”The Week on Wednesday” with Van Badham & Ben Davison
News:Politics
The QAnon march in Melbourne this weekend showed off a disturbing willingness to use violent imagery and threats to intimidate democratically elected leaders, our institutions and our community. While Nearly 93% of Victorian's have had at least one dose of vaccine the rally, which featured US based QAnon symbols, flags and language, roped in a who's who of political fringe dwellers. From Peta Credlin to the Victorian upper house Liberal Democrat MP (bet you didn't even know we had one) to the bloated face of foreign propaganda in Australia, Craig Kelly, we were subjected to every wannabe opportunist's attempts to find a political base.
The serious side was on show too as a gallows was marched through the threats, "kill" chants were conducted and this week saw threats levelled against the animal justice upper house MP, Andy Meddick, as well as Labor MPs, Premier Andrews, Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton and the Australian Labor Party Vice President.
It is no coincidence that Steve Bannon was indicted this week, the Trump strategist and podcaster (Morrison government MPs have appeared on his show), was charged with contempt of Congress as the US mid-term election season enters the final 12 months.
For more on how QAnon is infiltrating our politics check out Van Badham's new book "QAnon and On; A short and shocking history of internet conspiracy cults"
Cop26 has ended with a commitment to "Phase down", not "phase out" coal power, 130 governments increasing commitments on emissions reductions (Not Morrison's) and agreement to end "inefficient", not all, fossil fuel subsidies.
COVID is exploding again in Europe. The Netherlands is going into a three week lockdown, Austria is locking down the unvaccinated, the UK has 500 cases per million people and Germany has the worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic. Portugal and Spain, above 80% vaccinated, are doing much better. Get vaccinated and get a booster.
The Morrison government has announced a new uncapped seasonal worker program expansion despite unemployment spiking this month and hundreds of thousands of people who want to work unable to do so due to caring responsibilities.
Episode 161: Dr Chalmers Keynesian budget remedy
Episode 160: Stopping male violence, the education budget we have to have and big batteries
Episode 159: A future made in Australia, the disinformation wonderland & solar cars
Episode 158: Tasmanian election lessons, narrative wars, its the economy and good news about airships
Weekend Wrap 3 December 2023: Employment services reforms, the grind of government and the media circus
Episode 157: Generational economic divide, Loopholes closer to closing & good news on renewables
Weekend Wrap 19 November 2023: Profiteers cash in, school funding needs fix and why Albo went to APEC
Episode 156: Wages rise, Duttons dangerous disinformation, why school funding is a targeted use of the surplus and good news for stone workers
Episode 155: Optus outage chaos, new RBA is just like the old RBA and good news from America
Episode 154: Corporates fight to keep loopholes, Be that teacher for every child, Medicare boost and good news about spiders
Weekend Wrap 29 October 2023: Albo goes to Washington, Insiders misses context and the rules based order
Episode 153: Unions ban deadly dust, Profits fuel inflation pain, World Teachers Day and good battery news
Weekend Wrap 22 October 2023: Middle East, Fee free TAFE, Worker actions, Parental leave, state tax bonfire
Weekend Wrap 15 October 2023: Voice referendum lost, misinformation campaigning and workplace reforms
Episode 152: Republicans implode, referendum prepoll opens, rates on hold and good news about bears
Weekend Wrap 1 October 2023:the No misinformation campaign, disability royal commission report, Pezzullo and public service
Episode 151: Dan departs as Allan ascends, a job for everyone who wants one, a referendum update and good news about kites
Weekend Wrap 24 September 2023: No rallies, price gouging inquiry, workers take action
Episode 150: Referendum disinformation, NSW budget, Victorian homes, worker rights and good news on seaweed
Weekend Wrap 10 September: Pearson makes YES case on Insiders, Dutton delays billions in wages, unions win for workers
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