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

Weekend Wrap 22 October 2023: Middle East, Fee free TAFE, Worker actions, Parental leave, state tax bonfire

Ben Davison takes a look at some of the stories form this week that Insiders missed given their focus on the Middle East.  While the situation in Israel and Gaza is horrendous, Ben gives a brief synopsis, there is lots happening in Australia.

The new National Skills Agreement is a win for the Australian Education Union, workers and employers who will benefit from the $30 billion investment in TAFE including another 300,000 fee free places in 2024.

1,400 United Workers Union diary workers took a 48 hour strike this week, AMWU members in Tasmania took action, NTEU workers took actions in Victoria and Queensland while AWU and MUA members stood up against a multinational gas giant and won!

Join your union at australianunions.org.au.wow

The Albanese government has introduced laws to increase paid parental leave from 20 weeks to 26 weeks between now and 2026.  Ben discusses why this isn't just good for new mothers but for all Australians.

This week also saw the most important High Court judgement about state and federal tax powers in over 50 years as two EV owners managed to get a Victorian road user tax ruled unconstitutional and opened the door for billions in state revenues to be struck down.  Ben discusses what might happen next and why we need to engage with the potential reforms that will emerge.  

Weekend Wrap 15 October 2023: Voice referendum lost, misinformation campaigning and workplace reforms

Van Badham joins Ben Davison for this post referendum special edition of the Weekend Wrap.  

Our co-hosts look at what the results of the referendum tell us so far, why there is such sadness, how we can respond and what it might mean for the future.

The rise of misinformation in the referendum is examined, how electoral politics and referendums are different, why we need to be kind and how we can reengage with solidarity. Send your message of solidarity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at https://solidarityalways.ausunions.io/ 

Van and Ben discuss why this result means we can expect to see a rise in misinformation campaigning against workplace reforms as multi-national corporations will be trying to stop $9Billion going from their profit lines to workers wages.

Join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow to make sure you are prepared to win the next struggle for jobs, fair wages and decent working conditions.

Episode 152: Republicans implode, referendum prepoll opens, rates on hold and good news about bears

Van Badham and Ben Davison take a deep dive into the murky waters of American politics as the Republican Party conspires to unseat one of its own from the role of Speaker.  It is the first time in history that a Speaker of the House of Representatives has been deposed.  Van breaks down why it has happened, what it means for American politics and the kind of markers we need to watch for in our own political system.

Prepoll voting has opened around Australia for the referendum with recent polls showing that the YES case is making up ground.  Van and Ben explore the misinformation campaign that has been largely imported from America, why it is getting traction and what we can do it break the grip of fear.  Check out yes23.com.au for how you can get involved.

With the new Reserve Bank Governor keeping interest rates on hold for another month Ben and Van discuss why the union movement's position of no involuntary unemployment and closing the loopholes to return $9 billion to working people in wages is so important.  You can join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

And there is good news about Fat Bear Week!

Van also gives a shout out to all our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have made a contribution to the podcast at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

Weekend Wrap 1 October 2023:the No misinformation campaign, disability royal commission report, Pezzullo and public service

Ben Davison looks at the established research which shows the NO campaign is leveraging misinformation and a global network of disinformation campaigners.  In a shock admission Ben admits that he agrees with Phil Coorey and Chris Kenny that the No campaign has become a grab bag of grievances.

The disability royal commission report has been handed down with 222 recommendations from over 10,000 submissions.  Ben looks at how it intersects with the current NDIS review and why reform will take time but is urgently needed.

Mike Pezzullo has stood aside while there is an investigation into his conduct by the public service commissioner.  Ben discusses why there needs to be an investigation, who this man is and what influence he has been wielding over our lives.

Ben also give a shout out to the leader of the Australian Union movement, Sally McManus, for her being named the 4th most powerful person in Australia.  You can join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow   

Episode 151: Dan departs as Allan ascends, a job for everyone who wants one, a referendum update and good news about kites

Van Badham and Ben Davison open by congratulating the workers who won their struggle with Inghams chicken, the artists in NSW who won restored funding and by sending international solidarity to the writers, screen actors and auto workers in the USA, who were joined on the picket line by Joe Biden.  Making Biden the first ever sitting President to join a picket.  You can win better pay, better conditions and better management by joining your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Dan Andrews departs politics as Labor's longest serving Victorian Premier.  Ben and Van take a look at his legacy and the rise of his successor, Jacinta Allan, who is only the 2nd woman to lead Victoria.

The Albanese government has released an employment white paper so Van and Ben take a look at how the Commonwealth Labor government will deliver "a job for everyone who wants one".  There's some major policy changes to come.

Van has written about disinformation in the Guardian and today her piece has been supported by academia, the Prime Minister and a growing understanding of the problem.  Ben gives an update on Noel Pearson's Press Club address and the coming of pre-poll and postal ballots.

And there is good news about kite power one of our listeners!

Plus Van gives a shout out to all out Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who make a contribution to expanding our audience at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

 

Weekend Wrap 24 September 2023: No rallies, price gouging inquiry, workers take action

Ben Davison RETURNS with his weekend wrap!

Instead of breaking down Insiders he compares and contrasts the difference the Walk for YES last weekend and the far right rallies for NO this weekend.

Ben also reads a message from a listener in Arnhem Land who is talking with local first nations people about the referendum.

With less than three weeks until the referendum and a week until pre-poll Ben is urging people to get involved at yes23.com.au

The Alan Fels price gouging inquiry kicked off this week as the true source of Australia's inflation problem becomes clear; profiteering.

The ACTU backed inquiry has heard testimony from experts and people impacted about how prices have been artificially increased to pump up profits.

At the same time workers are in week nine of their strike at EnerSys and workers have started a strike at Inghams where the company, which has enjoyed a 72% increase in profits, is denying workers a $1.50 pay rise. Join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Episode 150: Referendum disinformation, NSW budget, Victorian homes, worker rights and good news on seaweed

Van Badham and Ben Davison are BACK! Having, almost, recovered from their illnesses Van and Ben dissect the disinformation that is swamping the Voice referendum.  They break down what the Voice is, why the disinformation is happening, where it is coming from and what we can all do to make sure it doesn't taint our democracy.

The Labor government in NSW has handed down its first budget following a range of wins by workers in unions there are pay increases, more teachers, more healthcare and less outsourcing of the public sector.  You can join your union, whatever state you live in, at australianunions.org.au/wow

In Victoria a long term Labor government has announced a new massive policy on housing.  Ben and Van look at what's in the package, how it shows the importance of long term Labor governments and contrast material realism politics with culture war politics.

It has been a huge week for workers with the High Court decision finding Qantas illegally sacked 1,700 workers, the cross bench teaming up with the Coalition to delay the closing of loopholes bill until February and polling showing that every major measure to close loopholes has the support of a majority of Australian's of EVERY political persuasion. 

Plus Van, with her croaky voice, gives a shoutout to our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters, check out www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday to become a supporter!

Weekend Wrap 10 September: Pearson makes YES case on Insiders, Dutton delays billions in wages, unions win for workers

Ben Davison takes a look at Noel Pearson's Insiders interview and how he managed to cut through the misinformation, fear mongering and misdirection to remind Australia that the referendum is an opportunity to accept the hand of friendship by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as our first people and embrace the opportunity of reconciliation by guaranteeing an advisory body.  Nothing more, nothing less.

The crossbench teamed up with Peter Dutton's Noalition to delay the closing loopholes laws which will cost workers, just in the gig economy, as much as $200,000,000.  Ben breaks down what the laws are about, why they are important to workers and why big business is fighting so hard to stop them.  Hint: It's got to do with who gets $9,000,000,000

Only unions are fighting for working people in this struggle and if you want your fair share you need to join, go to australianunions.org.au/wow

The NSW Teachers Federation has won a landmark pay deal as the campaign to fix the under resourcing of 98% of our public schools continues.  Check out foreverychild.au for more info

The 1,700 workers unlawfully sacked by Qantas will have their fates decided in the High Court on Wednesday.  Ben looks at how this could have implications for all workers.

If you're able to help us promote the show to more people and spread the message beyond the ONE MILLION + downloads we already have check out www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday for ways to make a contribution.

Episode 149: Corporations fight secure work and better pay, Joyce leaves Qantas burning, economic growth and good news on solar glass

Van Badham and Ben Davison examine the government's bill to close the loopholes that are letting corporations take $9 billion from workers through forced casualisation, sham contracting, gig exploitation and legal chicanery.

With $9 billion on the line corporations are fighting back with some of the weirdest and most easily disprovable lies imaginable.  Van and Ben breakdown why the corporate bosses are investing millions in ads to attack the improvements for workers.

Workers are fighting back to secure the pay that should be theirs by join their union at australianunions.org.au/wow and getting involved in the campaign to win over the cross bench.

Alan Joyce is no longer CEO of Qantas!  As of today a new CEO has started and inherited an airline that is, in a strategic sense, on fire.  With law suits from workers, consumers and the government, a potential senate inquiry, an ageing fleet and a brand so damaged it is less trusted than its wholly owned budget version the Qantas story is in heavy turbulence.

The latest GDP growth figures have been released so Ben and Van put them into the context of Australia's overall economic situation and are pleased to find Australia has grown more than five of the G7 countries.

Plus there is good news about solar glass!

And Van gives a shout out to all of our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have gone to www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday 

Weekend Wrap 3 September 2023: New rights for casuals, gig and labour hire workers, Qantas profiting from failure and you are the Voice

Ben Davison dives into the detail of the new workplace reforms that will give more rights to everyday working people who are casuals, gig workers or engaged as labour hire by setting some minimum standards.

Tony Burke went on Insiders to explain how the new approach will work and David Speers still hasn't wrapped his mind around the idea that Labor is governing from a people first perspective as opposed to a corporate first approach.

Qantas, the company that has unlawfully sacked workers, abused the labour hire system and given huge payouts to executives while taking massive taxpayer handouts is now under investigation for selling 8,000 flights that never existed.  Ben looks at why this might be the latest, and last, opportunity to bring the flying Kangaroo back into the hands of our Commonwealth.

You're the Voice, try to understand it.  Those immortal words from John Farnham will grace a new YES campaign ad just as Peter Dutton launch his own latest effort to muddy the waters around the referendum.