"The Week on Wednesday" with Van Badham & Ben Davison

Episode 89: PM Albo and the gang of four, Liberal Leader Dutton, Murdoch media fails and democracy sausages

Van Badham and Ben Davison examine the first few days of the Albanese Labor government as Albo and his gang of four are sworn in to start the transition after a decade of Liberal-National rule and so Albo can attend the regional security pact meeting known as "The Quad".

Van and Ben look at Labor's policy priorities between now and the end of the year, the make up of the parliament, the failure of the Liberal Party to hold any of the inner city Liberal "seat by rights" and what we will be looking for in the coming week as a full Ministry is sworn in next Wednesday.

The Liberal Party have wasted no time and are already back to ignoring the will of the people by giving Peter Dutton a coronation as new Liberal Leader.  Van and Ben discuss the how, why and what of the "not a monster", potato, pacific island disrespecting, searching Victorians on the street, not "very smart", "Extremist" who once handed out defence contracts to companies that didn't have any staff and is now the leader of the party founded by Menzies.

For the first time the Murdoch's backed a loser and we look at what the changing shape of media means in Australia.

Plus good news about democracy sausages and solar panels!

As always we give a shout out to our cadre and extend the reach supporters who you can join at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

Weekend Wrap: Post election special with Van Badham and Ben Davison

Van Badham and Ben Davison talk about election night 2022, the first openly left/centre left LIVE Election night broadcast and the current state of play for the Australian parliament.

With Albo's Labor Party winning a majority but the most independant MPs elected into parliament since before WWII Van and Ben look at what has happened from a macro perspective and how this election signals that Australia is still a Menzian/Hawke nation.  A concept that Morrison's "Liberals" seem to have forgotten.

Van and Ben explore what that concept means, how it might influence an Albanese Labor government, how it played out in the campaign and what might happen next.

And remember if you want to be part of shaping your future join your union australianunions.org.au/wow.  Who knows?  Maybe you'll end up singing on stage with Van and Sally McManus at 1am at Trades Hall sometime.....

Episode 88: Morrison cuts wages, jobs and retirements, unions win domestic violence leave, election 2022

Van Badham and Ben Davison break down Morrison's re-election platform of wage cuts, job cuts and raids on retirement on the very day the Morrison government has delivered the worst wage figures in more than 20 years.

With profits up, sales up, CEO pay up, the cost of living going up and Morrison demanding workers wear a $4,000 pay cut Van and Ben ask the question;

"How can Morrison be promising to cut wages, cut jobs and raid people's retirements but still be in with a chance of winning this election?"

Ben breaks down why the raid on retirement is bad housing policy and bad economics.

The Australian Union movement has had a big win with working people on award rate winning 10 days of paid family and domestic violence (FDV) leave.  After a decade of the "we won't campaign successfully expanding paid FDV  leave through many agreements with big employers, unions have won the right for more than 2.6 million award workers. If you want to make sure your workplace is safer, your wages higher and your job more secure join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Van breaks down the real life implications of not having access to paid leave when experiencing intimate partner violence.

As the polls tighten the lines between a re-elected, wage cutting, job cutting, retirement raiding, anti-women Morrison government and an Albanese led Labor government have become even clearer in the final week of the campaign.  Albo used his final National Press Club Address to reiterate his commitment to extending FDV leave to all workers, supporting wage increases, doing more to stop deaths from COVID, end the Morrison era rorts and introduce a federal ICAC.

The election is on Saturday and Van Badham and Ben Davison will be hosting a live watch along broadcast.  Links and details on all Week on Wednesday social media and through the support page (www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday)

And the good news is about rats being purged from an Australian island...maybe an omen?

As always we give shoutouts to all our Cadre and Extending the Reach supporters too!

Weekend Wrap 15th May 2022: Albo calls for wage rises on Insiders, Morrison promises to change and delivers more of the same and Dutton’s lies

Ben Davison looks at Albo's Insider's interview and the key point that Australians with jobs are now having to rely on food banks while Morrison argues for more pay cuts and against a $1 an hour wage increase.

Morrison ended the week promising to change but immediately doubled down on all the same old policy positions. The Liberal campaign launch shows a weakening grip on older voters and Dutton says things that are untrue about China and the USA.

While Ben attended a union organised choral protest against Morrison at a community centre where the staff slipped a subtle protest of their own into Morrison's birthday cake photo op. You can join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Today Ben Davison is live at the Queenscliffe Literary Festival where Van Badham will be hosting a panel on the ABC this afternoon.

Huge thanks to all our supporters on www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

Episode 87: Morrison demands workers take pay cuts, voting has started and the 3rd leaders debate

Van Badham and Ben Davison look at why Morrison is demanding that Australian's accept pay cuts of $2,000 each as he rails against the idea that wages should keep pace with inflation.

Since Morrison responded to Albo's question on whether or not every worker should be paid the minimum wage with "it depends" the focus of the election has been on wages.

Workers in aged care, hospitals and education have all recently taken action to lift wages, Australian Unions have increased their minimum wage claim (don't forget to join your union for better wages and more secure work australianunions.org.au/join) and this week Albo responded to whether wages should keep pace with inflation, currently 5.1%, with "absolutely"

Van and Ben breakdown the facts, the evidence and the commentary on wages in Australia to see what's real, what's spin and whether there is anything government can actually do to increase wages. 

Spoiler there's lots governments can do, wage increases don't automatically create inflation and the people who say "nows not the time" say that all the time.

Voting has started with pre-poll opening to record numbers of early voters.  Ben and Van discuss why universal voting is important and how Morrison is cutting off thousands of Australian's from being able to vote.  With misinformation flying around social media and into letter boxes civil society forums and union sources of information are vital.

Luckily Van Badham is teaming up with Francis Leach, from On the Job, and Australian Unions to do a 3rd debate watch along TONIGHT (May 11th).  Thousands of people watched the fun loving crew during the 2nd debate and this one promises even more good times and great analysis.

This weeks good news is about offshore wind turbines and coral reefs and was sent to us by the Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union of Australia (CEPU). 

Plus we give shoutouts to our www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday Cadre and Extending the reach supporters.

Weekend Wrap May 8 2022: Waleed gets it wrong on Insiders, Tanya nails workplace reforms, Medicare scandal and 2nd debate

Ben Davison covers why Waleed was wrong to suggest we need more wage cuts to control inflation as Australian workers have already lifted productivity by more than 10% points since 2013 and Treasury tells us that for every 1.5% lift in productivity we can sustain 4% increases in wages WITHOUT impacting inflation.

And wages have been going backwards.  Ben looks at why inflation is happening despite wage cuts and what can be done about it as he reviews Tanya Plibersek's Insider interview promises for workplace reform.

There's been a lot of coverage about discussing the NDIS so Ben looks at what some of the NDIS issues actually are, as opposed to the coverage of the coverage, and suggests we focus on the policies in the folder rather than the folder itself.

Ever hear bulk billing stats and think "but I pay out of pocket all the time?!?" Turns out there is a scandal in Medicare with patients being charged out of pocket but it not being recorded.  The Morrison government claims around Medicare are now in doubt.

The 2nd debate is on TONIGHT and will be covered LIVE on Facebook and YouTube by Van Badham and Francis Leach for Australia Unions. Check them out from 8pm. Join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow 

And it being Mother's Day we wish all mother's a happy day and cover some of the Mother's day election special policy announcements. 

Episode 86: Halfway through election 2022 who is winning? Morrison or Albo?

Van Badham and Ben Davison are joined by the host of hit political podcast, Socially Democratic, Stephen Donnelly to discuss the 2022 election...so far.

The crew examine some big questions:

Is Labor's polling lead translating on the ground?

Has Morrison lost control of the economic and national security narratives?

Have Australian Unions turned "economic management" into a discussion about "managing wage growth and lower prices"? 

Is the mainstream media losing its influence or is it just shifting?

What role will minor parties play in the end?

With pre-poll opening on Monday is it all over in the next few days or is the most dangerous time for disinformation just beginning?

So tune into this fascinating "crosspod" as Van, Ben and Stephen explore Election 2022 so far and what we might expect in the next three weeks.

As always we give a shout out to our supporters from www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday and remind people that joining your union is the most effective way to lift your wages and improve your job security so join at australianunions.org.au/wow

Weekend Wrap: May Day 2022, James Campbell’s Insiders embarrassment, Labor’s campaign launch & Morrison’s campaign chaos

This May Day Ben Davison gives a 20 minute wrap up of James Campbell's embarrassingly fact free appearance on Insider's where he dismissed the democratic rights of two thirds of Australian's and everyone who has experienced wage cuts over the past two years.

Remember union member's have more secure jobs and earn more so join at australianunions.org.au/wow

Ben looks at Labor's promise to launch a RoboDebt royal commission and the justice it may bring for nearly 400,000 Australian families.

Labor launched their campaign in Perth.  Ben looks at the big announcements and how many jobs, homes and TAFE places will be created while childcare, aged care, medicines and renewable energy all will be cheaper.

Morrison's campaign of chaos has continued with a minister demanding a pay rise..for himself, more "grants" for companies with Liberal connections, an on again/off again PBS pricing change and Morrison himself demanding that people in isolation with COVID should be working harder.

April was another record month for the Week on Wednesday, the fourth in a row since we launched our supporter page, and if you'd like to help us continue to grow check out our supporter page at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday like, share, comment and subscribe.

Episode 85: Morrison bungles the economy, Labor launches economic policy and chaos in the coalition campaign

Van Badham and Ben Davison look at how Morrison has bungled the economy.  Despite his many promises he is set to increase taxes for 10 million households, has overseen a 5% spike in inflation (just two months after promising it wouldn't go above 4.25%) and is delivering a $2,000 real wage CUT.

Van and Ben look at how the inflation spike, wages cuts, impending interest rate rise and ongoing job insecurity shows Morrison's economic ideology that "government can't do things" is built of false assumptions and the proven fallacy of trickle down economics. 

With United Workers Union (UWU) member's set to take action in aged care facilities around the country and NSW Teachers Federation members to walk off the job the team discusses how workers shape wages through government policy as well as directly, in union, and how joining your union (at australianunions.org.au/wow ) is still the best way to get lift your wages wages, make your job more secure and workplace safer.

Labor seized on the awful economic numbers for the Morrison government by launching their own economic policy today.  The three point plan aligns to what Van and Ben have been saying about public sector jobs, taxing multinational corporations and stopping the rorts and waste of the past decade.

The Coalition campaign chaos picked up a gear today with the Liberal Treasurer suggesting they were better economic managers because they kept the animals at the zoos and aquariums fed, Canavan being told to "pull his head in", the home affairs minister making wild and baseless claims about the Solomon Islands, a Liberal candidate in a safe seat courting cookers and a Queensland senate candidate basically calling the citizens of Australia fat and lazy.

We give a big shout out to our Cadre and Extending the Reach supporters who make sure we keep growing our audience and getting the message out there, you can check out www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday to make a contribution. 

Weekend Wrap: Morrison’s ”blessing” a curse on NDIS, Barnaby’s Insiders sell off plus wage theft & pork barrelling

Ben Davison looks at Morrison's explanation that his debate response to a mother who's child has had their NDIS support cut that he was "blessed to not have had to go through that" was about the difficulties in navigating the NDIS, rather than a comment about children with a disability.  Even if we take Morrison at his word it is, at the very least, a condemnation of his own failure to properly deliver the NDIS. 

Plans have been cut by an average of 4%, appeals to the AAT have doubled, foreign private equity backed unregistered and unregulated "platforms" that "connect" workers and participants in, what has been described as, digital sham contracting arrangement are taking 14% margins out of the tax payer funded system. 

As the campaigns head into the Northern Territory it is timely to remember that HALF of NDIS plans in the NT have been cut in the last six months.

Insiders discussed in detail the failures of the Morrison government on the Solomon Islands and Ben explores how Morrison spent the end of the week setting up another pork barrel program while refusing to answer questions about Australia's largest foreign policy blunder in the pacific for over 70 years.

Barnaby Joyce was the Insiders guest from the government and he made it clear that their only plan is to let multinational corporations sell our resources overseas.  While sitting in Gladstone, where people have to fly to Brisbane to get medical treatments as billions of dollars of resources depart the docks, Barnaby was asked what the government's plan for the future "If they want to buy it we will sell it" was his response.

This ideologically lines up with the findings of two major pieces of work from the Australian Union movement this week. 

The ship building company Austal received a Morrison campaign visit and a $124M contract after having been found to underpay its workers. The union, ETU, won the money back but Morrison wouldn't even acknowledge the request for safeguards to prevent this from happening again on government funded projects.

The ACTU released research showing that while 100 countries put limits on the use of "fixed term contracts" Australia is not among that group of 100 nations and that casuals in Australia are being paid up to $350 LESS than ongoing workers doing the same job.

Ben urges everyone to join their union at australianunions.org.au/wow and to put the Liberals last (with a brief explanation of how the ballot papers work)