The religion is getting into your life
Lord Christopher Monckton
The 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, Lord Christopher Monckton, served as a science advisor to Margaret Thatcher's in the 1980s and has spent the best part of the last decade debunking mainstream climate change theories. He was vital to a legal challenge in 2007 which prevented Al Gore's documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' from being shown in English schools. Recently Monckton has spoken out against the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference. He joins Michael Smith for a candid chat about the dangers of signing the treaty.
If I lived in Afghanistan
Smith blog - If I lived in Afghanistan and I had enough money I’d get on a boat and do my best to hit Australia’s shores. The message is pretty clear from this country; if you can make it here you’re set. It seems that coming from Afghanistan is enough.
The litigious hurdle
The Queensland Police Commissioner is prepared for the legal ramifications of rolling out the controversial Taser gun throughout the state. Bob Atkinson joins Michael Smith to discuss the litigious hurdles of stun-guns.
Hit the breaks... road toll soars
It's time to apply the breaks... the Queensland road toll is surging towards a staggering 300 fatalities before the holiday season. Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson joins Michael Smith to plead for safety on the roads.
The wait is over
Liberal MP Peter Dutton has announced that at the next federal election he will launch a bid to recontest his previous seat of Dickson. MP Dutton calls into the Michael Smith Drive show about the announcement. Listen to the full interview.
The Ikea State
Are Allen keys and flat-packs the future of the state? Leading Unionist, Andrew Dettmer claims Queensland is at risk of becoming the 'Ikea state'. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union secretary joins Michael Smith to voice his concerns.
The deficit solution
Bob Hawke's former economic adviser Ross Garnaut has penned a broad-ranging analysis of the Global Financial Crash of 2008. Michael Smith finds out about the long-term damage of the global recession and the effectiveness of the stimulus solution.
A question of credibility
Philip Ruddock was the longest serving Immigrations Minister in the nation's history, but according to the Prime Minister the Liberal stalwart has ‘no credibility’ on asylum seekers. The long-serving Liberal refutes Kevin Rudd’s claim with Michael Smith.
The fixers
They are slowly taking over the world... ruining one sport at a time. Asian match-fixers are to blame for the death of major sporting events throughout Asia and Europe, and Australia is next in their sights. Investigative journalist Declan Hill discusses his findings with Michael Smith.
Dead Famous
Drugs, sex and dirty money was rampant on the Melbourne streets for over a decade. The glorified gangland war between two underworld tribes flourished in national headline. John Silvester wants to put the hype into perspective. He explains why to Michael Smith.
Honest advisor gets the boot
Scott Patterson claims the Queensland Government showed him the door because he refused to lie. The former senior state government policy adviser joins Michael Smith to discuss the need for a royal commission.
Dutton ruled out
Federal MP Peter Dutton, touted as a future Liberal leader, has ruled out a preselection fight, declaring he will not contest a seat for the Liberal Party. Michael Smith talks with the MP about the decision.
Minister: "disgusted, appalled"
So where to now for Arthur “Rex” Crane, 83, the alleged fake PoW and national president of the Ex-PoW Association of Australia who falsely collected $400000 from the Commonwealth since 1988. Michael Smith talks with the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin about the finding.
The Rodeo kidd
Jack Kidd is a pretty brave 16-year-old. The Nudgee College student rides 600 kilogram angry beasts in his spare time. Michael Smith catches up with Jack to discover the dangerous hobby of bull riding.
The religious threat
Something as simple as wearing a crucifix to work, or praying for someone in hospital could be under threat if a bill of rights where to be introduced. Barrister Paul Diamond warns Michael Smith about the dangers to religious expression.
Debt collection blitz
Forgotten to pay that parking ticket? then you could risk losing your right to drive. A radical State Government bid to recover more than $100 million in unpaid fines could have serious consequences for fine dodgers. The Attorney General Cameron Dick has flagged a 12-month trial for the debt collection blitz. He outlines the controversial plan with Michael Smith.
Premier Bligh’s attitude
“Went off big time, most of the words started with F”. It appears Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is not the only politician with a colourful tongue and anger management issues, as Michael Smith finds out by speaking with former Bligh staffer, MP Phil Gray who was literally taken a back by the tirade, when called into Premier Bligh’s office. Listen now
Senator Barnaby Joyce
Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce refuses to mince words over the Emissions Trading Scheme, ‘It’s a barking mad tax’. The Senator flew to Canberra over the weekend to voice his concerns in the Coalition's partyroom negotiations. According to Barnaby, The Nationals will not support the amended ETS, labelling it a ‘dog of a scheme’. He joins Michael Smith live in the studio to take your calls.
The colloquial crusade
Don Watson likens the growing practice of managerial talk to a virus, which is slowly infecting our language. The former speechwriter and adviser to Prime Minister Paul Keating has spent the past decade crusading against meaningless jargon. He believes the folly of management talk has infected all public sectors. Don sheds some light on this concerning trend with Michael Smith.
The colloquial crusade
Don Watson likens the growing practice of managerial talk to a virus, which is slowly infecting our language. The former speechwriter and adviser to Prime Minister Paul Keating has spent the past decade crusading against meaningless jargon. He believes the folly of management talk has infected all public sectors. Don sheds some light on this concerning trend with Michael Smith.
QR HR madness
Trent Geissler was a Queensland Rail transit officer, Trent was going about his work day like any other. Little did he know, he was about to be spat on and assaulted, and if it couldn’t get any worse, he was sacked by his employer Queensland Rail because of the incident. Michael Smith talks with Trent about the assault.
To hell and back
Tony 'Bomber' Bower Miles was a young sappa when he was sent to fight the Vietcong. Nothing could have prepared him for the horrors of war, leaving colleagues and close friends behind on his tour to hell and back. After returning home he spiralled down a path of alcohol addiction and violence, but in the end his stubborn nature saved his life. He joins Michael Smith live in the studio to share his story.
Sprouts of concern
Is the health system across the state spiralling into an irreversible head-spin? The numbers of bureaucrats have swelled over the past decade, whilst front-line medical staff continue to dwindle. Despite the rise of bureaucrats, Deputy Premier and responsible Minister Paul Lucas assures Michael Smith that he doesn't want his best doctors mowing the lawn. The Minister believes an army of administrators is a priority for delivering the ‘health message’.
Conquering giants
It was almost a tragic ending to an Australian’s fairytale, but Andrew Lock is no stranger to adversity. Stranded on his 14th Himalayan summit in freezing conditions with nothing to shield the elements, the outlook appeared grim. The Canberra mountaineer was able to wait out the fierce snow storm and descend to become the first Australian to climb all of the world’s highest mountains. Michael Smith catches up with the intrepid climber live via satellite phone.
'I thought it was the end'
Kieron D'Netto has a remarkable outlook on life for a 23-year-old. Back in 2004, jumping off a Gold Coast footbridge with his close group of friends was a favourite pastime. Until the day he decided to jump off the bridge with a boogie board. Kieron's head slammed into the board upon impact with the water, he immediately lost feeling below his neck and was rendered a life-long quadriplegic. He shares his heartbreaking story with Michael Smith following the tragic death of a West End university student over the weekend.
Lord Christopher Monckton
The 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, Lord Christopher Monckton, served as a science advisor to Margaret Thatcher's in the 1980s and has spent the best part of the last decade debunking mainstream climate change theories. He was vital to a legal challenge in 2007 which prevented Al Gore's documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' from being shown in English schools. Recently Monckton has spoken out against the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference. He joins Michael Smith for a candid chat about the dangers of signing the treaty.
The insulation debacle
The roofing insulation rebate has not come without its pitfalls. An influx of below-par imported products, an alarming number of unqualified installers, fatal electrocutions and deadly house fires have been a cause for concern. Over the weekend the Federal Government rolled back the insulation rebate by $400, without notice. The Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, believes the 4BC Drive Program has been 'pretty tough' on the issue. He joins Michael Smith to attempt to set the record straight.
