4BC Breakfast

Organisers of the Brisbane Anzac Day Parade originally announced that bands unable to keep up with a 116bpm score would be excluded from the parade, consequently excluding most pipe bands.

The news that their presence was under threat sparked strong reaction from the public and musicians alike.

The Chair of the Queensland Branch of Pipe Bands Australia Nick Tomkins told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "The Chairman of the sub-branch, Kerry Gallagher, was very welcoming, very apologetic for the decision that was made and conceded that it wasn't the best decision and has reversed the decision."

"So all of the bands have been welcome to play."

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Voting officially opened yesterday with almost half a million people casting their ballots ahead of the May 3 election.

Yesterday was also the third debate between our two federal leaders.

Australian National University Political Scientist Dr Jill Sheppard told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "It felt like they were trying to have a bit of a crack in these last few weeks of the campaign, one week and a half to go now and they probably should have done that much earlier."

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As the world comes to terms with Pope Francis's passing, we’re starting to learn more about what's next.

Jess Millward, Nine’s Europe Correspondent, joined Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast live from Vatican City to provide an update as next steps are revealed.

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Research suggests ‘empty nesters‘ should downsize to free up large homes for young families trying to get in to the housing market.

Recent research suggests that if more empty nesters made the move to smaller homes, it could free up to 60,000 much-needed properties across the country.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella joined Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast to discuss the findings.

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It’s a crazy time in International Relations with reports that Moscow had requested to base aircraft in Indonesia roughly 1300 kilometres north of Darwin and a trade war brewing between China and the United States.

Intelligent Risks CEO Neil Fergus told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "Yesterday, China put out a warning from its Ministry of Commerce, a very clear warning, stating that it will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner against any country that tries to make a trade deal with the USA at the expense of China."

"Of course, that's where Australia gets brought into the mix because China is our number one trading partner."

"So we are going to be put in a situation as a country where we're going to have to choose between our closest ally and our biggest trading partner," Mr Fergus said.

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The world is still coming to terms with the passing of Pope Francis, after his passing last night Australian time.

And while the Catholic Church mourns, discussions will soon start with a new Pope needing to be elected.

Oxford and Deakin University and Catholic Church historian Dr Miles Pattenden told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "He leaves a very significant legacy for Catholics around the world."

"In some senses, he reset the Church's relationship with the Catholic faithful."

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The world is reacting to the passing of Pope Francis last night aged 88.

Leaders from around the world have offered their condolences to the church and Catholic Community.

Nine’s Europe Correspondent Jessica Millward told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "There's a fair bit of shock... not just here, but right around the world as this news broke and that's funny to say because we know that the Pope's been sick."

"But after we saw those images, he didn't need assistance with oxygen yesterday."

"So the fact we saw him out and about and then as the Vatican announced that he passed away at 7.30 this morning, it was a deep sense of shock," Mrs Millward.

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The Stawell Gift is Australia's oldest and richest short-distance running race.

The main event at the annual carnival held on Easter weekend by the Stawell Athletic Club has Australia's two biggest sprint stars in Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy hoping to win the $40,000 grand prize.

The Stawell Gift’s Event Management Chair Murray Emerson told Luke Bradnam on 4BC Breakfast, "The unfortunate part for Gout and Lachlan Kennedy they're just actually recently coming into professional running so they're going to get tight marks initially to allow the other runners who perhaps haven't got the same abilities to give us an even finish and that's the idea of it all."

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