There are hard borders with no sign of let up across Australia, as State Premiers spuriously justify all decisions as being on the basis of medical advice while enjoying the populist support for supposedly keeping out the virus. But they can only do so because in our crazy fiscally frazzled federation the Feds pick up the bill for the economic costs. And why can actors and footballers cross borders when ordinary people can't?
What will be the effects on our economy and indeed our nation; as we revert to self-contained colonies and the ties of family and work across borders are severed?
And for that matter, what of the tens of thousands of Australias stranded overseas because State Government failures mean they cannot be safely returned, as Australia joins North Korea in banning travel from Australia without a permit?
Evan Mulholland joins Chris Berg and Scott Hargreaves to discuss problems and possible solutions, and also look at the battle being waged by tech giants Google and Facebook as they fight moves by Australia's relative media minnows to grab a share of revenue, egged on by the ACCC (33:38-46:06). Just one part of a global war in which Australian consumers could be the loser.
In the regular Books and Culture segment (46:07-58:33) they look a Tim Wilson’s new book on Australia's social contract, the Netflix series Away, and the latest surrealist escapade form Charlie Kaufman, I'm Thinking of Ending Things.
Show Notes:
A big decision is due today in the Clive Palmer vs WA border row — here's why it matters
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-25/how-clive-palmers-wa-border-challenge-affected-by-court-decision/12589552
This is why it is so difficult for Australians to get home
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/why-is-it-so-hard-for-australians-to-get-home/12669902
Culture Picks
The New Social Contract; Tim Wilson
https://www.connorcourtpublishing.com.au/THE-NEW-SOCIAL-CONTRACT-Renewing-the-liberal-vision-for-Australia--Tim-Wilson_p_377.html
Away; Andrew Hinderaker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_(TV_series)
I’m Thinking of Ending Things; Charlie Kaufman
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7939766/
Ep 34: 1.2 Million Reasons Why JCU Should’ve Left Peter Ridd Alone
Ep 33: Who Let The Lunatics Run The Asylum?
Ep 32: Has Disney Won The Trade War?
Ep 31: Hong Kong: Nobody Puts Freedom In The Corner
Ep 30: The Centre-Right Is Alive And Well
Ep 29: Conceptual Engineering And The Death Of The English Language
Ep 28: Who Doesn't Have Access To Your Metadata Now?
Ep 27: "Now Hearing The Case Of Taxpayer v Taxpayer"
Ep 26: What Does Scott Morrison Actually Think About Recognition
Special Episode: Troy Bramston
Ep 25: How Not to Protect Religious Freedom
Ep 24: What Will Freedom Look Like In 2050?
Ep 23: Should GoFundMe Repent?
Special Episode: Dr Peter Ridd
Ep 22: Will Facebook's Libra Kill Off Central Banking?
Ep 21: What Can The State Keep Secret From The Public?
Ep 20: The State of our Origins: Would Another ATSIC Solve Anything?
Ep 19: Why Size Doesn’t Matter For So-Called Minor Parties
Ep 18: A Time for Mainstream Australians
Ep 17: Can Capitalism Be Woke?
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