Festival Hall resurrection
Contemporary music has lost it's foothold in Brisbane due to the loss of Festival Hall many years ago, in the eyes of State Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek. He talks to Michael Smith about the possibility of once again having an inner city venue to rival the Entertainment Centre in Boondal.
Meter nightmare
Labor member and Councillor for The Gabba Ward, Helen Abrahams, talks to Michael Smith about the installation of 960 metered parking spaced in Woolloongabba, leaving no space untouched. This was done without any consultation to local businesses. Listen now and comment.
Real support for our diggers
A leaked email from a soldier in Afghanistan has raised concerns over our capability to give adequate support to our diggers. Michael Smith speaks with Retired Major General Jim Molan about the response from the Defence Force to the claims in the email.
Langbroek reassures voters
While the Liberal National Party may appear in disarray, leader John-Paul Langbroek squashed leadership rumours and reassured voters of a united front on the Michael Smith Drive show. Listen and comment now.
Assets sell-off begins
The controversial float of Queensland Rail National launched by the Bligh State Government has begun. State treasurer Andrew Fraser joins Gary Hardgrave talking about the sale. Listen and comment now.
Promise broken
During the election the Gillard government promised they would not build an immigration centre at the RAAF Base Scherger near Weipa. It appears now they have back flipped on that promise – Michael Smith speaks with Gavin King, Editor of the Cairns Post, about work that has started at the base.
The Leak
After a federal police investigation was launched into the recent treasury leaks of the Coalition's budget, Michael Smith speaks to Shadow Finance Minister, Andrew Robb, who is still convinced either Wayne Swan or one of his close colleagues was the leak.
LNP Blues
In the day after Labor finds itself in Government, the opposition have to pick themselves up and get on with work as usual. 4BC Drive speaks to Joe Hockey, Shadow Treasurer, about how the LNP feel about the result and what lies ahead in the near future.
Greenpeace uses child?
Michael Smith Drive Show - The Green movement really is beneath contempt. Fancy getting a child to spout this rubbish.
Honeymoon Dive
Dr Lindsay Simpson and her colleague, Jennifer Cooke, have compiled a damning report which highlights the inadequacies of Queensland's judicial system and the insufficient sentence given to Gabe Watson. Dr Lindsay Simpson joins Michael Smith in the studio to discuss this miscarriage of justice.
Ramadan conflict
Yasmin Khan, the President of Eidfest, talks to Michael Smith about the upcoming Muslim festival which is being held on the anniversary of September 11th. Whilst it is a coincidence, some people think the date should be treated with more sensitivity - have your say.
Prison neighbours
4BC Drive talks to Marcelle McKenna who owns a house next to the prison that was featured in the news last week as being a 'holiday camp'. Marcelle gives us an eye-witness report on the relaxed lifestyles of the inmates as they see out their sentences in 'comfort'. Listen now.
Leaping Sharks?
Michael Smith talks with CityCat skipper and former Kookaburra Queen Master, Craig Wilkins, about recent reports of bull sharks leaping out of the Brisbane river. Have you spotted the sharks leaping in the river? Comment now.
Holiday Camp
Prison authorities have shut down a prison work camp due to allegations of inmates having a 'holiday camp' lifestyle. Kelvin Anderson, Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner, talks to Michael Smith about the report, and the investigation that is currently taking place.
Legacy
21 brave diggers have lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, Legacy has long supported the families of those who get left behind. 4BC Drive speaks to Craig Hardy, Senior Welfare Officer, Legacy, about the important service they provide to our armed forces.
Johnny goes like a rocket
John Kokshoorn, affectionately known as Johnny Rocket, is a pilot who is taking part in the National Air Race Championship in America. Michael Smith takes some time out with Johnny who tells him about some of the more hair-raising moments in his dare-devil career. Listen now.
Preferential voting
Why does Australia use preferential voting instead of the first past the post method? Michael Smith talks to Dean Jaensch, Professor of Political and International Studies, who explains each method and the pros and cons of each system. Listen now and comment.
Margie Abbott
Margie Abbott, wife of the Opposition Leader, exclusively joins Michael Smith for her first ever radio interview. The usually publicity shy wife of Tony discusses the home life of the would-be Prime Minister and how she knew he was the one in less than 48 hours.
"He's a dog..."
Michael Smith talks with Herald Sun writer Rebecca Wilson about the recent behaviour of TV personality Matthew Newton as actress Rachael Taylor has taken out an apprehended violence order (AVO) against him, after "unprovoked violent assaults". Listen and comment now.
Stronger Than Grief
Army Chaplain Jim Cosgrove has penned a touching poem for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are fighting for all of us. Michael Smith talks with Father Cosgrove about the great work being carried out by our brave diggers.
Commissioner launches coast crackdown
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson joins Michael Smith to discuss the significant changes to Gold Coast policing. Smithy asks the Commissioner if only six detectives have been added to the Gold Coast force in the last twelve years.
Above the law
Book: Motorcycle gangs are now being acknowledged as the greatest organised crime threat in the world, far surpassing the threats posed by the Mafia, Russian syndicates, Chinese Triads and Japanese Yakuza. Michael Smith talks with journalist and author Ross Coulthart about the book.
Bob Katter with Smith
Listen to Michael Smith discuss the election in early August with the independent member for the north Queensland seat of Kennedy MP, Bob Katter. Listen and comment now.
System failure
A distressed father calls into 4BC Drive, whose son, diagnosed with ADHD, attempted suicide last night. It seems that a complete lack of support has led to this crisis, and even after the fact, hospital and mental health services remain inadequate, discharging the boy with no advice or resources.
Emergency MRI scan
Kathy, mother of daughter Megan, has been talking to Michael Smith over the past week about her daughter's severe headaches and the lacklustre response to her needs. Megan was finally given an MRI scan showing a swollen blood vessel in her brain. Kathy is infuriated with no one taking responsibility.
Future communication
Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, explains to 4BC Drive the plan for the Broadband network and the general public. Michael Smith tries to find out how this is going to affect people in their homes.
Tony Abbott's figures
Days before the election, Tony Abbott joins Michael Smith to discuss the Coalition costings. The Leader of the Opposition outlines the financial road ahead if he were to get elected.
Barnaby Joyce
Senator for Queensland Barnaby Joyce has written the policy behind Infrastructure Partnership Scheme. He joins Michael Smith to outline out we can invest more into our own product.
