take you behind the scenes of the latest evidentiary hearing in the case of Rodney Reed. More evidence is presented of Rodney's innocence, new police lies are exposed and questions are raised once again as to just how deep the cover-up went. 

    Dr Amanda Porter Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 23:53


    This week on Curtain, host Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson are joined by special guest Dr Amanda Porter, to discuss the 30th anniversary of the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody and look at some recent and disturbing developments in policing in Australia.

    Zak Grieve and the Cost of Innocence

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 41:55


    In this episode of Curtain the Podcast hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the case of Zak Grieve, a young Aboriginal man serving a cruel sentence for a crime he didn't commit in the NT. Then the discussion turns to mandatory minimum sentences and the impact they have on Aboriginal people, plus the enormous financial cost of trying to free and an innocent person from behind bars.

    Update on Curtain & Reed, Plus Trump's Execution Spree

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2020 20:17


    In this episode of Curtain the Podcast, we update you on the case of Kevin Henry and explain more about Qld's pardon process, bring you the latest news on Rodney Reed and his appearance on the ABC USA show 20/20, and discuss the current spree of Federal executions that have been ordered by Donald Trump.

    Part 2 - A Look Back Behind the Bars

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 21:38


    Part 2 of a very special episode of Curtain the Podcast we are joined from Rockhampton by Sterling McQuire. Not only is he Co-Host Amy McQuire's father, he worked for decades at the prison in Rockhampton where Kevin Henry was held for nearly 30 years. For the first time we take you behind the bars and you'll hear how this entire journey to freeing Curtain really began.

    A Look Back Behind the Bars

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 40:17


    In a very special episode of Curtain the Podcast we are joined from Rockhampton by Sterling McQuire. Not only is he Co-Host Amy McQuire's father, he worked for decades at the prison in Rockhampton where Kevin Henry was held for nearly 30 years. For the first time we take you behind the bars and you'll hear how this entire journey to freeing Curtain really began.

    BlackLivesMatter and Black Deaths in Custody Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 34:18


    In this episode of Curtain the Podcast, Co-Hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson look at the wave of protests sweeping the world following the horrific killing of George Floyd by police. They examine similar cases in Australia, why the media is so inept at reporting on these issues and what is required to get justice for Aboriginal people in this country

    The Day We'd Dreamed Of

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2020 28:48


    It was the 20th of January 2020, fires were raging across the East Coast of Australia, but just outside of the town of Rockhampton a new day had dawned. In this special episode of Curtain the Podcast, hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson reveal what made that one day so special and for the first time let the listeners in on some news that people from around the world had been waiting to hear!

    The Covid 19 Prison Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2020 26:00


    In a new episode of Curtain The Podcast, host Martin Hodgson brings you the latest information on the way the Corona Virus is impacting on our prison system. And what can be done to help those inside and assist in getting parole and release for those at risk. All information on how to assist is on the Curtain The Podcast website.

    We Know the Killer, it's always been Jimmy Fennell

    Play Episode Play 32 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 23, 2019 30:51


    In a new episode of Curtain The Podcast, hosts Amy Mcquire and Martin Hodgson ask you to be the jury. In just a few weeks Texas will execute Rodney Reed, today you'll hear why he is innocent and the evidence that points to the real killer... Jimmy Fennell, the victim's fiancé.

    Dr Phil Challenges Rodney Reed's Conviction

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2019 30:05


    In this episode of Curtain The Podcast, host Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson once again discuss the case of Rodney Reed in Texas that so closely mirrors that of Kevin Henry. This week comes the news that Dr Phil has joined the fight to free Rodney and we hear from the Reed family.

    Aboriginal Women and the Injustice System

    Play Episode Play 35 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 18, 2019 38:38


    In an all-new episode of Curtain The Podcast, Hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the way the police and the justice system treat Aboriginal Women, on the day a 29-year-old Yamatji woman and Mother was shot dead by police. From the 29 years of racist inaction by authorities following the disappearance of Colleen Walker, to the death in custody of Ms Maher and the horrific treatment of Jody Gore currently in a prison in WA for defeneding herself, Australian society has the blood of Aboriginal Women on its hands!

    Comparing the Central Park Five to Curtain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2019 32:19


    In an all new episode of Curtain The Podcast, Hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson discuss the reaction to the new Netflix drama series on the Central Park Five, the shocking similarities to Curtain's case and for the first time you'll hear why there have been recent delays in bringing new episodes to air and the progress of Kevin's case.

    We're Still Dying At Their Hands

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2019 33:11


    On the first episode of Curtain The Podcast for 2019 we explain the brief delay in the case of Kevin Henry. Before exploring two disturbing and shocking deaths in custody of Aboriginal Women. And once again the failings of the Australian media to properly investigate these ongoing injustices

    The Insult of Having to Beg Betty for Pardon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2018 18:31


    Aboriginal man Kipper Billy was wrongly convicted of rape in 1861, in the state of Qld he was executed for a crime he did not commit. Now 150 years later he's finally been given the pardon he deserves, although true justice can never be done. This week we explore the issue of pardon in this context and the insult it is that Aboriginal people still have to beg the very family who invaded their lands for the right to be free.

    Bowraville: Still Fighting for Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2018 27:13


    This week we examine the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal refusing an application by the NSW Attorney-General to retry the person police suspect of killing three Aboriginal children in Bowraville between 1990 and 1991. Despite the incredible efforts of the children's families, they've been failed again. Their demands for justice and the failure for it to be delivered rests on the shoulders of the entire Australian community, as well as the police and politicians. So what has to be done to value Aboriginal lives.

    No Appeal if you're Aboriginal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2018 20:14


    This week we take a look at what is happening in Australia in regards to prisoners appealing significant sentences for murder were there is doubt over their guilt. For two Non-Aboriginal prisoners it appears justice will be served, one has already received compensation. For two Aboriginal men, the opposite is true

    Three Cases for Truth and Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2018 27:33


    This week we look at new information about the extent of police corruption in Queensland, the overcrowding of Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre and another tragic death in custody examined.

    No Justice, No Peace... For Aboriginal Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2018 28:30


    In this weeks episode of Curtain we examine the shocking death of an Aboriginal woman in the Northern Territory that has gone unsolved and unpunished for more than four years. Amid dark clouds over the police's handling of the case, another life has been taken without any justice or outcry from the broader community. Also we examine the shocking new statistics on the rate of incarceration of vulnerable Aboriginal children.

    Another Aboriginal Man Innocent Inside

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2018 25:32


    When Curtain the Podcast began, we asked the question 'How many Indigenous prisoners in Australia are innocent?". Today we discuss the case of South Australia's Derek Bromley, who has been in prison for more than 34 years. He's always maintained his innocence, the two key witnesses have long since been shown to have no credibility and others have walked free... why not Derek?

    His Image Goes Viral

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2018 28:13


    Just over a week ago we shared a recent image of Kevin Henry, allowing the public to see his face for the first time in 27 years. The response was overwhelming; this week we explain why, answer many of the questions that were raised by those who saw it and ask for your help to free and innocent man.

    Who is Committing the Crimes?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2018 20:42


    This week on Curtain the podcast, in just the past week three more examples have emerged of police targeting Aboriginal people. Firstly in the attempt to imprison the cousin of Ms Dhu, again for unpaid fines, despite all that has happened to the family and the situation you'll hear. A WA Snr Sergeant has struck with a vehicle a young 18 year old leaving him in hospital and the community of Palm Island has been awarded 30 million dollars, after the QPS was found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act. It sets the scene for what its like for Aboriginal people dealing with police in Australia and shines further light on how they handled the case of Curtain

    Gene Gibson and the Interview Room

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2018 33:07


    This week we examine the case of Gene Gibson from Western Australia who was wrongfully convicted and finally released after five years in Prison. What is occurring in the interview rooms of Police Stations around the country that continue to send innocent people to prison.

    From Inside The Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2018 33:24


    This week a special episode of Curtain focuses on Domestic Violence, the failures of policy, police and the community to protect Aboriginal women and children. Hear about why this is going on, how its being tackled and the voices of the Aboriginal Women you need to listen to when the podcast ends!

    Why the Two Reports?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2018 26:05


    Welcome to episode 50 of Curtain, hosts Amy McQuire and Martin Hodgson detail a new study about exonerations that has direct relevance to the case of Kevin Henry. Then for the first time new forensic information can be revealed and a second report that further highlights the misconduct of authorities and innocence of Curtain is disclosed

    New Documents Revealed

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 25:41


    This week Martin and Amy detail some of the new information that has been uncovered in relation to Kevin Henry's case. There are further issues of police failures, new witnesses that we've interviewed and more questions that are finally answered.

    A Week That Demands a Royal Commission

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2018 29:45


    From the World's leading Human Rights Organisation to some of the best Medical minds on the planet, we learn what we already know. Aboriginal people are being treated appallingly in prisons across the country. From more Deaths in Custody, to Children in Solitary Confinement and the sexual abuse of disabled prisoners the horror continues. A Royal Commission must be called and that's only a start

    Invasion Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2018 33:40


    Welcome to an Invasion day special of Curtain the podcast. Host Amy McQuire reflects on what the day means to her and the broader Indigenous community, while also discussing some of the findings of her recent travels around Australia of horrific events and massacres. Afterward Martin Hodgson has a challenge for you to undertake this invasion day, a 20 square kilometre examination of the past and present treatment of ATSI people where you live and runs you through the events of the area that surrounds him.

    2018 A Year When Justice Needs You

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2018 20:10


    Welcome to 2018 and the first instalment of the podcast for the year. In this episode we detail what we have planned for the year to come, how we will be bringing justice for Kevin and Lynda and also the work we will be doing to expose the wrongs committed against Aboriginal people around the country. But as we expand, we need your help and your contribution to our patreon push becomes even more important

    Islands of Injustice

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2017 25:36


    This week host Amy McQuire is away on assignment, but Martin Hodgson delivers a special Human Rights Day episode on the island prisons that have been part of Australia's history and why acknowledging the injustices committed against First Nations people will help us understand the horrors of Manus and Nauru.

    The NT Royal Commission

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2017 33:18


    A special episode of Curtain looks at the findings of the royal commission into youth detention and we have scathing words for what has largely been celebrated as a successful process. Find out why these new recommendations are destined to fail and the alternatives that should have been proposed

    Proving Innocence in Australia

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2017 30:55


    This week we look at the cases of those proven innocent and those seeking to prove their innocence, including Kevin Henry. We examine the role race plays in the process and the way dodgy forensics, often influenced by race, can convict the innocent and control the media narrative.

    The Forensic Race For Reed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2017 25:44


    This week on Curtain we bring you an update from Rodney Reed's latest hearing in Texas. The similarities to Kevin Henry's case cross the boundaries of race, innocence and dodgy forensics. Finally we reveal a case about to explode in Australia that will blow the lid on all of these issues and helps highlight why innocent men like Kevin and Rodney are still imprisoned.

    A Gun To The Head

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2017 22:39


    This week the most explosive allegations in the case of Kevin Henry. An Aboriginal man who has been locked up for a quarter of a century for a murder he says he did not commit says police held a gun to his head and threatened to “dispose” of him off the top of a mountain if he did not confess to the crime.

    A Breakthrough

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2017 24:57


    Hosts Amy Mcquire and Martin Hodgson are back with a new episode of Curtain that details a breakthrough in the parole process. Having extensively litigated and appealed previous rejections a new hearing is scheduled. While work continues to achieve a full pardon for Kevin Henry

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