Michael is joined by Angus Taylor, Liberal member for Hume and Minister for Energy & Emissions, to discuss the historic drop in oil prices and whether Australia is in a position to take advantage.

 

Global oil prices have plunged by more than 50 per cent since the start of the year, driven primarily by a supply war kicked off between Russia and OPEC countries, with both sides ramping up production to challenge the sustainability of production.

Geoffrey Thomas, aviation writer, author & commentator, re-joins Michael regarding news that Australia’s second biggest airline is set to face voluntary administration.

 

The jobs of 16,000 Virgin Airline employees are on the line as their board failed to secure a white knight backer as the beleaguered airline finds itself $5b in debt due to the impact of the coronavirus.

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Nick Cleary, director of the Consolidated Land and Rail Australia, joins Michael regarding Labor calling on the Morrison government to move ahead with a high-speed rail link down Australia's eastern seaboard.

Mr Cleary says the time is right to embrace the idea, arguing the major infrastructure scheme will create jobs and boost regional areas as the nation looks to recover from the economic crisis.

"We need to get people back to work and the way to do that is to get significant infrastructure projects employing tens of thousands of people. Big projects that have that nation-building identity have certainly helped in the past," he said.

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Ian Parry-Okeden, talk radio veteran, author & former host of 2UE's The Forum, joins Michael to reminisce about the early days of talkback radio that began on this day in 1967.

 

Until 1967 talkback was illegal in Australia because of government concerns that people may say something they shouldn't; and that callers may not know they were on the air.

 

Nevertheless, many stations, particularly 2UW in Sydney and 3AK Melbourne, did broadcast talkback from 1963.

 

However, 2UE and 3DB (Melbourne) were the first Australian stations to legally present talkback, commencing on 17 April 1967.

Michael is joined by TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine, about concerns for the number of new and inexperienced food delivery riders on roads, with many cyclists signing up to delivery apps for the first time amid increased unemployment during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Also, the Transport Workers’ Union has called on the Federal Government to implement a national plan to save the aviation industry, to protect jobs and companies but also to ensure a return for taxpayers.

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Michael is joined by Geoffrey Thomas, aviation writer, author and commentator, for his view on whether the taxpayer should foot the bill for a Virgin Airlines bailout.

 

Virgin Australia has asked the Morrison Government for a $1.4 billion loan with the hope to ensure its survival as a propaganda war has broken out between the beleaguered airline and Qantas.

 

Virgin warns that Australia risks going back to a Qantas monopoly as Qantas smells an opportunity to put its domestic rival out of business.

Michael McLaren's weekly political chat with Terry Barnes