Australian Skeptics

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Australian Skeptics
ASI Logo 2015.png
Formation 1980
Purpose "Investigating pseudo-science and the paranormal from a responsible scientific viewpoint"
Region served
Australia

Australian Skeptics is a loose confederation of like-minded organisations across Australia that began in 1980. Australian Skeptics investigate paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies.[1] This page covers all Australian skeptical groups who are of this mindset. The title "Australian Skeptics" can be easily confused with one of the more prominent groups, "Australian Skeptics Inc." which is based in Sydney and is one of the central organising groups within the Australian Skeptics.

Origins

Australian Skeptics Logos
ASI Logo 2015.png 100px
The map of Australia in the shape of a question mark was adopted as the official logo by the Australian Skeptics in 1996 and is a registered trademark image of the Australian Skeptics Inc. All Australian skeptical groups have been granted unconditional licence to use the image. The Koala mascot is an unlicensed image that was adopted as an informal mascot in 2000.

Australian Skeptics was founded in Melbourne Victoria in 1980, after Sydney electronics entrepreneur Dick Smith sponsored a visit to Australia by James Randi, principal investigator for the American-based Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), part of the non-profit organisation Center for Inquiry (CFI), which are joint publishers of the Skeptical Inquirer.[2][3] During this visit James Randi, Dick Smith, Phillip Adams,[4] Richard Carleton and an unidentified businessman offered a $50000 prize to anyone who could prove psychic phenomena in front of Randi. A number of contenders, largely water diviners came forward, but all failed to prove their claims in front of independent observers. At that time a group of Australians decided to set up an Australian group to continue testing the claims of the paranormal. This group was named “Australian Skeptics” and consisted of Mark Plummer (Chairman), James Gerrand (Secretary)[5][6][7] Allen Christophers, Bill Cook, John Crellin, Logan Elliot, Peter Kemeny, Loris Purcell, Joe Rubinstein and Mike Wilton.[8]

In 1986 "Australian Skeptics Inc" or "ASI" became an incorporated association in NSW with Barry Williams as president. Publication of “The Skeptic” magazine was transferred to this committee in 1987. ASI still operates today and is responsible for several national activities, such as the publication of "The Skeptic" magazine and coordination of awards (listed below) and the annual conventions.[1] Today ASI is one of many formal and informal skeptical groups throughout Australia which fall under the general umbrella title of "Australian Skeptics". Over time, other branches around Australia became incorporated including Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc, Skeptics (S.A.) Incorporated, Hunter Skeptics Incorporated, Canberra Skeptics and Borderline Skeptics Inc (which caters for skeptics living around the NSW and Victorian border). ASI is the local group in NSW.[9]

In 1995 the Australian Skeptics received a sizeable bequest from the estate of Stanley David Whalley. With these funds the organisation established the "Australian Skeptics Science and Education Foundation", tasked to expose "irrational activities and pseudoscience and to encourage critical thinking and the scientific view".[10] This foundation now funds the "Thornett award for promotion of reason", known affectionately as "the Fred", named after the late Fred Thornett, an influential figure in the Skeptical movement in Tasmania and nationally.[11] "The Fred" is a $1000 prize given by ASI for significant contribution to educating or informing the public regarding issues of science and reason.[11] The bequest also allowed for the introduction of a paid position, that of Executive Officer. This position is answerable to the ASI committee, and traditionally manages accounts, queries from the public and media, editing The Skeptic, and various sundry tasks. Barry Williams was executive officer from 1995 to 2009, followed by Karen Stollznow (2009) and Tim Mendham from 2009 to the present.

In 1989 at a national committee meeting the aims of Australian Skeptics were updated and drafted as follows;

  • To investigate claims of pseudoscientific, paranormal and similarly anomalous phenomena from a responsible, scientific point of view.
  • To publicise the results of these investigations and, where appropriate, to draw attention to the possibility of natural and ordinary explanations of such phenomena.
  • To accept explanations and hypotheses about paranormal occurrences only after good evidence has been adduced, which directly or indirectly supports such hypotheses.
  • To encourage Australians and the Australian news media to adopt a critical attitude towards paranormal claims and to understand that to introduce or to entertain a hypothesis does not constitute confirmation or proof of that hypothesis.
  • To stimulate inquiry and the quest for truth, wherever it leads.[1]


As of 2015, every state and territory within Australia has its own regional branch, and some have their own newsletters, with new local skeptics' groups springing up in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Launceston and Darwin.[9][12]

Awards and prizes

The Thornett Award for the Promotion of Reason

The Thornett Award for the Promotion of Reason is affectionately known as "The Fred" much like the Academy Award is known as the "Oscar", named after Fred Thornett, a noted member of Australian Skeptics from Tasmania, who died in April 2009.[13] The Fred award includes a $1000 cash prize that is given to the recipient or to a charity or cause of their choice. It is awarded annually to a member of the public or a public figure who has made a significant contribution to educating or informing the public regarding issues of science and reason.[11][14]

Year Winner Reason
2015 Catherine & Greg Hughes "Light for Riley" Continuing the fight against vaccine preventable diseases after the death of their son Riley from pertussis[15]
2014 Northern Rivers Vaccination Supporters A grassroots pro-vaccination group in a northern NSW region which has among the lowest vaccination rates in the country.[14][16]
2013 Sonya Pemberton For her documentary "Jabbed", a dramatic presentation on the impact of delaying or refusing immunisation.[17]
2012 Adam vanLangenberg For his work in founding McKinnon Secondary College in Melbourne’s skeptical club.[18][19][20]
2011 Ken Harvey For taking great personal risks in exposing pseudomedicine claims, including his much publicised stoush with the SensaSlim company.[21][22][23][24]
2010 Wendy Wilkinson and Ken McLeod For their relentless campaign to ensure that the Australian (anti)Vaccination Network’s activities are brought into the light of official scrutiny, and their subsequent success in this campaign. The prize in 2010 was doubled (not shared).[25][26]
2009 Toni and David McCaffery For their unstinting and extremely brave efforts on behalf of children in the face of the anti-vaccination movement.[27][28][29]

Skeptic of the Year

The Skeptic of the Year award is given annually to someone associated with the skeptical community who has been particularly active over the previous year. ASI coordinates the prize, and the final decision is voted on by representatives from the various Australian Skeptics groups.

Year Winner
2014 Peter Tierney [16][30]
2013 Simon Chapman [17][31][32][33][34]
2012 Friends of Science in Medicine [35][36][37][38][39][40]
2011 Loretta Marron [21][22][36][37][41]
2010 Stop the AVN [26][42]
2007 Loretta Marron [36][37][41][43]
2006 Karl Kruszelnicki [44][45][46][47]
2004 Lynne Kelly [48]
2002 Paul Willis [49][50]
2000 John Dwyer [51]
1999 Cheryl Freeman [52]
1998 Mike Archer [53][54]
1997 Peter Doherty [31][55]
1996 Derek Freeman [56]

Bent Spoon Awards

ASI Bent Spoon Award.JPG

The Bent Spoon Award is an annual award coordinated by ASI, however the final decision is voted on by representatives from the various groups comprising Australian Skeptics. It is "presented to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of paranormal or pseudoscientific piffle" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.[39][57] The award trophy is a piece of gopher wood supposedly from the Noah’s Ark, upon which is affixed a spoon rumoured to have been used at the Last Supper. The spoon was bent by energies unknown to science and was gold plated by an Atlantean process. Although awarded annually since 1982, only one copy of the trophy exists, as "anyone wishing to acquire the trophy must remove it from our keeping by paranormal means" and no winner has yet overcome this obstacle.[58]

The award is only offered to Australian individuals or groups, or those who have carried out their activities in Australia.[39][58][59][60] The New Zealand Skeptics have a similar Bent Spoon Award.[61]

Year Winner Position Reason
2015 Paleo Pete Chef, author and television personality For his support of pseudomedicine, his stance against fluoridation, and his association with Stephen Mercola.[62]
2014 Larry Marshall Chief Executive, CSIRO For his support of water divining.[16][39][63][64]
2013 Chiropractors' Association of Australia and the Chiropractic Board of Australia For failing to ensure their own members – including some committee members – adhere to their policy announcements.[39][65][66]
2012 Fran Sheffield Homeopathy Plus! For advocating the use of magical sugar and water in place of tried and true vaccination for many deadly diseases, most notably Whooping Cough.[18][35][67][68][69]
2011 RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) For having a fundamentalist chiropractic education program – if the word education can be used in this way – and for endorsing the practice by targeting children and infants in their on-campus paediatric chiropractic clinics.[21][22][40]
2010 The Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) For its draft science curriculum.[26]
2009 Meryl Dorey and the deceptively named Australian Vaccination Network For spreading fear and misinformation about vaccines.[29][39][70][71][72][73]
2008 Kerryn Phelps Former head of the AMA For lending her name to a clinic offering various unproven ‘alternative’ remedies.[74]
2007 Marena Manzoufas Head of Programming at the ABC For her sterling work in authorising the television show Psychic Investigators, made worse by putting it to air in the Catalyst timeslot.[43][59][60][75]
2006 The pharmacists of Australia For managing to forget their scientific training long enough to sell quackery and snake oil (such as Homoeopathy and ear candles) in places where consumers should expect to get real medical supplies and advice.[47][76]
2005 The ABC television program Second Opinion For the uncritical presentation of many forms of quackery.[60][77]
2004 The producers of the ABC television show The New Inventors Principally for giving consideration to an obvious piece of pseudoscience, the AntiBio water conditioning system.[48][60]
2003 The Complementary Healthcare Council[78]
2002 Gentle Heal Pty Ltd For the selling of fake (Homoeopathic) vaccine.[79]
2001 The Lutec “Free Energy Generator”[80]
2000 Jasmuheen For claiming one can live without food and water.[51]
1999 Mike Willesee For the ‘documentary’ Signs From God.[52][81][82]
1998 Southern Cross University For offering a degree course in naturopathy, while also claiming to be conducting research into whether there was actually any validity to naturopathy.[54]
1997 Viera Scheibner Anti-immunisation advocate.[39][55]
1996 Marlo Morgan American new age author For claiming in her book Mutant Message Downunder, that Australian Aborigines could levitate.[56]
1995 Tim McCartney-Snape for promotion of the beliefs of Jeremy Griffith self described prophet and founder of the World Transformation Movement, the Foundation for the Adulthood of Mankind.[83][84]
1994 Commonwealth Attorney General For an enterprise agreement with its 2,400 employees that included a clause so any employee, who had taken sick leave, need not provide a medical certificate signed by a medical practitioner, but could provide one signed by a naturopath, herbalist, iridologist, chiropractor or one of assorted other “alternative” practitioners.[85]
1993 Steve Vizard Tonight Live television programme on Channel 7.[86][87]
1992 Allen S Roberts Archaeological research consultant and fundamentalist pastor For a search for Noah’s Ark.[88]
1991 Woman’s Day magazine For its coverage and support of the paranormal, in particular astrology.[89]
1990 Mafu Multilifed entity For being channelled by Penny Torres Rubin and who, despite millennia of experience, was remarkable for the banality of his/her pronouncements.[90][91]
1989 Diane McCann For writing that Adelaide was built on one of the temples of Atlantis.[90][92]
1988 None
1987 Anne Dankbaar Adelaide psychic For her discovery of the Colossus of Rhodes, which created something of a media stir until it was shown to be modern builders rubble.[90][92]
1986 Peter Brock Prominent racing driver For his highly touted “energy polariser” generated more heat in the motoring media than it did energy in his car.[90][92][93][94][95]
1985 The Findhorn Festival Group For sponsoring the visit to Australia of American psychic dentist Willard Fuller. “Brother” Willard left town just ahead of some injunctions from real dentists.[90][93]
1984 Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works For its payment of $1,823 to US psychic archaeologist Karen Hunt to use divining rods to detect an alleged “Electromagnetic Photo Field”.[90][92]
1983 Dennis Hassel Melbourne mystic For the chief trick of making his hand disappear.[90][96]
1982 Tom Wards Self-proclaimed psychic For predictions in the popular press which were renowned for their inaccuracy.[39][90][96]

In 2012 the Australian Vaccination Network was ordered by the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading to change its name within two months.[97][98][99] The order was challenged, but the challenge was dismissed, and in 2014 the group changed its name to the Australian Vaccination-Skeptics Network.[100]

The $100000 Prize

ASI $100k cheque 2012.png

Australian Skeptics offers $100,000 (Australian) to anyone who can prove they have psychic or paranormal powers.[101] If someone nominates a different person, and that person is successful, then $20,000 of the total amount may go to the nominator.[102] The original challenge was issued in 1980 to anyone who claims to have extraordinary powers, to demonstrate their ability under proper observing conditions. The prize offered for anyone who can meet this challenge is A$100,000. The offer has been made in an effort to seek out the truth of paranormal claims such as those of psychics, healers, witnesses to paranormal events and those selling devices which claim to defy scientific laws.[103]
This challenge is now coordinated by ASI and the prize money is backed by the Australian Skeptics Science and Education Foundation. It is open to any contender who can state exactly what their paranormal claim is, and the claim can give a definite yes or no result. They must define under what conditions the claim can be performed, and expect to beat million to one odds in order to claim success. The result of each test is then published in The Skeptic, the magazine of Australian Skeptics. ASI states that should any contender pass the challenge, and be awarded the prize, they want to tell the world and give the claimant proper recognition. If, however, a claim is proved to be unfounded or fraudulent, the association reserve the right to expose this result in an effort to prevent clients from spending time and money on a product or service that cannot deliver what is claimed for it.[103]

Eureka / Critical Thinking Prize

The Australian Museum Eureka Awards is a series of annual awards presented by the Australian Museum in partnership with their sponsors, for excellence in various fields. Until 2005 the Australian Skeptics were major sponsors of the award for critical thinking, which during this period was awarded to:[11]

Year Winner
1996 Trevor Case[56][104]
1997 Amanda Barnier[105][106][107]
1999 Melissa Finucane [108]
2000 Richard Kocsis [109]
2001 Tim van Gelder [110][111][112][113]
2002 Robert Morrison [114][115][116][117]
2003 Brendan McKay [118][119]
2004 Cheryl Capra [120]
2005 David Henry & Amanda Wilson [121][122][123][124]

The 2000 Spring edition of The Skeptic magazine erroneously listed Richard Kocsis as the 1999 winner[125]

After the 2005 awards the Australian Skeptics decided to withdraw from the Eurekas, and award their own critical thinking Prize known as the Australian Skeptics Critical Thinking Prize. The winners are as follows:[11]

Year Winner
2006 Martin Bridgstock [47][126][127]
2007 Kylie Sturgess [43][128][129]
2008 Peter Ellerton [74][130][131][132]

Both of these prizes have now been discontinued.[11]

Regional and State Groups

New South Wales
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Australian Skeptics Inc. [9] PO Box 20, Beecroft, NSW 2119

www.skeptics.com.au

Eran Segev

Tim Mendham

Skeptics in the Pub on the first Thursday of each month, at the Crown Hotel, cnr Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney.
Hunter Skeptics [9] PO Box 379 Seaham, 2283 John Turner

Kevin McDonald

Meetings on the second Thursday of each month except January, at Club Macquarie, Lake Road, Argenton.
Victoria
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc. [9]

(Vic Skeptics)

GPO Box 5166, Melbourne, VIC 3001
Chris Guest Skeptics' Café on the third Monday of each month, at La Notte, 140 Lygon Street, Carlton.
Ballarat Skeptics [12] www.facebook.com/groups/39781220309544 Meetings on the first Friday of each month, at Seymours on Lydiard Street.
Borderline Skeptics Inc. [9] RSB 11 Callaghhan's Creek Boxes, via Tallangatta, VIC 3701 Laurie Smith Meetings quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month, at Albury / Wodonga.
Citizens for Science

(formerly Peninsula Skeptics) [12]

Mornington Peninsula

www.meetup.com/Citizens-for-Science/
www.facebook.com/groups/peninsula.skeptics/

Grahame Hanigan
Great Ocean Road Skeptics [12] www.facebook.com/groups/147741491945391/ Carolyn Coulson Meetings on the last Wednesday of each month, at City Quarter, Cunningham Pier East, Geelong.

Annual Surfcoast Summer Skepticamp.

Melbourne Eastern Hills Skeptics in the Pub [12] https://www.facebook.com/events/518005791696552/

http://groupspaces.com/meh-sitp/item/1001581

Andrew Rawlings Skeptics in the Pub on the second Monday of each month, at the Knox Club, Wantirna South.
Melbourne Skeptics [12] http://melbourneskeptics.com.au/ Skeptics in the Pub on the fourth Monday of each month, at the Mt View Hotel in Richmond.
Mordi Skeptics [12] www.meetup.com/Mordi-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ Skeptics in the Pub on the first Tuesday of each month, at the Mordialloc Sporting Club.
Young Australian Skeptics [133] http://youngausskeptics.com
Queensland
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Brisbane Skeptic Society Inc. [12][134]
http://www.brisbaneskeptics.org

brisbanesitp.wordpress.com

Ross Balch Monthly 'Learning in the Pub' events.

Meetings at the Plough Inn, Southbank.

Gold Coast Skeptics [9] PO Box 8348, GCMC Bundall, QLD 9726 Lilian Derrick
Queensland Skeptics Association Inc. [9]

Qskeptics

PO Box 3480, Norman Park, QLD 4170

www.qskeptics.org.au
www.egroups.com/list/qskeptics

Bob Bruce Meetings on the last Monday of each month from February to November, at the Redbrick Hotel, 81 Annerley Road, South Brisbane.
Australian Capital Territory
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Canberra Skeptics [9] www.canberraskeptics.org.au

www.meetup.com/SocialSkepticsCanberra/

Lauren Cochrane Public talk on the first Saturday of each month, at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross Rd.

Skeptics in the Pub on the third Sunday of each month, at King O'Malleys Pub in Civic.

Western Australia
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
WA Skeptics [9] PO Box 466, Subiaco, WA 6904

www.undeceivingourselves.org

Geoffrey Dean Meetings at Grace Vaughan House, 227 Stubbs Terrace, Shenton Park.
South Australia
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Skeptics SA Laurie Eddie Public meetings organised when speakers are available.
Thinking and Drinking http://www.meetup.com/Thinking-and-Drinking-Skeptics-in-the-Pub/ Nigel Dobson-Keeffe and Andrew Owen Skeptics in the Pub on the third Friday of each month.
Tasmania
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Hobart Skeptics [9] PO Box 84, Battery Point TAS 7004 Leyon Parker Skeptics in the Pup on the second Monday of each month except January, at Ball & Chain restaurant, Salamanca Place.
Launceston Skeptics [12]

Launceston Skeptics.jpg

www.launcestonskeptics.com Jin-oh Choi Skeptics in the Pub on the first and third Thursday of each month, at the Royal Oak Hotel.

Skeptical Sunday on the second Sunday of each month, at Cube Cafe.

Northern Territory
Group Address President /

Contact person

Regular Events
Darwin Skeptics www.facebook.com/groups/darwinskeptics/ Michelle Franklin

Past Events

National Conventions

The Australian Skeptics National Convention is the longest running annual skeptical convention,[135] held annually since 1985.

Year Dates Location
31 2015 October 16–18 Brisbane (QUT) [136][137]
30 2014 November 28–30 Sydney (The Concourse, Chatswood) [138]
29 2013 November 22–24 Canberra (CSIRO Discovery Centre) [139]
28 2012 November 30-December 2 Melbourne (Melbourne University) [140]
27 2011 November 19 (one-day event) Sydney (Australian Museum) [22]
26 2010 November 28–30 Sydney TAM Australia (Sydney Masonic Centre) [141]
25 2009 November 27–29 Brisbane (University of Queensland) [142]
24 2008 October Adelaide (Norwood Town Hall) [143]
23 2007 November Hobart (University of Tasmania) [144]
22 2006 November Melbourne (Melbourne Museum) [145]
21 2005 August Gold Coast (Bond University) [146]
20 2004 November Sydney (University of Technology, Sydney) [147]
19 2003 August Canberra (CSIRO Discovery Centre) [148]
18 2002 November Melbourne (Melbourne University) [149]
17 2001 November Brisbane (West End Club) [150]
16 2000 November Sydney World Skeptics Convention III (Sydney University) [151]
15 1999 November Adelaide (Adelaide Convention Centre) [152]
14 1998 October–November Canberra (National Science & Technology Centre) [153]
13 1997 August Newcastle (Western Suburbs – Newcastle – Leagues Club) [154]
12 1996 September Melbourne (Monash University) [155]
11 1995 June Melbourne (Melbourne University) [156]
10 1994 June Sydney (Willoughby Town Hall) [157]
9 1993 June Melbourne (Melbourne University) [158]
8 1992 June Newcastle (Western Suburbs – Newcastle – Leagues Club) [159]
7 1991 June Sydney (Manly-Warringah Leagues Club) [160]
6 1990 June Melbourne (Holmesglen Conference Centre [161]
5 1989 March Canberra (National Science & Technology Centre) [162]
4 1988 April Sydney (Manly-Warringah Leagues Club) [163]
3 1987 April Canberra (Aust National University) [164][165]
2 1986 March Melbourne (Monash University)
1 1985 April Sydney (Institution of Engineers) [166]

No Answers in Genesis

No Answers in Genesis[167] is a website affiliated with the Australian Skeptics organisation (ASI) that provides information to defend the theory of evolution, and, more specifically, counter young Earth creationist arguments put forward by Answers in Genesis. It was founded by Australian atheist and skeptic John Stear, a retired civil servant. The website contains links, essays and other postings that rebut creationist arguments against evolution. Stear states that the site is meant for educational purposes as well as to illustrate the problems with Young Earth Creationism. The site also contains simple introductions to evolutionary concepts. It mainly has posts, on creationism, but now has some essays on "Intelligent design".[168] It has two discussion boards.[169][170]
In June 2005, members of the creationist group Answers in Genesis – Australia debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website.[171]

The Skeptic

The journal of the Australian Skeptics is called The Skeptic and has been published since 1981. The first issue, edited by the first President of Australian Skeptics, Mark Plummer, and produced by founding Secretary, James Gerrand, appeared in January 1981.[172] Three issues appeared in 1981 and it has appeared quarterly since 1982. The Skeptic is used by the media in Australia seeking an alternative view on many of the issues examined by the Australian Skeptics. Since 1987, The Skeptic has been published by Australian Skeptics Inc, in New South Wales. From 1987 to 1990, it was edited by Tim Mendham, followed by Barry Williams from 1990 to 2008, and Karen Stollznow[173] and Steve Roberts[174] were editors briefly in 2009. The current editor (as of June 2009) is Tim Mendham.[172]

Skeptical Australian Podcasts and Radio Programs

Independent and Affiliated Podcasts of a Skeptical nature produced in Australia
Podcast Host / Creator Dates Details Affiliation
Brains Matter “The Ordinary Guy” October 2006 to present Brains Matter is a podcast discussion of science, trivia, history, curiosities and general knowledge.[175][176][177]
Diffusion Science Radio Ian Woolf November 1999 to present

Diffusion Science Radio is a weekly science and technology Community Radio show and podcast featuring a mix of new science, hard science, pop science, historical science and very silly science.[177][178]

Dr Karl's Great Moments in Science Karl Kruszelnicki Great Moments in Science is a short podcast featuring easy to understand explanations of interesting science topics and recent discoveries.[179][180] ABC Science
Einstein A Go-Go Dr Shane A discussion show about science.[181] 3RRR
Hunting Humbug 101 Theo Clark 27 May 2014 to present
Album art for Hunting Humbug 101 podcast.jpg

Hunting Humbug 101 is a biweekly podcast that examines logical fallacies using examples from the media, discussing pseudoscience, science misconceptions, politics, and philosophy.[175][177]

Humbug! the eBook
The Imaginary Friends Show Jake Farr-Wharton 8 February 2011 to present

The Imaginary Friends Show dot com Podcast is a twice-weekly panel style podcast covering topics including science, skepticsm, secularism, religion and politics, as well as irrational, illogical and dangerous posed beliefs.[175][182]

Independent
Mysterious Universe Aaron Wright and Benjamin Grundy 2006 to present Mysterious Universe is a weekly podcasts covering issues and events that are strange, extraordinary, weird, wonderful and everything in between.[175][183]
Smart Enough To Know Better Greg Wah and Dan Beeston June 2010 to present
Smart Enough to Know Better.png

Smart Enough to Know Better is a bi-weekly skeptical podcast including chat, sketches and interviews about science and skepticism.[175]

Reality Check Tony Pitman July 2009 to present

Reality Check is a radio show and podcast produced at the studios of JOY 94.9 FM in Melbourne. Each episode includes a round-up of LGBT world news and a movie review, along with a skeptical analysis of an issue related to pseudoscience, the paranormal or religion.[184][185]

Skeptically Challenged Ross Balch 2 June 2013 to present Skeptically Challenged a forum for exposing pseudoscience. It includes a regular podcast, combined with blogging and YouTube videos about issues in pseudoscience as well as the Skeptic community at large and the promotion of scientific and critical thinking within the community.[175][186] Independent
Ockham's Razor Robyn Williams Ockham’s Razor is a weekly radio program on ABC Radio National with short talks by researchers and people from industry with something thoughtful to say about science.[187] ABC Radio National
The Pseudoscientists Jack Scanlan, Rachael Skerritt, Tom Lang, Sarah McBride and Elizabeth Riaikkenen. 23 December 2008 to present The Pseudoscientists is a panel discussion podcast covering topics including science, skepticism, news and pop-culture.[175][188] It is created by the Young Australian Skeptics, who are a group of young Australian science communicators, professionals and students, with an interest in science, critical thinking, religion, education, politics, medicine, law, wider society, scientific skepticism and its cultural impact.[177][189][190] Young Australian Skeptics
Science on Mornings, on triple j Zan Rowe and Karl Kruszelnicki Science on Mornings, on triple j is a weekly science segment on Zan Rowe's morning radio show on triple j. The show's mission is to "bring science to the peeps" by answering listener questions with science [179][191] ABC triple j
Science On Top Ed Brown 10 February 2011 to present
Science on Top Album Art.jpg

A panel style podcast hosted by Ed Brown and including regular co-hosts Penny Dumsday, Shayne Joseph and Lucas Randall as well as guests and experts discussing science news in an in-depth yet casual style.[192]

Independent
The Science Show Robyn Williams 1975 to present The Science Show is a weekly radio program on ABC Radio National which gives unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate.[193] ABC Radio National
The Skeptic Tank Stefan Sojka and Richard Saunders 2001 to 2002 The Skeptic Tank started as a weekly radio programme on the internet radio station netFM in October 2001.[194] The programme consisted of discussions on skeptical and science related topics, as well as guest interviews. Some regular guests were Peter Bowditch, Richard Lead and Helen Vnuk. 'The Skeptic Tank' stayed on netFM until October 2002.[195] Independent
The Skeptic Zone Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka 26 September 2008 to present

'The Skeptic Zone' podcast replaced 'The Tank Vodcast'. Though still hosted by Saunders and Sojka, and featuring members of 'The Tank', the podcast adopted a new format with clearly defined segments. Episodes usually feature an interview, or several shorter interviews, along with one or more regular segments.[196] Though 'The Skeptic Zone' originated with Saunders, long-time member of the Australian Skeptics, occasionally features members of the latter and their views are often aligned, the podcast is formally independent.[197]

Independent [177][198]
Sleek Geeks Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer 26 June 2014 to present Sleek Geeks is a geeky podcast by Adam Spencer and Dr Karl discussing the latest science news and events.[179][199] ABC Science
Token Skeptic [200] Kylie Sturgess 25 December 2009 to present
Token skeptic logo.jpg

The Token Skeptic podcast was the first podcast produced by a solo female presenter in the social sciences category for skepticism on iTunes. In it Kylie Sturgess discusses, among other things, psychology, philosophy, ethics, science, critical thinking, literacy and education. The show includes interviews with international and Australian figures from pop-culture, science fiction, science communication, philosophy and more. The Token Skeptic is also featured on the radio programs "Science for Skeptics" on the 99.1FM station in Wisconsin, and on "Skeptical Sundays" for WPRR 1680AM Public Reality Radio in Michigan.[201] Interviews from the Token Skeptic are regularly featured on the CSICOP website Curiouser and Curiouser.[202]

Independent
The Tank Vodcast (or The Tank Podcast) Richard Saunders and Stefan Sojka 2005 to 2008 "The Skeptic Tank" was revived in 2005 as a podcast, and was in 2006 renamed 'The Tank Podcast'. The podcast was produced and hosted by Richard Saunders, with Stefan Sojka as the co-host. The format remained much the same as 'The Skeptic Tank' radio programme, but the podcasting format also made it possible to record segments, or entire episodes, out of the studio.

In 2007 'The Tank' became a video podcast, and renamed 'The Tank Vodcast'. Reporters for the vodcast include Jayson Cooke, Karen Stollznow, Kylie Sturgess and Michael Wolloghan.[203]

Independent
Unfiltered Thoughts Jack Scanlan 26 September 2013 to present Unfiltered Thoughts is a discussion podcast where Jack Scanlan sits down with young people to discuss their main topic of interest and what they think about issues relating to science and skepticism over coffee in a Melbourne café.[175][204] Young Australian Skeptics

References

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  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. 31.0 31.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  34. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 39.6 39.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. 40.0 40.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. 41.0 41.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. 47.0 47.1 47.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. 48.0 48.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. 51.0 51.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. 52.0 52.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. 54.0 54.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. 55.0 55.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. 58.0 58.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. 59.0 59.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. 60.0 60.1 60.2 60.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  64. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  73. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. 74.0 74.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. News from The Australian
  76. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  80. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  84. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. 90.0 90.1 90.2 90.3 90.4 90.5 90.6 90.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  91. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. 92.0 92.1 92.2 92.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  93. 93.0 93.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  94. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  95. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. 96.0 96.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  101. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  102. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  103. 103.0 103.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  104. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  171. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  172. 172.0 172.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  173. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  174. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  175. 175.0 175.1 175.2 175.3 175.4 175.5 175.6 175.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  176. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  177. 177.0 177.1 177.2 177.3 177.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  178. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  179. 179.0 179.1 179.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  180. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  196. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  197. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.(15:51)
  198. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.(15:51)
  199. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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