Michael speaks to Professor Mike Berry, Emeritus Professor at RMIT University, about his co-authored article that claims that no Australian city has a long-term vision for living sustainability.

He writes, ‘International and internal migration trends have driven rapid growth in the big cities, especially Melbourne and Sydney.

This has created major problems with providing adequate housing, infrastructure & services.

The fundamental issue is the reluctance of urban communities and their leaders to discuss what might be sustainable populations.’

‘No Australian city has a long-term vision showing how a future stabilised population might be supported with the essential resources of food, water and energy.

No Australian city has faced up to the inevitable social tensions of increasing inequality between a well-served inner-urban elite and an increasingly under-resourced urban fringe.’

Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren.

Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren.

Michael is joined by Ian Henschke, Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia, to talk about the initial findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

Death from septicaemia from untreated wounds; residents left in urine or faeces; dreadful food; a high incidence of assaults by staff and residents; common use of physical restraints and overprescribing of drugs to sedate residents - were all listed in Thursday’s interim report from Commissioners Lynelle Briggs & the late Richard Tracy.

"It is shameful that such a list can be produced in 21st century Australia," they wrote.

Listen to the full show podcast with Michael McLaren.

Michael is joined by Chiang Lim, CEO Australian Childcare Alliance New South Wales, to talk about the cost of childcare climbing by 7 per cent since the September quarter last year.

Half of the Morrison government's effort to cut the cost of childcare has disappeared in the first year of its $2.5 billion overhaul of the sector as price pressures continue to stress the budget of parents.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows childcare costs lifted by 2.5 per cent in the three months to the end of September, the fourth quarterly increase in prices since the government's reforms delivered financial relief in the middle of last year.

Listen to the full show podcast with Michael Mclaren

Michael speaks to David Gribble, CEO of Constable Care Child Safety Foundation & Child Safety Expert, for timely advice on how to keep your children safe while ‘trick or treating’ for tonight’s Halloween festivities.

 

While it’s fun to get dressed up for Halloween and spook yourself silly, it’s also important to consider safety by considering these safety tips…

 

1. Supervision or buddy system - small children should be supervised by parents or older children.

2. Attach a tag or sticker with emergency contact info to the inside of your child’s costume.

3. Make sure their mobile phone is fully charged.

4. Remind children to use crossings, stay on footpaths, put electronic devices down and keep heads up.

6. Never go inside or go near a car that might stop to offer treats. Wear reflective or high vis clothing and only visit well-lit houses that are participating in Halloween.

7. Allergies - alert other parents and remind your kids of what they’re not allowed to eat.

9. Make sure all lollies are sealed and unopened.

10. Go over these rules.

Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive of the Australian Made Campaign, joins Michael to Michael about this week’s launch an ‘Australian Makers’ video series.

 

Mr Lazzaro says, “We are passionate about Australian manufacturing, so we are very excited to launch the Australian Makers series. We’re highlighting the ingenuity and skill of our Australian Makers, and providing a unique insight into what goes into making a product in Australia, as well as the benefits that it delivers to the wider community.

 

Supporting Australian Made manufacturers encourages and assists Aussie businesses to innovate and build on their success, as well as providing pathways to new markets. The result is a healthy manufacturing sector, job creation and a strong economy.

 

The ‘Australian Makers’ short-form video series takes Australians behind the scenes and into the local factories, workshops and farms of some of the country’s most innovative manufacturers. It seeks to celebrate Australia’s diverse and evolving manufacturing sector and shine a light on the people, processes and stories behind some of our most loved Australian products.

Listen to the full show podcast with Michael Mclaren