Pill testing is to be introduced to New South Wales, or at least a trial of it; five million dollars is reportedly lost to pokie machines on the Northern Rivers each week and the stat comes as the state government announces four new trustees to the board in charge of responsible gambling revenue funds in New South Wales, we hear more from the Minister for Gambling and Racing David Harris later in the show as well as from Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron.

Up in the Tweed Shire, the future of the Kingscliff emergency pod housing village looks to be shorter than some may have hoped after an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday, we hear more from Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry.

More election promises announced from The Greens, with party leader Adam Bandt on the Northern Rivers this week announcing a renewed push to have dental covered under Medicare. We hear about that and his hopes for a power sharing arrangement with Labor similar to what he says happened under Julia Gillard’s time as prime minister should Labor win a minority government next year.

Meanwhile, the Byron Shire Council says the only three official temporary housing providors have had their services abruptly cut this week, Mayor Sarah Ndiaye joins us in the studio to express her disappointment.

1.      Disaster survivors in Kingscliff pod village to be out by June 2025 featuring Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry

2.      NSW pill-testing trial welcomed but long list of drug law reform demands remains featuring NSW Council of Civil Liberties President Timothy Roberts

3.    Election promises and past ‘achievements’ with Greens leader Adam Bandt  featuring Federal Greens Member for Melbourne and national party leader Adam Bandt

4.        A million dollars per hour lost to pokies every hour in NSW featuring Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron

5.      Tackling gambling addiction takes time, says NSW Minister featuring NSW Minister for Gambling and Racing David Harris

6.      Temporary housing services withdrawn in Byron in time for Christmas featuring Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye

7.      Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed       

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

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PIC: Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye(Robbie Armfield)