Peter Kredland live on Sky News Australia.

Peter Kredland live on Sky News Australia.

Well, good evening, I'm James Macpherson filling in for Peter Kredlin. Coming up tonight, Former US President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of one hundred. Will assess his impact on the world stage. Plus the plan to fix the ADF's personnel shortage by recruiting foreign citizens kicks off this week, But is it a good move? And another major wind farm project is scrapped, this time off the coast of South Australia. When will this government wake up? But first, hostages. There are still ninety six Israelis being held captive in Gaza, men and women and children snatched from their homes by terrorists four hundred and fifty days ago. I'm trying to imagine the absolute outrage I would feel if one of my family members was taken hostage, that alone, still being held hostage fourteen months later, as the world dithers if it was my mother or my sister still held captive in Gaza while world leaders are pined on which particular rescue efforts they felt most comfortable with. Well, I can't imagine the fury I would feel and all of this as the world prepares to wish each other a happy New Year, imagine Hamas terrorists holding your loved ones hostage. While Western politicians, including here in Australia, tutted the rescuers from being two well vigorous in their efforts to free them, a report to be submitted to the United Nations this week says the hostages so far released had been subjected to physical and sexual abuse during their captivity, that includes the children. The report from the Israeli Health Ministry, based on testimonies from released hostages, details incidents of Jews being burned, beaten, sexually assaulted at gunpoint, and deliberately starved by their Hamas captors. Jewish women described being tied to beds while their captors stared at them. Wish teenagers reported being forced to perform sexual acts on each other a threat of being shot by their tormentors. The latest report from the Health Ministry also said that male captives and I quote endured severe physical abuse, including continuous starvation, beatings, burns with galvanized iron, and being denied access to the bathroom which forced them to defecate on themselves, and in all likelihood that's only half the story. Many of the released hostages are too afraid to speak about what transpired for fear it will only provoke worse for those still captive. It beggars belief that our own foreign Minister, who now seems completely foreign, at least to me, speaks far more about how the Israeli Defense Force has offended her sensibilities than about what Hermas has done and continues to do to innocence. It boggles my mind that our own prime minister seems far more interested in shoring up Muslim votes that he does standing for basic freedoms. Erebus Elbow hasn't even visited Israel since October seven. Penny Wong visited, but wasn't bother to travel the forty five minutes from the comforts for a hotel in Jerusalem to the site of the Hamas attacks, and virtually none of our government ministers have taken up the opportunity to view footage of what actually went down on October seven. Talk about a collective case of looking the other way. I was thinking about all of this when I read in horror, as many of you would have, last week, about a woman set on fire in the New York subway.

Well, good evening, I'm James Macpherson filling in for Peter Kredlin. Coming up tonight, Former US President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of one hundred. Will assess his impact on the world stage. Plus the plan to fix the ADF's personnel shortage by recruiting foreign citizens kicks off this week, But is it a good move? And another major wind farm project is scrapped, this time off the coast of South Australia. When will this government wake up? But first, hostages. There are still ninety six Israelis being held captive in Gaza, men and women and children snatched from their homes by terrorists four hundred and fifty days ago. I'm trying to imagine the absolute outrage I would feel if one of my family members was taken hostage, that alone, still being held hostage fourteen months later, as the world dithers if it was my mother or my sister still held captive in Gaza while world leaders are pined on which particular rescue efforts they felt most comfortable with. Well, I can't imagine the fury I would feel and all of this as the world prepares to wish each other a happy New Year, imagine Hamas terrorists holding your loved ones hostage. While Western politicians, including here in Australia, tutted the rescuers from being two well vigorous in their efforts to free them, a report to be submitted to the United Nations this week says the hostages so far released had been subjected to physical and sexual abuse during their captivity, that includes the children. The report from the Israeli Health Ministry, based on testimonies from released hostages, details incidents of Jews being burned, beaten, sexually assaulted at gunpoint, and deliberately starved by their Hamas captors. Jewish women described being tied to beds while their captors stared at them. Wish teenagers reported being forced to perform sexual acts on each other a threat of being shot by their tormentors. The latest report from the Health Ministry also said that male captives and I quote endured severe physical abuse, including continuous starvation, beatings, burns with galvanized iron, and being denied access to the bathroom which forced them to defecate on themselves, and in all likelihood that's only half the story. Many of the released hostages are too afraid to speak about what transpired for fear it will only provoke worse for those still captive. It beggars belief that our own foreign Minister, who now seems completely foreign, at least to me, speaks far more about how the Israeli Defense Force has offended her sensibilities than about what Hermas has done and continues to do to innocence. It boggles my mind that our own prime minister seems far more interested in shoring up Muslim votes that he does standing for basic freedoms. Erebus Elbow hasn't even visited Israel since October seven. Penny Wong visited, but wasn't bother to travel the forty five minutes from the comforts for a hotel in Jerusalem to the site of the Hamas attacks, and virtually none of our government ministers have taken up the opportunity to view footage of what actually went down on October seven. Talk about a collective case of looking the other way. I was thinking about all of this when I read in horror, as many of you would have, last week, about a woman set on fire in the New York subway.

More horrific than the.

More horrific than the.

Crime was the response, or should I say, the lack thereof a woman asleep on a train set on fire by a madman, and fellow passengers stood idly while she burned. A New York cop was seen to nonchalantly walk past the burning woman, even as flames engulfed her.

Crime was the response, or should I say, the lack thereof a woman asleep on a train set on fire by a madman, and fellow passengers stood idly while she burned. A New York cop was seen to nonchalantly walk past the burning woman, even as flames engulfed her.

But here's the crazy part.

But here's the crazy part.

At one point, the murderous madman was actually standing they're fanning the flames as everybody else just watched on. It wasn't just that people watched her burn. People stood back as the madman made sure she burned. Every decent person was left asking how on earth could this happen? How could the world be so heartless, so cruel, so unmoved, so blase in the face of evil, so unwilling to help a fellow human being. Well, time's that horrific event by a factor of ninety six. As I said, there are right now ninety six of our fellow human beings held captive by madmen in Gaza as the world watches on, as the United Nations about as helpful as that disinterested New York cop nonchalantly stroll by. What about this our government has plenty of pity for convicted heroin smugglers twenty.

At one point, the murderous madman was actually standing they're fanning the flames as everybody else just watched on. It wasn't just that people watched her burn. People stood back as the madman made sure she burned. Every decent person was left asking how on earth could this happen? How could the world be so heartless, so cruel, so unmoved, so blase in the face of evil, so unwilling to help a fellow human being. Well, time's that horrific event by a factor of ninety six. As I said, there are right now ninety six of our fellow human beings held captive by madmen in Gaza as the world watches on, as the United Nations about as helpful as that disinterested New York cop nonchalantly stroll by. What about this our government has plenty of pity for convicted heroin smugglers twenty.

Years in prison.

Years in prison.

That's long enough for the Bali nine, our government said, which begs the question how long is long enough for innocent used to be held hostage by terrorists? At what point does our government say enough? After four hundred and fifty one days? Is that when Albanese in one finally takes a stand Maybe after the election, did any of us imagine we'd still be talking about the need to free the Jews four hundred and fifty days after they were taken hostage. I suspect the government would like us to just stop talking about them, But if we did, we'd be no better than those who watched that poor woman burn on the subway before getting on with our shopping. You and I are a lot better than that, surely. I just wish our government was.

That's long enough for the Bali nine, our government said, which begs the question how long is long enough for innocent used to be held hostage by terrorists? At what point does our government say enough? After four hundred and fifty one days? Is that when Albanese in one finally takes a stand Maybe after the election, did any of us imagine we'd still be talking about the need to free the Jews four hundred and fifty days after they were taken hostage. I suspect the government would like us to just stop talking about them, But if we did, we'd be no better than those who watched that poor woman burn on the subway before getting on with our shopping. You and I are a lot better than that, surely. I just wish our government was.

Well.

Well.

Anthony Albanese says.

Anthony Albanese says.

Disasters have become more intense and more frequent in Australia during his time as Prime Minister. That's no surprise he leads a disaster prone government. Oh hang on a second, he meant natural disasters have become more frequent as opposed to Bow and Joe Chalmers Wong and Plibasek induced disasters, which seem to occur now on an almost daily basis. The PM was flying over the Grampians someday to inspect fires that have burned through seventy six thousand hectares of Victorian National Park. Albanesi toll journalists.

Disasters have become more intense and more frequent in Australia during his time as Prime Minister. That's no surprise he leads a disaster prone government. Oh hang on a second, he meant natural disasters have become more frequent as opposed to Bow and Joe Chalmers Wong and Plibasek induced disasters, which seem to occur now on an almost daily basis. The PM was flying over the Grampians someday to inspect fires that have burned through seventy six thousand hectares of Victorian National Park. Albanesi toll journalists.

We live in a country which has harsh conditions.

We live in a country which has harsh conditions.

Well, that's true.

Well, that's true.

Housing is unaffordable, electricity is unreliable, and hospital beds are regularly unavailable. Harsh conditions. Indeed, Prime Minister, well, hang on a second, you mean we live in a country that has naturally harsh conditions as opposed to those created by the Labor government. Well, sure, Australia has always been a harsh land. Dorothy mckella said so in her famous poem My Country back in nineteen o eight. But as the Albenzi went on and added.

Housing is unaffordable, electricity is unreliable, and hospital beds are regularly unavailable. Harsh conditions. Indeed, Prime Minister, well, hang on a second, you mean we live in a country that has naturally harsh conditions as opposed to those created by the Labor government. Well, sure, Australia has always been a harsh land. Dorothy mckella said so in her famous poem My Country back in nineteen o eight. But as the Albenzi went on and added.

This, it's always had fires, that's always had these extreme weather events. But the truth is they're becoming more frequent and more intent and that has been something that I've been Prime Minister for two and a half years, and I have been to natural disasters and extreme weather events in every single state and territory of the country.

This, it's always had fires, that's always had these extreme weather events. But the truth is they're becoming more frequent and more intent and that has been something that I've been Prime Minister for two and a half years, and I have been to natural disasters and extreme weather events in every single state and territory of the country.

Well, if extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense since Anthony Abenezi has become PM, all the more reason to vote him out office. But I think what the PM meant to say was that he is more aware of natural disasters since becoming PM, having criticized Scott Morrison for missing a fire elbow, now needs to attend them all.

Well, if extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense since Anthony Abenezi has become PM, all the more reason to vote him out office. But I think what the PM meant to say was that he is more aware of natural disasters since becoming PM, having criticized Scott Morrison for missing a fire elbow, now needs to attend them all.

But let's imagine the PM is right.

But let's imagine the PM is right.

You know that human activity is having such a dramatic effect on the climate. Natural disasters have noticeably increased even in just the past two years. But why is he not using his much vaunted relationship with Jijinping to say, hey, quit the fossil fuels already, you're setting our continent on fire. After all, If Pacific Island leaders reckon our ingery use is seeking thinking their islands, why aren't we calling out China's energy use for setting fire to ours. The Chinese can, of course, relax. There's no way our government would risk losing a couple of borrowed panda bears in Adelaide due to finger pointing over climate change, or reckless behavior toward our armed forces, for that matter. But besides all of that, the PM's claim is utter rubbish. Exploring Australia's East coast in seventeen seventy, long before internal combustion engines, Captain James Cook described the Landers and I quote a continent of smoke, and noted that we saw smoke by day or fires by night wherever we came. This week's fire and the Grampians is significant, to be sure, though nowhere near as bad as previous fires dating back to the eighteen hundreds. The Forest Fire Management Victoria website lists major fires occurring in the state in twenty nineteen, twenty fifteen, twenty thirteen, two thousand and nine, two thousand and six, two thousand and five to two thousand and three, two thousand and two.

You know that human activity is having such a dramatic effect on the climate. Natural disasters have noticeably increased even in just the past two years. But why is he not using his much vaunted relationship with Jijinping to say, hey, quit the fossil fuels already, you're setting our continent on fire. After all, If Pacific Island leaders reckon our ingery use is seeking thinking their islands, why aren't we calling out China's energy use for setting fire to ours. The Chinese can, of course, relax. There's no way our government would risk losing a couple of borrowed panda bears in Adelaide due to finger pointing over climate change, or reckless behavior toward our armed forces, for that matter. But besides all of that, the PM's claim is utter rubbish. Exploring Australia's East coast in seventeen seventy, long before internal combustion engines, Captain James Cook described the Landers and I quote a continent of smoke, and noted that we saw smoke by day or fires by night wherever we came. This week's fire and the Grampians is significant, to be sure, though nowhere near as bad as previous fires dating back to the eighteen hundreds. The Forest Fire Management Victoria website lists major fires occurring in the state in twenty nineteen, twenty fifteen, twenty thirteen, two thousand and nine, two thousand and six, two thousand and five to two thousand and three, two thousand and two.

Do you want me to keep going?

Do you want me to keep going?

Nineteen ninety eight, ninety seven, eighty five, eighty three, eighty seventy seven, seventy two, sixty nine, sixty five, sixty two, nineteen fifty two, nineteen forty four, forty three, forty two, thirty eight, thirty two, and nineteen twenty six. And that's before we talk about Red Tuesday on February first, eighteen ninety eight, when fires burned two hundred and sixty thousand hectares killing twelve people, destroying two thousand buildings, or worse, what about Black Thursday In February eighteen fifty one, fires covered a quarter of what is now Victoria about five million hectares, killing twelve people along with a million sheep plus thousands of cattle. Natural disasters such as that in the Grampians this week have not become more frequent or intense since Anthony Albanesi became Prime minister. He's not that important. The statistics don't lie Albanezi. However, now it can be a little elastic two hundred and seventy five dollars powerable reduction. To be clear, I'm not saying this year's fire and the Grampians is nothing to be concerned about. I'm just pointing out that the Victorian government's own records show this fire is not particularly unique nor historically intense. Nevertheless, a forest catches fire, as forests in Victoria have done for centuries, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanesi while he is on the scene, no one had to coax him to be there.

Nineteen ninety eight, ninety seven, eighty five, eighty three, eighty seventy seven, seventy two, sixty nine, sixty five, sixty two, nineteen fifty two, nineteen forty four, forty three, forty two, thirty eight, thirty two, and nineteen twenty six. And that's before we talk about Red Tuesday on February first, eighteen ninety eight, when fires burned two hundred and sixty thousand hectares killing twelve people, destroying two thousand buildings, or worse, what about Black Thursday In February eighteen fifty one, fires covered a quarter of what is now Victoria about five million hectares, killing twelve people along with a million sheep plus thousands of cattle. Natural disasters such as that in the Grampians this week have not become more frequent or intense since Anthony Albanesi became Prime minister. He's not that important. The statistics don't lie Albanezi. However, now it can be a little elastic two hundred and seventy five dollars powerable reduction. To be clear, I'm not saying this year's fire and the Grampians is nothing to be concerned about. I'm just pointing out that the Victorian government's own records show this fire is not particularly unique nor historically intense. Nevertheless, a forest catches fire, as forests in Victoria have done for centuries, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanesi while he is on the scene, no one had to coax him to be there.

But you know, there was another fire.

But you know, there was another fire.

In Victoria just recently at a Jewish synagogue, and Prime Minister Anthony Albaneze he waited five days before having to be shamed into showing up at that one. It seems to me like the National Park fire helps Albanezi. It serves as a welcome distraction from his government's ineptitude, and it assists in ramping up fear over climate change, a necessary ingredient for support of his renewables. Push the synagogue fire, though, will that only serve to highlight his government's ineptitude when it comes to maintaining social cohesion. Now the irony here should be playing to see the PM has little ability to stop fires such as the one in the Victorian high Country. As Elbanezi himself said, it's a harsh country. Bushfires happen, but synagogue fires, well, that's an entirely new phenomenon that has become more common under his watch. Indeed, Australia has always been a safe country for Jews, and Australia still could be a safe place for Jews if the government was serious about hosing down anti Semitism, and if Penny One would stop inflaming opinion against Israel at the United Nations. But when it comes to anti Semitism, neither Elbow nor Wong nor Burke seem to.

In Victoria just recently at a Jewish synagogue, and Prime Minister Anthony Albaneze he waited five days before having to be shamed into showing up at that one. It seems to me like the National Park fire helps Albanezi. It serves as a welcome distraction from his government's ineptitude, and it assists in ramping up fear over climate change, a necessary ingredient for support of his renewables. Push the synagogue fire, though, will that only serve to highlight his government's ineptitude when it comes to maintaining social cohesion. Now the irony here should be playing to see the PM has little ability to stop fires such as the one in the Victorian high Country. As Elbanezi himself said, it's a harsh country. Bushfires happen, but synagogue fires, well, that's an entirely new phenomenon that has become more common under his watch. Indeed, Australia has always been a safe country for Jews, and Australia still could be a safe place for Jews if the government was serious about hosing down anti Semitism, and if Penny One would stop inflaming opinion against Israel at the United Nations. But when it comes to anti Semitism, neither Elbow nor Wong nor Burke seem to.

Hold a hose.

Hold a hose.

Exaggerating the Grampians fire serves this government's ideology. Acknowledging the synagogue fire does not. You know, sometimes the Albanese government wants to be the fireman and sometimes the Albanese government wants to be the arsonist. It all depends on which way they think the smoke will blow.

Exaggerating the Grampians fire serves this government's ideology. Acknowledging the synagogue fire does not. You know, sometimes the Albanese government wants to be the fireman and sometimes the Albanese government wants to be the arsonist. It all depends on which way they think the smoke will blow.

Well, joining me now.

Well, joining me now.

To discuss some of the major stories of the day is Nick Cata, senior fellow at the Menzies Research Center. Nick, thanks for joining me in Happy New Year in advance in case I don't get a chance to talk to you a bit later. But let's start in the United States tonight, where former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of one hundred. The former peanut farmer and Democratic leader served as president for one term from nineteen seventy seven before being swept away by Ronald Reagan. He was President Joe Biden. Offering some words of reflection, have a listen.

To discuss some of the major stories of the day is Nick Cata, senior fellow at the Menzies Research Center. Nick, thanks for joining me in Happy New Year in advance in case I don't get a chance to talk to you a bit later. But let's start in the United States tonight, where former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of one hundred. The former peanut farmer and Democratic leader served as president for one term from nineteen seventy seven before being swept away by Ronald Reagan. He was President Joe Biden. Offering some words of reflection, have a listen.

Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds. Just look at his life, his life's work. He worked eradicate disease and who knows this at home, but around the world forwards peace, advanced civil rights, human rights, promoter free and fair elections around the world, not howsing at homeless is and it's compassion and moral clarity that the people up in change lives and saved lives all over the globe.

Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds. Just look at his life, his life's work. He worked eradicate disease and who knows this at home, but around the world forwards peace, advanced civil rights, human rights, promoter free and fair elections around the world, not howsing at homeless is and it's compassion and moral clarity that the people up in change lives and saved lives all over the globe.

Nicklet to start by asking you what do you think President Carter will primarily be remembered for.

Nicklet to start by asking you what do you think President Carter will primarily be remembered for.

Oh, without a doubt, I think James the Camp David Accords, the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, which has stood the test of time, and we've just seen with the fallout from October the seventh, what an important relationship that is and how it stands firm, and how it's one country in the regional, one near neighbor, which Israel can have a trusting and normal relationship with. Because he'll also be remembered, I think for not being firm enough when it came to handling the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, and certainly not the capture of the US hostages in the US embassy in Tehran, which was still in progress when he left.

Oh, without a doubt, I think James the Camp David Accords, the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, which has stood the test of time, and we've just seen with the fallout from October the seventh, what an important relationship that is and how it stands firm, and how it's one country in the regional, one near neighbor, which Israel can have a trusting and normal relationship with. Because he'll also be remembered, I think for not being firm enough when it came to handling the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, and certainly not the capture of the US hostages in the US embassy in Tehran, which was still in progress when he left.

It was up to Ronald Reagan to clean that up.

It was up to Ronald Reagan to clean that up.

But I do think one thing I think which has been overlooked about him in much has been said today. I think he really paved the way for Reagan to end the Cold War. He changed the narrative towards the Soviets towards one based on human rights abuses, the way they were treating their own people, and that was what, in the end cut through, and I think paved the way for the historic ending of the Cold War under Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

But I do think one thing I think which has been overlooked about him in much has been said today. I think he really paved the way for Reagan to end the Cold War. He changed the narrative towards the Soviets towards one based on human rights abuses, the way they were treating their own people, and that was what, in the end cut through, and I think paved the way for the historic ending of the Cold War under Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

It Will has certainly been honored by people from all sides of politics in the US, including Donald Trump, who gave a very nice tribute on X earlier today. I want to go back to local politics here because analysis of courtly polling trends is very interesting. At the moment Nicot's finding Labor is losing ground in the nation's largest states in the lead up to next year's election. According to Resolved Political Monitor, the Coalition is now leading Labour thirty eight percent to twenty nine percent when it comes to the primary vote in New South Wales and would you believe it Warrior and while Anthony Albanez he has a two point lead over Dutton when it comes to preferred Prime minister in those states. On the national level, he's only one point ahead. So I got to ask you on these trends, Nick, as big a hurdle as it would be for the Coalition to jump, do you think they're on track to potentially make Albanezi a one term prime minister.

It Will has certainly been honored by people from all sides of politics in the US, including Donald Trump, who gave a very nice tribute on X earlier today. I want to go back to local politics here because analysis of courtly polling trends is very interesting. At the moment Nicot's finding Labor is losing ground in the nation's largest states in the lead up to next year's election. According to Resolved Political Monitor, the Coalition is now leading Labour thirty eight percent to twenty nine percent when it comes to the primary vote in New South Wales and would you believe it Warrior and while Anthony Albanez he has a two point lead over Dutton when it comes to preferred Prime minister in those states. On the national level, he's only one point ahead. So I got to ask you on these trends, Nick, as big a hurdle as it would be for the Coalition to jump, do you think they're on track to potentially make Albanezi a one term prime minister.

Well, that's the big question.

Well, that's the big question.

I mean, I think it is certain in my view that they will lose seats and therefore enter minority government. I can't see how they can do anything but lose seats. Every first term government since the war, including the great Robert Menzies, lost seats at their first election. John Howard lost eighteen seats at his first election after becoming after holding after his first term. So I cannot see a government as bad as this doing anything but going backwards.

I mean, I think it is certain in my view that they will lose seats and therefore enter minority government. I can't see how they can do anything but lose seats. Every first term government since the war, including the great Robert Menzies, lost seats at their first election. John Howard lost eighteen seats at his first election after becoming after holding after his first term. So I cannot see a government as bad as this doing anything but going backwards.

Will they go backwards far enough?

Will they go backwards far enough?

Let's remember that the Coalition probably need eighteen to twenty seats to have any chance of governing in their own right, and probably fifteen if they want to try and stitch a coalition together, which I'm not sure it will be a good idea. That is a big, big ask. So yes, Albanezy won't be in charge of his own destiny after the next election. He'll have to seek some sort of coalition agreement, some sort of coalition partnership with the Greens or the Teals, or possibly both of them. But I think the idea is still a big, big ask for Peter Dutton and he's going to need some momentum behind him. There's going to have to be even more momentum than there is at the moment.

Let's remember that the Coalition probably need eighteen to twenty seats to have any chance of governing in their own right, and probably fifteen if they want to try and stitch a coalition together, which I'm not sure it will be a good idea. That is a big, big ask. So yes, Albanezy won't be in charge of his own destiny after the next election. He'll have to seek some sort of coalition agreement, some sort of coalition partnership with the Greens or the Teals, or possibly both of them. But I think the idea is still a big, big ask for Peter Dutton and he's going to need some momentum behind him. There's going to have to be even more momentum than there is at the moment.

Well, the way the Albanezer government keep making mistakes, you wouldn't put it past them to put some more wind in dutton sales.

Well, the way the Albanezer government keep making mistakes, you wouldn't put it past them to put some more wind in dutton sales.

I want to talk to you about end of year predictions.

I want to talk to you about end of year predictions.

The Sydney Morning Herald has come under fire after publishing an opinion piece on Sunday in which their technology editor David Swan predicted that Elon Musk would be forced to part ways with Tesla next year. Mister Swan wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, after constant controversies and distractions, it will all come to a head in twenty twenty five and Musk will be forced to hand over the reins at Tesla, a company many mistakenly think he founded.

The Sydney Morning Herald has come under fire after publishing an opinion piece on Sunday in which their technology editor David Swan predicted that Elon Musk would be forced to part ways with Tesla next year. Mister Swan wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, after constant controversies and distractions, it will all come to a head in twenty twenty five and Musk will be forced to hand over the reins at Tesla, a company many mistakenly think he founded.

Now.

Now.

Elon Musk didn't like that as a New Year's prediction. He responded on X quote I predict the Sydney Morning Herald will continue to lose readership in twenty twenty five for relentless lying to their audience and boring them to death. So Nick, I've got to ask you, in terms of those two predictions for the new year, which do you think will come true? Musk leaves Tesla or the Sydney Morning Herald continue to bore their readers to death.

Elon Musk didn't like that as a New Year's prediction. He responded on X quote I predict the Sydney Morning Herald will continue to lose readership in twenty twenty five for relentless lying to their audience and boring them to death. So Nick, I've got to ask you, in terms of those two predictions for the new year, which do you think will come true? Musk leaves Tesla or the Sydney Morning Herald continue to bore their readers to death.

Well, Sidney Morning Herald boring its readers and losing more readers. I mean, we know the trenders your friend, right, that's been going on since about, oh, I don't know, eighteen ninety nine or something. So look oing the het the Herald is decined to lose readers. That's a bold prediction, isn't it by their technology writer. But they can't get their heads around the fact that a virtuous thing in their view, I think, very sainctly, like an electric car. It could be produced by a man they detest, like Elon Musk. It really messes with their heads. So I think he'll hold on to that company as long as he can, just to continue messing with their heads. Quite apart from the fact I think it's been a fairly successful business for him.

Well, Sidney Morning Herald boring its readers and losing more readers. I mean, we know the trenders your friend, right, that's been going on since about, oh, I don't know, eighteen ninety nine or something. So look oing the het the Herald is decined to lose readers. That's a bold prediction, isn't it by their technology writer. But they can't get their heads around the fact that a virtuous thing in their view, I think, very sainctly, like an electric car. It could be produced by a man they detest, like Elon Musk. It really messes with their heads. So I think he'll hold on to that company as long as he can, just to continue messing with their heads. Quite apart from the fact I think it's been a fairly successful business for him.

I think you're absolutely right about why they don't like Elon Musk. Nick, I've got to go, but before I do, you wrote a great piece in The Australian today. You gave eighteen predictions for the new year, which is very bold.

I think you're absolutely right about why they don't like Elon Musk. Nick, I've got to go, but before I do, you wrote a great piece in The Australian today. You gave eighteen predictions for the new year, which is very bold.

I must say of you.

I must say of you.

We haven't got much time left, but just give me your two big tips for twenty twenty five.

We haven't got much time left, but just give me your two big tips for twenty twenty five.

I predict that coal production around the world will be or hit a record ever best number one, despite the fact that the International Energy Authority said in twenty fifteen that coal had already peaked. It will be record sales next year. That's the trend on that one. I also predict that we will produce in Australia far more coal than we did do power from windmills and solar, and that we will continue to export most of that coal, unlike wind and solar, which we don't export.

I predict that coal production around the world will be or hit a record ever best number one, despite the fact that the International Energy Authority said in twenty fifteen that coal had already peaked. It will be record sales next year. That's the trend on that one. I also predict that we will produce in Australia far more coal than we did do power from windmills and solar, and that we will continue to export most of that coal, unlike wind and solar, which we don't export.

So I think the idea of a.

So I think the idea of a.

Renewable energy superpower, you know, the great Chris Bowen dream, that's going to be on hold for another year.

Renewable energy superpower, you know, the great Chris Bowen dream, that's going to be on hold for another year.

I reckon it might be on hold for more than just another year. Nick, Thanks for joining me tonight, and a happy New Year to you and your family.

I reckon it might be on hold for more than just another year. Nick, Thanks for joining me tonight, and a happy New Year to you and your family.

Well.

Well.

In an effort to address the personal personnel rather shortages facing the ADF. Citizens from Canada, America and Britain will be eligible to join our army from January the first under the program, which was announced earlier this year. Residents from five I countries will be able to sign up as long as they've lived in Australia for twelve months, cleared security checks and have not served in a foreign army within the past two years. LNPMP Garth Hamilton joins me now, Garth welcome this move to allow five Nations partners to join our defence forces will inevitably provide a boost to the ADF. But I think a lot more needs to be done to attract Australian citizens, doesn't it.

In an effort to address the personal personnel rather shortages facing the ADF. Citizens from Canada, America and Britain will be eligible to join our army from January the first under the program, which was announced earlier this year. Residents from five I countries will be able to sign up as long as they've lived in Australia for twelve months, cleared security checks and have not served in a foreign army within the past two years. LNPMP Garth Hamilton joins me now, Garth welcome this move to allow five Nations partners to join our defence forces will inevitably provide a boost to the ADF. But I think a lot more needs to be done to attract Australian citizens, doesn't it.

Oh?

Oh?

Absolutely, And look we do have a problem with recruitment. We do need to address it. But this is a massive admission of defeat by this labor government. No one's going to fight for Australia like an Australian will. We all know that. But this government said they were going to increase recruitment. They haven't. This is almost exactly the same as them saying we're going to reduce your energy bills by two hundred and seventy five dollars and then giving you your own tax dollars back as a subsidy to try and cover it up. They haven't addressed to fundamental issues. I think this is going to be a big issue to deal with. They put on thirty six thousand public servants. I want to point out we'll send the NDIS boom over this period so people can be brought into employment. You know, that's not been a problem for this government, So I think that this is a short term fix. This doesn't do the job that we need them to do, which is to bring more Australians into the.

Absolutely, And look we do have a problem with recruitment. We do need to address it. But this is a massive admission of defeat by this labor government. No one's going to fight for Australia like an Australian will. We all know that. But this government said they were going to increase recruitment. They haven't. This is almost exactly the same as them saying we're going to reduce your energy bills by two hundred and seventy five dollars and then giving you your own tax dollars back as a subsidy to try and cover it up. They haven't addressed to fundamental issues. I think this is going to be a big issue to deal with. They put on thirty six thousand public servants. I want to point out we'll send the NDIS boom over this period so people can be brought into employment. You know, that's not been a problem for this government, So I think that this is a short term fix. This doesn't do the job that we need them to do, which is to bring more Australians into the.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Another thing Garth I always think is if we want young people to join the military and risk their lives for our country, then we need to make sure our country is seen to be worth risking their lives for. And when you've got a government that continually is vacillating on Australia Day and talking about, you know how colonization was a terrible thing, you're not surprised that there's difficulty in convincing young people to join our defense forces. I want to talk to you about another very important subject that I know a lot of people are interested in, and that's COVID related fines. The Queensland government is now facing pressure to scrap three point two million dollars worth of COVID fines issued during the pandemic, with the Cataparty calling for those who've already paid fines to be offered a refund. This comes, of course, after the New South Wales government revealed it would be withdrawing the remaining twenty three, five hundred and thirty nine unpaid fines issue during the pandemic, which makes me think you're a bit of a mug if you paid your pandemic fine, weren't you. I want to ask what you think about this move. Surely it's a good one and Queensland should follow the example of New South Wales and refund the fines that have been paid and scrap the ones that are outstanding.

Another thing Garth I always think is if we want young people to join the military and risk their lives for our country, then we need to make sure our country is seen to be worth risking their lives for. And when you've got a government that continually is vacillating on Australia Day and talking about, you know how colonization was a terrible thing, you're not surprised that there's difficulty in convincing young people to join our defense forces. I want to talk to you about another very important subject that I know a lot of people are interested in, and that's COVID related fines. The Queensland government is now facing pressure to scrap three point two million dollars worth of COVID fines issued during the pandemic, with the Cataparty calling for those who've already paid fines to be offered a refund. This comes, of course, after the New South Wales government revealed it would be withdrawing the remaining twenty three, five hundred and thirty nine unpaid fines issue during the pandemic, which makes me think you're a bit of a mug if you paid your pandemic fine, weren't you. I want to ask what you think about this move. Surely it's a good one and Queensland should follow the example of New South Wales and refund the fines that have been paid and scrap the ones that are outstanding.

Look.

Look.

I don't like to lean too much into state politics and tell my state colleagues what to do, but I think this is a conversation.

I don't like to lean too much into state politics and tell my state colleagues what to do, but I think this is a conversation.

About good faith.

About good faith.

We went through a very very difficult period during COVID. A lot of decisions were made in haste, both by the government and by the Australian people. I think it's a good move that New South Wales has acknowledged that decided to move on, and it's interesting to see that's a labor government in New South Wales making that call. We've got a Catter Party in Queensland making that call there. I think this is something the government can do to reach out to his strands and say, look, we're going to move on.

We went through a very very difficult period during COVID. A lot of decisions were made in haste, both by the government and by the Australian people. I think it's a good move that New South Wales has acknowledged that decided to move on, and it's interesting to see that's a labor government in New South Wales making that call. We've got a Catter Party in Queensland making that call there. I think this is something the government can do to reach out to his strands and say, look, we're going to move on.

We're going to move on from COVID.

We're going to move on from COVID.

I don't know anyone who really wants to go back through that period, wants to think about that period too much. Over again, it was a very difficult time in our lives. I think there'd be a good step forward.

I don't know anyone who really wants to go back through that period, wants to think about that period too much. Over again, it was a very difficult time in our lives. I think there'd be a good step forward.

Yeah, I agree.

Yeah, I agree.

I mean there's been some very belated admissions that maybe, you know, things weren't done as well as they could have been. Refunding some of those fines I think would be the least governments could do after the horrendous breaches of civil liberties that we were subjected to during that period.

I mean there's been some very belated admissions that maybe, you know, things weren't done as well as they could have been. Refunding some of those fines I think would be the least governments could do after the horrendous breaches of civil liberties that we were subjected to during that period.

Told it was.

Told it was.

Medical advice when it turned out oftentimes to be based on.

Medical advice when it turned out oftentimes to be based on.

Things like polling and vibe more than anything.

Things like polling and vibe more than anything.

Else, but to quickly go to Victoria where of course, the big news last week was that Liberal leader Brad Batton was well.

Else, but to quickly go to Victoria where of course, the big news last week was that Liberal leader Brad Batton was well.

He wasn't the Liberal leader then he is.

He wasn't the Liberal leader then he is.

Now, but he's faced his first major test after replacing Pursuito. In an interview with my colleague Kenny Heatley this morning, Brad Baton refused to answer what I thought was a pretty incredible, pretty important question, the question of whether he personally supports nuclear power at a federal level.

Now, but he's faced his first major test after replacing Pursuito. In an interview with my colleague Kenny Heatley this morning, Brad Baton refused to answer what I thought was a pretty incredible, pretty important question, the question of whether he personally supports nuclear power at a federal level.

Here's the interview. Do you support nuclear power in the La Tree Valley?

Here's the interview. Do you support nuclear power in the La Tree Valley?

Yeah, We've gone through this process. We've got to go through it with the party room. I've only been in this role for a few days and the most important part of anything I want to do is making sure the team is involved in those discussions. So we've said in the past our focus.

Yeah, We've gone through this process. We've got to go through it with the party room. I've only been in this role for a few days and the most important part of anything I want to do is making sure the team is involved in those discussions. So we've said in the past our focus.

Personally clear power.

Personally clear power.

Yeah.

Yeah.

As I said, I've got to take that back through the party room. And I understand if I make a personal call right now, all that is is becomes policy for the party.

As I said, I've got to take that back through the party room. And I understand if I make a personal call right now, all that is is becomes policy for the party.

Okay, So Garth, this is where I need you to advise me. You're the politician.

Okay, So Garth, this is where I need you to advise me. You're the politician.

I'm not.

I'm not.

I sit here and think, what are you doing? This is a great opportunity. You've got all this favorable media support Dutton's nuclear plan. What could be better as the new leader of the opposition in Victoria or does politics just not work that way?

I sit here and think, what are you doing? This is a great opportunity. You've got all this favorable media support Dutton's nuclear plan. What could be better as the new leader of the opposition in Victoria or does politics just not work that way?

What am I missing?

What am I missing?

Look, I probably share a few views with you on this one.

Look, I probably share a few views with you on this one.

I think he is right that he has to get his party on board with this.

I think he is right that he has to get his party on board with this.

This is a big call, and I appreciate that that's important, and I think that probably his predecessor would have done well to secure his party room support for some of his decisions. But look, I think we can make this easy for our state colleagues. And just be honest, I think we've won the nuclear debate. I really do.

This is a big call, and I appreciate that that's important, and I think that probably his predecessor would have done well to secure his party room support for some of his decisions. But look, I think we can make this easy for our state colleagues. And just be honest, I think we've won the nuclear debate. I really do.

I really do.

I really do.

Every single issue that Labor have raised about it, they've been unable to put forward and a strong or credible counter argument for it. They raise safety, they looked ridiculous with the three eyed fish pitchers. They raised we're going to put the waste or there's thirty two countries in the world that deal with it, so we've got all those options. They raised locations, We've put those on the table. They've raised costs, We've led our costings. There's not a single thing that Labour can credibly argue against on this issue. And when I go and talk to people in the street, Labor hasn't won people over with their tactics on this issue. Labor hasn't. People are coming to the nuclear debate willing for a grown up conversation. We've had that Labor haven't engaged in that way, and I think if our state colleagues took that view, they'd see that the Australian populace is open to this. We're willing to see it go ahead, and no one is supporting labor on this.

Every single issue that Labor have raised about it, they've been unable to put forward and a strong or credible counter argument for it. They raise safety, they looked ridiculous with the three eyed fish pitchers. They raised we're going to put the waste or there's thirty two countries in the world that deal with it, so we've got all those options. They raised locations, We've put those on the table. They've raised costs, We've led our costings. There's not a single thing that Labour can credibly argue against on this issue. And when I go and talk to people in the street, Labor hasn't won people over with their tactics on this issue. Labor hasn't. People are coming to the nuclear debate willing for a grown up conversation. We've had that Labor haven't engaged in that way, and I think if our state colleagues took that view, they'd see that the Australian populace is open to this. We're willing to see it go ahead, and no one is supporting labor on this.

There's nothing that they're.

There's nothing that they're.

Going to lose by being open to nuclear.

Going to lose by being open to nuclear.

I reckon, You're absolutely right. It was a free kick for Brad Batten. I wish you'd taken at Garth Hamilton. Thanks for your time tonight. Well we're going to go to a break, but stick around because coming up a major wind farm project has been scrapped, another one, this time off the South Australian coast and without explanation. Plus the push to change native title laws to protect WA's resources industry, all of that in just a moment.

I reckon, You're absolutely right. It was a free kick for Brad Batten. I wish you'd taken at Garth Hamilton. Thanks for your time tonight. Well we're going to go to a break, but stick around because coming up a major wind farm project has been scrapped, another one, this time off the South Australian coast and without explanation. Plus the push to change native title laws to protect WA's resources industry, all of that in just a moment.

Well.

Well.

As I mentioned in my editorial at the beginning of the program, Anthony Albaneze has claimed natural disasters have become more intense and more frequent during his time as Prime Minister. The Australian's Environment editor Graham Lloyd joins me. Now, Graham, welcome. You wrote a great piece in The Australian claiming that Anthony Albanezi saying that these things have become more common over the last couple of years only serves to demonstrate that I'll lead the losing all sense of perspective. Talk to me about why you think that is?

As I mentioned in my editorial at the beginning of the program, Anthony Albaneze has claimed natural disasters have become more intense and more frequent during his time as Prime Minister. The Australian's Environment editor Graham Lloyd joins me. Now, Graham, welcome. You wrote a great piece in The Australian claiming that Anthony Albanezi saying that these things have become more common over the last couple of years only serves to demonstrate that I'll lead the losing all sense of perspective. Talk to me about why you think that is?

Yes, good evening.

Yes, good evening.

Well, look, I was simply making the point that what seems to be getting lost is the difference between weather and climate. Weather is something we get every day and we sort of forecast with varying degrees of precision.

Well, look, I was simply making the point that what seems to be getting lost is the difference between weather and climate. Weather is something we get every day and we sort of forecast with varying degrees of precision.

Climate is something quite different.

Climate is something quite different.

It's something that is analyzed over a thirty year horizon of averages. So that makes the notion that anything can be deducted from two and a half years in office by the Prime Minister is quite ludicrous. Of course, it's sort of symbolic of a bigger issue that it's become retail politics to quickly make these comments all the time that look, this is the worst ever, this is the biggest, this is unprecedented and we should never stop calling out this on the facts. The facts don't often demonstrate what's being claimed and it's important that we have a sense of what is actually going on. I think the Prime minister's objective was to take a helicopter trip over a really historically not significant fire in Victoria and announce a new program for the government to give money to people who are impacted by natural disasters.

It's something that is analyzed over a thirty year horizon of averages. So that makes the notion that anything can be deducted from two and a half years in office by the Prime Minister is quite ludicrous. Of course, it's sort of symbolic of a bigger issue that it's become retail politics to quickly make these comments all the time that look, this is the worst ever, this is the biggest, this is unprecedented and we should never stop calling out this on the facts. The facts don't often demonstrate what's being claimed and it's important that we have a sense of what is actually going on. I think the Prime minister's objective was to take a helicopter trip over a really historically not significant fire in Victoria and announce a new program for the government to give money to people who are impacted by natural disasters.

Now that's all.

Now that's all.

Very good, but what we should really be doing is focusing on what policymakers can do to combat things that are a regular occurrence, rather than pretending there's something they're not.

Very good, but what we should really be doing is focusing on what policymakers can do to combat things that are a regular occurrence, rather than pretending there's something they're not.

Yeah, indeed, well said, and of course you know, it doesn't hurt the Prime Minister to talk about climate change and you know, natural disasters if it helps people to get behind the renewables push, which I want to ask you about because something very interesting happened over the last couple of days. There's a two billion dollar wind farm project that was supposed to be built off the South Australian coast, but we now learn has been scrapped and without explanation, the proposal was put forward by the British company Australis Energy and the German Group's Skyborne Renewables. It was a fifty to fifty joint venture partner back in twenty twenty.

Yeah, indeed, well said, and of course you know, it doesn't hurt the Prime Minister to talk about climate change and you know, natural disasters if it helps people to get behind the renewables push, which I want to ask you about because something very interesting happened over the last couple of days. There's a two billion dollar wind farm project that was supposed to be built off the South Australian coast, but we now learn has been scrapped and without explanation, the proposal was put forward by the British company Australis Energy and the German Group's Skyborne Renewables. It was a fifty to fifty joint venture partner back in twenty twenty.

Two, but now it's not going ahead.

Two, but now it's not going ahead.

Tell us what we know about this project, why it was so contentious and why has it being called off all of a sudden.

Tell us what we know about this project, why it was so contentious and why has it being called off all of a sudden.

Well, this was called the Kingston project, and if there's an unusual feature to it, it was going to be built half in State waters and half in Commonwealth waters which are further offshore. The state government objected to it and said, look, there would be an impact on fishing and other recreational things.

Well, this was called the Kingston project, and if there's an unusual feature to it, it was going to be built half in State waters and half in Commonwealth waters which are further offshore. The state government objected to it and said, look, there would be an impact on fishing and other recreational things.

They didn't want it.

They didn't want it.

So the company said, well, we'll just move it further offshore into totally Commonwealth waters.

So the company said, well, we'll just move it further offshore into totally Commonwealth waters.

But now it's been scrapped. And this is really the trend.

But now it's been scrapped. And this is really the trend.

The offshore wind projects are being canceled in New South Whi and other places and around the world because the truth is the economics just don't stack up. So it's becoming much harder to build offshore wind projects due to inflation and bigger running costs and other things and were anticipated. So we're seeing these projects being scrapped and this leaves quite a big hole in the projections of where Australia is going to get its power from in the future.

The offshore wind projects are being canceled in New South Whi and other places and around the world because the truth is the economics just don't stack up. So it's becoming much harder to build offshore wind projects due to inflation and bigger running costs and other things and were anticipated. So we're seeing these projects being scrapped and this leaves quite a big hole in the projections of where Australia is going to get its power from in the future.

So it's something we should watch very closely.

So it's something we should watch very closely.

Now.

Now.

The other thing I want to ask you, Graham. Of course it's been pretty warm on the East coast of Australia this week, so I can't imagine how households trying to keep the lights on during a cost of living crisis are paying for the air con as well. But it's been revealed that more than eight thousand Queensland homes had their air con remotely cut off earlier this month to ease pressure on the grid. Now, the affected households had signed up for the Peak Smart scheme. It's called if you sign up, you get a rebate of about four hundred dollars when you buy an air condition But here's the catch. A signal receiver installed in the unit allows the government owned energy companies to control your air con at home and cut it off.

The other thing I want to ask you, Graham. Of course it's been pretty warm on the East coast of Australia this week, so I can't imagine how households trying to keep the lights on during a cost of living crisis are paying for the air con as well. But it's been revealed that more than eight thousand Queensland homes had their air con remotely cut off earlier this month to ease pressure on the grid. Now, the affected households had signed up for the Peak Smart scheme. It's called if you sign up, you get a rebate of about four hundred dollars when you buy an air condition But here's the catch. A signal receiver installed in the unit allows the government owned energy companies to control your air con at home and cut it off.

When the grid is under pressure.

When the grid is under pressure.

Do you think people knew this when they applied for the rebate and this is not a good thing that people would be happy about.

Do you think people knew this when they applied for the rebate and this is not a good thing that people would be happy about.

Well, I think they probably didn't think about it as hard as they should have when they.

Well, I think they probably didn't think about it as hard as they should have when they.

Took the money.

Took the money.

But really it's symbolic of what what's going to happen in the energy market. More broadly, Smart meters and other things are being put in so the authorities can control the power supply to a house across a.

But really it's symbolic of what what's going to happen in the energy market. More broadly, Smart meters and other things are being put in so the authorities can control the power supply to a house across a.

Whole range of appliances.

Whole range of appliances.

This is how they plan to deal with shortages of production in the future, and it's something that rich people will suffer a lot less than those who can't afford it.

This is how they plan to deal with shortages of production in the future, and it's something that rich people will suffer a lot less than those who can't afford it.

Well, that's a pretty dystopian view of the future, Graham.

Well, that's a pretty dystopian view of the future, Graham.

If it gets to the.

If it gets to the.

State government, some bureaucrat in Canberra desides, I can't use my dishwasher or my air con because of the gridgy. I hope we don't end up there, but it's looking that way, isn't it, Graham. Lloyd, appreciate your time tonight. Thanks for joining me. We're going to go to a break, but stick around because coming up. Victoria's first ever pill testing trial has already raised doubts as a young festival goer overdoses. Plus young people are reportedly toasting to the new year but sober.

State government, some bureaucrat in Canberra desides, I can't use my dishwasher or my air con because of the gridgy. I hope we don't end up there, but it's looking that way, isn't it, Graham. Lloyd, appreciate your time tonight. Thanks for joining me. We're going to go to a break, but stick around because coming up. Victoria's first ever pill testing trial has already raised doubts as a young festival goer overdoses. Plus young people are reportedly toasting to the new year but sober.

Can you believe it? My panel will join me next well, welcome back.

Can you believe it? My panel will join me next well, welcome back.

The West Australian government is calling for changes to the Native Tidal Act to protect its resources industry. This comes as companies could be forced to sign hefty new agreements with local indigenous groups. As things stand, mining leases that have been in place more than forty years won't be renewed unless companies come to agreement with native title claimants. That's despite the fact many of these minds have operated for decades without native title agreements. Let's bringing my panel libertarian commentator Kristin Abraham and PR Council Christy McSweeney. Christy, it seems like we are doing everything we can to rob ourselves of our natural advantage, which is our resources. How much harder can we make it for our resources industry to provide revenue for this country?

The West Australian government is calling for changes to the Native Tidal Act to protect its resources industry. This comes as companies could be forced to sign hefty new agreements with local indigenous groups. As things stand, mining leases that have been in place more than forty years won't be renewed unless companies come to agreement with native title claimants. That's despite the fact many of these minds have operated for decades without native title agreements. Let's bringing my panel libertarian commentator Kristin Abraham and PR Council Christy McSweeney. Christy, it seems like we are doing everything we can to rob ourselves of our natural advantage, which is our resources. How much harder can we make it for our resources industry to provide revenue for this country?

Well, James, I think it seems like the Federal Labor Party is doing everything it can to get Roger Cook to enact his agenda, to enact their agenda. Of course, we saw the Premier withdraw the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws against Albanesi and tenure plversex wishes. We've seen him lobby against further impositions into the mining industry to Canberra places Madeline King, the Mining Minister West Australian Cabinet Minister, at a very difficult position. We have essentially seen Roger Cook be in the running alongside the coalition for the best friend that mining's ever had. But I think the rubber is going to hit the road here between the West Australian Premier and Federal Labor as we get closer to both elections in the same period. Native Title has been in place since nineteen ninety three. You're correct, there are leases that pre date that Native Title legislation, so they're trying to bring it together. However, a lot of this ticks along very very nicely without intervention required, James, as you said.

Well, James, I think it seems like the Federal Labor Party is doing everything it can to get Roger Cook to enact his agenda, to enact their agenda. Of course, we saw the Premier withdraw the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws against Albanesi and tenure plversex wishes. We've seen him lobby against further impositions into the mining industry to Canberra places Madeline King, the Mining Minister West Australian Cabinet Minister, at a very difficult position. We have essentially seen Roger Cook be in the running alongside the coalition for the best friend that mining's ever had. But I think the rubber is going to hit the road here between the West Australian Premier and Federal Labor as we get closer to both elections in the same period. Native Title has been in place since nineteen ninety three. You're correct, there are leases that pre date that Native Title legislation, so they're trying to bring it together. However, a lot of this ticks along very very nicely without intervention required, James, as you said.

Indeed, I want to turn to Victoria where a young festival goer has overdosed on drugs on the first day of pill testing trials. This is at the Beyond the Valley festival near Geelong. The five day music festival was the first in the state to have a mobile drug checking service as part of an eighteen month trial announced by the Victorian Labor government in its drug reform bid. Now, fortunately the man who's in his twenties was discharged from hospital and is.

Indeed, I want to turn to Victoria where a young festival goer has overdosed on drugs on the first day of pill testing trials. This is at the Beyond the Valley festival near Geelong. The five day music festival was the first in the state to have a mobile drug checking service as part of an eighteen month trial announced by the Victorian Labor government in its drug reform bid. Now, fortunately the man who's in his twenties was discharged from hospital and is.

Going to be okay.

Going to be okay.

But the fact he overdosed at this festival where they've got pill testing available surely illustrates the futility of it. The pill testing officials can't even say whether or not this particular individual use their service because it's all anonymous. And Kristen, part of my problem with pill testing regimes is it seems to create the illusion of safety, when in fact drugs are never safe, as we found out today on the first day of the drug pill testing regime.

But the fact he overdosed at this festival where they've got pill testing available surely illustrates the futility of it. The pill testing officials can't even say whether or not this particular individual use their service because it's all anonymous. And Kristen, part of my problem with pill testing regimes is it seems to create the illusion of safety, when in fact drugs are never safe, as we found out today on the first day of the drug pill testing regime.

So James, let's get one thing straight. Correlation is not causation when it comes to theirs. If anyone has ever thrown out, thrown up from alcohol, they have.

So James, let's get one thing straight. Correlation is not causation when it comes to theirs. If anyone has ever thrown out, thrown up from alcohol, they have.

Had a drug overdose.

Had a drug overdose.

We don't just teach abstinence and schools, we also teach contraception.

We don't just teach abstinence and schools, we also teach contraception.

Now, whether that's young people or older people.

Now, whether that's young people or older people.

If they're going to choose to take drugs, they're going to take the drugs anyway, whether you say drugs are bad or not. What you're doing is what they're doing by having the pill testing facilities, ensuring that there is a harm reduction and there is risk mitigation, risk mitigation for the punters that are there, risk mitigation for the services that are there, so if there is an actual medical emergency, they're more likely to be able to use that service rather than being taken up with just drug related situations. Now, the people that are running the pill testing at Beyond the Valley, which is dance wise, are doing a phenomenal job of mitigating those risks.

If they're going to choose to take drugs, they're going to take the drugs anyway, whether you say drugs are bad or not. What you're doing is what they're doing by having the pill testing facilities, ensuring that there is a harm reduction and there is risk mitigation, risk mitigation for the punters that are there, risk mitigation for the services that are there, so if there is an actual medical emergency, they're more likely to be able to use that service rather than being taken up with just drug related situations. Now, the people that are running the pill testing at Beyond the Valley, which is dance wise, are doing a phenomenal job of mitigating those risks.

They're having a mature conversation with.

They're having a mature conversation with.

These people about whether they do still want to take those drugs. They're ensuring that they can find out whether there is slight fentanyl in it which could kill them, or whether it's stronger than what they thought, and engaging in mature conversations which if you're going to choose to make these decisions of taking drugs, at least do it safely.

These people about whether they do still want to take those drugs. They're ensuring that they can find out whether there is slight fentanyl in it which could kill them, or whether it's stronger than what they thought, and engaging in mature conversations which if you're going to choose to make these decisions of taking drugs, at least do it safely.

Well, Christy, here's a mature conversation.

Well, Christy, here's a mature conversation.

Don't do illegal drugs.

Don't do illegal drugs.

Well, here's another mature conversation. Jobs understand that the supply chain of people who are bringing these drugs that kill our children into Australia is organized crime. And understand that having children, and let's face it, many of them children sixteen to seventeen years old at a festival, the ability ability to buy those drugs to have them tested, that's wonderful. I understand the health response. But everybody who wants to have this mature conversation forgets that this says to organize crime. It's fine, we'll just mitigate that risk. It's absolutely fine, keep profiting, keep putting illegal drugs on the streets, and keep killing kids.

Well, here's another mature conversation. Jobs understand that the supply chain of people who are bringing these drugs that kill our children into Australia is organized crime. And understand that having children, and let's face it, many of them children sixteen to seventeen years old at a festival, the ability ability to buy those drugs to have them tested, that's wonderful. I understand the health response. But everybody who wants to have this mature conversation forgets that this says to organize crime. It's fine, we'll just mitigate that risk. It's absolutely fine, keep profiting, keep putting illegal drugs on the streets, and keep killing kids.

But in twenty fifteen, what personic in twenty fifteen had six overdoses?

But in twenty fifteen, what personic in twenty fifteen had six overdoses?

At that point there.

At that point there.

Was no pill testing there. We're on the second day of Beyond the Valley now and there's been one overdose. We don't know whether they use that facility or not. But what for the last ten years of not having pill testing around?

Was no pill testing there. We're on the second day of Beyond the Valley now and there's been one overdose. We don't know whether they use that facility or not. But what for the last ten years of not having pill testing around?

What do you attribute all the other overdoses to? At least there is mitigation with this.

What do you attribute all the other overdoses to? At least there is mitigation with this.

I think, as you said earlier, Christen, mitigation doesn't and causation aren't the same thing.

I think, as you said earlier, Christen, mitigation doesn't and causation aren't the same thing.

So how do we know?

So how do we know?

Let me move on to another issue in Victoria, because there's concern among police at the number of boozed up motorists getting behind the wheel as we count down the hours to New Year's Eve. Now, new police analysis shows over the past three years, almost half of the one hundred and forty five drink drivers detected on New Year's Day were caught between midnight and six am. So, Christy, the government will provide pill testing facilities so I can safely take illegal drugs, But the government won't make reliable breath testing stations available, so I can drink alcohol legally and know that I'm not over the limit. It's just a case of gotcha when it comes to alcohol. Explain that contradiction to me.

Let me move on to another issue in Victoria, because there's concern among police at the number of boozed up motorists getting behind the wheel as we count down the hours to New Year's Eve. Now, new police analysis shows over the past three years, almost half of the one hundred and forty five drink drivers detected on New Year's Day were caught between midnight and six am. So, Christy, the government will provide pill testing facilities so I can safely take illegal drugs, But the government won't make reliable breath testing stations available, so I can drink alcohol legally and know that I'm not over the limit. It's just a case of gotcha when it comes to alcohol. Explain that contradiction to me.

Well, it's really interesting, isn't it what we consider socially acceptable and what we consider not socially acceptable. You can't smoke a cigarette outside in a lot of places in Melbourne, in the restaurant district. But apparently the Victorian government will pay sixteen chemists and health workers and support workers not to mention police resources for a pill testing trial over the next two years at sixteen sites. So it is a huge spectrum, isn't it, of what we spend money on and what we allow and what is politically palatable for people to have state government resources invested in what's legal and what's not. But it's the same as you know, if you don't want to do damage to yourself and or others, don't take drugs. If you don't want to do damage to your self and or others, don't get behind the wheel after what you believe is an over limit of alcohol.

Well, it's really interesting, isn't it what we consider socially acceptable and what we consider not socially acceptable. You can't smoke a cigarette outside in a lot of places in Melbourne, in the restaurant district. But apparently the Victorian government will pay sixteen chemists and health workers and support workers not to mention police resources for a pill testing trial over the next two years at sixteen sites. So it is a huge spectrum, isn't it, of what we spend money on and what we allow and what is politically palatable for people to have state government resources invested in what's legal and what's not. But it's the same as you know, if you don't want to do damage to yourself and or others, don't take drugs. If you don't want to do damage to your self and or others, don't get behind the wheel after what you believe is an over limit of alcohol.

Kristin, I want to throw this one at you.

Kristin, I want to throw this one at you.

There are reports today that common sense may prevail amongst young people, with many reportedly set to toast the new year can you Believe It?

There are reports today that common sense may prevail amongst young people, with many reportedly set to toast the new year can you Believe It?

Sober?

Sober?

According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, they say young people are drinking less and also driving a long term increase in cutting alcohol completely. I think it's twenty three percent of young people aged eighteen to twenty four are no longer drinking alcohol at all now. South Bank Bottle shop owner Andrew Compton told journalists alcohol consumption is being lowered to match people's lower budgets, so people end up buying less because of the cost of living crisis. Is that what's driving young people to sobriety or is this a cultural phenomena we're seeing.

According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, they say young people are drinking less and also driving a long term increase in cutting alcohol completely. I think it's twenty three percent of young people aged eighteen to twenty four are no longer drinking alcohol at all now. South Bank Bottle shop owner Andrew Compton told journalists alcohol consumption is being lowered to match people's lower budgets, so people end up buying less because of the cost of living crisis. Is that what's driving young people to sobriety or is this a cultural phenomena we're seeing.

I reckon.

I reckon.

There's probably three contributing factors to this, James. The first one being that it is a cost of living crisis and people are prioritizing their rent and bills and everything else that they need because it's not just drinking that cost money. It's also the uber home because you're choosing to drink responsibly, and it's the late night cabab that all contribute to it. The other thing is we have a young generation that turned eighteen or twenty one in the pandemic, and they don't like to go out and drink.