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

Episode 91: A decade of economic damage, minister making their mark, NSW workers face down wage cuts and good news about sea grass

Van Badham and Ben Davison look at what's happening in our economy as the Reserve Bank raises rates, inflation spikes and wages continue to go backwards in real terms.

Van and Ben get underneath the headline figures to look at what's really driving inflation, who's profiting and why wage increases are exactly what we need to get the economy humming.  You can get your wages moving by joining your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

They also examine how the Liberal/National policies of the last decade put more workers on minimum rates, forced more people into their own "business" (with no employees and revenues of less than an average wage) and what the "Uberfication" of growing sectors means for job security and wages.

It has only been a little over two weeks and already Albo and his ministers are making their mark on everything from foreign relations to the minimum wage, from arts policy to the NDIS.  Van and Ben look at some of the highlights, including the departure of the CEO of the NDIA and the Charities Commissioner, along with some of the policy statements from the ministers.

In NSW the Perrottet government is trying to divide workers through a series of industrial bully boy tactics, selective bribes and divisive language.  But as today's public sector walk off shows, the workers of NSW remain united whether they are in teaching, higher education, health, nursing, transport, railways or a paramedic.  Check out psa.as.au for details of the latest actions.

And there is good news about the worlds largest plant, right here in Australia!

Plus we give shout outs to our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have grown the audience of The Week on Wednesday to nearly 50,000 a month, you can check out the supporter page at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

 

Weekend Wrap June 5 2022: Liberal energy policy bites, profits soar as wages crash, Labor makes moves

Ben Davison looks at Labor's moves to scrap the cashless debit card, end the outsourcing of Centrelink call centres and lift the minimum wage while acknowledging National reconciliation week and Mabo Day.

Insider's had National Party leader David Littleproud on who expressed "no regrets" over the policies of the last decade of Liberal-National misrule, lied about Labor's efforts to fix the energy crisis and doubled down on the Morrison era policy of supporting multi-national gas companies over the needs of the Australian people.  There's also a quick look at the rogues gallery that's likely to be the shadow ministry under Dutton.

Ben breaks down the reality of the gas situation (we export too much), the economic situation (too much is going to profits instead of wages) and the work unions are doing to fix it (taking action across the country).

NSW workers are suffering under a wage cap and are holding a summit on how to make the Liberal government lift the cap, which is costing workers more than $6,000 a year.

Australian unions are getting wins, with Labor pushing for a proper increase in the minimum wage, and new ads showing the power of sticking together in wage negotiations.  Join at australianunions.org.au/wow

Ben also thanks all the supporters, who contributed at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday, for helping the podcast reach almost 50,000 downloads just in May.

Episode 90: Albo’s new Labor Ministry, Does the media have a class bias, and Dutton imports culture wars

Van Badham and Ben Davison dive into the new Albanese Government Ministry with a look at some of the key changes as well as an explainer on how "factions" work and directly answer some direct listener questions.

Big appointments in defence, skills, education, environment, climate change, NDIS, government services, aged care, housing, Indigenous Australians, infrastructure, the arts and workplace relations all align with some key Labor priorities for this term of government.  Many groups are already pointing out the passion and commitment the new ministers have for these portfolios, as well as the size of their bibles?  Its a real thing. 

For the first time in a decade Australia has a workplace relations minister who proudly tells people to "join your union" so do it here australiaunions.org.au/wow

The swearing in of the ministry was carried live across the media and some of the bloopers showed a distinct lack of understanding about the backgrounds of the new government and by extension many millions of Australians.  Ben and Van discuss whether there is a class bias in Australian media.

One of the potential problems with a lack of broader political context in journalism is that people like Peter Dutton may try to exploit it and say not untrue but also damaging lies.  Today Dutton imported, lock, stock and barrel, a Trump Republican talking point about teacher unions having too much power.  Apparently the not affiliated to the Labor Party teacher unions control the Labor Party with their "extremist agenda".  Van and Ben discuss why this kind of ultra-conservative babble gets air time and why it shouldn't.

Plus after a record number of downloads in May we thank our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters, you can check out the supporter page at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Weekend Wrap 29 May 2022:PM Albo’s first week, Insiders learns nothing from election, Dutton the glass jaw villain, Barnaby for the chop and industrial actions

Ben Davison looks at a huge first week for the Albanese Labor government as five ministers bring the Muragappan family home to Bilo, push to lift wages, rebuild our relationships in the Pacific, ensure our role in the Quad and commit to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a Voice to parliament.

Ben also reviews the latest episode of Insider's where Phil Coorey calls Education, Health, The NDIS, ICAC, early childhood, aged care, industrial relations, the arts, infrastructure, climate change, the environment and women's rights "2nd tier spots" demonstrating that a panel of two people who's papers endorsed Morrison and a third who worked for Howard probably haven't fully digested the impact of last Saturday's election.

Speaking of people who learnt nothing from the election, The Liberals seem set to crown Peter "not a monster" Dutton as leader this week.  Despite his slanderous comments about the Bilo family, and the Biloela community, and his long track record of division and misuse of power the "Liberals" can't come up with anyone better.  The Nationals will be running a three horse race between Barnaby Joyce, Darren Chester and David Littleproud to see who gets the dubious honour of being Dutton's side kick.

The episode ends with a round up of some of the key industrial actions in schools, universities, aged care and against Amazon that have occurred this week with a reminder that joining your union at australianunions.org.au/wow is the best way to lift your wages, make your job more secure and be part of a community committed to building a better future for workers in Australia.

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.