4BC Breakfast - Highlights

Supercars driver Anton De Pasquale joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to relive the heartbreaking moment his car ran out of fuel on the final lap at Bathurst after completing 160 demanding laps. Looking ahead to the GC500, he expressed optimism about bouncing back during the finals series as up to 250,000 motorsport fans descend on the Gold Coast for the massive event.

New polling shows Labor’s two-party preferred lead has vanished, leaving a 50-50 deadlock with the Coalition, while One Nation surges ahead in primary support. MP Garth Hamilton joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to weigh in on Labor's economic struggles, the Coalition's progress, and to pay tribute to injured independent MP Helen Haines.

Redland Hospital nurses and midwives face an added $2,000-a-year expense after Redland City Council announced the removal of free street parking along Wellington Street following an independent safety audit. Acting Mayor Julie Talty joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and defended the decision, citing traffic risks and open multi-deck facilities, while local healthcare workers and radio hosts argue the move unfairly penalises shift workers during a severe cost-of-living crisis.

Following Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s call for a trial and referendum on daylight saving to give residents an extra hour of evening light, Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to hit back, warning that forcing clock changes on regional communities could ignite calls for a separate northern state.  Katter argued that a statewide vote is fundamentally biased toward population-dense South East Queensland, ignoring regional families facing extreme heat and fly-in, fly-out mine workers who generate billions for the state economy.

Marky Tyson, co-owner of Lakeside Quality Meats in Palm Beach, has been running free Saturday barbecues for two and a half years to feed local homeless people and bring the community together. However, a council officer recently threatened to shut down the initiative and issue fines over missing permits for outdoor chairs, roadside dining, and the barbecue setup.

The Grattan Institute has proposed raising the GST from 10% to 15% and expanding it to cover fresh food, arguing that the $76 billion raised annually would secure Australia’s fiscal future, fund income tax cuts, and boost welfare payments. While Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and listeners expressed deep scepticism about taxing essential groceries during a cost-of-living crisis, callers debated whether a broader GST paired with other tax cuts could help address the nation's trillion-dollar debt.

With household budgets pushed to the absolute limit, an increasing number of drivers are taking the massive risk of hitting the road without car insurance. RACQ Insurance CEO Trent Sayers joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to break down the legal and financial ramifications of hit-and-runs while sharing crucial step-by-step advice on how insured drivers can protect themselves and avoid massive excess fees.

Twenty-year-old Brisbane resident Rowan Tong Law urgently requires a stem cell transplant to battle acute myeloid leukemia, but finding a match is uniquely challenging due to his mixed Chinese, Scottish, and Irish heritage. Despite finding a potential donor match who reached out to the family, bureaucratic delays in finalising a federal government tender have frozen donor swab testing and registry recruitment nationwide, leaving Rowan's potential match unprocessed.

Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition following a "deliberate and targeted" attack in which a four-wheel drive struck her outside her Wangaratta office. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local reporters confirmed that counter-terrorism agencies are investigating, while local hero barber Ricky was praised for disarming and detaining the 43-year-old suspect at the scene.

A recent survey reveals that over three-quarters of Australian small business owners are facing severe stress due to skyrocketing costs, low consumer confidence, and mounting regulatory pressures.  COSBOA CEO Sky Cappuccio joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to highlight how this relentless financial strain is severely impacting owners' mental health, sleep, and personal relationships.

Jason Matthews on 4Bc Breakfast criticises Minister Anika Wells over taxpayer-funded travel expenses and newly missing records surrounding her trip to Adelaide for a friend's birthday party. He questions how the government can expect public trust in digital oversight when politicians fail to provide transparency regarding their own travel spending and business-class privileges.

Following a horrific dog attack in Chermside that left a local man with life-threatening injuries, veteran dog behaviourist Andy Lea joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to warn that powerful breeds pose extreme public danger when off-leash. He outlines critical advice for pet owners, explaining how treating dogs like humans triggers dangerous mindsets and offering practical tips for self-defence in public parks.

What began as nationwide cost-of-living protests in France has rapidly devolved into extreme street violence with over 2,400 arrests, torched historic landmarks, and widespread looting across major cities. Nine News Europe correspondent Hannah Sinclair joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to report on the escalating chaos and growing backlash against government spending, while caller David warned the situation reflects a dangerous economic pattern.

Hear all this week's best bits from 4BC Breakfast with Jason Matthews.

Australia's unemployment rate has unexpectedly hit a five-year high of 4.7% following a loss of nearly 40,000 jobs, confounding market forecasts. Despite the severe drop in part-time roles, full-time positions grew, leaving businesses in sectors like hospitality so desperate for casual staff that some are offering free food just to get job interviews.

Brisbane City Council’s proposal to trial licensed bars on CityCat ferries has sparked intense pushback from the Australian Maritime Officers Union, which argues the idea lacks consultation and compromises safety. Union representative Tracy Ellis joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to warn that overwhelmed crews, dealing with high passenger numbers, cannot manage alcohol service, and to highlight ongoing industrial disputes over fair pay and strike rights.

Following two tragic deaths - a 53-year-old Annerley man who waited over two hours for an ambulance after calling 000 with chest pains, and an elderly man who died after hours of ramping outside the Mater Hospital - AMA Queensland's Dr. Maria Bolton joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to discuss the urgent systemic failures in the state's healthcare system. She called on state and federal governments to take immediate action by increasing hospital capacity, fixing bed-blocking, boosting funding for general practice, and properly supporting the healthcare workforce.

Brisbane City Council is planning to trial licensed bars on part of its CityCat ferry fleet to transform commute routes into enhanced river tourism experiences. Civic Cabinet Chair Andrew Wines joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and defended the proposal against public scepticism, arguing that strict liquor licensing will prevent rowdy behaviour and build on the ferry's popular weekend appeal.

Former Australian star Brett Kimmorley joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to break down the massive Rugby League World Cup opening clash between the Kangaroos and Kiwis. The panel discussed controversial team selections - including Reece Walsh starting over James Tedesco - and explored how player heritage rules are elevating international competition across the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair tournaments.

Nine’s Chief Political Editor Charles Croucher joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to break down a tumultuous 24 hours in Canberra, highlighting alleged leadership friction between Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers following a sudden ATO credit card tax policy U-turn. The discussion also covers Labor's proposed family trust tax, the Senate’s blocking of private health rebate cuts, and criticism over asking states for $160 million to fund a space mission during a cost-of-living crisis.

After the Brisbane 2032 Olympic cockatoo emblem was leaked, Mountain Culture Beer Co issued a tongue-in-cheek legal demand claiming the design dangerously resembles their own brand crest. General Manager Bradley Firth joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and revealed their humorous fight for brand equity - or at least free mountain biking tickets - helped trigger millions of social media views and a private response from Olympic organisers.

The US government is facing widespread backlash over plans to live-stream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, leading the Trump administration to reevaluate whether the broadcast will proceed. Meanwhile, newly appointed White House Press Secretary Katie Zachariah faced a rough debut at the podium, drawing criticism for a brief, stumble-filled press briefing.

After Moorooka State School posted a call on Facebook to locate time capsules buried in 1988, Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast brought on local legend "Mr Moorooka" (Cec Fox) to crack the case ahead of the school's 2029 centenary. Cec shared rich local history - from WWII air-raid trenches to famous alumni - before revealing exact potential locations near a brick wall and the old flagpole where capsules were buried in 1989 and 2000.

Following the sudden permanent closure of 11 Edge Early Learning centres in Queensland, affected mother Vandita Foster joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to share the scramble parents face after receiving just 48 hours' notice via email. She highlights the immense disruption to working routines, the emotional toll on young children, and the devastating impact on educators who are now left without jobs.

As Australia faces a multi-billion-dollar influx of mega AI data centres, local communities are pushing back over the staggering amounts of power and water needed to keep them online. Tech expert Leigh Stark joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to unpack whether this massive tech surge is an economic necessity or a threat to local resources and jobs.

The ACCC has launched Federal Court proceedings against 12 major Australian egg suppliers, alleging years of cartel behaviour designed to crush independent competitors and keep supermarket prices artificially high. Echo Valley Farm owner Randall Breen joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to react to the claims, discussing the true costs of producing ethical eggs and questioning the validity of common "free-range" labels.

The parents of slain Australian soldier Shawn McCarthy were omitted from an official 25th-anniversary Afghanistan memorial invitation, only to discover the Department of Veterans' Affairs had outrageously mailed the invitation to their dead son 18 years after his death. Shadow Minister Michael McCormack joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and called the blunder appalling and backed demands for Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh to resign over a pattern of systematic department failures.

After a local Brisbane cafe owner posted a tongue-in-cheek chalkboard message welcoming his new political neighbours, his business became the target of a vicious online mobbing campaign filled with fake bad reviews. Despite Google removing some defamatory posts and the owner maintaining friendly relations with local party staff in person, the review-bombing has noticeably tanked the cafe's public rating.

A controversial federal government rebate change is projected to force nearly 80,000 older Australians to drop their private health cover, while a further 200,000 may downgrade their policies. Industry experts warn that forcing low-income pensioners onto public hospital waiting lists will cause an "absolute disaster" for an already overburdened healthcare system.

Shadow Assistant Treasurer Kevin Hogan joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and has strongly criticised the Albanese government following revelations that Small Business Minister Anne Aly was kept in the dark about the ATO's credit card policy changes. The segment highlights concerns over rising costs, government miscommunication, and the growing financial strain on small businesses and everyday Australians paying credit card surcharges.

Queensland Housing Minister Sam O'Connor faces tough questions after dodging whether the state can hit its target of 1 million new homes by 2044 amid warnings of a slowing construction boom. Master Builders QLD Deputy CEO Michael Hopkins joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and argued the goal remains achievable if federal tax and apprentice policies are fixed alongside cutting red tape for skilled migrant workers.

New figures reveal that over 17 elderly Australians die daily waiting for approved home care packages, pushing the government waiting list to more than 200,000 people. Shadow Assistant Minister Henry Pike joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to address system bottlenecks, hear tragic caller stories, and call for a fully demand-driven care model.

A Gold Coast father, Nick Owen, has launched an online campaign after his 16-year-old son Ryder was brutally beaten, kicked, and stomped unconscious by a group of youths over a stolen vape at a warehouse party. Highlighting the severe concussion his son suffered and criticising current youth crime laws, Nick is calling on state leaders to deliver swift justice and hold young offenders accountable.

Tax expert Belinda Raso has joined forces with small business advocates to launch the "Stop putting a surcharge on running a small business" campaign in response to the ATO delaying its controversial credit card surcharge ban. The initiative highlights the extreme cash flow pressures on small operators, accusing the government of wasting $200 million of taxpayer money on a temporary fix while quietly driving thousands of businesses to closure.

Following a dramatic Bathurst 1000 finish where leader Anton De Pasquale heartbreakingly ran out of fuel on the final lap, Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood stormed to victory in the iconic No. 17 Ford. Australian motorsport legend Dick Johnson joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to reflect on the emotional, unpredictable race, celebrating 50 years with Ford and looking ahead to the upcoming Gold Coast and Adelaide events

Communications Minister Anika Wells is facing renewed parliamentary pressure over a $4,000 travel claim after FOI documents revealed discrepancies in her Adelaide meeting schedule. Meanwhile, fresh opinion polls reveal surprising Labor support despite soaring cost-of-living frustration, while speculation grows over Josh Frydenberg’s potential leadership conditions for a political comeback.

Hear all this week's best bits from 4BC Breakfast with Jason Matthews.

Following the mysterious pneumonia death of a 28-year-old Siberian researcher and reports of a dropped test tube, fears flared over potential bioweapon leaks and Russian cover-ups. However, infectious disease expert Associate Professor Paul Griffin joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and clarified that the pathogen poses virtually zero risk to Australia, as it is a treatable bacterial illness with high containment measures already in place.

Over 150 local Queensland soccer clubs have united to push back against Football Queensland’s new 2027 fee model, warning that shifting costs onto individual teams will make the sport unaffordable for everyday families. Wynnum Wolves President Rabieh Krayem joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to outline how the sudden change threatens volunteer survival, calling on Football Australia and state officials to intervene.

Following a landmark High Court ruling rejecting a NSW coal mine expansion over overseas emissions, Queensland Resources Minister Dale Last joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to discuss the state's proactive moves to protect its own resource sector. Premier David Crisafulli and the government are introducing legislation to safeguard Queensland's coal, gas, and mining projects against similar activist legal challenges and protect tens of thousands of local jobs.

Following a landmark High Court decision requiring decision-makers to assess overseas Scope 3 emissions before approving new coal projects, Queensland resource leaders are warning of severe economic knock-on effects. Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast and argues that holding Australian producers accountable for international emissions undermines global trade, threatens local jobs, and places Australia's $50B coal industry at a competitive disadvantage.

Logan City Council voted to halve infrastructure charges for building one-bedroom granny flats, granting a $13,500 discount to tackle Southeast Queensland's severe housing crisis. However, Mayor Jon Raven told Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast that he voted against the measure, arguing that the discount benefits investors rather than families and risks returning suburbs to overcrowded conditions without proper parking and amenity controls.

A Senate inquiry has exposed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's local golf club received $6 million in taxpayer funding - alongside five previously closed grants - which constitutional experts are labelling "grey corruption" and a misuse of public funds. Shadow Minister Tony Pasin joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to argue that the grant scheme acts as a political slush fund, leaving everyday taxpayers and competing community groups behind.

While official police statistics show a decrease in Queensland’s domestic violence death toll compared to last year, frontline support services are experiencing overwhelming, record-breaking demand. Jo Jessop, CEO of DV Connect, joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to warn that official figures fail to capture the true scale of coercive control and to urge increased government investment in early intervention and prevention.

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection after her veins blew, forcing officials to halt her execution after more than two hours. Media witness Will Puckett joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to provide a first-hand account of the ordeal, detailing how Pike later woke up conscious in the hospital as her legal team moves to halt further execution attempts.

As severe storms and bushfires kick off Queensland’s disaster season, Minister Ann Leahy joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to outline the state’s preparedness through 'Get Ready Week' initiatives. However, she warned that proposed federal funding cuts threaten crucial disaster recovery and betterment projects across 77 local councils.

Former Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to break down One Nation’s proposal for net-negative migration, claiming that reducing population inflow will slash annual rents by nearly $2,800. He argued that Australia must replace unnecessary student and temporary visas with targeted skilled trades while slashing housing construction red tape.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Senator Jane Hume joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to outline the Coalition’s "Australia First" policy aimed at slashing net overseas migration to 100,000 to relieve housing and healthcare pressures. The discussion covers international student caps, regional working holiday visas, and the Coalition's strategy to defeat the Labor government.

Mysterious billboards featuring dates from Powderfinger's final show have appeared across major Australian cities, sparking fierce rumours of a potential reunion. Entertainment reporter Peter Ford and Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast analyse whether the iconic rock band is testing the waters for new music, a festival appearance, or a full stadium comeback tour.

Marking three years since the October 7 attacks in Israel, Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies President Jason Steinberg joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Breakfast to discuss how local Jewish communities are quietly holding private services amid rising safety fears and surging anti-Semitism. He also strongly criticised planned pro-Palestinian vigils occurring on the anniversary, calling them disgraceful and opposing the Jewish community's desire for peaceful coexistence.