January 18, 2023

Episode 118: Dutton playing politics with The Voice, Stoves new culture war front, is it time to end the free ride? And good news on plastics!

1 hour

Van Badham and Ben Davison look at how Dutton is playing politics over The Voice to parliament, why he's playing a politically dangerous game and just how easy it is to find "the detail" he claims he cannot find. (Ben reads it out if you're interested Peter)

Turns out gas appliances aren't great for our health, our environment or our wallets but, as culture war correspondent Van Badham reports, there's enough vested interests to keep American law makers and ridiculous sky news types ranting about why pumping gas that makes unwell directly into your home should be a right.

With workplace law changes meaning more workers than ever will be able to get the benefits of union negotiated and won pay agreements the debate about "free riders" has started. Many union leaders from sectors as diverse as childcare and the rail industry, healthcare and manufacturing are calling for changes to the law to allow for union won pay rises to include a fee for the service that non-members would have to pay. Van and Ben discuss the idea, where it has come from and how Australia has ended up with huge numbers of people getting benefits they aren't paying for at the moment. You can join your union anytime at australianunions.org.au/wow to make sure your workplace has the resources needed to win better pay and conditions.

Van and Ben also reveal the dates of The Week on Wednesday LIVE at Adelaide Fringe 22nd February-15th of March tickets at https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-week-on-wednesday-live-with-van-badham-ben-davison-live-podcast-af2023

And as our downloads get closer and closer to ONE MILLION the support of our Cadre, Extend the Reach and Buck a Week supporters in growing our audience is even more valuable. Check our supporter page at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday to get the podcast, links and early info in your inbox!

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