Wayne Swan

On the phone to 4BC Drive is the federal treasurer, Wayne Swan, who passes on his comments in regards to the Carbon Trading Scheme, interest rate rises and the government budget deficit. Smithy also quizzes him on the new National Hospital Plan which has recently been announced.

Paul Lucas

Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas, rings in to the Michael Smith Drive show talking about the complex hospital funding package outlined by federal government.

The Water Commission

Yesterday I received a note from a listener that said, “What does the water commission do?” I didn’t really know so I thought I’d find out. I know what they don’t do. They don’t build things. They don’t run things. They don’t make things – unless you include brochures and ads.

Nindigully - high and dry?

45km from St George is Nindigully, population of 9, and the main social spot is the Nindigully Pub. Steve Burns gets on the blower to 4BC Drive and shares the latest on the rising waters. Apparently 6 inches is all that separates the pub from the flood. Steve tells us how they cope with the drama.

• Nindigully Pub - photos

Skirmish in the schools

As children, we may have played cowboys and indians, soldiers or other such make-believe ‘combatant’ games. 4BC Drive speaks to Cathy Border, 10 News reporter, about the ‘skirmish laser’ games that ...

• Urban Assault website

Wallaby washed out

Cooktown, Martin Bridge, a wallaby flounders in the water, trapped by the rising river. Joining Michael Smith on the phone is Robbie Boeyen, the man , with a little help from his friends, who came to the rescue of aforementioned wallaby, releasing it back into the bush. Listen now.

Time to go Stephen Robertson

Smith blog - The Financial Review newspaper has a great editorial today. It says Anna Bligh is doing her best to damage the Labor Party’s brand in Queensland. To show that under Anna Bligh, Labor cannot be trusted. The Fin Review is talking about the land tax amendment that the Bligh Government is using to overturn a High Court ruling on land tax.

Small rise - big scare

A recent survey completed by Mortgage Choice suggests that first time home-buyers are scared off by even a ‘small’ rate rise. 28% of potential first home-buyers will back out of buying a home due to these rises. Kristy Sheppard speaks to 4BC Drive and gives some hints and tips to mortgage holders.

Police response

After Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson spoke out about his concerns about how Queensland police handle certain situations, Michael Smith talks to Ian Leavers, president of the Queensland Police Union. Ian discloses the feelings that members of the police force are having in response to Commissioner Bob Atkinson’s actions.

Pricing Crime and Punishment

Do the crime, do the time. Notice that doesn’t say do the crimes? If you make one blue in Queensland and you’ll expect to pay dearly. Particularly in traffic offences. Or in failing properly to pay your state taxes. Or for taking an undersized fish. Generally speaking, one blue will be dealt with severely.

Habib and Gabe Watson

Last Friday, the Full Court of the Federal Court dismissed an action by the Commonwealth to strike-out a claim made by Mamdough Habib against the Commonwealth.   Habib wants the ...

ETS Police

Don’t think you’re out of the woods with the crazies in Canberra who want to lumber you with their Emissions Trading Scheme.

New curriculum

Michael Smith Drive Show: A new school curriculum to soon be implemented has ignored Australia’s British heritage. Michael Smith talks with Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute, Professor Barry McGaw about the new curriculum.

• Australian Curriculum website

Child exploitation software

Michael Smith talks with Detective Acting Superintendent, Peter Crawford, about new specialised software that has the ability to track the source of child exploitation content over the internet. Listen now.

Queensland Education Spin

We are kidding ourselves about violence in our community, particularly our schools.

Rates spin

There is spin and then there is spin, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Michael Smith tasks with property valuer and consumer advocate, Ian Herriot, about a new scheme council has created to raise rates and costs hitting the owner with a 26 per cent increase.

• The Rudds

Professor Clive Spash

Dr Clive Spash resigned from the CSIRO last year. The Rudd government have seemingly pushed him out of his position because of a paper he produced that wasn’t inline with the government’s idea of climate change. Michael Smith questions why such an eminent figure would leave a position he was happy in.

• Prof. Spash's paper in question
• Michael Smith Editorial: CSIRO gagging

$25 million for the Taliban

Remember the Rudd Government's $25 million cash for Taliban Terrorists? The Rudd Government is borrowing $25M to hand-over to individual Taliban members as an Australian-taxpayer funded ...

Knife crimes

Statistics suggest knife crimes are beginning to gain momentum, becoming a popular choice of weapon. Michael Smith talks with senior crime writer from the The Age, John Silvester.

Suspicious Activity

Police have released a comfit of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their investigations into an incident involving a young girl at Willowbank yesterday. The girl was walking on Willowbank Drive about 4.30pm when a small aqua green sedan stopped beside her and a man got out and asked to get into the car.

Vindaloo against violence

I think the Bligh Government is a little bit envious of some problems that other states and countries have. Just a bit.

Shake your behind

Such a serious subject usually employs serious messages, but this time around a more light-hearted approach highlights the dangers of bowel cancer. A video just released on youTube shows several models waggling their backsides. 4BC Drive talks to one of these men, James Pollock, about Bowelscan.

• Bowel Cancer campaign video

Brett and Bollywood

Will Brett Lee break into Bollywood? Watch the film clip to this song and make your own decision. If you think any other sport stars could do better, then let us know.

Sheriff Joe does it again

As the judicial system comes under increasing scrutiny in Queensland, Michael Smith talks to Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County in Arizona. Sheriff Joe shares his no nonsense, common sense approach to law and order.

• Sheriff Joe's website

Emotional Terrorism

Once again a Facebook site dedicated to the memory of a lost loved one has been desecrated. Trinity Leigh Bates was allegedly taken from her parent’s house in Bundaberg on Monday morning and was later found dead near her home. Michael Smith talks to Oz Childhood’s CEO Joe Tucci, who says the desecration of the site is emotional terrorism.

Uninsulated loss

This weekend, many Australian companies have had to face up to the brutal blow that the insulation scheme has fallen through. Redundancies have been speculated at 7000+ but in reality it could be a lot more. Michael Smith is talking to Geoff Aldridge, General Manager of Higgins Insulation, who is facing a harsh reality.

Insulation scheme dropped

Michael Smith Drive Show talks to Peter Garrett about the breaking news that the home insulation scheme has been dropped. Garrett defends his position whilst Smith fires the hard questions, asking what happens to small Australian businesses that have been relying on this scheme.

Dulcie Birt murder

4BC Drive show: Dulcie Birt was last seen in October of last year after visiting a Westpac bank in Booval. After a four month murder investigation, Mike Niland, Head Detective Inspector, tells listeners that a man has finally been arrested and charged. Listen now.

• Kim Skubris, 7 News, attended court case

Chameleon Kevin

Who is Kevin Rudd? Is he a man that talks a lot but says very little? Talking to Michael Smith is Janet Albrechtsen, a columnist for The Australian, who shares her analysis of the Australian Prime Minister. What lies underneath? Listen to find out.

• Janet Albrechtsen's column

Barnaby Joyce

After having had a difficult week in the press, Michael Smith questions Queensland Senator, Barnaby Joyce. Listen now.

• Barnaby Joyce

"Blackmail"

Michael Smith Drive Show: The Gabe Watson case is turning into a political affair with the State of Alabama and Queensland clashing over the refusal to supply imperative evidence to aid the case. Attorney General for the State of Alabama, Troy King, says if Queensland were to be an American state denying this information, then they may possibly face charges of the obstruction of justice.

• Separation of Powers
• The Death Penalty

Dealing with tragedy

Following the tragic death of the 12-year-old boy on Brisbane’s northside, many will be looking for the right words to say to their kids. One of Australia’s leading psychologists, Michael Carr-Gregg, outlines a six-point plan of explaining tragedy to your children with Michael Smith. Take a listen.

Powdery escape

In a search for the perfect snowboarding conditions in the Japanese Alps, Noosa resident Chris McHutchison, fell into disaster. Even after careful consideration of conditions, he and a friend were caught in an avalanche but, luckily, no one was injured. 4BC Drive listens incredulously at this extremely lucky escape.

Gilding the lily

Clive Palmer's record breaking Australian export deal has inflicted some ‘bad press’ over the last few days. A press conference on Saturday incorrectly announced the name of the Chinese company involved, leading to confusion and uncertainty. Talking to 4BC Drive is Andrew Fraser of ‘The Australian’.

'Minister for Mary Antoinette'

Poor Stirling Hinchliffe has been affably dubbed the ‘Minister for Mary Antoinette’. Dave Gibson, shadow for Infrastructure and Planning, discusses with Michael Smith, the fact that Stirling has ‘been guillotined in parliament more times than French aristocracy in the revolution’. What does this spell for improving legislations?

End of service benefits

Australian diggers are banding together to make sure they are looked after at the end of their services. Michael Smith talks with David Jamison, President of the Defence Force Wellness Association about the Federal Government's proposition to disband military superannuation boards.

Patiently waiting

It’s been just over 12 months since Helen Donaldson lost her 16 year old son, Andrew, in a bizarre incident. Handcuffed by police at 11pm and laying on the road, Andrew was run over by an innocent passer-by. Michael Smith sympathises with her plight, as she still awaits some kind of police apology.

Tangled Webs

Smith Blog - Michael Smith talks with Tangled Webs member Damian, it was a poignant and touching interview. Take a listen

• Deputy Premier Paul Lucas

The Death Penalty

Smith Blog - The Queensland Government says that our police can’t co-operate with a foreign police force until the death penalty is taken off the table. Right.

• Bob Atkinson, Queensland Police Commissioner
• "Blackmail"
• Separation of Powers

Separation of Powers

Smith Blog - Tina M. Coker is one of Alabama’s prosecutors. Along with Lieutenant Brad Flynn from the Helena Police Department and Attorney General Troy King, Tina Coker is determined to bring justice to the Thomas family.

• "Blackmail"
• The Death Penalty

Jobs for the boys

Smith Blog - General George Brandis SC recently called Mike Kaiser "a hardened young serial offender - premeditated, systematic, amoral, shameless, remorseless - educating and corrupting new generations of young Labor activists into the corrupt old culture".

Justice for a Killer Queensland-style

Smith Blog - The Queensland Government is not happy with its achievements in Queensland, now it wants to export its views on law and order to Alabama. Adults who live in Alabama know the law there. Gabe Watson is a citizen of that state.

Justice for police

Smith Blog - I can’t imagine that you would find a media commentator more likely to speak in praise of police than me. My natural inclination is to support the police and the police force. But even I am having very serious doubts about the management of the police in Queensland.

Barnaby Joyce

Smith Blog - I’ve had more feedback about this interview than I’ve had on any single issue since Mr Turnbull was rolled over the ETS. It’s really divided opinions and I thought I’d put it up in a blog to get further comments from you.

• Barnaby Joyce

Taxpayer-funded Rudd Rubbish

Smith Blog - This is a very difficult piece to write, because I don’t want to draw any more attention to the seditious protest that I’m writing about. But it’s important. It’s important that an artist on the public purse is using his taxpayer funding to produce this sort of offensive rot.

Phantom ETS jobs

Smith blog - Well we don’t have an ETS, and if common sense and the will of the people prevail we won’t get one. Not before the US, China and India put schemes in place. And that’s not likely to ever happen.

The Transport Minister

Watch this hilarious send-up of a new rail system proposal, Michael Smith asks the question, 'Remind you of any Transport Minister in Queensland?' - Watch now.

Whip cracking mad

Michael Smith Drive Show: The tale of two young brothers who are whip cracking prodgies. Listen to this great interview with Brothers Eli and Ethan and their mother Alison who are crazy about whips.

Van Thanh Rudd

Michael Smith speaks to Kevin Rudd’s nephew, Van Thanh Rudd, about his controversial art piece, ‘The Scream’. Van attempts to explain and defend his piece. Artistic or disgusting, you decide?

Herculean effort

As politicians, go head to head in the years first sitting of Parliament. Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott joins the Michael Smith Drive Show talking about border patrol, ETS and the year ahead. Abbott also said it would require an ‘herculean effort’ to remove Labor from office at the next election. Listen now.

Atkinson: Yes we were warned

Michael Smith Drive Show: A Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation into alleged Gold Coast police links with illegal underground corruption has forced Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson defending the force on the temptation strip, even after being warned of the illegal activities by the CMC, more than 2 years ago. Listen now.

Senator George Brandis

Michael Smith talks with Senator George Brandis about the case against Gabe Watson to go to the senate estimates. Michael also reads out a heartfelt thank-you letter from Tina Thomas’ father, Tommie.

Women on wheels

Have you ever been unsure of what do when your car breaks down? Women On Wheels is a program designed to make ladies more mechanically literate and to offer practical guidelines for motoring safety and vehicle maintenance. Michael Smith talks to founder Jacqui Morrison.

Walters, out of puff

All Australian joker and cricket legend Doug Walters attacked smoking like he attacked the red ball, after 35-years chain smoking Walters was able to final call it an innings with smoking by remarkable new laser surgery, he joins Michael Smith talking about being smoke free after all these years.

Tully chases 'maniac' driver

City Councillor Paul Tully was witness to an horrific scene earlier today near St Augustine's College, Springfield. At approx 4pm this afternoon, Cr Tully observed a vehicle driven by a 'maniac', who hit a car whilst speeding through a roundabout, then careened into a signpost. This was only the start of the havoc, and Cr Tully tells Michael Smith how he followed the driver on his rampage.

Lord Monckton storms Brisbane

Lord Christopher Monckton is one of Britain’s most prominent climate change adversaries. The former political adviser to Margaret Thatcher has set out to debunk the misrepresented ‘facts’ of global warming. Drive Presenter Michael Smith shared a private audience with Lord Monckton to discuss the reckless behaviour of climate alarmists and the real cost of an emissions trading scheme. Take a listen to the extended interview.

• Greg Cary with Professor Barry Brook

Detained overseas

Australian ex-digger, Robert William Langdon was involved in a violent argument with an Afghani local. Believing his life was under threat, he defended himself and shot the Afghan man who, as a result, died. He has been sentenced to death due to this incident. Kay Danes, a Brisbane mum who was detained in Laos, talks to Smith about these terible circumstances and her experience.

Bob Brown's 'facts'

William Kininmonth is one of Australia's leading experts on Climate Change. The former meterologist headed the National Climate Centre at the Bureau of Meteorology for over a decade. Michael Smith asks William Kininmonth is Greens Senator Bob Brown accurate when he says 2009 was one of the hottest years in human history?

Smith with Lieutenant Brad Flynn

Smith with Lieutenant Brad Flynn

• 'Queensland wants me to be prudent and careful'

Michael Smith editorial - Australia day

Michael Smith editorial: Australia day

• Australia Day