LNP takes advice
With John Howard coming to Queensland to advise the LNP, John-Paul Langbroek is excited to pick his brains on several topics. With John Howard's long term experience in government, Michael Smith asks John-Paul Langbroek what he wants to get out of the meeting and why the LNP should win the election.
Voters turn on PM
With an election expected within months, a new opinion poll reflects poor performance by the Labor Party led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, with support falling below the opposition for the first time in four years. Michael Smith talks with Dennis Shanahan from the Australian.
'Greatest moral challenge' on the backburner
It wasn’t that long ago the Prime Minister labelled global warming ‘the greatest moral challenge of our time’. Today Kevin Rudd shelved his Emissions Trading Scheme until 2013. Michael Smith talks with Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce about the PM's decision.
Expensive Education Revolution
The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has a few feathers in her cap, the My School website being one of them. Another recent program, Building the Education Revolution, doesn’t seem to be receiving as many gold stars. There seems to be a gap between state and private schools as to how their funding has been implemented. Michael Smith investigates.
Foreign investment backflip
The Federal Government announced it will reverse many of the foreign investment laws it brought in last year. Michael Smith asks Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry do we have a problem with foreign money distorting our property market?
Boat K114 sets new record
The arrival of the 114th asylum seeker boat since Kevin Rudd's election sets a new record for the number of people to arrive in a financial year. Shadow Minister outlines the ramifications to the Federal Government's budget to Michael Smith.
Pauline wants to decide
Former One Nation leader Pauline Hanson who is selling her home in Coleyville, south-west of Brisbane, wants the right to decide who buys her home. Hanson joins Michael Smith to talk about the media witchhunt following her remarks.
Indigenous seats
The state government’s Integrity and Accountability green paper has been released and one response from the Torres Shire is that there should be seats reserved in parliament for indigenous representatives. Agreeing with this is Aidan McLindon, and Michael Smith quizzes him on the possibility.
Mitchell Sweeney
With 4 young people having died as a result of fitting insulation, Michael Smith takes the opportunity to speak to the mother of one of the deceased. Wendy Sweeney, mother of Mitchell, shares her despair over the situation and how her son was saving for the future.
Turtle slaughter
***WARNING - THE FOLLOWING FOOTAGE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES THAT SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND DISTURBING ***
Tzvetkoff taken down
Queensland entrepreneur Daniel Tzvetkoff has been arrested under charges of money laundering, bank fraud, and gambling conspiracy. Michael Smith talks with James McCullough from The Courier Mail about the arrest.
Bachelor of the Year
Remember the pictures we had of the Nindigully Pub, in particular the fellow eating the ginormous burger? His name is Tim Boyd, and he has just been announced as Ralph Magazine’s Bachelor of the Year. Michael Smith catches up with him to congratulate him on his acclaimed title.
Ministerial Responsibility
The Queensland Health pay bungle has been nothing short of disastrous. Are the Bligh Government Ministers even reading off the same running sheet? Take a listen to Robert Schwarten and Paul Lucas attempt to explain the reason why the system failed.
Carl Williams dead
Gangland drug dealer and killer Carl Williams has died after he was attacked by fellow inmates at high security prison, Barwon Prison. Michael Smith talks with Andrew Rule from theage.com.au about the death.
Standing up to Kev
Should the State Governments be so willing to hand over the control of the hospitals to Kevin Rudd? Gary Johns doesn't think so. The former Keating Minister joins Michael Smith to discuss the importance of finding a sensible solution to health funding.
No thanks, Kevin!
Kevin Rudd's health plan is being put through the wringer, and NSW premier, Kristina Keneally, is the latest to put her foot down regarding some of his suggestions, especially his wrangling of the ...
"It’s not the system"
Robert Schwarten MP finds himself on the phone with Michael Smith to address the question of the Queensland Health Dept pay problems. The discussion becomes heated as The Minister attempts to deny that there is a problem with the system, but points the finger at the data entry staff.
Where are the cheques?
The Australian Tax Office recently sent out 140,000 assessments without the refund cheques. The error was due to a troublesome new computer system which has been dogged by issues since its inception in January. Michael Smith finds out how this happened with Senator Nick Sherry.
Desecration in Toowong
82 gravestones damaged in Toowong cemetery. Four defendants accused of the desecration. One law system that has decided to let them off. The defence lawyers have found a loophole in the system which enabled the accused to get off scot free. Reporter Amelia Bentley, brisbanetimes.com.au, talks to Michael Smith about the case.
NAPLAN boycott
The Australian Teachers Union have voted to impose a moratorium on the federal government’s National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. 4BC Drive speaks to Steve Ryan, President of the Queensland Teachers Union, who defends their decision.
