4BC Mornings

It’s been a busy start to the tenure of the LNP state government. 

The BPIC was paused last month and government departments have pulled construction tenders and sent them back to market, QLD Health pulled the contract for the $530m rebuild of Townsville Hospital after a $1 billion blowout and finally, its understood the Department of Transport and Main Roads are considering doing the same with some of their tenders.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, 'We're saving projects.'

'I suspect that without the CFMEU tax, it's going to be a lot easier for government to get on with the job and build these projects and infrastructure that Queensland so desperately needs,' Bleijie continued.

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Cross River Rail builder CPB has finally won the backing of its workers for a new workplace agreement.

The new agreement gives workers a 5% pay rise – with back pay for at least part of the 14 months the dispute has been going on. But it won't include the heat policy woven into the controversial BPIC that the former government inflicted on the sector.

Under that heat policy, workers downed tools if it reached 29C with 75% humidity. Those sorts of conditions saw productivity in our construction industry plummet. 

CEO of the Australian Construction Association Jon Davies told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, 'it's certainly what's required as an industry here in Queensland. We've got a huge amount of work that needs to be constructed and the only way it's going to get done is if we get far more productive.'

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In the May budget, the Treasurer abandoned future surpluses in favour of the “unavoidable” spending on deals with the states worth tens of billions of dollars. 

It’s reported Finance Minister Katy Gallagher will also reveal the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook includes $16.3bn to cover the cost of increased welfare payments and pensions, cost-of-living supports, and childcare subsidies.

The Unconventional economist Leith Van Onselen joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss what could be in store for us with the incoming update.

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There’s no doubt 2024 has been a huge year in many ways.

The Bronco’s form and change of leadership, the Brisbane Lions premiership, a change in government here in Queensland after 3 terms under labor.

From Raygun’s cringeworthy turn at the Olympics, to Donald Trump’s election win, the year has brought us many highs, lows and more than a few surprises. 

Media Commentator, Nic Hayes - Managing Director of Media Stable joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to unpack 2024. 

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Join Bill McDonald each weekday from 9am-12pm on 4BC Mornings.  

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Join Bill McDonald each weekday from 9am-12pm on 4BC Mornings.  

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The 61st Wheels Car of the Year has been awarded.

Wheels magazine is now in its eighth decade, having first published in 1953. The 'Car of the Year' is the longest-continuously running new car trophy on the planet.

This year’s judging panel was well represented by five past editors as well as current editor, Andy Enright.

Mr. Enright told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, 'all the cars get judged against 4 key criteria of value, safety, how they drive and execution.'

The 25-car shortlist was cut down to a top 6, including the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy, Kia EV5 Earth AWD, MG4 Essence 64 and Toyota Camry Ascent Sport, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N taking out top spot.

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The five remaining members of the Bali Nine have returned to Australia after being incarcerated for two decades in Indonesian prisons.

Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si-Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj were previously serving life sentences after their participation in a botched drug smuggling scheme in 2005.

Bishop Tim Harris has spent significant time supporting the family of Scott Rush.

Bishop Harris told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, 'The journey's just begun because these guys have got to come back now and be reintegrated into a country and a society that they left 20 years ago.'

'What we're going to have to do now is work out a way to receive Scott again.'

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The price of the federal opposition’s nuclear plans are out, and they’re billions cheaper than expected.

According to an analysis by Frontier Economics, between now and 2050, the price would be $331 billion versus $594 billion for Labor’s approach.

The Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien, told Bill McDonald the nuclear plan is aimed at ensuring the government is "using taxpayers' money to own long-term infrastructure assets that will help the average consumer save a buck.

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