Technical issues mean that Van Badham wasn't able to join Ben for this week's episode but The Weekend Wrap will be a special extended, post Insiders and pre federal budget Sunday edition.

In a shorter 30 minute episode Ben looks at how Morrison is leading the charge on cutting wages while the reserve bank admits that under the current government policies workers face another wage cut this year, on top of the cut last year!

As Morrison tries to make the election about fantastical culture wars (while ignoring the suspect behaviour of not only his own members but his spiritual advisor!) Albo has doubled down on what Labor is about: Delivering material improvements in people's lives that give space for progressive social policy as we've seen in Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria.

The budget will see an improvement in national income from higher commodity prices driven by Putin's war in Ukraine but while that is good for the budget it is increasing the cost of living here and literally killing people in Ukraine.

Ben gives a quick update on the bogged down mess that is Putin's war as it enters day 28.

Even a shorter Week on Wednesday needs good news and this week it is about International Forest Day!

And as always Ben gives a shout out to all our Cadre and Extending the Reach supporters who've headed to our page www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday and to everyone who has joined their union at australianunions.org.au/wow 

Don't forget to check out this Sunday's special Weekend Wrap with Ben AND Van Badham