Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

A global survey has revealed that Australian teens are spending an average of 49 hours a week on digital devices.  Nearly one in five spends at least 40 hours scrolling through social media or playing video games.  The 'Unplugged Psychologist', Brad Marshall, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "What we have to remember from parents here is this idea that our kids are supposed to learn how to self-regulate." "Their technology use is neurologically laughable." "What I'm saying is for parents, you wouldn't sit there and hope that your child can eat a healthy dinner if you let them pick what they're going to eat. This is a similar concept. You can't expect your average ten, 12, 14 year old to self-regulate," Mr Marshall continued. 

It’s time to make sense of the senseless with 4BC Drive’s Wokey Pokey. This week, Texas thinks solar power needs a fossil fuel babysitter... at night!  An ABC radio host puts his foot in his mouth with a joke that goes down like a lead balloon, South Australia is banning ham sandwich ads... on buses? And of course - it was always going to appear - PETA’s Letter to the Brisbane Broncos…

The Ipswich Show has begun for 2025 and is set for its biggest year yet.  President of the Ipswich Show Society, Darren Zanow, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "We have 252 exhibitors this year. We've got record entries, we've got more show rides than we've ever had, more animals here than we've ever had, more variety of food." "There's so much to see, so much to do. It's a full day's entertainment." "And look, we've kept the gate price the same as last year, the same as the year before, as cheap as we possibly can so that it's as affordable as it possibly can," Mr Zanow continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Global superstar Ed Sheeran has been making headlines for surprising audiences with pop-up performances in towns named Ipswich around the world. 4BC Drive believes Ipswich in Queensland could be next on his list.  Landlord of the Thomas Wolesley Pub in Ipswich in the UK, Damon Jeffrey, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "I've got your back. I'm fully supportive. I'm 100% behind that." "We've got a few contact details left from when we were first organising it. Anything you want, we can put up posters up in the pub, we can promote it as much as we can, and we can push it as much as we can." "I'll be on to his people today saying let's see you in Ipswich, Queensland, mate," Mr Jeffrey continued. 

Animal rights group PETA has launched a campaign calling on the Brisbane Broncos to retire their live horse mascot, Buck.  The Broncos have responded, stating, "We have no plans to retire Buck." PETA Asia-Pacific Campaign Manager, Abigail Forsyth, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "It's really simple that just live animals don't belong at sporting events. And forcing a horse like Buck into a stadium full of bright lights and screaming fans, loud noises. It's a terrifying and distressing experience for that animal." "Our main ask is to retire Buck. But there are also other things that the team can do and the name and imagery that the team uses glorifies rodeos. And rodeos are an industry built on animal fear and pain and we're simply asking them to leave the rodeo imagery behind." "Why not embrace a new name that has no animal cruelty attached?" Ms Forsyth continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Newly elected Liberal leader Sussan Ley added an extra 'S' in her name due to neurology.  Internationally leading astrologist and numerologist, Tameera, joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive to discuss all things numerology. 

Queensland is still experiencing empty egg displays and increased costs. Why is that the case?  Hamish Andrews from Forage Farms in Queensland's Mary Valley told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "Interestingly enough, the first thing is often the title is talking about egg shortage. But really egg shortage is what we're seeing." "But the actual problem we have is a bird shortage, laying hens around the country are still producing eggs, but the problem is we just don't have enough of them." "After the Avian Influenza outbreaks throughout the end of last year and the start of this year wiped out so many of Australia's laying hen population that we just don't have enough birds to be able to meet the demand for eggs that we currently face," Mr Andrews continued. 

The Crisafulli Government has increased frontline police numbers by 240 in its first 200 days. The Queensland Police Service also recorded its lowest unplanned attrition rates in two and a half years.  Queensland Police Union President, Shane Prior, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "The retention numbers are really encouraging." "Every additional officer on the front line is there to help the community arrest offenders and make people feel safe." "That's why they've joined. They joined to serve their community," Mr Prior continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

You've seen the news, Sussan Ley has been elected the new leader of the Liberal Party. You know her as a politician, but Gary Hardgrave shares who Sussan Ley is as a person. 

The friend of a woman who died from methanol poisoning in Laos is advocating for increased awareness regarding the dangers of bootleg alcohol.  British woman Bethany Clarke and her friend Simone White were among a dozen people who fell critically ill after drinking at a hostel in Laos.  Ms Clarke told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "I think what the best thing would be is to sort of employ a few scare tactics." "I personally remember at school we watched videos that were scaring you about the dangers of drink driving, drunk driving. So I think that's the idea, creating something that's actually going to scare people into thinking a little bit more about what they're putting into their bodies, because obviously we didn't think we were doing anything wrong." "In this day and age, you wouldn't think anything of it. But unfortunately, it is happening. So people do need to really have it on their radar," Ms Clarke continued.

An independent report commissioned by the Brisbane City Council has revealed the Story Bridge is disintegrating to an extent that it may not be safe within the next two decades. This has sparked discussions about how to fund the restoration.  Chair of the Story Bridge Restoration Committee, Nigel Chamier AM, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "We're now 85 years old, and therefore, we're coming to the end, if you like, of the natural life of that bridge. So what we need to do is undertake a very major refurbishment over the years." "The bridge, 15 years off its 100th birthday, needs a lot of work and we want to give it the best possible birthday party. We don't like the idea of giving it a funeral. We can't replace it, we just have to restore it." "So that's what we've got to do. We've got to raise the funds and fix it," Mr Chamier continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

A new initiative has been launched by the Queensland Government, inviting Queenslanders to share their thoughts on a 10-year strategy that will guide investment and development in the lead-up to and beyond the Games.    4BC Drive has shared the listeners' suggestions, with Katter the Cassowary nominated as a potential Brisbane 2032 Olympic mascot. Minister for Sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "It's better than the ibis. It ranks higher than that." "One of the big issues is what the mascot will be. So I'll make sure that's in the mix," Minister Mander continued. 

It has been revealed that Stafford MP, Jimmy Sullivan, has been expelled from the Labor Party.  9News State Political Reporter, Tim Arvier told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "The Labor Party was supporting him previously." "Now their patience has run out, and I'm told it's all to do with Jimmy returning to work and the fact that he hasn't been following the protocols that were put in place for when he returned to work." "So the Labor Party has decided to cut him loose. And when that happens, your political career doesn't look too good," Arvier continued. 

David Littleproud remains the Nationals leader after a challenge from Queensland Senator Matt Canavan. Kevin Hogan was elected as deputy leader after Perin Darvey lost her seat in the Senate.  Nine Radio Federal Politics Reporter, Zac De Silva, joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive to discuss the decision. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

It’s time to make sense of the senseless with 4BC Drive’s Wokey Pokey. This week, a cultural impact report... for a toilet? A socialist senator caught flying high while fighting the rich, Peppa Pig's gender reveal caused more drama than a pig in mud, and the pronoun police are doing a u-turn! 

Global superstar Ed Sheeran has been making headlines for surprising audiences with pop-up performances in towns named Ipswich around the world. 4BC Drive believes Ipswich in Queensland could be next on his list.  ASM Global Chairman and Chief Executive, Harvey Lister, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "I think it would be fantastic, firstly, if he confirmed that he was going to come to Australia. And secondly, if he had time to play in Ipswich in Queensland, I think that would be great." "I would be encouraging people to send out a message on Insta, tell him you want to come and see him, and tell him you're from Ipswich and tell him you'd love him to do a gig or a pop-up there. He reacts to that stuff," Mr Lister continued.

Following the Papal Conclave at the Vatican, Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope.   He is the first American to fill the role of Pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru, before becoming a bishop there. Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "For years Robert Prévost has been talking about unity and the need to build bridges, not walls." "He is very much a choice, to be a unifier both in the church and the world. And I think that really is an acute need at this time." "He's a good pick, not just for the Catholic Church, not just for Christianity, but I think he is, I hope he is a good pick for the world at a pretty tough time," the Archbishop continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

The first day of the Papal Conclave has ended, and black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel.  Day two is just beginning.  9News Europe Correspondent, Hannah Sinclair, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "There [were] tens of thousands of people turned out last night to see that first smoke emerge. As you said, it was black. A signalling to the world that we don't have a new pope yet, but certainly the atmosphere." "So the first vote for the day today that is going to unfold in about two hours time, and we will be watching that chimney, very eagle-eyed, to see what color the smoke is when it comes out." "There could be up to four votes today, two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and we may only see the smoke twice. They don't burn the ballots for all four of those votes every day."

Data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority shows in 2024, the national student attendance level was 59.9 per cent.  In Queensland, the overall attendance rate is 59.1 per cent,  64.1 per cent for primary school students and 51.8 per cent for secondary school students. President of the Queensland Association of State School Principals, Pat Murphy, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "It's a nationwide trend. It's in all schooling sectors. It's in the government schools, but it's also in the Catholic and independent schools." "My biggest thing is that we'd ask that parents and grandparents and community members really get the message out. We've got to send our kids to school because if they're not at school, we actually can't impact learning. So we really need the children there."

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Global superstar Ed Sheeran has been making headlines for surprising audiences with pop-up performances in towns named Ipswich around the world. 4BC Drive believes Ipswich in Queensland could be next on his list.  Ipswich Mayor, Teresa Harding, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "I'd like to personally invite Ed Sheeran to the great city of Ipswich in Queensland to sing in one of our cosy and inviting pubs." "I promise that the Ipswich fans in Queensland are just as passionate and our beers are just as good or even better here in Ipswich than in the UK and the USA." "So he'll feel right at home, and the entire city would get behind such a fantastic visit," Mayor Harding continued. 

Last weekend's federal election has highlighted a growing divide between inner-city voters and those in the suburbs.  Strategist and advisor Ross Elliot has written an article to explore the divide, arguing that winning the suburbs is the key to winning elections.  Mr Elliot joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive to discuss his argument and why suburbs are the key to winning elections. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Brisbane City Council has unveiled a $85 million, 20-year plan to transform the flood-prone Kedron Brook into a green lifestyle precinct.  Chair of Brisbane City Council's Parks and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Tracy Davis, joined Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive to discuss the plan. 

The fallout from the LNP's federal election loss continues, with claims now emerging that Peter Dutton's campaign was sabotaged from within.  Former LNP MP for Dawson, George Christensen, told Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive, "I've never quite seen anything like that, where they start actively working against the leader in the middle of the campaign." "Quite bizarre stuff, but it just shows you how deep the rot that's set into the Liberal Party, sadly," Mr Christensen continued. 

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Some eagle-eyed Ed Sheeran fans have noticed a sneaky pattern emerging from some recent performances, which has left Gary Hardgrave wondering if the famous singer-songwriter could soon make his way to Queensland for a secret gig.

A former state LNP director says the Liberal party's election campaign failed to articulate the values and beliefs of the party and Australians.

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says the state is on "the cusp of something special" as Magic Round promises to deliver over $50 million of revenue.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton remains hopeful the Liberals will win tomorrow's election despite polls claiming they're on track to lose.

Caxton Hotel owner Ross Farquhar has told 4BC Drive it's fantastic to see how Magic Round has developed over the last couple of years.

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

An expert has called the state government's inquiry into e-scooters the right step, but has pushed for it to be comprehensive.

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

Pauline Hanson says she warned Parliament the Labor Party wasn't done with their "Voice agenda".

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An Aboriginal elder who conducts Welcome to Country ceremonies has called for common ground as debate continues to rage on.

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm

The court case of the woman accused of allegedly murdering three of her ex-husband's relatives and attempting to murder one other has finally gotten underway in a regional Victorian court today.

Tennis star Max Purcell has been handed an 18-month suspension after breaching anti-doping rules.

Warren Mundine has accused the "woke left" of attempting to divide Australia by co-opting Welcome to Country speeches.

Listen to Gary Hardgrave on 4BC Drive weekdays from 3:00pm