Asylum seekers before homeless
Michael Smith editorial: The Australian government is giving preference to asylum seekers rather than homeless Australians. It seems around 80% of Australian couples, with children, facing homelessness are denied any kind of emergency accommodation. Listen now and have your say.
Battle of Fromelles
Ninety-four years ago, just one ill-conceived decision led to the deaths of 5,533 Australian diggers. The Battle of Fromelles was a largely forgotten chapter of the first world war. Michael Smith talks with author Patrick Lindsay about the sad day in our history.
Bob Brown
The preference deal between Labor and the Greens would see the potential for the minor party to hold the balance of power in the Senate. What does this mean for Labor policies? Micheal Smith finds out with Senator Bob Brown.
Rebecca Docherty: 'I am ready'
Michael Smith talks with newly endorsed LNP Rebecca Docherty who is facing former prime minster Kevin Rudd for his Brisbane seat of Griffith. Listen and comment now.
And they're off
Michael Smith talks with bookie Jared Duffy talking about the federal election odds with team Gillard paying $1.25 to Team Abbott’s $3.25.
Andrew Robb
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has been quick to reiterate that "workchoices" is dead, buried and cremated. So why has it become an election issue? Michael Smith talks with Andrew Robb, Shadow Minister for Finance and Debt Reduction.
Leader of the free world
Can this man be the leader of the free world? Could he really have his finger on the nuclear button? The man has creases ironed into the front of his jeans! If you can help him with some advice about how to fix up his fashion crime, please leave a comment and we’ll send them over to President Obama and his people.
Too much?
This was taken last week on Old Northern Road, Albany Creek (suburb of Brisbane). It has about 2 tonnes of concrete blend and 200kg bags of cement in the back. A very expensive exercise as a Department of Transport vehicle also arrived, to probably offload a hefty fine.
Chinook surprise
Talk about getting your mates to pick you up in a taxi, well, this is the equivalent whilst in a helicopter! Have a look at this extraordinary video, showing us how the professionals do it. Don't try this at home!
Barbaric practice
Fiona Pattern of The Australian Sex Party, speaks to Michael Smith about the Islamic practice of stoning people to death. This relates to a girl who has been in custody for four years, until she old enough to be stoned.
Toll woes
The leader of the Opposition, John-Paul Langbroek, joins Michael Smith to discuss the woes of the Australian public when it comes to the recent increases in road tolls. Listen now and have your say.
Payroll saga
As the Queensland payroll saga shows no sign of ending. Michael Smith talks with world class SAP systems controller Colin Sparkes about the problem and when we can expect to have our Health staff paid correctly.
Budget revision
Andrew Robb, Shadow Finance and Debt Reduction Minister, talks to 4BC Drive about Wayne Swann's budget revision after calculating that the reduction in the mining tax was much larger than reported. Andrew is concerned that it is all smoke and mirrors, and the whole truth is being avoided.
Bob Hawke
The 23rd Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke, speaks to Michael Smith about the upcoming Anzac Centenary. Along with the help of other individuals, including Mal Fraser, the group intends to choose the centenary celebrations, which can be suggested by the public. Listen now.
Toxic asylum debate
4BC Drive host, Michael Smith, talks to Matt DeGroot, reporter, and Scott Morrison, Shadow Immigration Minister, about Chris Evans admitting that 'one of my greatest failures as immigration minister' is not controlling the debate on asylum seekers properly. Listen now.
Nauru the solution?
Is Nauru the solution to the Australian government asylum-seeker policy? Michael Smith talks with President Marcus Stephen, Republic of Nauru, about the current state of the island and the centre already currently built there.
An insulting offer
4BC Drive Host Michael Smith talks with the Police Minister Neil Roberts about an “insulting” wage offer of 2.5 per cent for the Queensland Police Service. A pay rise lower than the rate of inflation.
The fast lane to Queensland licenses
With new driving test criteria sending the wrong message to young motorists. Michael Smith talks with industry heavyweights over the new test criteria. Listen to the following interviews and have your say.
Heiner hush money
Michael Smith speaks to Bruce Grundy, Former University of Queensland Journalist who has worked on the Heiner Affair case for more than ten years.
The big issue
Michael Smith is calling it the debate the nation needs to have. Prime Minister Julia Gillard says it’s not racist to be concerned about who chooses to live in Australia. Listen to Michael Smith talk about the issue here.
Dry July
Michael Smith has taken up to the challenge of a month long sponsored abstinence from alcohol. Sponsor Michael now in Dry July, the funds raised from participants' sponsorship directly benefit the lives of adults living with cancer right across Australia.
Soldiers in Afghanistan
Michael Smith talks with Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, Chief of Army about the recent Four corners report on Afghanistan, Lieutenant General goes onto talking about the tasks that confront our service men and women in Afghanistan. Listen and comment now.
Learning from one another?
Michael Smith talks about a Muslim book (Learning from One Another: Bringing Muslim perspectives into Australian schools) that encourages Muslim integration into the Australian schooling community. Listen and read here, and have your say now.
Original unedited interview with PM
4BC Drive's half hour interview with Julia Gillard is presented here in its entirety. Listen now and have your say about the current leadership of Australia.
Pay police more
Queensland's Police Union president Ian Leavers joins the Michael Smith Drive show pushing for a fair and equal pay rise for Queensland's Police. Listen here and have your say.
Lawrence Springborg
Michael Smith speaks to Lawrence Springborg about the Heiner Affair, and the alleged 'hush money' that has been offered to the victim. The dicussion includes the high-level cover-up and the destruction of evidence.
Smith with PM Gillard
Michael Smith talks with Prime Minister Julia Gillard about the new mining tax and the proposed regional processing centre. The Prime Minister surprisingly tells Smith that she never committed to a location for processing, despite plans to build in East Timor. Listen and comment now.
LeBron 'King' James
International news: 4BC Drive speaks to US correspondent Richard Arnold who reports that basketballer, LeBron James, has commanded the American media whilst revealing his decision to move teams. This has caused major ripples throughout the country. Listen now.
Smith with Ruddock
Michael Smith talks with former Howard Immigration minister, Phillip Ruddock about Labor's new asylum seeker policy.
Gracemere tragedy
Tony Fabris, Nine reporter, talks to Michael Smith about the shooting tragedy at Gracemere last night. Tragically, an eight-month old baby was killed, the husband critically injured, and the estranged wife who wielded the gun has died fleeing the scenario.
Rev Tim Costello
Rev. Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision, chats to Michael Smith about the present state of East Timor, and how the region will be affected if Julia Gillard's asylum-seeker centre is brought into action. Listen now and have your say.
Dr Michael Wooldridge
Dr Michael Wooldridge, former Health Minister under Howard's Government, has stated that he thinks that it was state of the health system under Peter Beattie that enabled the Dr Patel debacle to happen. Michael Smith questions Dr Wooldridge as to how this could be.
Tony Abbott in-studio
Video: Michael Smith talks with Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in-studio about the government’s new mining tax and the proposed regional processing centre. Mr Abbott also fields questions from concerned listeners in this lengthy chat.
Immigration
The immigration solution. Michael Smith talks with Senator Chris Evans, Immigration and Citizenship, about the proposed regional processing centre.
Mitch Hooke on the Mining Tax
4BC Drive host, Michael Smith, follows up on the reaction to the 'Minerals Resource Rent Tax'. He speaks to the CEO of the Minerals Council, Mitch Hooke, to see if he got what he wanted from the deal. Listen now.
Tony Abbott calls in
Michael Smith takes an opportunity to talk to Tony Abbott about the medication that the government is denying PNH sufferers, and what he thinks should be done. The Opposition leader also outlines what he thinks will affect the outcome of this year’s federal election.
"Most complicated mining tax regime"
Michael Smith garners the Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey's feedback on the mining tax announcement earlier today. Joe attempts to decipher what seems to be a very confusing tax scheme, and for him it comes down to the bottom line.
Tony Morris QC on Patel
Now that the sentence has been passed on Dr Jayent Patel, Michael Smith asks Tony Morris QC, who ran the original enquiry into the Bundaberg Hospital Affair, what he thinks of the final outcome.
Joe Hockey
Michael Smith talks to Joe Hockey, Shadow Treasurer, who comments on Kevin Rudd's removal from the Prime Minister position. Joe discusses what makes the Liberal Party one to vote for in the election, which could be as soon as August. Listen now.
Unearthing the truth
One simple google search by Investigative Journalist Hedley Thomas unearthed the true background of Dr Jayant Patel. He joins Michael Smith from Scotland to discuss his role in case.
Judy Kemps
Michael Smith is joined over the phone by Judy Kemps, wife of the late Jerry Kemps, one of Dr Jayent Patel's unfortunate victims. Michael asks what kind of relief, if any, that Judy takes from the sentencing of Dr Patel.
Jacqui Scott
4BC Drive talks to Jacqui Scott, a brave mother who currently has two sick daughters with separate illnesses. One daughter is being treated according to her illness, but the government is denying the drugs that might help the other daughter survive. There is a petition to sign - have your say.
PNH: Life Saving Treatment
4BC Drive talks to Prof Jeffrey Szer, Director of the Department of Clinical Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant Service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. They talk about a drug that could save Linda Charlton, who suffers from PNH who which Michael Smith reported on earlier this week.
Patel sentenced
Dr Jayant Patel has finally been sentenced to seven years in prison for his heinous crimes. Justice John Byrne laid down his decision only moments ago in Brisbane Supreme Court. Listen to Christine Tondorf reporting.
End of the Cold War?
4BC Drive: US authorities have uncovered a Cold War type spy ring, and one of the characters involved is 28 year old Russian businesswomen, Anna Chapman. Possessing Femme Fatale looks, we have some of her pics from social media - have a look in the gallery.
Securing soccer splurge
Nick McKenzie, journalist with the AGE, has uncovered the fact that millions of dollars have been spent lobbying to secure the World Cup in Australia. Unknown to most, who is this money going to and is it well spent? 4BC Drive finds out - listen now.
New Policy for health
The Coalition have recently announced their $1.5b cash injection promise for Mental Health. Andrew Robb, Shadow Finance and Debt Reduction Minister calls in to 4BC Drive to talk about this policy, his own depressive condition and the debilitation he faced before medication.
Michael Jackson remembered
Peter Dick is joined by 2UE Entertainment Reporter, Clint Drieburg, who is located in Los Angeles, commemorating the 1st Anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. Fans of MJ all over the world are converging to celebrate the life of the 'King of Pop'.
David Flint
Professor David Flint, Former Head of Australian Media Authority, talks to Michael Smith about the recent article he wrote discussing media bias and the upcoming Federal Election. Listen now.
Croc Alert
4BC Drive: Joel Pezzutti found himself face to face with a 3m long croc whilst casting a bait net during night fishing at Portsmouth. Mr Pezzutti managed to snap a picture of the monster whilst it was lunging at him. Have a look in the gallery.
David Goodman
David Goodman, President of the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gets on the line to Michael Smith to provide his insight into the Mineral Resources Rent Tax. Listen now.
Sneaky Catwoman
New York has a new breed of thief - Catwoman. Take a look at the video of this female who has been holding up shoe and beauty stores in Manhattan and Queens, reports The New Post. Equipped with cat mask, she brazenly hands over a note and takes money.
John-Paul Langbroek
John-Paul Langbroek joins Michael Smith to discuss the Queensland Health Payroll issue that has now been going on for sixteen weeks. The Auditor General has just released a damning report outlining the ineffectiveness of the system. Listen now.
Play-by-play
Michael Smith opens his show with a play-by-play editorial of the recent leadership spill by Labor, making Julia Gillard Australia's first female prime minister. If you missed something, rest assured Michael covers all the leadership news here. Listen now and comment.
