Peter Krendland live on Sky News Australia.

Peter Krendland live on Sky News Australia.

Well, good evening and happy New Year.

Well, good evening and happy New Year.

I'm James macpherson filling in for Peter Kredlin coming up tonight. Woolley's officially backflip on their boycott of Australia Day merchandise, But will Australians forgive and forget? Plus viewers slam woke messaging in the ABC's coverage.

I'm James macpherson filling in for Peter Kredlin coming up tonight. Woolley's officially backflip on their boycott of Australia Day merchandise, But will Australians forgive and forget? Plus viewers slam woke messaging in the ABC's coverage.

Of New Year's fireworks.

Of New Year's fireworks.

The national broadcaster just can't seem to keep politics out of our celebrations, and Donald Trump's pledge to end the Russian Ukraine War faces a setback with Putin rejecting his team's proposal. So where to next? But first let's talk about New Year's Did you make a New Year's resolution? Most people resolve to lose weight, maybe get up earlier, read more books. Others, though, have different kinds of dreams, like McCrory University academic doctor Abdul Fatar. Her new Year's resolution, posted on Twitter went like this, may twenty twenty five be the end of Israel. Now, I'm not sure the seven point two million Jews living in Israel would share her hopes, but that's the beauty of diversity.

The national broadcaster just can't seem to keep politics out of our celebrations, and Donald Trump's pledge to end the Russian Ukraine War faces a setback with Putin rejecting his team's proposal. So where to next? But first let's talk about New Year's Did you make a New Year's resolution? Most people resolve to lose weight, maybe get up earlier, read more books. Others, though, have different kinds of dreams, like McCrory University academic doctor Abdul Fatar. Her new Year's resolution, posted on Twitter went like this, may twenty twenty five be the end of Israel. Now, I'm not sure the seven point two million Jews living in Israel would share her hopes, but that's the beauty of diversity.

Right.

Right.

Doctor abdul Phatar was a judging panel chair for last year's Multicultural New South Wales Award.

Doctor abdul Phatar was a judging panel chair for last year's Multicultural New South Wales Award.

Say it with me, diversity is our strength.

Say it with me, diversity is our strength.

Doctor abdul Phatar was so excited about her twenty twenty five resolution for the destruction of Israel she couldn't even wait until today to post it. The tweet was fired off the day after Christmas. Peace and goodwill toward all men evidently doesn't go that far. But there was more. Doctor Abdulphatar wrote, quote, may it be the end of the US Israeli imperial scourge on humanity?

Doctor abdul Phatar was so excited about her twenty twenty five resolution for the destruction of Israel she couldn't even wait until today to post it. The tweet was fired off the day after Christmas. Peace and goodwill toward all men evidently doesn't go that far. But there was more. Doctor Abdulphatar wrote, quote, may it be the end of the US Israeli imperial scourge on humanity?

Right? So what did you hope for in the year ahead?

Right? So what did you hope for in the year ahead?

Well, I hoped for good health, love, prosperity, the end of the Israeli imperialist scourge on humanity, you know, the usual kind of stuff. But the imperialist scourge of humanity was for the doctor just a warm up act. The university academic really hit her stride with the next line, quote, may we see the abolishment of the death cult of Zionism and the end of US Empire and finally a world where the slaughter, annihilation and torture of Palestinians is no longer daily routine. Now, I have to say, it's at this point that as a parent whose child attends McCrory University, you start to wonder if maybe you should have directed your son more towards doing a trade instead. And you have to wonder does Mccaory University have any Jewish students? Universities are always banging on about creating safe spaces, aren't they. How is Mccaoray University a safe space for Jewish kids when you've got prominent academics calling for their homeland to be destroyed, But the university academic wasn't done, she continued, quote and to achieve that is to snowball collective liberation, because the tentacles of Western imperialism are press and dehumanize us. All Ah, Yes, the tentacles of Western imperialism. Those tentacles provided the good doctor with a taxpayer funded research grant of eight hundred and seventy thousand dollars, which she didn't hesitate to receive. I might add, I'm trying to get my head around the kind of oppression that sees you given almost a million dollars of other people's money so you can complain about how oppressed you are thoughts and prayers. Dodtor abdul phatarh concluded her New Year's resolution with this, may every baby slaughtered in Zionism's genocide haunt you who openly support or acquiesce through your gutless silence. Now call me gutless, call me boring artists kind of think the hostages should be released anyway, you might have imagined doctor abdul Fatar would be feeling a little reticent about spewing that kind of anti Israel bile. She's already been investigated by her employer after being involved in a kid's excursion to the anti Israel encampment at Sydney University earlier this year, an excursion where children led to each other in chance for an interfata against Israel, and the Coalition raised the matter of her generous taxpayer funded grant in a recent Senate Estimates hearing, suggesting.

Well, I hoped for good health, love, prosperity, the end of the Israeli imperialist scourge on humanity, you know, the usual kind of stuff. But the imperialist scourge of humanity was for the doctor just a warm up act. The university academic really hit her stride with the next line, quote, may we see the abolishment of the death cult of Zionism and the end of US Empire and finally a world where the slaughter, annihilation and torture of Palestinians is no longer daily routine. Now, I have to say, it's at this point that as a parent whose child attends McCrory University, you start to wonder if maybe you should have directed your son more towards doing a trade instead. And you have to wonder does Mccaory University have any Jewish students? Universities are always banging on about creating safe spaces, aren't they. How is Mccaoray University a safe space for Jewish kids when you've got prominent academics calling for their homeland to be destroyed, But the university academic wasn't done, she continued, quote and to achieve that is to snowball collective liberation, because the tentacles of Western imperialism are press and dehumanize us. All Ah, Yes, the tentacles of Western imperialism. Those tentacles provided the good doctor with a taxpayer funded research grant of eight hundred and seventy thousand dollars, which she didn't hesitate to receive. I might add, I'm trying to get my head around the kind of oppression that sees you given almost a million dollars of other people's money so you can complain about how oppressed you are thoughts and prayers. Dodtor abdul phatarh concluded her New Year's resolution with this, may every baby slaughtered in Zionism's genocide haunt you who openly support or acquiesce through your gutless silence. Now call me gutless, call me boring artists kind of think the hostages should be released anyway, you might have imagined doctor abdul Fatar would be feeling a little reticent about spewing that kind of anti Israel bile. She's already been investigated by her employer after being involved in a kid's excursion to the anti Israel encampment at Sydney University earlier this year, an excursion where children led to each other in chance for an interfata against Israel, and the Coalition raised the matter of her generous taxpayer funded grant in a recent Senate Estimates hearing, suggesting.

Maybe it should be clawed back.

Maybe it should be clawed back.

But as the academics New Years tweat demonstrates, those who rile against Israel have no fear of reprisals. They know that neither university vice chancellors nor government ministers could give two stuffs about the anti Israel comments, no matter how much they might tut tut it publicly. The irony is that dr Abdulfatar is a woman whose research specialty is Islamophobia. So while publicly wishing for Israel to be destroyed, she ponders reasons why people might have, you know, concerns about Islam. Well, I can't imagine. McCrory University issued a statement saying, and I quote, the university is aware of comments made on social media by a member of its staff that may have caused concern and distress among some members of the community. The statement went on to say that the university had policies and procedures in place to balance its commitments both to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all and to lawfully free speech and academic freedom. Don't you love policies and procedures and balancing the safety of students with academic freedom.

But as the academics New Years tweat demonstrates, those who rile against Israel have no fear of reprisals. They know that neither university vice chancellors nor government ministers could give two stuffs about the anti Israel comments, no matter how much they might tut tut it publicly. The irony is that dr Abdulfatar is a woman whose research specialty is Islamophobia. So while publicly wishing for Israel to be destroyed, she ponders reasons why people might have, you know, concerns about Islam. Well, I can't imagine. McCrory University issued a statement saying, and I quote, the university is aware of comments made on social media by a member of its staff that may have caused concern and distress among some members of the community. The statement went on to say that the university had policies and procedures in place to balance its commitments both to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all and to lawfully free speech and academic freedom. Don't you love policies and procedures and balancing the safety of students with academic freedom.

I would submit that if you're having.

I would submit that if you're having.

To balance the safety of students with other considerations, you're not that committed to the safety of students. Now, this is not the first time that Abdulphatar has come under fire for her anti Israel activity. In November, the New South Wales Police Force posted on social media saying they would not tolerate Hesbalah flags at anti Israel protests. But while you and I saw a post from police warning people don't promote terrorism, well, the Macquarie University academic she saw something else. Dr Abdulphatar commented by quote brought to you in the colors of Israel's flag, seeming to insinuate that the Australian police force was now acting on behalf of Israel.

To balance the safety of students with other considerations, you're not that committed to the safety of students. Now, this is not the first time that Abdulphatar has come under fire for her anti Israel activity. In November, the New South Wales Police Force posted on social media saying they would not tolerate Hesbalah flags at anti Israel protests. But while you and I saw a post from police warning people don't promote terrorism, well, the Macquarie University academic she saw something else. Dr Abdulphatar commented by quote brought to you in the colors of Israel's flag, seeming to insinuate that the Australian police force was now acting on behalf of Israel.

Now.

Now.

It's true, blue and white are the colors of the Israeli flag, but they're also the colors of Argentina, Greece, Finland, El Salvador and the North Melbourne football club. Oh and they're also the colors of the New South Wales Police. Who knew what kind of madness exists when New South Wales Police can't even warn against supporting terrorism without university academic seeing some kind of conspiracy. But doctor Abdul Fatara is not the real problem here. The real problem is Macquarie University. What kind of academic institution continually hides behind policies and procedures when assessing retrick like this from a staff member charge with educating young minds? What kind of academic institution vacillates trying to find the right balance between the welfare of its Jewish students and a staff member's desire to call for the abolition of the world's only Jewish homeland. A mcquarie academic can publicly wish for the end of Israel, and the university's vice chancellor has to go scurrying away to find his Policies and Procedures manual in order to know what to do about It. Tells you all you need to know about our tertiary institutions. There are places you'd think twice about sending your kids. And if you're Jewish, well you'd give mcquari University a very wide birth in twenty twenty five, wouldn't you?

It's true, blue and white are the colors of the Israeli flag, but they're also the colors of Argentina, Greece, Finland, El Salvador and the North Melbourne football club. Oh and they're also the colors of the New South Wales Police. Who knew what kind of madness exists when New South Wales Police can't even warn against supporting terrorism without university academic seeing some kind of conspiracy. But doctor Abdul Fatara is not the real problem here. The real problem is Macquarie University. What kind of academic institution continually hides behind policies and procedures when assessing retrick like this from a staff member charge with educating young minds? What kind of academic institution vacillates trying to find the right balance between the welfare of its Jewish students and a staff member's desire to call for the abolition of the world's only Jewish homeland. A mcquarie academic can publicly wish for the end of Israel, and the university's vice chancellor has to go scurrying away to find his Policies and Procedures manual in order to know what to do about It. Tells you all you need to know about our tertiary institutions. There are places you'd think twice about sending your kids. And if you're Jewish, well you'd give mcquari University a very wide birth in twenty twenty five, wouldn't you?

Now?

Now?

For me, writing to the vice chancellor at McQuary University wasn't on my New Year's resolution list, but it is now. I get that different people can have different views on the Gaza conflict and the way in which it's being conducted. But staff at the institution where my son is being educated to openly call for the erasure of Israel, well, that's more than a disagreement over politics.

For me, writing to the vice chancellor at McQuary University wasn't on my New Year's resolution list, but it is now. I get that different people can have different views on the Gaza conflict and the way in which it's being conducted. But staff at the institution where my son is being educated to openly call for the erasure of Israel, well, that's more than a disagreement over politics.

It crosses a line. As a parent you don't spend.

It crosses a line. As a parent you don't spend.

Eighteen years pouring your heart and soul into your kids, trying to raise them right, only to then send them off to university so that academics can fill their minds with hate. Well, dr abdul fatak and wish for the end of Israel in twenty twenty five. If she wishes, many parents like myself will wish for McQuary University to explain why we should continue to send our kids there in twenty twenty five. Well, let's excuse me get into what's making news today. Joining me is the Menzies Research Center, freyer Leach and News Corps senior writer and columnist Patrick Carline. Let's start with Woolworth's. They've decided they don't want to repeat last year's debacle and they're bringing back Australia Day merchandise, So thank god for that. Last year's controversial decision to ditch the Australia Day paraphernalia saw a lot of Australian's boycott the supermarket chain and eventually led to the resignation of their CEO. But yesterday, a Woolworth spokesman said, while we did make changes to our merchandise range last Australia Day due to decline in demand.

Eighteen years pouring your heart and soul into your kids, trying to raise them right, only to then send them off to university so that academics can fill their minds with hate. Well, dr abdul fatak and wish for the end of Israel in twenty twenty five. If she wishes, many parents like myself will wish for McQuary University to explain why we should continue to send our kids there in twenty twenty five. Well, let's excuse me get into what's making news today. Joining me is the Menzies Research Center, freyer Leach and News Corps senior writer and columnist Patrick Carline. Let's start with Woolworth's. They've decided they don't want to repeat last year's debacle and they're bringing back Australia Day merchandise, So thank god for that. Last year's controversial decision to ditch the Australia Day paraphernalia saw a lot of Australian's boycott the supermarket chain and eventually led to the resignation of their CEO. But yesterday, a Woolworth spokesman said, while we did make changes to our merchandise range last Australia Day due to decline in demand.

In our store.

In our store.

We listened and recognized that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day. I guess there's nothing like a boycott to help corporations listen.

We listened and recognized that many customers and teams wanted us to do more to help them celebrate the day. I guess there's nothing like a boycott to help corporations listen.

Is there?

Is there?

But maybe we shouldn't be too excited because well, Woolies will have a perfect for Australia Day section. It will mostly focus on food. Ossie flags will be available in store, but you'll have to go online to purchase other Australia Day themed items. Frail, let me start with you. Do you think Willies have learned their lesson? Is that the message here?

But maybe we shouldn't be too excited because well, Woolies will have a perfect for Australia Day section. It will mostly focus on food. Ossie flags will be available in store, but you'll have to go online to purchase other Australia Day themed items. Frail, let me start with you. Do you think Willies have learned their lesson? Is that the message here?

Oh?

Oh?

I mean how could they not? I mean it's pretty embarrassing that there was a national boycott and I still know people that are hesitant to shop in Woolies. I'm one of them myself whenever I go, and I kind of cringe thinking about the fact that I'm supporting a company which hates our country. So I think, good on them for backflipping. But it's only out of necessity, and it's because money talks.

I mean how could they not? I mean it's pretty embarrassing that there was a national boycott and I still know people that are hesitant to shop in Woolies. I'm one of them myself whenever I go, and I kind of cringe thinking about the fact that I'm supporting a company which hates our country. So I think, good on them for backflipping. But it's only out of necessity, and it's because money talks.

Patrick Peter Dutton was derided for calling on He's to boycott Wilworth's last year. But he's not looking so silly now.

Patrick Peter Dutton was derided for calling on He's to boycott Wilworth's last year. But he's not looking so silly now.

He got it right, James didn't he And I think throughout last year look at twenty twenty four, it was a pretty grim year in so many ways. But one of the bride spots was this sort of pushing back against wokeness. And we saw it in so many ways here in Australia and in America and in Europe, and Peter Dutton often did that. He often said the things that are the silent majority of you, like were too afraid to say for fear of being censured. And I think this is just one example of many where he sort of got it right. And certainly Australians we don't like big companies telling us how we ought to think. And I think that was a bright spot from last year that has started to shift and I think that's good.

He got it right, James didn't he And I think throughout last year look at twenty twenty four, it was a pretty grim year in so many ways. But one of the bride spots was this sort of pushing back against wokeness. And we saw it in so many ways here in Australia and in America and in Europe, and Peter Dutton often did that. He often said the things that are the silent majority of you, like were too afraid to say for fear of being censured. And I think this is just one example of many where he sort of got it right. And certainly Australians we don't like big companies telling us how we ought to think. And I think that was a bright spot from last year that has started to shift and I think that's good.

Yeah, I really liked that Peter Dutton is having the courage to take on some of these issues. I remember when Scott Morrison became PM and he said he didn't want to touch the culture wars, and I think a lot of people really thought he would and were quite disappointed because as this example proves, Ozzies are just sick and tired of having our culture and our traditions stripped from us in the name of diversity and inclusion and whatever else. Just sticking with Peter Dutton, he has accused social media companies of having no moral lens. During a lengthy podcast interview he did with the Olympic diver Sam Fricka, mister Dutton said efforts to crack down on child exploitation material online when the Coalition was in power was for him an eye opening experience.

Yeah, I really liked that Peter Dutton is having the courage to take on some of these issues. I remember when Scott Morrison became PM and he said he didn't want to touch the culture wars, and I think a lot of people really thought he would and were quite disappointed because as this example proves, Ozzies are just sick and tired of having our culture and our traditions stripped from us in the name of diversity and inclusion and whatever else. Just sticking with Peter Dutton, he has accused social media companies of having no moral lens. During a lengthy podcast interview he did with the Olympic diver Sam Fricka, mister Dutton said efforts to crack down on child exploitation material online when the Coalition was in power was for him an eye opening experience.

Have listened to some of what he said.

Have listened to some of what he said.

When we dealt with the companies at that stage, with Facebook and Matter and others, they basically just gave us the middle finger and said that we're not going to help you in stopping that information being distributed between these networks. And it was a real eye opener to me at the time because I just thought that they would have the same moral lens as any body in course of your world. Yeah, and what it said to me at the time, and I think what's really been reinforced since is it that they just they see a fourteen year old as you know, as a revenue model.

When we dealt with the companies at that stage, with Facebook and Matter and others, they basically just gave us the middle finger and said that we're not going to help you in stopping that information being distributed between these networks. And it was a real eye opener to me at the time because I just thought that they would have the same moral lens as any body in course of your world. Yeah, and what it said to me at the time, and I think what's really been reinforced since is it that they just they see a fourteen year old as you know, as a revenue model.

Freya.

Freya.

Peter Dutton says that that experience informed his views when it came to banning under sixteens from social media. Now, I think you've been a vocal opponent of the social media ban. Does Dutton's explanation changed your mind on that subject?

Peter Dutton says that that experience informed his views when it came to banning under sixteens from social media. Now, I think you've been a vocal opponent of the social media ban. Does Dutton's explanation changed your mind on that subject?

Well, I think he is absolutely correct that for social media companies, each eyeball is a product that is revenue that they're generating, and we know from leaked internal Facebook documents that they have intentionally designed a platform that is all about getting children hooked and addicted to social media as early as possible, and the effects of this strategy is just undeniable. We've seen a fifty six percent in in young women being hospitalized because of self harm, two hundred and twenty one percent increase in under fourteen year old girls being hospitalized because of self harm. Last year, thirty nine percent of young people reported having a mental illness. So I think the effects of social media on young people cannot be cannot be denied or ignored, and I actually support the social media ban for under sixteens. But I think the devil is in the detail, and it really depends how it's done. Labor is trying to use the band to push through a whole raft of other anti freedom legislation. For example, when they introduce the ban into Parliament last year, that same week they introduced the Misinformation Bill again, and so they're trying to use this social media ban to get cover for the other anti freedom bills that they're trying to push through. So I actually support the ban because I think that young people are suffering in immensely because of social media and we need to do something. But I don't support the way Labor is going about it, which is trying to package it up with a whole bunch of other censorship laws. I think you just have the ban and then you leave, you basically leave the rest of the Internet alone, and that's how you protect kids while also protecting the freedom of speech of ordinary Australians.

Well, I think he is absolutely correct that for social media companies, each eyeball is a product that is revenue that they're generating, and we know from leaked internal Facebook documents that they have intentionally designed a platform that is all about getting children hooked and addicted to social media as early as possible, and the effects of this strategy is just undeniable. We've seen a fifty six percent in in young women being hospitalized because of self harm, two hundred and twenty one percent increase in under fourteen year old girls being hospitalized because of self harm. Last year, thirty nine percent of young people reported having a mental illness. So I think the effects of social media on young people cannot be cannot be denied or ignored, and I actually support the social media ban for under sixteens. But I think the devil is in the detail, and it really depends how it's done. Labor is trying to use the band to push through a whole raft of other anti freedom legislation. For example, when they introduce the ban into Parliament last year, that same week they introduced the Misinformation Bill again, and so they're trying to use this social media ban to get cover for the other anti freedom bills that they're trying to push through. So I actually support the ban because I think that young people are suffering in immensely because of social media and we need to do something. But I don't support the way Labor is going about it, which is trying to package it up with a whole bunch of other censorship laws. I think you just have the ban and then you leave, you basically leave the rest of the Internet alone, and that's how you protect kids while also protecting the freedom of speech of ordinary Australians.

Well, Patrick, I'm with Freyer in the sense that I don't think under sixteen should be on social media. But as Freyer said, the problem is how you achieve that without a whole lot of other consequences that we don't want, ie invasion of privacy collecting people's data. There's still no real answer as to how the government intends to implement this ban, and that's the problem, isn't it. They're making policy without first working out the details.

Well, Patrick, I'm with Freyer in the sense that I don't think under sixteen should be on social media. But as Freyer said, the problem is how you achieve that without a whole lot of other consequences that we don't want, ie invasion of privacy collecting people's data. There's still no real answer as to how the government intends to implement this ban, and that's the problem, isn't it. They're making policy without first working out the details.

That's never good governance.

That's never good governance.

Well, no one knows how the band's going to work, as you say, James, is it going to be facial recognition? Is it going to be hand gestures? Apparently young people use your hands differently to older people. The federal government can't tell us how the band will work. If you look at experiences from other parts of the world. Look, a ban is a noble idea, I think, but actually putting it into practice fails on all sorts of levels. And let's be honest, kids are smart. If there's a ban on alcohol, there's a band on social media, Clever kids find a way to get around it. And just the fact that this legislation has been pushed through so quickly and we don't even understand how it's meant to be working is bizarre, I think, And I think the rest of the world is watching quite with fascinations, saying how is this going to go?

Well, no one knows how the band's going to work, as you say, James, is it going to be facial recognition? Is it going to be hand gestures? Apparently young people use your hands differently to older people. The federal government can't tell us how the band will work. If you look at experiences from other parts of the world. Look, a ban is a noble idea, I think, but actually putting it into practice fails on all sorts of levels. And let's be honest, kids are smart. If there's a ban on alcohol, there's a band on social media, Clever kids find a way to get around it. And just the fact that this legislation has been pushed through so quickly and we don't even understand how it's meant to be working is bizarre, I think, And I think the rest of the world is watching quite with fascinations, saying how is this going to go?

Call me old fashioned, but I've got an idea as to how you could ban under sixteens from social media. You could just not buy your kids a smartphone. You know, you could always try that. I want to talk to you about doctors for a second. I know, Fray, you're saying that's not how it's going to work. I still recon it's the way to go. Though, there's growing concerns that Australia may soon be facing a GP shortage, with new figures revealing nearly ten percent of our nation's doctors are over seventy years of age.

Call me old fashioned, but I've got an idea as to how you could ban under sixteens from social media. You could just not buy your kids a smartphone. You know, you could always try that. I want to talk to you about doctors for a second. I know, Fray, you're saying that's not how it's going to work. I still recon it's the way to go. Though, there's growing concerns that Australia may soon be facing a GP shortage, with new figures revealing nearly ten percent of our nation's doctors are over seventy years of age.

Well now, the peak.

Well now, the peak.

Body regulating Doctors, along with the Medical Board of Australia, are considering a proposal to mandate health checks for doctors aged seventy and older. But there's fears that this is only going to increase strain on the system. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners as slammer move, describing the proposal as quote, another regulatory burden are necessarily imposed on the general practice profession without evidence to support effectiveness. Patrick, let me ask you do you think this health check proposal giving doctors over the age of seventy a regular checkup?

Body regulating Doctors, along with the Medical Board of Australia, are considering a proposal to mandate health checks for doctors aged seventy and older. But there's fears that this is only going to increase strain on the system. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners as slammer move, describing the proposal as quote, another regulatory burden are necessarily imposed on the general practice profession without evidence to support effectiveness. Patrick, let me ask you do you think this health check proposal giving doctors over the age of seventy a regular checkup?

Do you think it's a good move.

Do you think it's a good move.

Look, I can understand why the medical fraternity is pushing back on these, but if you look at the numbers James, over the last few years, I think notifications which are basically complaints against doctors who are older than seventy have increased by eighty one percent, and the number of notifications for those older doctors between twenty fifteen per year in twenty twenty three have doubled. There was a reason for that, and actually understanding that reason, I think might actually give us a lot more clarity. In the meantime, the patient welfare has to is paramount. It has to be the highest priority. Doctors make life and death decisions every day. If they're making errors, then putting in place measures that mitigate those errors perhaps can't be a bad thing, can it?

Look, I can understand why the medical fraternity is pushing back on these, but if you look at the numbers James, over the last few years, I think notifications which are basically complaints against doctors who are older than seventy have increased by eighty one percent, and the number of notifications for those older doctors between twenty fifteen per year in twenty twenty three have doubled. There was a reason for that, and actually understanding that reason, I think might actually give us a lot more clarity. In the meantime, the patient welfare has to is paramount. It has to be the highest priority. Doctors make life and death decisions every day. If they're making errors, then putting in place measures that mitigate those errors perhaps can't be a bad thing, can it?

All?

All?

Right, let me move on to a different subject. It's the new year. Many people will be planning overseas trips. But if you're thinking of going overseas this year, you might have to update your passport, and I can tell you it's going to cost you. We'll be forced to pay four hundred and twelve dollars for a new ten year passport from today, with indexation leading to a three point five percent price like now. This will make Australian passports the most expensive in the world, followed by Mexico at three hundred and fifty three dollars ninety cents. In the United States, where passports lost two hundred and fifty two dollars. Freyer, what do you make of this? Overseas travel is expensive enough, isn't it? Without the government then slamming you four hundred and twelve dollars for your passport.

Right, let me move on to a different subject. It's the new year. Many people will be planning overseas trips. But if you're thinking of going overseas this year, you might have to update your passport, and I can tell you it's going to cost you. We'll be forced to pay four hundred and twelve dollars for a new ten year passport from today, with indexation leading to a three point five percent price like now. This will make Australian passports the most expensive in the world, followed by Mexico at three hundred and fifty three dollars ninety cents. In the United States, where passports lost two hundred and fifty two dollars. Freyer, what do you make of this? Overseas travel is expensive enough, isn't it? Without the government then slamming you four hundred and twelve dollars for your passport.

Travel in Australia is becoming prohibitively expensive for most people. And I think that's a really sad thing. A lot of my friends, we're young. It's the thing. You go to Europe, you go to New Zealand, wherever you backpack. That is a formative experience that people go through. But the cost of everything is going up in Australia, and passports is just another one of that. Aviation costs through the roof. And I think this is the thing people need to understand about government spending. Labor has added three hundred and forty seven billion dollars in spending since coming into government two and a half years ago. That three hundred and forty seven billion dollars. It doesn't just evaporate. It flows through the economy and pushes the prices of everything up, whether it's your GP, education, costs, electricity, and now travel as well. So this is the result of a homegrown inflation crisis. Nothing is safe. Everything will be compromised by higher inflation, and that includes something as basic as your passport.

Travel in Australia is becoming prohibitively expensive for most people. And I think that's a really sad thing. A lot of my friends, we're young. It's the thing. You go to Europe, you go to New Zealand, wherever you backpack. That is a formative experience that people go through. But the cost of everything is going up in Australia, and passports is just another one of that. Aviation costs through the roof. And I think this is the thing people need to understand about government spending. Labor has added three hundred and forty seven billion dollars in spending since coming into government two and a half years ago. That three hundred and forty seven billion dollars. It doesn't just evaporate. It flows through the economy and pushes the prices of everything up, whether it's your GP, education, costs, electricity, and now travel as well. So this is the result of a homegrown inflation crisis. Nothing is safe. Everything will be compromised by higher inflation, and that includes something as basic as your passport.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely right. We are getting hit on every side by price. Like so, I'm going to talk about Victoria a little later.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely right. We are getting hit on every side by price. Like so, I'm going to talk about Victoria a little later.

New Year's Day in.

New Year's Day in.

Victoria's brought a whole lot more taxes and increased prices. It's just unbelievable. I get to that a little later, but Freyeron Patrick, thanks for joining me tonight. Happy New Year to both of you. Well, we've now entered an election year, and while it remains to be seen when exactly the poll will take place, it's no secret some of the major issues will be, as we've just said, cost of living as well energy and certainly housing. There's already rumors of a new medi Scare campaign being launched against the Coalition, while Labor will obviously come under fire for its broken promise to deliver a two hundred and seventy five dollars reduction in power bills.

Victoria's brought a whole lot more taxes and increased prices. It's just unbelievable. I get to that a little later, but Freyeron Patrick, thanks for joining me tonight. Happy New Year to both of you. Well, we've now entered an election year, and while it remains to be seen when exactly the poll will take place, it's no secret some of the major issues will be, as we've just said, cost of living as well energy and certainly housing. There's already rumors of a new medi Scare campaign being launched against the Coalition, while Labor will obviously come under fire for its broken promise to deliver a two hundred and seventy five dollars reduction in power bills.

By this year. We're meant to have that.

By this year. We're meant to have that.

Joining me now to discuss all of this and how it might play out is One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby. James, Happy New year and thanks for joining me. Twenty twenty five is set to be a pretty important year for our country, going to the polls at some point before May. What do you think the big issues of this campaign are likely to be?

Joining me now to discuss all of this and how it might play out is One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby. James, Happy New year and thanks for joining me. Twenty twenty five is set to be a pretty important year for our country, going to the polls at some point before May. What do you think the big issues of this campaign are likely to be?

Well, happy new Year to you, James and all your viewers, and here's to a change of government for twenty twenty five. Let's just put it that way. And if you're out there making New Years resolutions, the best one put Labor in the Greens last.

Well, happy new Year to you, James and all your viewers, and here's to a change of government for twenty twenty five. Let's just put it that way. And if you're out there making New Years resolutions, the best one put Labor in the Greens last.

That's an easy one that everyone can do. Later this year. Look, some of the biggest challenges.

That's an easy one that everyone can do. Later this year. Look, some of the biggest challenges.

That we'll be facing, the Coalition and other conservative parties like One Nation will simply be building the trust in voters because they have been severely let down over the last three years by this Labor government. They made a whole lot of promises before coming into power, and unfortunately none of those promises have stacked up. The biggest of those lies that Labor told was the fact they'd reduced power prices across the country by two hundred and.

That we'll be facing, the Coalition and other conservative parties like One Nation will simply be building the trust in voters because they have been severely let down over the last three years by this Labor government. They made a whole lot of promises before coming into power, and unfortunately none of those promises have stacked up. The biggest of those lies that Labor told was the fact they'd reduced power prices across the country by two hundred and.

Seventy five dollars each year.

Seventy five dollars each year.

Well, we know that that is not the case, and we also know that new figures have come out in just last month in fact November it was that suggests that Australians are on the hook for six hundred and forty two billion dollars to reach out renewable targets over the next twenty five years, and that comes at a cost to every household of two and a half thousand dollars a year. I don't know about you, but I cannot afford a two and a half thousand dollars increase to my power prices every single year for the next twenty five years.

Well, we know that that is not the case, and we also know that new figures have come out in just last month in fact November it was that suggests that Australians are on the hook for six hundred and forty two billion dollars to reach out renewable targets over the next twenty five years, and that comes at a cost to every household of two and a half thousand dollars a year. I don't know about you, but I cannot afford a two and a half thousand dollars increase to my power prices every single year for the next twenty five years.

That's just the stark reality.

That's just the stark reality.

Of a labor and unfortunately the Coalition have forced us into keeping in mind it was coalition that signed us up to net zero. So government, whoever it may be, they're in for a challenging time. Cost of living is going to be massive. It's the biggest driving issue on people's minds. Getting a house, Securing a house, Securing the right interest rate when you go to the bank is another big issue that's playing on people's minds. And none of these things are going to ease up over the next few months between now and that next election.

Of a labor and unfortunately the Coalition have forced us into keeping in mind it was coalition that signed us up to net zero. So government, whoever it may be, they're in for a challenging time. Cost of living is going to be massive. It's the biggest driving issue on people's minds. Getting a house, Securing a house, Securing the right interest rate when you go to the bank is another big issue that's playing on people's minds. And none of these things are going to ease up over the next few months between now and that next election.

You know that old political adage it's the economy stupid, I think is certainly going to ring true over the next number of months. And there's a whole lot of other issues as well. I mean, social cohesion is a big thing, the mess that this government's made of our foreign policy and so on. But at the end of the day, people have got to be able to buy groceries, they've got to be able to fight immigration, but you've got to find somewhere to live. Those issues I think are really going to be the key ones that will decide the way people vote. I want to talk to you about a major native title battle underway in Queensland. The state government has confirmed it will continue to fight a claim by the Woop of Borough people for exclusive use of Great Keppel Ireland. A number of our viewers have probably holidayed there over the years.

You know that old political adage it's the economy stupid, I think is certainly going to ring true over the next number of months. And there's a whole lot of other issues as well. I mean, social cohesion is a big thing, the mess that this government's made of our foreign policy and so on. But at the end of the day, people have got to be able to buy groceries, they've got to be able to fight immigration, but you've got to find somewhere to live. Those issues I think are really going to be the key ones that will decide the way people vote. I want to talk to you about a major native title battle underway in Queensland. The state government has confirmed it will continue to fight a claim by the Woop of Borough people for exclusive use of Great Keppel Ireland. A number of our viewers have probably holidayed there over the years.

Well.

Well.

The Whoop of Borough traditional owners were already given exclusive use over parts of the island back in twenty twenty one, but they've now been given rights to the former resort and the airstrip area, which had been separate from the agreement because they were remarked for earmark for redevelopment. Now, if negotiations between the Queensland Government and the traditional owners break down, the whole thing's going to end up in court. Which it seems to me like then Queensland has just paid twice. Not only is land that was once available to all being sectioned off for indigenous groups, but then taxpayers have to pay legal fees as well. How concerned are you about this claim and the way that it might play out over the course of the next twelve months.

The Whoop of Borough traditional owners were already given exclusive use over parts of the island back in twenty twenty one, but they've now been given rights to the former resort and the airstrip area, which had been separate from the agreement because they were remarked for earmark for redevelopment. Now, if negotiations between the Queensland Government and the traditional owners break down, the whole thing's going to end up in court. Which it seems to me like then Queensland has just paid twice. Not only is land that was once available to all being sectioned off for indigenous groups, but then taxpayers have to pay legal fees as well. How concerned are you about this claim and the way that it might play out over the course of the next twelve months.

James I raised this issue during the state election. That's how the public locally here found out. It's part of my hometown here. It's nineteen kilometers off the coast here of Rupoun and Great Kepel Island makes up about twenty five percent of the money that is brought in to our region here, so it's a significant part of our makeup our fabric as a region, and certainly from a tourism point of.

James I raised this issue during the state election. That's how the public locally here found out. It's part of my hometown here. It's nineteen kilometers off the coast here of Rupoun and Great Kepel Island makes up about twenty five percent of the money that is brought in to our region here, so it's a significant part of our makeup our fabric as a region, and certainly from a tourism point of.

View, I use it regularly.

View, I use it regularly.

I got my jet ski and I head over there with friends and family on boats regularly. The issue here is that the native title on Great Kepel Island is at fourteen percent as it sits. There's been a fresh native title claim here for a further seventy percent. That will take the total of eighty four percent on Great Kepel Island. And the most concerning part is it's where the as you've rightfully poured out. We've got a great little runway there. It's a sealed runway for small aircraft. We've had the previous resort there as well, which has been shut down for some years now. But not only has native title been divinguished on this portion that they're trying to make a claim on for a second time, because let's not forget the state government at the time when those leases were extended for ninety nine years to Tewer holdings determined at that point there was no native title. It's been through the federal courts a second time where they determined only fourteen percent of the island was deserving of giving native title to Now a fresh application for exclusive use, that is to the exclusion everyone who's non indigenous. I've referred to seventy percent, James, it'll ruin this area.

I got my jet ski and I head over there with friends and family on boats regularly. The issue here is that the native title on Great Kepel Island is at fourteen percent as it sits. There's been a fresh native title claim here for a further seventy percent. That will take the total of eighty four percent on Great Kepel Island. And the most concerning part is it's where the as you've rightfully poured out. We've got a great little runway there. It's a sealed runway for small aircraft. We've had the previous resort there as well, which has been shut down for some years now. But not only has native title been divinguished on this portion that they're trying to make a claim on for a second time, because let's not forget the state government at the time when those leases were extended for ninety nine years to Tewer holdings determined at that point there was no native title. It's been through the federal courts a second time where they determined only fourteen percent of the island was deserving of giving native title to Now a fresh application for exclusive use, that is to the exclusion everyone who's non indigenous. I've referred to seventy percent, James, it'll ruin this area.

People have had a gutfull.

People have had a gutfull.

I think what's important here is the fact that the LNP have finally spoken out and said they will fight this. But I would as the government here in Queensland, be calling on the federal government to expedite this one because the determination has been made once before. We've got thirty million dollars in a pot sitting here in council at the moment, I don't want to see that money spent if we're only going to hand it over to an indigenous mob for their exclusive use.

I think what's important here is the fact that the LNP have finally spoken out and said they will fight this. But I would as the government here in Queensland, be calling on the federal government to expedite this one because the determination has been made once before. We've got thirty million dollars in a pot sitting here in council at the moment, I don't want to see that money spent if we're only going to hand it over to an indigenous mob for their exclusive use.

So I think it needs.

So I think it needs.

To be expedited through the courts and give people here locally some breathing space to know that they can continue holidaying and using that island like I do on a regular basis.

To be expedited through the courts and give people here locally some breathing space to know that they can continue holidaying and using that island like I do on a regular basis.

It's certainly an issue we're going to keep an eye on over the course of the next number of months. James Ashby, Happy New Year and thanks for joining me tonight. We'll stick around because after the break reports Israel's preparing for war against the Iranian backed Hooti rebels, plus viewers slam the ABC's New Year's Eve coverage for its woke messaging all of that in just a moment.

It's certainly an issue we're going to keep an eye on over the course of the next number of months. James Ashby, Happy New Year and thanks for joining me tonight. We'll stick around because after the break reports Israel's preparing for war against the Iranian backed Hooti rebels, plus viewers slam the ABC's New Year's Eve coverage for its woke messaging all of that in just a moment.

Welcome back.

Welcome back.

Well, let's turn our attention to the Middle East, where Israel is reportedly preparing for war with the Uranian backed Hooti rebels. This comes after weeks of attacks from the yemen rebels and after Israel delivered a stern warning in the United Nations that they wouldn't tolerate any more rocket attacks, and to be honest, why should they, An Israeli security source told London Times quote, we're going fully in joining me now to discuss this and more is Skyni's contributed Kosher Gata Kosher Israel. Having gotten into the conflict with Hamas, they've pretty much destroyed Hamas, They've pretty much rendered Hesbala ineffective. We've seen a sad runoff from Syria or a regime change there.

Well, let's turn our attention to the Middle East, where Israel is reportedly preparing for war with the Uranian backed Hooti rebels. This comes after weeks of attacks from the yemen rebels and after Israel delivered a stern warning in the United Nations that they wouldn't tolerate any more rocket attacks, and to be honest, why should they, An Israeli security source told London Times quote, we're going fully in joining me now to discuss this and more is Skyni's contributed Kosher Gata Kosher Israel. Having gotten into the conflict with Hamas, they've pretty much destroyed Hamas, They've pretty much rendered Hesbala ineffective. We've seen a sad runoff from Syria or a regime change there.

They're on a bit of a role.

They're on a bit of a role.

They might as well keep going and deal with all their enemies now rather than have these things drag on.

They might as well keep going and deal with all their enemies now rather than have these things drag on.

Don't you think.

Don't you think.

That is definitely the perspective they're taking. And they're obviously out there defending their sovereignty and their security, which by and large most people support. I think where the situation gets a bit trickier Murcia is does it end with these terrorist groups or these rebel groups, or does Hesbula lead into something with Iran, which is obviously a bigger conflict. Is a US getting dragged in militarily because that is a position that is not popular back home domestically in terms of how much involvement should extend beyond diplomatic or financial support of Israel and to militarily. And then obviously we've got new leadership coming in into the US. And while Trump is definitely very pro Israel and pro them going out and defeating these rebel groups, he's also balancing that with generally being very non interventionalist in nature and not wanting US involvement. So lots of dynamics in place in that flashpoint with October seventh, But they certainly are on a rule and militarily it would make sense from their perspective that they continue this and at least try to take out these rebel groups.

That is definitely the perspective they're taking. And they're obviously out there defending their sovereignty and their security, which by and large most people support. I think where the situation gets a bit trickier Murcia is does it end with these terrorist groups or these rebel groups, or does Hesbula lead into something with Iran, which is obviously a bigger conflict. Is a US getting dragged in militarily because that is a position that is not popular back home domestically in terms of how much involvement should extend beyond diplomatic or financial support of Israel and to militarily. And then obviously we've got new leadership coming in into the US. And while Trump is definitely very pro Israel and pro them going out and defeating these rebel groups, he's also balancing that with generally being very non interventionalist in nature and not wanting US involvement. So lots of dynamics in place in that flashpoint with October seventh, But they certainly are on a rule and militarily it would make sense from their perspective that they continue this and at least try to take out these rebel groups.

The other part of this Kosha is that, I mean, I'm very much of the opinion why should Israel have their civilians continually bombarded with rockets? No country should tolerate that. But the Hutis are not only a threat to Israel. They've continually disrupted international shipping, So the economy of the world is being affected. Shouldn't the international community back Israel in dealing with these terrorists? So, as I said, I'm not only threatening Israel, they're threatening international trade.

The other part of this Kosha is that, I mean, I'm very much of the opinion why should Israel have their civilians continually bombarded with rockets? No country should tolerate that. But the Hutis are not only a threat to Israel. They've continually disrupted international shipping, So the economy of the world is being affected. Shouldn't the international community back Israel in dealing with these terrorists? So, as I said, I'm not only threatening Israel, they're threatening international trade.

Yes, the Red Sea, which they control, is a big sea lane for shipping in global supply chains. And there was something that happened about eighteen months ago when they sort of rose up and that got a lot of attention. People could feel it even in the commercial sector, so that's definitely one aspect to it. There are US warships out there that have been harassed or attacked a little bit, which is another reason why the US would want to get in. But you know, with this conflict being as messy and just the world changing as much as it is, you also saw at that time that they were giving special passage to Russian and Chinese ships, for example, So you could see that as well. When we look at the world in this multipolar situation that we're in, there's just different factions and alliances coming together, and not all of them are clean or helpful always. But for sure, I think the supply chain risk aspect of that Red Sea lane that these control is something that makes it a little bit more relevant in other people's national interests.

Yes, the Red Sea, which they control, is a big sea lane for shipping in global supply chains. And there was something that happened about eighteen months ago when they sort of rose up and that got a lot of attention. People could feel it even in the commercial sector, so that's definitely one aspect to it. There are US warships out there that have been harassed or attacked a little bit, which is another reason why the US would want to get in. But you know, with this conflict being as messy and just the world changing as much as it is, you also saw at that time that they were giving special passage to Russian and Chinese ships, for example, So you could see that as well. When we look at the world in this multipolar situation that we're in, there's just different factions and alliances coming together, and not all of them are clean or helpful always. But for sure, I think the supply chain risk aspect of that Red Sea lane that these control is something that makes it a little bit more relevant in other people's national interests.

When you talk about a multipolar world, we've got conflict in the Middle East, and then of course we've got conflict in Europe.

When you talk about a multipolar world, we've got conflict in the Middle East, and then of course we've got conflict in Europe.

I want to get your.

I want to get your.

Thoughts on Ukraine and where the war against Russia is likely to go. Russia's foreign minister has rejected the peace proposal being floated by Trump and his team to end the ongoing conflict. And of course Trump made a big deal about once he gets into office, he's going to end that conflict very quickly. But the Russian Foreign minister said at a news conference quote, we are not happy, of course, with the proposals made by members of the Trump team to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO for twenty years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

Thoughts on Ukraine and where the war against Russia is likely to go. Russia's foreign minister has rejected the peace proposal being floated by Trump and his team to end the ongoing conflict. And of course Trump made a big deal about once he gets into office, he's going to end that conflict very quickly. But the Russian Foreign minister said at a news conference quote, we are not happy, of course, with the proposals made by members of the Trump team to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO for twenty years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

Now. The minister also warned Trump that.

Now. The minister also warned Trump that.

Even if he quote tries to relaunch bilateral ties, he'll have to swim against the stream now, Kosha. Trump's made a big deal of his ability because of his relationship with Zelenski and with Putin in particular, that he can sort this out. Is that looking unlikely now?

Even if he quote tries to relaunch bilateral ties, he'll have to swim against the stream now, Kosha. Trump's made a big deal of his ability because of his relationship with Zelenski and with Putin in particular, that he can sort this out. Is that looking unlikely now?

You know? He certainly did. He famously said on the campaign Triol in twenty four hours, he's going to have this war, and so we'll see. All eyes are watching him. Obviously, there's a difference between rhetoric and what he'll actually be able to do these proposals that have allegedly been floating. I think it's important to note that who knows what they are. They could be trial balloons where they're trying to sort of eke out a position and get some response unofficially, since he isn't actually a president yet, he's actually not even permitted to represent the United States formally in that time, so it's sort of like teeing it up. I think you know the big picture, James, and I think we all have to remember though, is ultimately any p settlement, there's always a way in any negotiation, there's always a position out there, But the question is who's going to have to concede how much? And there has always been strategic asymmetry in this region where it is a vital national interest to Russia much more than it is to the US or the West. That's just a harsh reality of this whole picture. And because of that, I think the terms and Russia's willingness to concede is going to set the or lack of willingness to concede, I should say, it's going to set the tone of what happens, and that's what it's going to come down to. I think of how much pressure the US can put on the Ukrainian side of it to accept certain concessions, and maybe previously under the Biden administration they were not willing to do. I think what most people expect is Trump is going to push in that direction, knowing that Russia really is in the box position here more so than Ukraine.

You know? He certainly did. He famously said on the campaign Triol in twenty four hours, he's going to have this war, and so we'll see. All eyes are watching him. Obviously, there's a difference between rhetoric and what he'll actually be able to do these proposals that have allegedly been floating. I think it's important to note that who knows what they are. They could be trial balloons where they're trying to sort of eke out a position and get some response unofficially, since he isn't actually a president yet, he's actually not even permitted to represent the United States formally in that time, so it's sort of like teeing it up. I think you know the big picture, James, and I think we all have to remember though, is ultimately any p settlement, there's always a way in any negotiation, there's always a position out there, But the question is who's going to have to concede how much? And there has always been strategic asymmetry in this region where it is a vital national interest to Russia much more than it is to the US or the West. That's just a harsh reality of this whole picture. And because of that, I think the terms and Russia's willingness to concede is going to set the or lack of willingness to concede, I should say, it's going to set the tone of what happens, and that's what it's going to come down to. I think of how much pressure the US can put on the Ukrainian side of it to accept certain concessions, and maybe previously under the Biden administration they were not willing to do. I think what most people expect is Trump is going to push in that direction, knowing that Russia really is in the box position here more so than Ukraine.

All right, I've only got one more minute, Koshin, but I did want to quickly ask you about a major security breach incident. Chinese hackers have been accused by the US Treasury of accessing several workstations and unclassified documents after a third party software service provider, call Beyond Trust Love that name had been compromised.

All right, I've only got one more minute, Koshin, but I did want to quickly ask you about a major security breach incident. Chinese hackers have been accused by the US Treasury of accessing several workstations and unclassified documents after a third party software service provider, call Beyond Trust Love that name had been compromised.

It's always a.

It's always a.

Concern when you've got foreign entities compromising places like the Treasury. But this is particularly concerning being China, isn't it.

Concern when you've got foreign entities compromising places like the Treasury. But this is particularly concerning being China, isn't it.

Yes, And they've of course come up with a statement as we were expect, saying it's not them. You know, this is the world that we live in where there are state actors hacking each other all the time. China and others are masters at cyber warfare, if you will. And on the flip side of it, we're also living in a world where we just have larger and larger digital footprints and citizens are either for convenience or even being compelled to upload more and more of their highly sensitive data into these government databases, whether directly or indirectly in this case with the Treasury. And that's just, unfortunately a very tough position that we're in, and it's almost part for the course. So we're always going to expect that there are defenses that are hopefully getting better, but it feels like the defensive side is always behind the eight ball and these hacks just keep coming.

Yes, And they've of course come up with a statement as we were expect, saying it's not them. You know, this is the world that we live in where there are state actors hacking each other all the time. China and others are masters at cyber warfare, if you will. And on the flip side of it, we're also living in a world where we just have larger and larger digital footprints and citizens are either for convenience or even being compelled to upload more and more of their highly sensitive data into these government databases, whether directly or indirectly in this case with the Treasury. And that's just, unfortunately a very tough position that we're in, and it's almost part for the course. So we're always going to expect that there are defenses that are hopefully getting better, but it feels like the defensive side is always behind the eight ball and these hacks just keep coming.

Yeah, these hacks are almost every other day lately, so we'll keep an eye on that. Kosher Garda, thanks for joining me, Happy New Year, and look forward to chatting to you more in twenty twenty five after the break. The ABC is accused of politicizing the New Year's Eve fireworks. Plus you're not going to believe what's already on the shelves at Woolies and Coals on the first day of the year.

Yeah, these hacks are almost every other day lately, so we'll keep an eye on that. Kosher Garda, thanks for joining me, Happy New Year, and look forward to chatting to you more in twenty twenty five after the break. The ABC is accused of politicizing the New Year's Eve fireworks. Plus you're not going to believe what's already on the shelves at Woolies and Coals on the first day of the year.

We'll show you that in just a moment. Welcome back.

We'll show you that in just a moment. Welcome back.

The ABC has been for its coverage of the nine PM New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney, with a lot of Australians taking issue with what they called the woke during the event. The theme of the first fireworks display was Calling Country, said to be a celebration of land, sea and sky, created by indigenous artists. The National Broadcaster also included, of course, a welcome to Country at the beginning of the program. Joining me now as Director of Research at the Institute of Public Affairs, Morgan Beg Morgan, the nine pm fireworks.

The ABC has been for its coverage of the nine PM New Year's Eve fireworks in Sydney, with a lot of Australians taking issue with what they called the woke during the event. The theme of the first fireworks display was Calling Country, said to be a celebration of land, sea and sky, created by indigenous artists. The National Broadcaster also included, of course, a welcome to Country at the beginning of the program. Joining me now as Director of Research at the Institute of Public Affairs, Morgan Beg Morgan, the nine pm fireworks.

Is meant to be for kids and families.

Is meant to be for kids and families.

Really did they have to have political messages during all of that? And might I add at seven point thirty they had a smoking ceremony as well.

Really did they have to have political messages during all of that? And might I add at seven point thirty they had a smoking ceremony as well.

Of course, is all of this stuff necessary just to see in the new year? Let's just have.

Of course, is all of this stuff necessary just to see in the new year? Let's just have.

Fireworks exactly right?

Fireworks exactly right?

I mean?

I mean?

And New Year's Eve. It's a very simple idea. You know, people are in a mood of celebration. They're coming together to say farewell to one year and welcome you the next. It's actually quite a unifying kind of occasion. But of course the ABC would not let an opportunity go to waste to proselytize their own ideology. And it's exactly this sort of thing that's killing the ABC. In isolation, we wouldn't be talking about this but every day on ABC TV, ABC Radio and on their online applications. They're doing this sort of thing and people and the results are obvious. You know, people are no longer tuning into the ABC. People no longer feel that the ABC represents their values. And that's the point. The ABC doesn't seek to represent the community. They seek to lecture the community. The IPA research found in the twenty twenty four financial year that the ABC had spent upwards of twenty one million dollars just on audience research and promotions, trying to find an audience to which it could spread its message. But they forgot one very basic thing, which is that you may be able to force Australians to pay for the ABC, but you can't force people to watch it. And that's why the ABC's relevance is in free fall.

And New Year's Eve. It's a very simple idea. You know, people are in a mood of celebration. They're coming together to say farewell to one year and welcome you the next. It's actually quite a unifying kind of occasion. But of course the ABC would not let an opportunity go to waste to proselytize their own ideology. And it's exactly this sort of thing that's killing the ABC. In isolation, we wouldn't be talking about this but every day on ABC TV, ABC Radio and on their online applications. They're doing this sort of thing and people and the results are obvious. You know, people are no longer tuning into the ABC. People no longer feel that the ABC represents their values. And that's the point. The ABC doesn't seek to represent the community. They seek to lecture the community. The IPA research found in the twenty twenty four financial year that the ABC had spent upwards of twenty one million dollars just on audience research and promotions, trying to find an audience to which it could spread its message. But they forgot one very basic thing, which is that you may be able to force Australians to pay for the ABC, but you can't force people to watch it. And that's why the ABC's relevance is in free fall.

Here.

Here.

And of course, the fewer viewers and listeners they have, the more money they demand from taxpayers, as if just continuing to throw money at things will change our viewing habits. I don't know why they need to spend that much money to work out what we want to watch. We just want to watch entertainment without having political messaging shoved down our throats. I want to get your thoughts staying on this theme on an interesting column from American AUTHORO Lionel Shreiver in which she argues that there are growing signs now across the West that universities and businesses are finally seeing through this woke agenda and a piece for The Times, Miss Shtreiver writes that quote across the non left media world, it's now an article of faith that Donald Trump's symphatic victory is a woke watershed. I've heard a lot of my friends say this as well. Do you agree with her analysis? Does the election of Donald Trump represent a turning point? We've reached peak woke and now we're going to start to get back to some normality.

And of course, the fewer viewers and listeners they have, the more money they demand from taxpayers, as if just continuing to throw money at things will change our viewing habits. I don't know why they need to spend that much money to work out what we want to watch. We just want to watch entertainment without having political messaging shoved down our throats. I want to get your thoughts staying on this theme on an interesting column from American AUTHORO Lionel Shreiver in which she argues that there are growing signs now across the West that universities and businesses are finally seeing through this woke agenda and a piece for The Times, Miss Shtreiver writes that quote across the non left media world, it's now an article of faith that Donald Trump's symphatic victory is a woke watershed. I've heard a lot of my friends say this as well. Do you agree with her analysis? Does the election of Donald Trump represent a turning point? We've reached peak woke and now we're going to start to get back to some normality.

I suppose.

I suppose.

I think it could be correct. There's no doubt that in the American election that the Democratic Party represented the politics of woke, the identity politics, the critical race theory, the gender theories, and that Donald Trump's victory was in a sense of referendum on those ideas.

I think it could be correct. There's no doubt that in the American election that the Democratic Party represented the politics of woke, the identity politics, the critical race theory, the gender theories, and that Donald Trump's victory was in a sense of referendum on those ideas.

But it's not just.

But it's not just.

An American story.

An American story.

You know.

You know.

What happens in America is so often flows through to the rest of the Western world, and that's especially the case in Australia. I think the question for us in Australia is twenty twenty five year one of the post woke era, and one thing that we should always be cautious of is beginning to celebrate when there's still lap left in the race. You know, Australia had its woke watershed as well. In October of twenty twenty three. The Voice referendum asked Australians whether they were to support a change to the Constitution in which separate legal and political rights would be assigned to Australians based on their race, and it was defeated in a landslide. It was conclusive proof that the politics of division were actually a minority position in this country. The problem is the same people that wield economic, political and cultural power in this country that endorsed the Voice are still wielding that power now, and they're still committed to making those changes. We will only secure this advance, this opportunity to move past woke if people become active, and they become involved, and they demand from their leaders or become leaders themselves that demand an end to the politics of division.

What happens in America is so often flows through to the rest of the Western world, and that's especially the case in Australia. I think the question for us in Australia is twenty twenty five year one of the post woke era, and one thing that we should always be cautious of is beginning to celebrate when there's still lap left in the race. You know, Australia had its woke watershed as well. In October of twenty twenty three. The Voice referendum asked Australians whether they were to support a change to the Constitution in which separate legal and political rights would be assigned to Australians based on their race, and it was defeated in a landslide. It was conclusive proof that the politics of division were actually a minority position in this country. The problem is the same people that wield economic, political and cultural power in this country that endorsed the Voice are still wielding that power now, and they're still committed to making those changes. We will only secure this advance, this opportunity to move past woke if people become active, and they become involved, and they demand from their leaders or become leaders themselves that demand an end to the politics of division.

Yeah, you're right.

Yeah, you're right.

And Lionel Schreriver makes this point in her column that even though the genuine populace might be turning against woke. Many of those in positions of power have a vested interest in keeping it going because of financial gain and their own positions. So it's only when people start to really speak against it and continually that those things change, and when people of course take up those positions of power and bring back a sense of normality. It's going to be interesting to see what the election of Donald Trump means for America and how that flows through to Australia. I know Peter Dutton with his decision to only stand in front of the Australian flag, clearly he's read some of the signs, as you said, from the referendum. It'd be interesting to see where Australia goes the next twelve months in that regard. I appreciate you joining me tonight. Happy New Year, and all the best to you and your loved ones.

And Lionel Schreriver makes this point in her column that even though the genuine populace might be turning against woke. Many of those in positions of power have a vested interest in keeping it going because of financial gain and their own positions. So it's only when people start to really speak against it and continually that those things change, and when people of course take up those positions of power and bring back a sense of normality. It's going to be interesting to see what the election of Donald Trump means for America and how that flows through to Australia. I know Peter Dutton with his decision to only stand in front of the Australian flag, clearly he's read some of the signs, as you said, from the referendum. It'd be interesting to see where Australia goes the next twelve months in that regard. I appreciate you joining me tonight. Happy New Year, and all the best to you and your loved ones.

For twenty twenty five.

For twenty twenty five.

We're going to go thanks so much. We're going to go to a break. When we come back. Victorians set to face more in the new year, with fresh price pikes, plus will robots and artificial intelligence put our jobs at risk.

We're going to go thanks so much. We're going to go to a break. When we come back. Victorians set to face more in the new year, with fresh price pikes, plus will robots and artificial intelligence put our jobs at risk.

My panel will deal with all of that in just a moment.

My panel will deal with all of that in just a moment.

Well, welcome back and happy new year, although maybe not so much in Victoria, where long suffering taxpayers will be forced to suffer even more after the state government increased prices for tolls in a city parking and then they added the seven point five percent holiday home tax that takes effect from today. To discuss all of this, let's bring in today's panel, Mark Nicholson from step Mate Studios and The Daily Telegraph's Tim Blair. Market's not a very happy start to new year for Victorians and it's getting hit from every side.