The Issue

Chris Richardson says residents who oppose new local developments otherwise known as NIMBYs ("Not In My Back Yard"), need to ‘suck it up’ in for the nation to solve its housing crisis.  
 
The Economist says the country’s housing policy for decades has been the word no.  

“No, you can't do that. No, you can't build here, you especially can't build there, and on those occasions where you are allowed to build, there are a whole heap of rules and regulations that mean that that building's going to be incredibly expensive,” Richardson tells The Issue Podcast.  

“You need the Federal Government to bully the states, to bully the councils, to get stuff done.”  

The man who tells it straight about Canberra also unleashes on the Federal Budget, defence spending, interest rates, and inflation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has raised concerns with China over its nuclear-capable missile test in the South Pacific. But is that enough?

Lachlan Strahan tells The Issue if these types of incidents increase in frequency, we should become ‘more concerned’.

The historian and diplomat with 30 years’ experience also questions whether AUKUS will work out, he says the Albanese Government is spending too much cash on rugby league diplomacy, and says the PM may be getting a little too close to Indian PM Modi.

Strahan has written a book called ‘The Curious Diplomat’ and today on The Issue he shares jaw dropping stories, including going into North Korea on a mission and being yelled at by politicians.

He also shares his thoughts on Pauline Hanson, and what a One Nation Government would mean for international relations.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CEO of Master Builders Australia has revealed to 7NEWS she received death threats to her family home in Canberra. Denita Wawn says the ordeal pushed her to clean-up the building sector and the construction union, the CFMEU.

In this episode of The Issue podcast, she also tackles the tradie shortage, the federal budget’s tax changes, the goal of 1.2 million new homes and immigration.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How secure is Australia’s food supply?

The podcast examines that critical Issue this week. We talk to Xavier Martin, a broadacre farmer from the Liverpool Plains and the President of the NSW Farmers Association. He says high fuel prices, shortages of fertiliser and uncertain weather patterns are forcing farmers to make decisions to cut back how much food they’re producing.

The show’s second guest is Retired Colonel Neil Greet who served for 30 years including in Iraq and Timor Leste. He also supported the Australian Defence Force response to the deadly Black Saturday Fires in 2009. He’s complied a report for the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group who say there’s a plausible case for regional food shortages emerging over the next 12 months.

Links to reports mentioned:

NSW Farmers Farm Business Sentiment Survey  https://www.nswfarmers.org.au/NSWFA/NSWFA/Posts/News/mr.027.26.aspx

ABARES Agricultural Commodities Report https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1038221/0/00_AgCommodities202606_v1.0.0.pdf 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bristling with high-tech weapons, Beijing is inseparable from the case for Australia spending tens of billions more on our defence in the years ahead.

How dangerous is China's surge in military capability? How does their military strength compare to Australia or the US? RAND security expert Mark Cozad discusses all in this week's episode of The Issue.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nuclear-powered submarine club, AUKUS, promises security. But besides from the hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars - what is the real cost behind the sub club?

In this week's episode of The Issue, Greens NSW Senator David Shoebridge had much to say on Australia's 'sovereign' decision-making.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh was called a liar by Aussie soldier and MP Phil Thompson two weeks ago on 7NEWS' The Issue podcast.

This week, Keogh speaks on the veterans' compensation reform set to kick in on July 1, Australia's "national tragedy" of veteran suicides, and his response to Thompson's criticism.

WARNING: This podcast contains themes that may be distressing. If you or someone you know is in crisis or need support, immediate help is available. Contact Open Arms at 1800 011 046. You can also reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 or the Defence All-hours Support Line at 1800 628 036.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just a year, the rocketship from the right - One Nation - has flew past the old guard, climbing five times the vote it had at last year's polls. In this week's episode of The Issue, 'Poll Bludger' William Bowe discusses how Pauline Hanson's revolution is going to change Australian politics, and what this means ahead of the 2028 federal election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Aussie stared death in the face and lived to tell the tale.
This is the new battle he fights as a Member of Parliament.
He refused to back down from calling the Prime Minister a 'liar'. 
Now Phil Thompson has revealed why.
The Coalition says it will get rid of a $5,000 funding cap on veterans' allied health.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For months Donald Trump has promised peace with Iran is close. Energy experts say the crisis is far from over. From the Strait of Hormuz to fears of a global energy shock, Dr Jessie Moritz joins The Issue to unpack how this war could reshape the Middle East and the global economy for years to come.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.