Blackbirding: the Australian slavery that nobody stopped

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast · Aug 6, 2026 · 26m

Decades after Britain abolished slavery in its colonies, an industry built on indentured labour from the Pacific quietly grew in Queensland. Workers were often duped into coming to Australia, and effectively held captive under poor conditions. Many died. A new book argues that Australian authorities turned a blind eye to this new form of slavery.

Guest: Ryan Butta, writer of historical non-fiction, author of 'Blackbirding: a reckoning with the Australian Slave Trade' (Affirm Press, August 2026)

Producer: Ann Arnold