In this captivating podcast, we delve into the mind and experiences of the Honourable Jacqui Munro, a dynamic Upper House Member of Parliament.

Jackie takes us behind the scenes of her exciting journey through the political landscape, sharing her perspective on Parliament, family, and the values she holds dear. Discover how her family's rich history and influences have shaped her political philosophy and commitment to core liberal values.

Intriguing discussions explore the importance of reward for effort, the challenges of home ownership, and the enduring significance of family in building a harmonious society. Jacqui personal journey unfolds as she reflects on her mother's courageous battle with cancer and the profound life lessons she gained from that experience.

As the conversation delves into the world of jazz, you'll learn about Jacqui's love for the genre and her favorite jazz artists. Explore how music, like politics, holds the power to inspire and uplift.

In the second half of this episode, you'll hear about Minister Courtney Hussos's sudden loss of responsibilities, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Learn how the police minister found herself at the center of a censure motion, accused of misleading statements and a lack of leadership during a recent protest.

But that's not all. We also explore the perplexing golf course transformation at Moore Park and a perplexing backflip on pill testing. The hosts uncover inconsistencies and questionable actions by the government that may leave you wondering about the state of leadership in New South Wales.

Alister invites this week's guest Bronnie Taylor to share her incredible life story, from growing up in New York to living in Southeast Asia, where her father worked for Qantas. Listeners will be taken on a journey through Bronnie's early experiences in these diverse and culturally rich environments.

Bronnie reminisces about her childhood in Manhattan, near Central Park, and her time in Southeast Asia, highlighting the unique cultural experiences and challenges she faced as a young American girl living abroad. Her tales of growing up in these exciting and contrasting settings provide a window into a world many listeners may have never known.

The podcast then transitions to Bronnie's life in Australia, where she attended boarding school in Pymble, New South Wales. She shares her experiences adapting to a completely different culture and the warmth of the regional community that welcomed her.

Listeners will learn about her academic journey at Sydney University, where she pursued nursing, and the critical turning point when she decided to embrace rural life with her husband Duncan. Bronnie's passion for healthcare and her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities between urban and rural areas come to the forefront in this episode.

The discussion also touches on her career in cancer nursing and her involvement with the Macquarie Foundation, which further fueled her advocacy for rural and regional healthcare.

Bronnie shares her experiences in local government, emphasizing the importance of this grassroots level of governance and the deep connection she built with the community.

The episode then delves into Bronnie's transition into state politics, starting with her journey to the Upper House of the New South Wales Parliament. She discusses her initial challenges and her determination to make a difference, especially in the area of mental health.

As the Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor shares the groundbreaking initiatives and strategies that she championed, such as the suicide prevention strategy and innovative programs like the safe haven model and equine therapy. Her passion for improving mental health care and the well-being of the people shines through as she describes her work during challenging times, including the bushfires.

In this episode, Alister sits down with Wendy Tuckerman, the Member for Goulburn. The discussion covers Wendy's upbringing, career in the Australian Federal Police, involvement in sports, community service as mayor, and her transition into politics. The conversation also touches on her dedication to representing regional areas and the challenges faced during her time in parliament, particularly concerning the historic drought and other community issues. The conversation covers topics such as the impacts of drought, COVID-19, and bushfires on communities and small businesses, emphasizing the importance of financial support and funding for various programs and initiatives. Additionally, they discuss local government issues, including noise concerns related to Wakefield Park and efforts to resolve them through investment and engagement with the motorsporting industry. The conversation also mentions differences in funding promises made by different political parties. In the second half of the podcast, Alister and Freya discuss the situation in Israel and the response of the Minns-Labor government here in NSW.

In this episode, Alister and Damien continue to discuss the NSW budget. They look at the anti-small business stance the Labor government took in the NSW budget and the higher and infrastructure cuts.

In this episode, Alister Henskens and Damien Tudehope do a deep dive on the NSW Budget. They uncover the winners and losers, revealing that the Budget provides nearly nothing in the way of cost-of-living relief and solutions to our undersupply of houses. They also discuss Labor's increased tax revenue, hiking the Sydney Harbour Bridge toll and their new tax on new homes.

In this episode of Macquarie Street Matters, Alister Henskens sits down with the new Member for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad. They have a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from Tina's background, her journey into politics and the needs of her community. They reflect on the Budget disappointments of last week's NSW Labor Budget and all the community needs that are being overlooked by the new government.

To stay up to date, follow Alister and Tina on social media.

In this exciting episode, Alister Henskens and Freya Leach talk to Tim James, the Member for Willoughby. They discuss Tim's wide-ranging career, from working in the Electorate Office of John Howard to law to the Menzies Research Centre. Tim sheds light on some of the greatest lessons he's learned throughout his career. He also walks Alister and Freya through his long-standing connection with the community he represents - his family has been in the area for generations. Finally, they outline some of the key policy challenges facing New South Wales, and canvas some potential solutions.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please follow Macquarie Street Matters and make sure to give it a rating.

To stay up to date, follow Alister Henskens and Tim James on Instagram and Facebook.

In this week's podcast episode, Freya and Alister dive into a range of issues, starting with the launch of the Menzies Research Centre's Centre for Youth Policy. Joined by special guest Freya Leach, they discuss the centre's mission to engage young people with liberal values and tackle the policy challenges facing them.

They explore the topic of nuclear energy, emphasising its potential as a reliable and low-emission power source. They debunk myths surrounding the cost of renewables and emphasise the need for a balanced energy mix to meet Australia's energy demands.

Moving on to the housing crisis, Freya and Alister delve into the challenges facing young Australians in the housing market, discussing high costs, declining homeownership, and the psychological impact on young people.

The podcast also touches upon Freya's recent appearance on Q&A and her participation in a Mock Parliament debate against young Labor members.

Tune in for a lively and informative discussion on these vital issues, sprinkled with facts, figures, and a touch of political commentary. Don't miss this engaging and enlightening episode of Macquarie Street Matters with Alister Henskens joined by Freya Leach.

Dive into a thought-provoking episode of "Macquarie Street Matters" with your host Alister Henskens and guest Natalie Ward as they dissect the intricate web of political manoeuvres surrounding the appointment of the New South Wales Transport Secretary. With meticulous analysis, Alister and Natalie lay bare the actions and decisions that have raised eyebrows and prompted questions about transparency, integrity, and accountability in the new Labor government.

In a candid conversation, Alister and Natalie reflect on recent political developments, beginning with the aftermath of a lost election and subsequent broken promises. They raise concerns about unfulfilled pledges, such as the active kids vouchers, and examine the implications of the new administration's decisions on major infrastructure projects, including the Metro.

Delving into the appointment process of the Transport Secretary, Alister and Natalie meticulously outline the series of events, revealing an intricate tale of relationships, interventions, and questionable decisions. They uncover how a global recruitment agency was engaged to find a candidate for the position, only for a preferred candidate with extensive experience to be overlooked in favour of another applicant. Alister and Natalie expose the intimate involvement of individuals connected to the Labor Party, leading to allegations of favouritism and a lack of transparency.

As Alister and Natalie lay out the details, they draw parallels to previous political controversies and question the government's commitment to its own proclaimed values of transparency and integrity. They highlight the potential breaches of the ministerial code and the call for consistent application of integrity standards across the political spectrum.

Throughout the episode, Alister and Natalie provide a critical and insightful analysis of the unfolding situation, inviting listeners to consider the implications of political decisions on public services and governance. With their incisive examination, "Macquarie Street Matters" offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of power, appointments, and ethical responsibility in the realm of politics.

In this captivating podcast, Alister Henskens sits down with Natalie Ward, a trailblazing former Minister for Transport and Roads, to explore her personal journey into politics and the profound influence of transformative projects on societies and economies.

Natalie delves into the stories behind some of the most remarkable projects that are reshaping our the state of New South Wales. From revolutionary public transport systems to state-of-the-art stadiums, this episode offers a glimpse into the meticulous planning, innovative technologies, and unwavering determination that drive these revolutionary Liberal-led projects.

This episode also provides a unique insight into Natalie Ward's personal life and experience in politics.

Stay up to date by following Alister on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!