4BC Mornings - Highlights

Following Queensland’s worst annual road toll in 16 years, Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to highlight the tragic loss of 15 lives just three weeks into 2026. He examined the "Fatal Five" behaviours - speeding, impairment, distraction, fatigue, and lack of restraints - that continue to cause preventable tragedies.

Nine's Federal Politics Editor Michael Pachi joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to discuss the successful passage of the government’s new hate crime and gun legislation after an intense late-night Senate sitting. The discussion highlighted the shift from "hate speech" to "hate crime" focus, including the removal of racial vilification provisions.

It's been reported that there's a staggering $177 million total that Australian public school teachers spend annually from their own pockets to supply their classrooms with basic essentials. An anonymous music teacher joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to share how this financial burden stems from a deep-seated care for students.

As Australian property prices hit record highs in 2026, many families are considering "early inheritances" to help the next generation enter the market. Senior Advisor from Perpetual Private, Marisa Senese, explores how parents can navigate this act of generosity without jeopardising their own retirement security.

Following the discovery of a deceased backpacker on K'gari, Simon Stretton from Durong Dingo Sanctuary joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to discuss the misunderstood nature of dingoes. He argued that dingoes are scavengers driven by curiosity and territory rather than predatory intent toward humans.

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to report that the Fitzroy River is now expected to peak at 7.5 metres, a significant drop from the previously feared 8-metre mark. This revision nearly halves the number of potentially impacted residential properties, shifting the focus to manageable moderate flooding.

Following tragic birthing incidents at Toowoomba Hospital, Obstetrician Dr. Gino Pecoraro joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to discuss the systemic failures in Queensland’s maternity care. The crisis is peaking now in 2026, but stems from years of underfunding and a "directional change" in healthcare policy.

After a 4BC staff member experienced a biohazard incident on a flight from Denpasar, Jason Matthews discussed the "horrendous" conditions where seven rows were affected by a passenger's medical emergency. The conversation highlights the perceived failure of Qantas to adequately clean the mess or communicate with passengers until the moment of disembarkation.

Rockhampton is preparing for a moderate flood as the Fitzroy River rises following an ex-tropical cyclone, though recent forecasts have slightly lowered the expected peak to 7.8 metres. Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to urge residents to use the council's emergency dashboard for street-level mapping and to assist vulnerable neighbors during the event.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to discuss the Coalition's refusal to support the government's gun reform laws. He argued that the Albanese government’s original "omnibus" approach was an ideological overreach that failed to unite the parliament following the Bondi tragedy.

Renowned designer Ken Kato joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to argue that while AI offers efficiency, it lacks the foresight required for true innovation. He discusses the evolution of his global firm since 1970, emphasising that technology should be a tool for execution rather than the source of creative ideas.

Marking the third anniversary of the Wieambilla tragedy, 4BC News Director Georgia Kondek joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to reflect on the ambush that claimed the lives of Constables Rachel McCrow, Matthew Arnold, and neighbour Alan Dare. The segment highlights the families' recent decision to sue police services for negligence following inquest findings that attributed the attack

Federal Politics Editor Michael Pachi joined Jason Matthews on 4BC Mornings to criticise the current parliamentary expense guidelines that allow politicians to charge taxpayers for sporting events and international trips. They argue that both the Prime Minister and the Opposition are failing to show leadership by refusing to overhaul rules that clearly do not meet community standards.

Nick Van Dyke from the Children's Hospital Foundation joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to highlight the urgent need to support sick children this festive season through donations. With recent statistics showing that two in three Australians plan to donate to charity this Christmas, the Children's Hospital Foundation is urging the public to support the 4,000 children expected to spend December in the hospital.

Flight Centre Global Leisure CEO James Kavanagh joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to break down the latest travel data. He reveals what city has skyrocketed to become the number one international destination for Australians this Summer, and why people choose to fly domestically.

Despite a desperate state-wide shortage of over 21,000 nurses, recent nursing graduates are struggling to secure employment due to severe hospital budgetary constraints. Nurses Professional Association President Kara Thomas joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to talk about the "cycle of dysfunction" where bed-blocking and activity-based funding cuts are causing dangerous overcrowding and staff burnout.

"The Unbreakable Farmer" Warren Davies joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to urge Australians to look beyond the price tag this Christmas and prioritise Australian-grown produce to support rural communities. He highlights a concerning statistic that three out of four farmers feel undervalued by the public.

To tackle a massive post-Covid backlog of 70,000 cases, the UK government is moving to remove the right to a jury trial for less serious offences. This prompts a look at whether Australia, with its state-based legal variations, should consider similar measures to speed up justice.

Civil Contractors Federation CEO Damien Long joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to reveal that the controversial BPIC policy inflated construction labour costs by nearly 30% while driving productivity down. Now that the policy has been scrapped and the CFMEU is in administration, the industry is optimistic about meeting the tight deadlines for the 2032 Olympics.

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to break the stigma surrounding hearing aids. She opens up about her personal journey with hearing loss, urging Australians to get checked so they don't miss precious moments this Christmas.

Henry Land, a 13-year-old from remote Queensland, was awarded Cricket Australia’s Young Leader of the Year for re-establishing a junior cricket club in his town after a 30-year absence. Ben Davis interviewed Henry at the Gabba during the Ashes test to highlight the importance of sport in outback communities.

KPMG Urban Economist Terry Rawnsley joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to reveal a drastic collapse in housing affordability across Australia. First home buyers in Queensland are now able to afford only a fraction of the homes they could have just five years ago.

Indian Australian cricket superfan, Nikhil Kulkarni, joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss his book - My Summer of Cricket. The conversation highlights how the traditional Ashes rivalry compares to the modern intensity of Australia vs. India.

Retirement expert Bec Wilson joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to argue that successful retirement planning begins with lifestyle conversations and identity definition, rather than financial spreadsheets. She urges listeners to use the downtime of the Christmas holidays to negotiate a shared vision with their partners and prioritise their physical health.

Moreton Bay Council is defending a landmark Supreme Court case that challenges its right to issue compliance notices to homeless individuals camping in public parks. Mayor Peter Flannery joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to warn that losing this case could set a precedent stripping local governments across Australia of the power to enforce basic laws regarding safety and public land use.

Facing a surge in abuse against staff, the Australian Retailers Association is advocating for facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders in real-time. The Chief Industry Affairs Officer for the Australian Retailers Association, Fleur Brown, joined David Salmon to advocate for this proposed system.

Senator David Pocock has criticised the federal government for refusing to legislate independent assessment panels or cooling-off periods for ministers, the government is failing to end the culture of "jobs for mates". Credibility Expert Dr. Neryl East joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to warn that the government's weak response to the Briggs Report is another "nail in the coffin" for public trust in Australian institutions.

Youngcare’s Ben Harvey joined David Salmon to talk about the urgent need for support this Christmas. He explains how Youngcare fills the gap for families who previously had no options other than retirement or nursing homes for their loved ones.

A review of the 2025 property market reveals that while RBA rate cuts restored consumer confidence and borrowing power, they ultimately fuelled a price surge across all capital cities. Domain’s Dr. Nicola Powell joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to discuss the boom.

Senator David Pocock expresses frustration over circular bureaucratic non-answers regarding staff issues at NEMA. Federal Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to argue that government overspending is fuelling inflation.

Max and his mother, Marie, joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to celebrate a massive fundraising milestone of over $42,000 raised in just two years. Max took to the pool this November to complete a gruelling 9km swimming challenge to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The upcoming day-night Ashes Test is expected to inject over $24 million into the Queensland economy. Richard Deery of the Story Bridge Hotel joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to confirm that thousands of international and interstate fans are already arriving, eager to spend on food, drink, and entertainment.

As the under-16 social media ban approaches, Dr. Lisa Kirk joined Davis Salmon on 4BC Mornings to argue that the legislation is a crucial opportunity for families to combat digital addiction. There's warnings that excessive device use is causing physical deformities and cognitive decline in children.

Wife of dementia patient, Gayle, joined David Salmon on 4BC Mornings to talk about her husband Eric, who has been stuck in hospital for nine months due to a critical shortage of residential aged care beds.

As of today, Queensland General Practitioners are authorised to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication, effectively bypassing the mandatory requirement for a psychiatrist. Dr Carmel Toole joined David Salmon to highlight this new opportunity to help patients who have previously given up on diagnosis due to cost and anxiety.

KPMG Urban Economist Terry Rawnsley joined David Salmon to warn that while Brisbane is set to hit 5 million residents by 2036. The region faces a critical housing shortage that threatens its livability.

Former Wallabies captain Dean Mumm joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss BrisBASH - a barefoot cricket tournament raising funds for BorneHMRI. The discussion highlights the lack of medical advancement in preterm birth treatments over the last 50 years and promotes a community event in Brisbane to support vital research.

Brisbane Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings ahead of the grand final clash this weekend. A victory would secure a historic achievement, making Brisbane the first club to hold both the men's and women's AFL premierships simultaneously in the same season.

Web developer Greg O'Rourke joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to dissect the "eye-watering" $96.5 million price tag of the Bureau of Meteorology’s website redesign. The discussion highlights this as a case of a client being overcharged due to a lack of technical knowledge.

There's calls to rename South East Queensland as "Greater Brisbane" to capitalise on the 2032 Olympics. Logan Mayor Jon Raven joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to push back against the idea.

CEO of Verso Projects Steve Laffey joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to talk about the proposal of three 50-storey towers in Toowong. Steve explains that the height is necessary to offset soaring construction costs and deliver community benefits like a new bus lane.

Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to explain the club’s controversial decision to remove the text from their logo and introduce a "midnight blue" away jersey. He argues that the "We Charge On" rebrand is essential for aligning the club with Brisbane's growing global profile ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Property Strategist Anissa Cavallo joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss how parents and grandparents can assist young Australians in entering the property market without handing over cash. The conversation highlights creative strategies like "rentvesting," using home equity as a loan rather than a gift, and utilising board payments to build a deposit.

Energex has deployed 200 crews working around the clock to restore power to 70,000 customers following severe storms in South East Queensland. Spokesperson Danny Donnell told Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings that Energex are prioritising getting hospitals and large residential blocks back online.

Author Bec Wilson joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to flip the script on traditional retirement planning. She argued that you must define your lifestyle goals before consulting a financial advisor.

For four decades, the Bailey Print Group has evolved from a small operation under a house in Corinda to a premier signage company dressing Brisbane for major events. Now run by the second generation, Co-Director Peter Bailey joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss how the business continues to innovate while keeping their roots firmly planted in local family values.

Pediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to criticize the federal government's move to mandate the Health Star Rating system. The algorithm is fundamentally broken because it rates sugary processed foods higher than natural, whole foods.

With Christmas 35 days away, CEO of The Property Clearance Company, Bob Morton, joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings. The interview covers how to identify warning signs during family visits and offers advice on navigating the emotional logistics of downsizing and aged care transitions.

Domain Senior Economist Dr. Joel Bowman joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss Brisbane unit prices rising by 7% and house prices increasing by 5%. He forecasts that property prices and rents will reach record highs across all Australian capital cities by the end of 2026.

The Commonwealth Bank's Community Grants program is injecting over $4 million into 180 grassroots Australian organisations, aiming to support small charities. Operations Manager for Fuel For Schools, Patrick Pool, joined Ben Davis on 4BC Mornings to discuss how the support is vital for their annual school bag campaign.