Radio National Breakfast

Most families have rich tales told and re-told over the generations — but how many of you take the time to actually record them?

In regional Victoria, one group is working to ensure the life stories of community elders aren't lost.

The Mallee's Living Histories project pairs older Australian with volunteer writers to record and publish their precious memories.

Guest: Vernon Knight AM, creator Mallee's Living Histories

Well before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump signed a multi-billion-dollar deal on critical minerals, Victoria was looking to seize the moment as demand intensifies for critical minerals and rare earths.The Victorian government released a critical minerals road map in December last year, looking to capitalise on a globally significant quantity of titanium and zirconium, as well as rare-earth elements in mineral sand deposits in the state's north-west.GuestLily D'Ambrosio, Victorian Energy and Resources Minister

The Opposition has written to the Prime Minister, asking him to split a bill to overhaul environmental laws, which the government has indicated it wants to introduce to parliament before the end of the year.

The Environment Minister Murray Watt has rejected the Coalition's proposal, saying there shouldn't be "a choice between productivity and the environment."Guest: Angie Bell, Shadow Minister for the Environment

Federal parliament returns, the federal government promises improvements to Medicare and reproductive health.Changes, which kick in on November 1, will expand bulk-billing incentives for doctors, while a new Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listing promises better access to contraceptive options.Guest: Mark Butler, the Minister for Health and Ageing

Do bureaucrats and politicians have the right to work as lobbyists in the private sector after they leave politics?

Independent federal MP Dr Monique Ryan calls it the "revolving door" phenomenon, and she's introducing a private member's bill to parliament to put a stop to it.GuestDr Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong

Wildlife scientists aboard Australia's icebreaker believe a deadly strain of bird flu has reached the sub-Antarctic Heard Island after they witnessed unusual levels of mortality in elephant seals.

The suspected arrival of bird flu on the island can't be confirmed until samples are tested when the ship returns to Australia in several weeks.

• Guest: Dr Michelle Wille, senior scientist at the World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
• Producers: Teodora Agarici and Joe Sullivan

From dropping out of school at the age of 13 to leading a European Union body fighting for the rights of rural communities and social inclusion, Irish farmer Seamus Boland has had an incredible journey.

Last week, he was unanimously elected to the role of President of the European Economic and Social Committee, where he'll be the lead voice of organised civil society in Europe.

• GUEST: Seamus Boland, President EU's European Economic and Social Committee
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young

A bottle has been found on a beach in Western Australia containing letters from two Australian soldiers who were on their way to World War I.

The diggers threw the sealed bottle overboard from a troop ship, several days after departing Adelaide in August 1916.

It's now been found 109 years later by the Brown family at Wharton Beach near Esperance.

Guests:

Deb Brown, whose family discovered the letters in a bottle. The find is yet to be verified by a historian, but the names, dates, details and handwriting all match official records, along with the bottle which matches those available in 1916

Ann Turner, the grand daughter of Private William Harley

Herbie Neville, great nephew of Private Malcolm Neville

Anthony Albanese is in Kuala Lumpur for this week's ASEAN meeting, marking his first trip to Malaysia as Prime Minister.

US President Donald Trump has also touched down in Malaysia's capital, overseeing the signing of an historic peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand.

• Guest: Dr Petra Alderman, researcher and manager of the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Producer: Teodora Agarici

Coverage and analysis of national and international events.