Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, former Howard Government adviser, about Pauline Hanson’s decision to ban the ABC and The Guardian from attending her press conferences.

They also discuss this week’s Australia-wide Census and examine whether governments have successfully used Census data to inform long-term planning and policy decisions.

Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, former Howard Government adviser, about Pauline Hanson&rsquo;s decision to ban the ABC and The Guardian from attending her press conferences.
They also discuss this week&rsquo;s Australia-wide Census and examine whether governments have successfully used Census data to inform long-term planning and policy decisions.

When much of the city sleeps, Mike Jeffreys is keeping you company.

Mike provides laughs and companionship, the news & stories of the day from midnight on Mondays. 

When much of the city sleeps, Mike Jeffreys is keeping you company.
Mike&nbsp;provides&nbsp;laughs and companionship, the&nbsp;news &amp;&nbsp;stories of the day from midnight on Mondays.&nbsp;

Overnights with Mike Jeffreys - Highlights

Overnights with Mike Jeffreys

Terry Barnes: Hanson's media ban / The census & government planning

Overnights with Mike Jeffreys - Monday August 10th

Mike speaks with Professor Rocky Scopelliti, Futurologist and bestselling author of Perceptive Machines and Synthetic Souls, about why Australia must avoid becoming the world’s “digital dumping ground.”

Australia is experiencing a massive boom in AI data centres, with billions being invested in infrastructure that consumes enormous amounts of land, electricity and water. Scopelliti argues that while this presents a huge economic opportunity,

Australia risks repeating its history of supplying the raw materials while others capture the real value. If foreign companies own the technology, intellectual property and profits while Australia provides the power, land and infrastructure, we could simply be powering someone else’s future. He believes Australia must ensure every new AI facility delivers lasting national benefits - including sovereign computing capacity,

Australian research, local jobs, tax revenue and home-grown innovation. The question, he says, isn’t whether Australia should build data centres, but whether they will make Australia more prosperous, sovereign and intelligent—or simply become infrastructure for someone else’s AI future.

Mike speaks with Professor Rocky Scopelliti, Futurologist and bestselling author of Perceptive Machines and Synthetic Souls, about why Australia must avoid becoming the world&rsquo;s &ldquo;digital dumping ground.&rdquo;
Australia is experiencing a massive boom in AI data centres, with billions being invested in infrastructure that consumes enormous amounts of land, electricity and water. Scopelliti argues that while this presents a huge economic opportunity,
Australia risks repeating its history of supplying the raw materials while others capture the real value. If foreign companies own the technology, intellectual property and profits while Australia provides the power, land and infrastructure, we could simply be powering someone else&rsquo;s future. He believes Australia must ensure every new AI facility delivers lasting national benefits - including sovereign computing capacity,
Australian research, local jobs, tax revenue and home-grown innovation. The question, he says, isn&rsquo;t whether Australia should build data centres, but whether they will make Australia more prosperous, sovereign and intelligent&mdash;or simply become infrastructure for someone else&rsquo;s AI future.

Australia must refuse to become the World’s digital dumping ground

Mike is joined by Sarah Blake, Conflict Strategist, Mediator and Social Commentator, to discuss how humour is increasingly being used as a weapon of power.

As public figures compete for influence, humour is sometimes used to belittle others, with the defence: “It’s just a joke.” Take Karl Stefanovic, who recently told an all-boys school dinner that he’d “love to see those mad witches with a spitfire up their arse” - referring to people who had called for him to be cancelled. The comment was met with laughter and applause.

Humour is important, but when a cutting remark is disguised as a joke, it can normalise personal attacks. And anyone who objects risks being dismissed as too sensitive or politically correct.

So where is the line between playful humour and humour designed to harm? If the real intention is to belittle someone, perhaps it isn’t a joke at all - and it should be called out.

Mike is joined by Sarah Blake, Conflict Strategist, Mediator and Social Commentator, to discuss how humour is increasingly being used as a weapon of power.
As public figures compete for influence, humour is sometimes used to belittle others, with the defence: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a joke.&rdquo; Take Karl Stefanovic, who recently told an all-boys school dinner that he&rsquo;d &ldquo;love to see those mad witches with a spitfire up their arse&rdquo; - referring to people who had called for him to be cancelled. The comment was met with laughter and applause.
Humour is important, but when a cutting remark is disguised as a joke, it can normalise personal attacks. And anyone who objects risks being dismissed as too sensitive or politically correct.
So where is the line between playful humour and humour designed to harm? If the real intention is to belittle someone, perhaps it isn&rsquo;t a joke at all - and it should be called out.

Terry Barnes: Hanson's media ban / The census & government planning

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