Research forecasts that 16.7 million Australians will buy Christmas gifts in 2024.  In total, we spend around $11.8 billion dollars in the process.  Unfortunately, some gifts just don’t hit the mark. Gift and Gift-Wrapping Expert, Vivienne Anthon joined Bill McDonald to break down the worst gifts to give on Christmas.

Last night the Elders of the Juru peoples in the Burdekin met to discuss the Welcome to Country.  A motion to ban the Welcome to Country was put to the Elder Council, and the motion was passed. Juru Elder and Chair of that meeting Randal Ross told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "It is well and truly being abused". "Welcome to Country has become a business that supports certain individuals and that's where they are losing the cultural insight or sight about what the Welcome to Country's are about." "This is a stand that we are taking in our particular area, and I think it's been long overdue."

Local charity, Rosies Friends on the Street raises awareness of issues affecting vulnerable women across the state. Thanks to a partnership with Queensland-based women’s health brand Ostelin, Rosies has been able to add a new van to their fleet, which was unveiled this morning.  Long-time Rosies volunteer Cathy Barber told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, " [Rosies] gives them someone, a friendly face and a friendly conversation to have with as well."

Australia is stuck in a per capita recession – barely avoiding an official recession. What’s gone wrong in 2024? And has anything gone right? The Unconventional Economist, Leith van Onselen, told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "I'll be quite frank, it was absolutely shocking data that came out yesterday." "The growth figures that came out yesterday were well below the Reserve Bank's forecast."

Former Greens Lord Mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan and his band Rivermouth have released new music after three years.  However, the lyrics may be controversial. 

Yesterday we heard that both the foundation launched by the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, and the Albanese Government have inadvertently co-funded long litigation against energy projects across the country. Millions of dollars in overseas donations to the Environmental Defenders Office are just the tip of the iceberg.  The EDO came under fire in the Federal Court for concocting Indigenous songlines to block Santos’s $5.7bn LNG pipeline in the Timor Sea.  The EDO was last week ordered to pay Santos’s entire costs totalling more than $9m. In reference to the EDO, Federal Opposition environment spokesman Jonno Duniam, told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "They are going to go out there, they are going to look for cases to fight, they are going to look for projects to stop."

Queensland is facing its first credit rating downgrade in 15 years.  The LNP government has likely inherited a credit rating downgrade after a decade under the Labor government. The new Treasurer, Hon. David Janetzki, has warned the downgrade would deliver the consequence of the state’s debt burden becoming even more expensive. David Janetzki told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "The magnitude of the project overruns and blowouts has been surprising." "Particularly what's been surprising was how deceitful the former government had been in hiding them." Mr Janetski will deliver his keynote address at around 1.30pm this afternoon, on 4 December 2024.

Today marks three years since then-Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese promised power bills would be $275 a year cheaper by 2025 if he was in charge of the country. Anthony Albanese is now Prime Minister, we are 29 days from that deadline, and our power bills have only gone up. Shadow Energy Minister Ted O’Brien told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "we've got to stop this garbage of prematurely closing baseload power stations."

The Grinch has stolen Christmas in Deception Bay. A poor family has had their Christmas lights display destroyed in an act that goes completely against the spirit of the festive season.  Andrew Tett, the victim of this senseless crime, told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, the reason for his light display. Mr Tett said, "It's for all the kids, everyone's going through a tough time, and it's just to make everyone feel better."

Coles has expanded the use of a methane-reducing feed supplement with three Coles Finest carbon-neutral beef suppliers now using Bovaer. Following trials, the supplement has been proven to reduce cattle emissions by at least 50%. Senator Gerrard Rennick told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "We've got big multinationals pursuing the climate change, reducing carbon footprint narrative, rather than reducing costs, because this is another additive that goes into cattle."

After a 'landmark' deal with the state government, the Brisbane City Council has promised a permanent return of Metro services through city routes from the 28th of January next year.  The services are expected to run the 66 bus route in five-minute intervals along the existing Queen Street Mall tunnel from January. This comes following criticism that the council hadn't properly labeled the one-month 'trial' of the metro's 169 route, which rolled to a quiet stop last month. Council transport chair, Councillor Ryan Murphy told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "We'll see the city start to transition from a public transport system to a mass transit system."

As part of the government’s proposed amendments to Workplace Health and Safety, the automatic right for WH&S permit holders to enter worksites could be stripped. Instead, Workplace Health and Safety permit holders will need to provide at least 24 hours’ notice to exercise their right of entry to a workplace. Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said“These laws will stop the CFMEU using safety as an industrial weapon…” Jacqueline King, the General Secretary of the QLD Council of Unions told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, 'It's going to make it messy. It's going to make it vague and there will be more disputes about what is a serious risk, what is immediate, what is imminent.'

Inside Juvie is a novel that follows the story of a teacher inside juvenile detention centres. Author Paul A Macnamara told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "[It's an] authentic view as you'll ever get if what it's like inside those centres." 

A Senate report on aircraft noise at Australia's major airports has called for 21 changes. The Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance has revealed they are not satisfied with the recommendations and are planning on protesting.  Spokesperson Marcus Foth told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "It doesn't resolve the issues here in Brisbane of what we want to see as justice."

It has been reported a Welcome to Country at an event in Sydney lasted for nine minutes.  Bill McDonald said on 4BC Mornings, "It diminishes the significance of paying respect in the first place." 

As the federal election looms and committees come together to discuss how to deliver their campaigns and policies to the Australian people, politics is set to get busier, and possibly murkier. Media commentator and Managing Director of Media Cast, Nic Hayes, joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss what could be expected over the upcoming months in federal politics. He says we could see a 'very aggressive campaign from both sides.'

Ben Hunt has signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Broncos. 

The news from Treasurer Jim Chalmers that the budget bottom line is getting worse ahead of the looming federal election could be worse than he’s indicated.  Deloitte Access Economics has estimated this year’s budget deficit, which Chalmers forecast to reach $28.3 billion, will be closer to $33.5 billion. The Unconventional Economist, Leith Van Onselen, joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to unpack the causes and consequences.

State Parliament gets underway today, and a new era of government will start with the incoming LNP. Many changes are expected to happen in this sitting, but a lot remains uncertain. Nine state political reporter Tim Arvier joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss what could be expected.

After spending 19 years in prison, the five remaining members of the Bali Nine could be set to return to Australia.  Members have been imprisoned since April 2005 when they were caught attempting to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia.  Bishop Timothy Harris, joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings after working closely with some of the families of those incarcerated. 

Brisbane has grown faster than any other capital city over the past decade, with more than 400,000 people expected to move to the city by 2046. The need for urban renewal is high, especially around suburban shopping centres, transport hubs and under-utilised industrial areas. Councillor Adam Allan, Chair of the Councils’ Suburban Renewal Precincts Program joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss how the Brisbane City Council is addressing the need.

Bill McDonald says despite most drivers being overconfident, the drivers targeted in recent debates are good at driving and shouldn't be subjected to being retested.

The Russia-Ukraine war has escalated with the US supplying land mines and missiles, while Russia has signed a new doctrine which lowers the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons

Courier Mail sports editor, Robert 'Crash' Craddock, joined Bill McDonald ahead of the much awaited first test between Australia and India that begins today in Perth.

The first day of competition at the BMW Australia PGA Championship has gotten underway.  Victorian golfer, Ben Eccles told Bill McDonlad he is happy with his performance. "I felt like I handled myself pretty well given how wet the golf course actually is,"  Mr Eccles said. 

The BMW Australian PGA Championship has officially kicked off for 2024. PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings the course staff worked through the night to ensure the course was ready for the first day of play.

Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss how a Queensland firm is the first to receive taxpayer investment under an Albanese government election pledge to keep manufacturing alive.

A man has transformed a pergola at Kangaroo Point into a temporary home.  Councillor Sarah Hutton from the Brisbane City Council has responded.  Councillor Hutton told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, " We are very much aware of this individual."

A man has transformed a pergola at Kangaroo Point into a temporary home.  Former Broncos Trainer and Kangaroo Point resident, Mark 'Chopper' Burgess told Bill McDonald the man had been living there for 6 months.  "No one should have a river view rent-free and tax-free. It's ridiculous, he shouldn't be there," Mr Burgess said. 

More than 1,500 Woolworths warehouse workers at four distribution centres across New South Wales and Victoria are going on indefinite strike over working conditions and pay.  Additionally, the Heathwood warehouse will hold a one-hour stoppage on Friday to consider how to proceed. National Secretary of the United Workers Union, Tim Kennedy, joined Bill McDonald told Bill McDonald, "Workers want to be able to go home safe, and want to be able to do a fairs day work for a fairs day pay."

Sal Powell, the Brisbane mum aiming to become the first Australian to run all five “Racing the Planet” desert ultramarathons in the same year joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings before setting off on the last leg in Antarctica. 

The Northern Beaches Council is introducing parking permits for trailers, boats, and caravans. Bill McDonald approves of the idea and believes Brisbane should follow suit.

Advocacy group, National Seniors Australia CEO, Chris Grice, joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings as it has been announced that the federal government is set to ensure cash remains in circulation for years to come by making sure retailers who sell groceries and petrol always accept cash from customers.

Join Bill McDonald each weekday from 9am-12pm on 4BC Mornings.

Cbus Super has been charged for allegedly mishandling $20 million of insurance owed to grieving families.  Makayla's partner suddenly passed away and started a claim with Cbus Super.  She told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "It's absolutely disgusting. I had to put my grief on hold, so to speak, in order to constantly follow up Cbus."

Yesterday, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie suspended the BPIC agreements for major state projects. Queensland Council of Unions Secretary Jacqueline King responded to this decision on 4BC Mornings. Ms King told Bill McDonald that the unions and their workers are "disappointed that there has been no consultation."

A report from the Brisbane City Council’s ratepayer funded trip to the Paris Games has been published with 16 key takeaways. Some of the key learnings are to making sure signage is clear and easy to understand and the report recommended creating a local legacy plan for the city, using the Games to drive improvements in transport, sustainability and tourism. Deputy Mayor Krista Adams admitted on 4BC Mornings with Bill McDonald that, 'we knew a lot of that stuff [referring to the recommendations in the report].'

The Brisbane City Council’s $42,600 trip to the Paris Olympics resulted in a four-page report that revealed no new information. The report included 16 key points, highlighted by the major takeaway: Queensland needs to road-test the volunteer program before the 2032 Games.

New research has revealed that Queensland is deeper in economic and social decline than first thought. The government finances, delivery of public services, and community safety in the Sunshine State are at records lows. Institute of Public Affairs Research Fellow Saxon Davidson told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings the LNP needs, 'serious reform in how the government operates.'

The $240m lease signed by the Queensland Police Service for a building in Stones Corner has been referred to the CCC. Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has squashed allegations that he was a part of the committee that signed the lease for the facility. Commissioner Gollschewski told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings the lease was a, "Really bad systems approach."

Bill McDonald has outlined the latest from the COP29 Conference in Azerbaijan, where the Taliban is in attendance and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer claiming England will slash 81% of emissions by 2035.

University of Queensland Professor Shyuan Ngo has received a massive boost in her research into a cure for Motor Neurone Disease. The Professor at the forefront of developing an MND cure has been granted $1.30 million across two projects, thanks to FightMND and 'The Big Freeze' fundraising. Professor Ngo told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "There's still a lot we don't know and that's why it's been so hard to find a cure."

Author Titus O'Reily has released his latest book, 'The Seven Deadly Sins of Sport', which looks at some of sports' biggest sins and worst sinners. Mr O'Reily told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings that he found it very hard to find top athletes who hadn't 'sinned'.

Newly minted Queensland Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm has responded to the criticism and questions about the state's child safety and youth justice systems. This comes off the back of the death of 69-year-old grandmother Rosemary Franzidis, allegedly at the hands of a 16-year-old boy in a stolen car at Murrumba Downs last week. Minister Camm told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings that tackling this issue will be "a big challenge," but insists she is up for the task.

Bill McDonald has explained on 4BC Mornings why many Brisbane Lions fans are up in arms over massive price hikes to their 2025 membership seats.

Robert 'Crash' Craddock from The Courier Mail joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to discuss the summer of cricket including Australia's dismal ODI lose to Pakistan and the upcoming 5-Test series against India.

Former Queensland Police Service Commander Jim Keogh joined Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings to chat about the QPS shortfalls and the ongoing youth crime crisis.

Join Bill McDonald each weekday from 9am-12pm on 4BC Mornings.

The 20th season of The Block wraps up this weekend, and this year has been arguably the most controversial to date.  Scott Cam told Bill McDonald on 4BC Mornings, "We're breaking new ground here."

Bill McDonald broke the news on 4BC Mornings that Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's office in Arana Hills has been vandalised.