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.

Well good evening, I'm James Macpherson filling in for Peter Kredlin.

Coming up tonight.

Coming up tonight.

Signs Labor is preparing to run a new medi Scare campaign, with the Treasurer claiming the Coalition wants to dismantle Medicare. We've never heard that one before. Will unpack what's really going on. Plus, anger grows over Victoria's new short stay tax, with concerns holiday makers could be driven away by hidden costs, just what the Victorian economy needs. And Israel issues a final warning to the Hootie rebels, calling for an end to their missile attacks. But will they listen? All of that coming up shortly, But first it's New Year's Eve, which means fireworks, celebrations and a message from the Prime Minister.

Signs Labor is preparing to run a new medi Scare campaign, with the Treasurer claiming the Coalition wants to dismantle Medicare. We've never heard that one before. Will unpack what's really going on. Plus, anger grows over Victoria's new short stay tax, with concerns holiday makers could be driven away by hidden costs, just what the Victorian economy needs. And Israel issues a final warning to the Hootie rebels, calling for an end to their missile attacks. But will they listen? All of that coming up shortly, But first it's New Year's Eve, which means fireworks, celebrations and a message from the Prime Minister.

I thought we'd get it out of the way early. Here is Happy New Year, Australia.

I thought we'd get it out of the way early. Here is Happy New Year, Australia.

I hope you've had a chance to relax and celebrate. We'd loved ones and friends, those who worked through the break, from our Australine Defense Force, to emergency service and health workers, to people in hospitality and retail. Thank you for the sacrifices that you've made. We live in the greatest country in the world, and in the year ahead, with new determination and renewed optimism, we can build an even stronger Australia Together. I wish you all a safe, happy and prosperous twenty and twenty five.

I hope you've had a chance to relax and celebrate. We'd loved ones and friends, those who worked through the break, from our Australine Defense Force, to emergency service and health workers, to people in hospitality and retail. Thank you for the sacrifices that you've made. We live in the greatest country in the world, and in the year ahead, with new determination and renewed optimism, we can build an even stronger Australia Together. I wish you all a safe, happy and prosperous twenty and twenty five.

Is it me or is it getting hard of know what's real and what's satire? The Prime Minister boasts that Australia is the greatest country in the world. Is that because of or in spite of the alban Ezy government? That's a rhetorical question, obviously, And when the PM says we should approach twenty twenty five with renewed optimism, I can only assume he's referring to the upcoming election, unless there's another offramp we don't know about. As for his wishes for a prosperous twenty twenty five, well I'm wishing for a We were promised a plan. Instead we got the worst decline in living standards since the nineteen fifties. Apparently economies don't run on wishes. The government's own statistics reveal Australian living standards have fallen more than in any other OECD country with the hit to households now worse than almost all comparable developed nations, and there's zero evidence to suggest any change of direction.

Is it me or is it getting hard of know what's real and what's satire? The Prime Minister boasts that Australia is the greatest country in the world. Is that because of or in spite of the alban Ezy government? That's a rhetorical question, obviously, And when the PM says we should approach twenty twenty five with renewed optimism, I can only assume he's referring to the upcoming election, unless there's another offramp we don't know about. As for his wishes for a prosperous twenty twenty five, well I'm wishing for a We were promised a plan. Instead we got the worst decline in living standards since the nineteen fifties. Apparently economies don't run on wishes. The government's own statistics reveal Australian living standards have fallen more than in any other OECD country with the hit to households now worse than almost all comparable developed nations, and there's zero evidence to suggest any change of direction.

Despite the huhar.

Despite the huhar.

Around New Years, there's nothing magical about the clock striking midnight. When we awake tomorrow, interest rates will still be high, the cost of living will still hurt, housing will still be scarce, blackouts will still be threatened, social cohesion will still be a problem, and Jim Chalmers will still not have a clue. The PM took to Twitter to reflect on the year he'd had. He wrote, and I quote, that's a wrap on twenty twenty four tax cuts, energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, expanding bulk billing, cheaper medicines, cutting student debt.

Around New Years, there's nothing magical about the clock striking midnight. When we awake tomorrow, interest rates will still be high, the cost of living will still hurt, housing will still be scarce, blackouts will still be threatened, social cohesion will still be a problem, and Jim Chalmers will still not have a clue. The PM took to Twitter to reflect on the year he'd had. He wrote, and I quote, that's a wrap on twenty twenty four tax cuts, energy bill relief, cheaper childcare, expanding bulk billing, cheaper medicines, cutting student debt.

Twenty twenty four has had it all. Yeah, it sure has.

Twenty twenty four has had it all. Yeah, it sure has.

Changes to Stage three tax cuts, Well, they were a lie. Energy bill relief was to cover for another lie that power prices would go down. And who pays for energy bill relief?

Changes to Stage three tax cuts, Well, they were a lie. Energy bill relief was to cover for another lie that power prices would go down. And who pays for energy bill relief?

We do.

We do.

If billing has been expanded, it certainly hasn't been expanded. Where I live, You've got more chance of finding a house to rent than a doctor who bulk bills. Cheaper childcare, Well, that's an inflationary budget item paid for by the taxpayer. And as for cutting student debt, well we got to pay for that too. I still don't understand how having us pay off the debt of strangers who knowingly took on a debt for service is something to brag about. The entire list of six achievements six doesn't amount to much more than increased government spending, which ensures inflation remains high, which keeps interest rates high, which affects cost of living, which is why the wish for a prosperous new year rings a little hollow from this PM. It's not all doom and gloom, though the Opposition leader, who we were told just a few years ago was unelectable, is increasingly sounding like he might be a prime minister.

If billing has been expanded, it certainly hasn't been expanded. Where I live, You've got more chance of finding a house to rent than a doctor who bulk bills. Cheaper childcare, Well, that's an inflationary budget item paid for by the taxpayer. And as for cutting student debt, well we got to pay for that too. I still don't understand how having us pay off the debt of strangers who knowingly took on a debt for service is something to brag about. The entire list of six achievements six doesn't amount to much more than increased government spending, which ensures inflation remains high, which keeps interest rates high, which affects cost of living, which is why the wish for a prosperous new year rings a little hollow from this PM. It's not all doom and gloom, though the Opposition leader, who we were told just a few years ago was unelectable, is increasingly sounding like he might be a prime minister.

I'm sure that for many of you you're reflecting on the year that's been, including on those events at home and abroad which are etched in our national consciousness. With a new year, Australians will also be thinking about their aspirations and hopes for twenty twenty five, and not just for yourselves and for your families, but for our nation too. Twenty twenty five, of course, is a federal election year, and Australians will again exercise the greatest gift democracy affwards, the privilege of having a say in determining the future of our great country.

I'm sure that for many of you you're reflecting on the year that's been, including on those events at home and abroad which are etched in our national consciousness. With a new year, Australians will also be thinking about their aspirations and hopes for twenty twenty five, and not just for yourselves and for your families, but for our nation too. Twenty twenty five, of course, is a federal election year, and Australians will again exercise the greatest gift democracy affwards, the privilege of having a say in determining the future of our great country.

As Peter Dutton says, the new year will offer Australians a choice. Our future prosperity will depend less on wishes and much more on making the right choice when that time comes. Well four weeks after the fire bombing of a Melbourne synagogue, still no ev guess maybe police are genuinely stumped. Maybe it's just one of those cases that's too hard to crack, or maybe Victorian.

As Peter Dutton says, the new year will offer Australians a choice. Our future prosperity will depend less on wishes and much more on making the right choice when that time comes. Well four weeks after the fire bombing of a Melbourne synagogue, still no ev guess maybe police are genuinely stumped. Maybe it's just one of those cases that's too hard to crack, or maybe Victorian.

Police simply aren't up to the task.

Police simply aren't up to the task.

A few years ago, they could locate a pregnant woman in pajamas responsible for a random Facebook post. These days, well, they couldn't track an elephant through snow. Then again, if the elephant forgot its mask anyway, that's the case, they shouldn't feel too bad. New South Wales police needed months to work out whether they heard people say gas the Jews or.

A few years ago, they could locate a pregnant woman in pajamas responsible for a random Facebook post. These days, well, they couldn't track an elephant through snow. Then again, if the elephant forgot its mask anyway, that's the case, they shouldn't feel too bad. New South Wales police needed months to work out whether they heard people say gas the Jews or.

Where are the Jews?

Where are the Jews?

Deputy Commissioner Mellanion told the ABC police had collected several witness statements from people who heard chance of gas the Jews, but police then engaged acoustic and phonetic experts from the National Center of Biometric Science, who found no evidence that the phrase was ever used. Who to believe on the spot, witnesses or acoustic experts. The case was closed. There's another possibility, and it stinks that we should even be contemplating it. But just maybe there's a lack of political will to find the synagogue arsonists. It's hard to believe that neither the Victorian Police, nor ASIO, nor the Australian Federal Police they're all involved in the investigation, have come up with nothing after a month. Really, this was AFP Deputy Commissioner Chrissy Barrett after the terror attack.

Deputy Commissioner Mellanion told the ABC police had collected several witness statements from people who heard chance of gas the Jews, but police then engaged acoustic and phonetic experts from the National Center of Biometric Science, who found no evidence that the phrase was ever used. Who to believe on the spot, witnesses or acoustic experts. The case was closed. There's another possibility, and it stinks that we should even be contemplating it. But just maybe there's a lack of political will to find the synagogue arsonists. It's hard to believe that neither the Victorian Police, nor ASIO, nor the Australian Federal Police they're all involved in the investigation, have come up with nothing after a month. Really, this was AFP Deputy Commissioner Chrissy Barrett after the terror attack.

Do not test the resolve or determination of the AFP and a JCTT investigation unlocks more powers, more capability and more intelligence.

Do not test the resolve or determination of the AFP and a JCTT investigation unlocks more powers, more capability and more intelligence.

Like I said, it stinks that we should even raise the possibility that the resolve and determination to find the culprits might come second to political considerations. None of us know that's the case, but the government's forked tongue on anti Semitism, condemning it on the one hand while stoking it on the other, means the possibility can't be completely discounted. You know how it goes a big song and dance at the time of the incident and then just kind of let it fade into the background, a bit like the hostages. Within a week of the terror attack, we were told police were hunting three suspects and they'd made what they called significant progress. Three weeks later crickets plus the actual cricket what a game? Plus New Years plus holidays, and by the time February rolls around, everyone will.

Like I said, it stinks that we should even raise the possibility that the resolve and determination to find the culprits might come second to political considerations. None of us know that's the case, but the government's forked tongue on anti Semitism, condemning it on the one hand while stoking it on the other, means the possibility can't be completely discounted. You know how it goes a big song and dance at the time of the incident and then just kind of let it fade into the background, a bit like the hostages. Within a week of the terror attack, we were told police were hunting three suspects and they'd made what they called significant progress. Three weeks later crickets plus the actual cricket what a game? Plus New Years plus holidays, and by the time February rolls around, everyone will.

Have just moved on.

Have just moved on.

I hope that's not the case, but can we be blamed for wondering to add fuel to the fire?

I hope that's not the case, but can we be blamed for wondering to add fuel to the fire?

Pun very much intended.

Pun very much intended.

The government has just appointed, of all people, federal backbencher Julian Hill to help coordinate government funding to rebuild the synagogue.

The government has just appointed, of all people, federal backbencher Julian Hill to help coordinate government funding to rebuild the synagogue.

The Assistant Minister.

The Assistant Minister.

For Multicultural Affairs will act as the middleman between Jewish synagogue leaders and Anthony Albanesi. This is a government MP who claimed the October seventh slaughter of twelve hundred Israelis needed to be contextualized. He said that, I quote, we need to acknowledge the history and the complexity before understanding what happened on October seven. He added, this didn't just start on October the seventh. As many people in my community know viscerally, this is a seventy five year old conflict. This is an MP who once accused Israel of being quote hell bent on imposing an apartheid state on the Middle East. This is an MP who's called for the formal recognition of a Palestinian state while her mass is still holding Jewish hostages. This is the MP alban Ezy has appointed as his liaison with the Jewish community.

For Multicultural Affairs will act as the middleman between Jewish synagogue leaders and Anthony Albanesi. This is a government MP who claimed the October seventh slaughter of twelve hundred Israelis needed to be contextualized. He said that, I quote, we need to acknowledge the history and the complexity before understanding what happened on October seven. He added, this didn't just start on October the seventh. As many people in my community know viscerally, this is a seventy five year old conflict. This is an MP who once accused Israel of being quote hell bent on imposing an apartheid state on the Middle East. This is an MP who's called for the formal recognition of a Palestinian state while her mass is still holding Jewish hostages. This is the MP alban Ezy has appointed as his liaison with the Jewish community.

Is the PM.

Is the PM.

Completely lacking in judgment? Again a rhetorical question, Is it a calculated insult? Julian Hill is the least suitable Labor MP to liaise with the Jewish community aside from all the other Labor MPs. I mean, you know, elban Ez he could have appointed Jewish MP Josh Burns as his go between, but of course that would have made far too much sense.

Completely lacking in judgment? Again a rhetorical question, Is it a calculated insult? Julian Hill is the least suitable Labor MP to liaise with the Jewish community aside from all the other Labor MPs. I mean, you know, elban Ez he could have appointed Jewish MP Josh Burns as his go between, but of course that would have made far too much sense.

Well, let's get into the news of the day.

Well, let's get into the news of the day.

It looks like Labor has already kicked off some of their New Year's resolutions, with the latest and the first being a scare.

It looks like Labor has already kicked off some of their New Year's resolutions, with the latest and the first being a scare.

Campaign against Peter Dutton.

Campaign against Peter Dutton.

Jim Chalmers is reportedly heralding the way for a new medi scare campaign, accusing Dutton of undermining the National Health Insurance Scheme and pushing down wages and can you believe it, he's threatening that Dutton will rise and raise electricity prices, as if the government has any scrounds to talk about that. To unpack this and more, let's bring in my panel. History lecturer and author Stephen Shavura and The Spectator contributed a to Learry Bar.

Jim Chalmers is reportedly heralding the way for a new medi scare campaign, accusing Dutton of undermining the National Health Insurance Scheme and pushing down wages and can you believe it, he's threatening that Dutton will rise and raise electricity prices, as if the government has any scrounds to talk about that. To unpack this and more, let's bring in my panel. History lecturer and author Stephen Shavura and The Spectator contributed a to Learry Bar.

Welcome to you both, Terry.

Welcome to you both, Terry.

Let's start with you another year, another medi scare campaign. We've been here before, haven't we.

Let's start with you another year, another medi scare campaign. We've been here before, haven't we.

Well, we have and I have. I mean, I'm the original seven dollars GP of co payment God from twenty thirteen fourteen. So it's all my fault.

Well, we have and I have. I mean, I'm the original seven dollars GP of co payment God from twenty thirteen fourteen. So it's all my fault.

Blame me, everybody else does.

Blame me, everybody else does.

But certainly, look, I think the fact that Jim Chalmers is rolling out medi Scare two point zero or three point zero because it's thirty sixteen, twenty nineteen, then they won in twenty twenty two, clearly they think that Peter upp is a pretty serious threat to Labor actually hanging on to government. So the Treasurer is ramping it up, the Prime Minister is ramping it up. The Labor Party campaign gurus are ramping it up because they know that they are in an existential fight for survival here and Peter Dutton is a serious threat to them, and so they're going to throw the kitchen seek not just the personal abuse that the Victorian Labor Party has tried, but that anything that he's been associated with. And he was a poorer health minister in twenty fourteen, so it's all his fault. No, no, no, don't blame Peter, blame me. So take it out on me, guys in the Labor Party, take it out on me, Prime Minister. Just leave Peter Dutton alone, because bear in mind that when it comes to health issues and health reform, because of what happened in twenty fourteen, the Coalition has been spooked about reform ever since. And they love bulk building just as much as Labor does. So there's going to be no change. So that's a nearly false scare campaign just ramping up yet again.

But certainly, look, I think the fact that Jim Chalmers is rolling out medi Scare two point zero or three point zero because it's thirty sixteen, twenty nineteen, then they won in twenty twenty two, clearly they think that Peter upp is a pretty serious threat to Labor actually hanging on to government. So the Treasurer is ramping it up, the Prime Minister is ramping it up. The Labor Party campaign gurus are ramping it up because they know that they are in an existential fight for survival here and Peter Dutton is a serious threat to them, and so they're going to throw the kitchen seek not just the personal abuse that the Victorian Labor Party has tried, but that anything that he's been associated with. And he was a poorer health minister in twenty fourteen, so it's all his fault. No, no, no, don't blame Peter, blame me. So take it out on me, guys in the Labor Party, take it out on me, Prime Minister. Just leave Peter Dutton alone, because bear in mind that when it comes to health issues and health reform, because of what happened in twenty fourteen, the Coalition has been spooked about reform ever since. And they love bulk building just as much as Labor does. So there's going to be no change. So that's a nearly false scare campaign just ramping up yet again.

Yeah, well, I agree with your analysis. I think the polls are showing that Peter Dutton is definitely in with a chance when no one gave him any chance just a couple of years ago. Scare campaign silly memes regarding nuclear power, will talk about the personal attack on Dutton in just a moment. But Stephen, they can attack Dutton as much as they like. The fact is the economy speaks for itself, doesn't it. They've failed to curb the cost of living. Inflation is still too high. Chalmers is urging the public to be optimistic as if that's the best they've got. Grocery bills don't lie, power bills don't lie.

Yeah, well, I agree with your analysis. I think the polls are showing that Peter Dutton is definitely in with a chance when no one gave him any chance just a couple of years ago. Scare campaign silly memes regarding nuclear power, will talk about the personal attack on Dutton in just a moment. But Stephen, they can attack Dutton as much as they like. The fact is the economy speaks for itself, doesn't it. They've failed to curb the cost of living. Inflation is still too high. Chalmers is urging the public to be optimistic as if that's the best they've got. Grocery bills don't lie, power bills don't lie.

I know what, I'm half expecting that Jim chalmers next move is going to be to ask us to join him in singing always look on the bright side of life, because they are.

I know what, I'm half expecting that Jim chalmers next move is going to be to ask us to join him in singing always look on the bright side of life, because they are.

Getting destined now.

Getting destined now.

The fact of the matter is that interest rates since labor god in have risen twelve times, productivity is down, and the national gp GDP has gone backwards for the last seven quarters. And on top of all this, we've still got a massive immigration problem.

The fact of the matter is that interest rates since labor god in have risen twelve times, productivity is down, and the national gp GDP has gone backwards for the last seven quarters. And on top of all this, we've still got a massive immigration problem.

That are.

That are.

Where the Labor Party is still recklessly pursuing net zero, which is going to be at the cost of our whole that the Labor Party seems certainly no plan to grow the economy. All they ever do is pretend to be Santa Claus, saying that they've got a whole bunch of new handouts for everyone, but there is absolutely no plan on how any of this is going to be paid for. And the rise in support for them is among younger mortgage holders up to the age of about thirty four, because they're the ones really feeling these interest rate rises. And I think Liberal are going to make government at the next election because of this.

Where the Labor Party is still recklessly pursuing net zero, which is going to be at the cost of our whole that the Labor Party seems certainly no plan to grow the economy. All they ever do is pretend to be Santa Claus, saying that they've got a whole bunch of new handouts for everyone, but there is absolutely no plan on how any of this is going to be paid for. And the rise in support for them is among younger mortgage holders up to the age of about thirty four, because they're the ones really feeling these interest rate rises. And I think Liberal are going to make government at the next election because of this.

Well, we talked about some of the attacks on Peter Dutton, the Prime Minister, has been forced to get involved over an ALP post. This is out of Victoria personally attacking Dutton and his wife. Here's the meme that they posted. The caption reads, we all know that one couple and a secondary line stating justifying dating your new partner to your friends who don't like him Stephen, this is highly offensive and can I add completely immature and even worse bringing Peter Dutton's wife into the argument.

Well, we talked about some of the attacks on Peter Dutton, the Prime Minister, has been forced to get involved over an ALP post. This is out of Victoria personally attacking Dutton and his wife. Here's the meme that they posted. The caption reads, we all know that one couple and a secondary line stating justifying dating your new partner to your friends who don't like him Stephen, this is highly offensive and can I add completely immature and even worse bringing Peter Dutton's wife into the argument.

There's just no excuse for this.

There's just no excuse for this.

That's the really bad thing here, bringing his wife in. I mean, there's a rule in politics and generally all parties follow it, and that is you never bring families into the political debate.

That's the really bad thing here, bringing his wife in. I mean, there's a rule in politics and generally all parties follow it, and that is you never bring families into the political debate.

Otherwise it's pretty much no holds bart.

Otherwise it's pretty much no holds bart.

The ironic thing is that the Labor Party have this new word that they like to keep applying to Peter Dutton, and it's this word Trumpian.

The ironic thing is that the Labor Party have this new word that they like to keep applying to Peter Dutton, and it's this word Trumpian.

They keep saying he's Trumpian.

They keep saying he's Trumpian.

But if anyone is behaving Trumpian right now, it's the Victorian Labor Party because they're engaging and personal invective, not just against Darton but against you know, they're bringing his wife into it. So yeah, it's very very bad form. Not surprised because Labor supports in Victoria first first preference, Labor supporting book Victoria, who is down to thirty percent, so they're getting pretty desperate.

But if anyone is behaving Trumpian right now, it's the Victorian Labor Party because they're engaging and personal invective, not just against Darton but against you know, they're bringing his wife into it. So yeah, it's very very bad form. Not surprised because Labor supports in Victoria first first preference, Labor supporting book Victoria, who is down to thirty percent, so they're getting pretty desperate.

Well, it's interesting, Stephen, that you compare this to, you know, Trumpian tactics. At least Trump's funny when he has.

Well, it's interesting, Stephen, that you compare this to, you know, Trumpian tactics. At least Trump's funny when he has.

A go at the other side.

A go at the other side.

The Victorian ALP secretary Terry said that the post was a comedic meme. Well, I've got to say, as comedians, the Victorian Labor Party make pretty good economic managers, don't they.

The Victorian ALP secretary Terry said that the post was a comedic meme. Well, I've got to say, as comedians, the Victorian Labor Party make pretty good economic managers, don't they.

Well, again, i think they're showing that they're running scared of the Coalition federally, and they're even running scared of the Victorian Coalition, even though that's been a clown show for so long. But certainly I think the Victorian economy, if we're talking about a referendum on the Victorian government coming up in the federal election, as it did in ninety ninety when the Cane Kerner government was taken to the Cleaners, that losing eight federal seats. I think, if I remember rightly, I can see that repeating again and clearly the Victorian labor brains trust think that going after the Duttin family as not just mister Dutton is good politics. I just think it's bad politics. My old Bostony Abott used to say to MPs are volunteers and families are conscripts, and I think that's the way that it should always be. And look, I'll give mister Albanezi some credit here. I think the fact that he actually put the kaibosh on that as soon as he knew about it is to his credit.

Well, again, i think they're showing that they're running scared of the Coalition federally, and they're even running scared of the Victorian Coalition, even though that's been a clown show for so long. But certainly I think the Victorian economy, if we're talking about a referendum on the Victorian government coming up in the federal election, as it did in ninety ninety when the Cane Kerner government was taken to the Cleaners, that losing eight federal seats. I think, if I remember rightly, I can see that repeating again and clearly the Victorian labor brains trust think that going after the Duttin family as not just mister Dutton is good politics. I just think it's bad politics. My old Bostony Abott used to say to MPs are volunteers and families are conscripts, and I think that's the way that it should always be. And look, I'll give mister Albanezi some credit here. I think the fact that he actually put the kaibosh on that as soon as he knew about it is to his credit.

Yeah, well I noticed that.

Yeah, well I noticed that.

Just Sinta Allen, the Victorian Premier, when asked about this yesterday, had no comment, but she condemned the social media post today after the Prime Minister got involved. So read into that what you will. I want to talk about Queensland for a moment, where obviously they've got a new government and a new transport Brent Mickelberg has thrown support behind an idea that was originally proposed by the former Labor Premier, Stephen Miles. That's a cap on daily fuel price hikes. The new Transport Minister also wants a national inquiry into petrol prices. Now I would be the first to say yes to lower petrol prices, but Terry, do you think this is a good idea and will it really make much difference?

Just Sinta Allen, the Victorian Premier, when asked about this yesterday, had no comment, but she condemned the social media post today after the Prime Minister got involved. So read into that what you will. I want to talk about Queensland for a moment, where obviously they've got a new government and a new transport Brent Mickelberg has thrown support behind an idea that was originally proposed by the former Labor Premier, Stephen Miles. That's a cap on daily fuel price hikes. The new Transport Minister also wants a national inquiry into petrol prices. Now I would be the first to say yes to lower petrol prices, but Terry, do you think this is a good idea and will it really make much difference?

And we going to actually see the LNP and Queensland stop pretending to be labor light and actually pretending to be a center right government. I mean, everything they've come up with since the election seems to be mirroring labor, me tooing labor and here we go again. But look, when it comes to a cap on petrol prices, that is a very unliberal thing to support. I mean, we actually believe in a free market, don't we. But when it comes to an inquiry into petrol prices, I actually think that's a worthwhile idea, especially if the austriplec is doing it. Because we've got the well, we've got the movement bus cycles we see over over time in the capital cities and petrol goes up, petrol goes down, petrol goes round and round, and that's where the fuel companies, where the retailers get into that, the distributors is something I think we need to know more about it. But I think we also need to actually understand the taxation treat of the petrol too, because of particularly the double taxation of petrol excise and the GST.

And we going to actually see the LNP and Queensland stop pretending to be labor light and actually pretending to be a center right government. I mean, everything they've come up with since the election seems to be mirroring labor, me tooing labor and here we go again. But look, when it comes to a cap on petrol prices, that is a very unliberal thing to support. I mean, we actually believe in a free market, don't we. But when it comes to an inquiry into petrol prices, I actually think that's a worthwhile idea, especially if the austriplec is doing it. Because we've got the well, we've got the movement bus cycles we see over over time in the capital cities and petrol goes up, petrol goes down, petrol goes round and round, and that's where the fuel companies, where the retailers get into that, the distributors is something I think we need to know more about it. But I think we also need to actually understand the taxation treat of the petrol too, because of particularly the double taxation of petrol excise and the GST.

Yeah, I was going to say, if governments are so worried about the price of fuel and want to really help us, they could always remove some of that taxation and excise, couldn't they.

Yeah, I was going to say, if governments are so worried about the price of fuel and want to really help us, they could always remove some of that taxation and excise, couldn't they.

Let's go to New South Wales.

Let's go to New South Wales.

Premier Chris Mins is being recognized for his strong stance against anti Semitism. His clear condemnation of antisemitisms drawn praise from Jewish leaders. The chief Minister of Sydney's Great Synagogue said of the premiere quote, he strikes the right message and that sends a message across the entirety of society. That's Rabbi Elton. The premier has been nominated for the Australians Australian of the Year Award because of his leadership on the issue. Stephen, I personally think Chris Min's has been the best of any politician, certainly on the labor side. I mean, Peter Dutton has been outstanding, James Patterson and others, but among labor politicians, Chris Mins has been pretty good.

Premier Chris Mins is being recognized for his strong stance against anti Semitism. His clear condemnation of antisemitisms drawn praise from Jewish leaders. The chief Minister of Sydney's Great Synagogue said of the premiere quote, he strikes the right message and that sends a message across the entirety of society. That's Rabbi Elton. The premier has been nominated for the Australians Australian of the Year Award because of his leadership on the issue. Stephen, I personally think Chris Min's has been the best of any politician, certainly on the labor side. I mean, Peter Dutton has been outstanding, James Patterson and others, but among labor politicians, Chris Mins has been pretty good.

I completely agree, and so bravo too him for taking that stance, which is a risky thing for labor to do, because they have spent decades courting the so called multicultural vote and now it's coming back to haunt them where they're you know, those who would probably like to speak out against anti Semitism feel hamstring from doing it because of densely Muslim constituencies. One thing that I will say does concern me about the whole anti semitism debate in Australia is that it's been conceptualized as a free speech debate and as a hate speech debate, and I think that that's actually misleading. I think the uncomfortable truth is that this is really an immigration issue that we have allowed for decades large insular Islamic communities to emerge in Australia, many of which have parts in them which are deeply anti Semitic, and we really do need to address that. And so the government letting in two five hundred and sixty four Palestinians on visitor visas over the last twelve months is not a good idea. Is going to only make this worse because everyone knows by the surveys the overwhelming majority of Palestinians are actually pro Hamas. So I think we need I think we need to tackle anti Semitism, but not so much as a speech issue, but as an immigration issue.

I completely agree, and so bravo too him for taking that stance, which is a risky thing for labor to do, because they have spent decades courting the so called multicultural vote and now it's coming back to haunt them where they're you know, those who would probably like to speak out against anti Semitism feel hamstring from doing it because of densely Muslim constituencies. One thing that I will say does concern me about the whole anti semitism debate in Australia is that it's been conceptualized as a free speech debate and as a hate speech debate, and I think that that's actually misleading. I think the uncomfortable truth is that this is really an immigration issue that we have allowed for decades large insular Islamic communities to emerge in Australia, many of which have parts in them which are deeply anti Semitic, and we really do need to address that. And so the government letting in two five hundred and sixty four Palestinians on visitor visas over the last twelve months is not a good idea. Is going to only make this worse because everyone knows by the surveys the overwhelming majority of Palestinians are actually pro Hamas. So I think we need I think we need to tackle anti Semitism, but not so much as a speech issue, but as an immigration issue.

As uncomfortable as that debate's going to be.

As uncomfortable as that debate's going to be.

It's a really good point.

It's a really good point.

But as far as Chris Mins goes, I agree with your comments. He's been very good and more power to him. Kerry Barnes, Stephen Schivertt, thank you so much for your time and to both of you, have a happy New Year and enjoy the rest of your evening well. The cost of living crisis has definitely been one of the major challenges facing all Australians this year and it's sure to be a key issue at the next election. The Treasurer of Jim Chalmers has been talking up a range of cost of living measures which will kick in on.

But as far as Chris Mins goes, I agree with your comments. He's been very good and more power to him. Kerry Barnes, Stephen Schivertt, thank you so much for your time and to both of you, have a happy New Year and enjoy the rest of your evening well. The cost of living crisis has definitely been one of the major challenges facing all Australians this year and it's sure to be a key issue at the next election. The Treasurer of Jim Chalmers has been talking up a range of cost of living measures which will kick in on.

New Year's Day.

New Year's Day.

These include indexation freeze on pharmaceutical benefits, scheme co payments, as well as payment increases for Youth Allowance recipients who have dependents, but it remains to me seen whether these measures will be enough. Joining me now to discuss all of that and more is Sky and his contributor and child and adolescent psychologist Claire row Claire, Happy New Year, thanks for joining me. Jim Chalmers has been spooking what he calls the Albanezy governments meaningful and responsible cost of living help. I think he adds responsible in there to try to make us think it's not going to affect inflation. I wanted to ask you, though, because you're dealing with families all the time, what sort of impact is the cost of living crisis having on family dynamics? And is there more the government should be doing now?

These include indexation freeze on pharmaceutical benefits, scheme co payments, as well as payment increases for Youth Allowance recipients who have dependents, but it remains to me seen whether these measures will be enough. Joining me now to discuss all of that and more is Sky and his contributor and child and adolescent psychologist Claire row Claire, Happy New Year, thanks for joining me. Jim Chalmers has been spooking what he calls the Albanezy governments meaningful and responsible cost of living help. I think he adds responsible in there to try to make us think it's not going to affect inflation. I wanted to ask you, though, because you're dealing with families all the time, what sort of impact is the cost of living crisis having on family dynamics? And is there more the government should be doing now?

Thanks James, and happy New Year to you too. Yeah, I think we need to unpack these figures because I think on the outset they do look like they might provide relief.

Thanks James, and happy New Year to you too. Yeah, I think we need to unpack these figures because I think on the outset they do look like they might provide relief.

But the way I see it, this is a.

But the way I see it, this is a.

Very piecemeal, splash cats approach, and I don't think it's going to have much real impact on the families that I see that are really in pain at the petrol bowser and at the checkout. I think at the end of the day, this is very much pre campaigning dressed up as policy. I mean things like you mentioned the indexation freeze with the pharmaceutical benefit scheme. That's going to save Ozzie families a couple of bucks. But I think over the five years. On one hand, it's a lot of money the government is spending, and it's at the same time a drop in the ocean compared to the pain that Ozzie families are in at the moment. You mentioned again the thirty dollar rise for an individual on youth allowance. Well, I don't know about you, James, but I don't know what thirty dollars buys you at the supermarket because I am increasingly shocked at how light my shopping bags are when I tap one hundred dollars on the credit card. So thirty dollars doesn't get you much. So you know, no one's going to turn back thirty dollars in their bank account. But will it provide an individual with some relief at the moment, probably not. But at the same time, the amount of cash the government will spend on that scheme is just a ticking time bomb for inflation. So yeah, I think it's a very piecemeal approach. I think it's stressed up looking at writing a news cycle into the campaign and the election next year, and I'm doubtful that will provide really some relief and families will actually feel it in their hip pocket come tomorrow when this is rolled out.

Very piecemeal, splash cats approach, and I don't think it's going to have much real impact on the families that I see that are really in pain at the petrol bowser and at the checkout. I think at the end of the day, this is very much pre campaigning dressed up as policy. I mean things like you mentioned the indexation freeze with the pharmaceutical benefit scheme. That's going to save Ozzie families a couple of bucks. But I think over the five years. On one hand, it's a lot of money the government is spending, and it's at the same time a drop in the ocean compared to the pain that Ozzie families are in at the moment. You mentioned again the thirty dollar rise for an individual on youth allowance. Well, I don't know about you, James, but I don't know what thirty dollars buys you at the supermarket because I am increasingly shocked at how light my shopping bags are when I tap one hundred dollars on the credit card. So thirty dollars doesn't get you much. So you know, no one's going to turn back thirty dollars in their bank account. But will it provide an individual with some relief at the moment, probably not. But at the same time, the amount of cash the government will spend on that scheme is just a ticking time bomb for inflation. So yeah, I think it's a very piecemeal approach. I think it's stressed up looking at writing a news cycle into the campaign and the election next year, and I'm doubtful that will provide really some relief and families will actually feel it in their hip pocket come tomorrow when this is rolled out.

Yeah, I think you're right when it gets to it. It doesn't make a lot of difference, but it's an announcement and it gives the appearance of the government doing something to help. I want to go to some interesting polling analysis which shows a lot of young vote have moved away from the Greens in the last quarter of the year. According to Resolve Political Monitor, voters aged eighteen to thirty four have cut the Greens primary vote from twenty seven percent to twenty three percent. That's two points down from the twenty twenty two election.

Yeah, I think you're right when it gets to it. It doesn't make a lot of difference, but it's an announcement and it gives the appearance of the government doing something to help. I want to go to some interesting polling analysis which shows a lot of young vote have moved away from the Greens in the last quarter of the year. According to Resolve Political Monitor, voters aged eighteen to thirty four have cut the Greens primary vote from twenty seven percent to twenty three percent. That's two points down from the twenty twenty two election.

What do you think is driving this trend?

What do you think is driving this trend?

Because, I mean, the Greens typically rely on younger voters for support, which is why the Greens always want to reduce the voting age, right, But we're seeing this trend now where.

Because, I mean, the Greens typically rely on younger voters for support, which is why the Greens always want to reduce the voting age, right, But we're seeing this trend now where.

Young people are drifting away from the Greens. What do you think is happening?

Young people are drifting away from the Greens. What do you think is happening?

Well, it's interesting and I think it tells a very significant story at the moment for the Australian political landscape. And I think at the end of the day, as psychologists, we talk about a hierarchy of needs, and right at the top of those needs, you know what's there the ability to feed yourself and the ability to house yourself. And if you can't do those two things, all this retory can talk around kind of progressive and feel good on climate change and Middle Eastern politics, that just goes down at the priorities. And so young people are looking this and I think that they, you know, gradually finally becoming pretty disillusioned with bands kind of rhetoric heavy and results light approach. But I think at the end of the day, the two parties are benefiting. Two major parties, sorry, are benefiting from that. Labor I think is clawing back some of its younger votes. But I think the Coalition, you know, this shows that there is room there for policies that center around economic stability, housing supply, personal responsibility, and these are the exact values the coalition should be amplifying. So there is room there for young voters for the coalition. But here's the kicker, James. I think, out of these figures today, what it showed actually is that Whilst both major parties are gaining in young voters, by the time you get to you know, middle aged voters that's probably me and definitely over fifty fives, they are decisively going towards the coalition. And so you know, whilst Albanazi may be the preferred prime minister for young voters at the moment compared to Dutton, clearly so that margin absolutely decreases once people get a bit older, and it completely flips when you look at the over fifty fives. So I think at the end of the day, it comes down to those basic needs and young people as well as older people are pretty disappointed by promises that haven't been met by this government.

Well, it's interesting and I think it tells a very significant story at the moment for the Australian political landscape. And I think at the end of the day, as psychologists, we talk about a hierarchy of needs, and right at the top of those needs, you know what's there the ability to feed yourself and the ability to house yourself. And if you can't do those two things, all this retory can talk around kind of progressive and feel good on climate change and Middle Eastern politics, that just goes down at the priorities. And so young people are looking this and I think that they, you know, gradually finally becoming pretty disillusioned with bands kind of rhetoric heavy and results light approach. But I think at the end of the day, the two parties are benefiting. Two major parties, sorry, are benefiting from that. Labor I think is clawing back some of its younger votes. But I think the Coalition, you know, this shows that there is room there for policies that center around economic stability, housing supply, personal responsibility, and these are the exact values the coalition should be amplifying. So there is room there for young voters for the coalition. But here's the kicker, James. I think, out of these figures today, what it showed actually is that Whilst both major parties are gaining in young voters, by the time you get to you know, middle aged voters that's probably me and definitely over fifty fives, they are decisively going towards the coalition. And so you know, whilst Albanazi may be the preferred prime minister for young voters at the moment compared to Dutton, clearly so that margin absolutely decreases once people get a bit older, and it completely flips when you look at the over fifty fives. So I think at the end of the day, it comes down to those basic needs and young people as well as older people are pretty disappointed by promises that haven't been met by this government.

My heart was in my mouth for a minute there. Clear you talked about young voters and middle aged voters like yourself, and then I wondered where you were going to go and where you're going to put me before I let you go. As a psychologist, obviously this is the time of year people are making New Year's resolutions. Is it too late for people who haven't made resolutions? How important is it to make resolutions and what are some tips on making resolutions that will actually be meaningful?

My heart was in my mouth for a minute there. Clear you talked about young voters and middle aged voters like yourself, and then I wondered where you were going to go and where you're going to put me before I let you go. As a psychologist, obviously this is the time of year people are making New Year's resolutions. Is it too late for people who haven't made resolutions? How important is it to make resolutions and what are some tips on making resolutions that will actually be meaningful?

Well?

Well?

I know not everyone's into New Year's resolutions. I love them. I think there is something really enticing still with human nature of a blank page and a fresh start tomorrow. But you know, of course you can make resolutions three hundred and sixty five days of the year. My tip for everyone wanting to make resolutions is to think small. Think about habits, and a habit is a small behavior that is done consistently. So if you want to clean up your diet, don't go the full hog and cut everything out, you know, just think about reducing, say your intake of soft drinks for the next three months, and then habits stack we call it a psychologist. You stack another habit onto that in a couple of months time. So think small. Eighty percent of resolutions don't work. People don't stick to them. I think generally it's because people have two great expectations for what they can achieve, and when motivation dwindles, which it's going to do, you want those new habits to be fairly easy.

I know not everyone's into New Year's resolutions. I love them. I think there is something really enticing still with human nature of a blank page and a fresh start tomorrow. But you know, of course you can make resolutions three hundred and sixty five days of the year. My tip for everyone wanting to make resolutions is to think small. Think about habits, and a habit is a small behavior that is done consistently. So if you want to clean up your diet, don't go the full hog and cut everything out, you know, just think about reducing, say your intake of soft drinks for the next three months, and then habits stack we call it a psychologist. You stack another habit onto that in a couple of months time. So think small. Eighty percent of resolutions don't work. People don't stick to them. I think generally it's because people have two great expectations for what they can achieve, and when motivation dwindles, which it's going to do, you want those new habits to be fairly easy.

Very good advice. Claire Row always a pleasure to talk to.

Very good advice. Claire Row always a pleasure to talk to.

You.

You.

Have a happy New Year.

Have a happy New Year.

Whatever you're doing tonight, trust you enjoy it, and all the very best for twenty twenty five. Well, stick around because after the break, we really have seen a turnaround in our relations with China, or have we Their ambassador claims we have.

Whatever you're doing tonight, trust you enjoy it, and all the very best for twenty twenty five. Well, stick around because after the break, we really have seen a turnaround in our relations with China, or have we Their ambassador claims we have.

We'll talk about whether or not that's correct.

We'll talk about whether or not that's correct.

Plus growing concerns about the impact of Victoria's controversial news short stat tax, all of that coming up in just a moment.

Plus growing concerns about the impact of Victoria's controversial news short stat tax, all of that coming up in just a moment.

Well.

Well.

In an exclusive interview with The Australian last week, China's ambassador to Australia declared we need to respect China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. The interview took place only a matter of days after China removed its last remaining trade ban on Australian exports, with the ambassador claiming there'd been a quote full turnaround in bilateral ties. Joining me now as Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, Michael Schubridge, Michael, it's true we've seen some progress when it comes to our relationship with China this year. But what do the Chinese mean when they say it's been a full turnaround. It sounds to me like they're trying to talk us into a position.

In an exclusive interview with The Australian last week, China's ambassador to Australia declared we need to respect China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. The interview took place only a matter of days after China removed its last remaining trade ban on Australian exports, with the ambassador claiming there'd been a quote full turnaround in bilateral ties. Joining me now as Director of Strategic Analysis Australia, Michael Schubridge, Michael, it's true we've seen some progress when it comes to our relationship with China this year. But what do the Chinese mean when they say it's been a full turnaround. It sounds to me like they're trying to talk us into a position.

Yes, James, I think you're right. China's ambassador show will be very pleased with Albanesi's first term because the handsome boy has done everything Beijing has asked him to do, so the turnaround has really been by Australia. He's silenced our government on China's military aggression towards our own military and others in the region. He's prioritized lobster sales over doing anything that might upset Shijingping, and he's done two reviews which have done exactly what Beijing wanted, left Darwin Port in Chinese hands and put stronger controls around think tanks that dared to speak the truth. So as the new ambassador takes over, Beijing's going to be very hopeful that he will capitalize on mister Albanese's excellent response to training, and they'll probably hope they can drive wedges between Alberesi and Trump.

Yes, James, I think you're right. China's ambassador show will be very pleased with Albanesi's first term because the handsome boy has done everything Beijing has asked him to do, so the turnaround has really been by Australia. He's silenced our government on China's military aggression towards our own military and others in the region. He's prioritized lobster sales over doing anything that might upset Shijingping, and he's done two reviews which have done exactly what Beijing wanted, left Darwin Port in Chinese hands and put stronger controls around think tanks that dared to speak the truth. So as the new ambassador takes over, Beijing's going to be very hopeful that he will capitalize on mister Albanese's excellent response to training, and they'll probably hope they can drive wedges between Alberesi and Trump.

And of course, when the ambassador says Australia should respect China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, is that just, you know, an obvious thing, or is he really sending a message If you want to keep these trade numbers that we've returned to you, then you will do our bidding.

And of course, when the ambassador says Australia should respect China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, is that just, you know, an obvious thing, or is he really sending a message If you want to keep these trade numbers that we've returned to you, then you will do our bidding.

Well.

Well.

China's territorial claims in the South China Sea are wholly illegitimate and illegal. They want to take territory and maritime space from Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, so we can't respect that. But what he wants is the continued silence out of mister Albanesi and senior ministers.

China's territorial claims in the South China Sea are wholly illegitimate and illegal. They want to take territory and maritime space from Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, so we can't respect that. But what he wants is the continued silence out of mister Albanesi and senior ministers.

Yeah, fair enough.

Yeah, fair enough.

All right, let's talk about defense then, because our defense force has got pretty serious personnel problems. The recruitment goal has been missed every year since two thousand and twelve. Total numbers are currently fifty nine thousand or thereabouts, a figure that needs to reach eighty thousand by twenty forty. So in an effort to help boost recruitment, they've set up a new app. There's always a new app. That adf Ready app is designed to help Australians reach the fitness requirements for entry into the Navy. So it's one of our plans to increase recruitment. I'm not sure how successful the app will be. The other program, of course, is allowing citizens from five Eyes nations to sign up, and that.

All right, let's talk about defense then, because our defense force has got pretty serious personnel problems. The recruitment goal has been missed every year since two thousand and twelve. Total numbers are currently fifty nine thousand or thereabouts, a figure that needs to reach eighty thousand by twenty forty. So in an effort to help boost recruitment, they've set up a new app. There's always a new app. That adf Ready app is designed to help Australians reach the fitness requirements for entry into the Navy. So it's one of our plans to increase recruitment. I'm not sure how successful the app will be. The other program, of course, is allowing citizens from five Eyes nations to sign up, and that.

Kicks off tomorrow.

Kicks off tomorrow.

So we've got, you know, people from New Zealand, Canada. They can join our defense forces. And Michael, we've got an app. Is this enough to fix the crisis?

So we've got, you know, people from New Zealand, Canada. They can join our defense forces. And Michael, we've got an app. Is this enough to fix the crisis?

Well, James, people that have retired from the UK, US, New Zealand and Canadian militaries that have spent time living in Australia and then are desperate to join our military. They're not going to solve a workforce collapse that's four and a half thousand people, big and growing. So that's not an answer. And if they were wildly successful, our Canadian, US, UK and other partners would say stop, you're taking our military. And an app designed by a bunch of bureaucrats around fitness is not going to energize young people to join the military. What will energize them is cutting the top heavy senior ranks who are so out of touch and pushing responsibility down to junior people in our military. That's been the hallmark of Australian military success through our history.

Well, James, people that have retired from the UK, US, New Zealand and Canadian militaries that have spent time living in Australia and then are desperate to join our military. They're not going to solve a workforce collapse that's four and a half thousand people, big and growing. So that's not an answer. And if they were wildly successful, our Canadian, US, UK and other partners would say stop, you're taking our military. And an app designed by a bunch of bureaucrats around fitness is not going to energize young people to join the military. What will energize them is cutting the top heavy senior ranks who are so out of touch and pushing responsibility down to junior people in our military. That's been the hallmark of Australian military success through our history.

Just before I let you go, Michael, i'd like to get your thoughts on how you think the government has performed when it comes to defense policy this year. If you could nominate off the top of your head, what's the OBENEZI done well when it's come to defense and where have they failed this year.

Just before I let you go, Michael, i'd like to get your thoughts on how you think the government has performed when it comes to defense policy this year. If you could nominate off the top of your head, what's the OBENEZI done well when it's come to defense and where have they failed this year.

Do you think.

Do you think.

Tet me start with the single biggest failure of the Albenzi government on defense, and this is for their whole term. They have failed to make Australian safer by making our military more powerful rapidly. Instead, they've signed up to bureaucrats' plans where nothing can happen for ten or twenty years.

Tet me start with the single biggest failure of the Albenzi government on defense, and this is for their whole term. They have failed to make Australian safer by making our military more powerful rapidly. Instead, they've signed up to bureaucrats' plans where nothing can happen for ten or twenty years.

That's their big failure.

That's their big failure.

Two successes this year.

Two successes this year.

They've actually agreed to have a non US company, Consberg, build advanced missiles here in Australia. And they've agreed to give the m one Abrams tanks our army is retiring to the Ukrainians who desperately need them. That's a much better decision than when they cut up and buried those helicopters that the Ukrainians wanted.

They've actually agreed to have a non US company, Consberg, build advanced missiles here in Australia. And they've agreed to give the m one Abrams tanks our army is retiring to the Ukrainians who desperately need them. That's a much better decision than when they cut up and buried those helicopters that the Ukrainians wanted.

Michael schubridche appreciate you joining me tonight, have a wonderful New Year's Eve and all the very best to you and your family for the coming year. Well stick around because after the break the hidden costs holidaymakers in Victoria could be hit with from tomorrow are really going to sting. Plus, Israel ramps up pressure on the Hooti rebels to stop their missile attacks. All of that and more in just a moment.

Michael schubridche appreciate you joining me tonight, have a wonderful New Year's Eve and all the very best to you and your family for the coming year. Well stick around because after the break the hidden costs holidaymakers in Victoria could be hit with from tomorrow are really going to sting. Plus, Israel ramps up pressure on the Hooti rebels to stop their missile attacks. All of that and more in just a moment.

Welcome back.

Welcome back.

Victoria's controversial short stay tax will take effect from tomorrow. Not exactly a happy new year for holiday makers or for airbnb owners. Not only will all bookings be hit with a seven point five percent tax, but there's concerns that levy includes some surprise details.

Victoria's controversial short stay tax will take effect from tomorrow. Not exactly a happy new year for holiday makers or for airbnb owners. Not only will all bookings be hit with a seven point five percent tax, but there's concerns that levy includes some surprise details.

It's just been revealed.

It's just been revealed.

The fine print in the tax says it also applies to cleaning charges and to GST. Victorian Libertarian Party MP David Limbrick joins me, Now, David, this is pretty absurd, isn't it. I mean, Victorians are already facing enough tax and doesn't the state want to attract people rather than drive them away.

The fine print in the tax says it also applies to cleaning charges and to GST. Victorian Libertarian Party MP David Limbrick joins me, Now, David, this is pretty absurd, isn't it. I mean, Victorians are already facing enough tax and doesn't the state want to attract people rather than drive them away.

Well, you're absolutely right. Of course, the Libertarian Party oppose these tax I've never supported an increase in taxation in Victoria. But when this was brought up, we did lots of consultation with stakeholders and they brought to our attention that the tax would be placed on the total value that was charged to the visitor, and that would include things like cleaning and GST. So you effectively have the state government which is putting a margin on federal government GST which is outrageous by itself, but you're absolutely right. We want Victoria to be a place that's attractive for people to visit. And when you've got an extra seven and a half percent tax, that makes it less attractive for Victorians to come and stay in the state. That makes it less attractive for interstate visitors and international visitors. I want Victoria to be somewhere that's attractive and cheaper for visitors to come and have a holiday here.

Well, you're absolutely right. Of course, the Libertarian Party oppose these tax I've never supported an increase in taxation in Victoria. But when this was brought up, we did lots of consultation with stakeholders and they brought to our attention that the tax would be placed on the total value that was charged to the visitor, and that would include things like cleaning and GST. So you effectively have the state government which is putting a margin on federal government GST which is outrageous by itself, but you're absolutely right. We want Victoria to be a place that's attractive for people to visit. And when you've got an extra seven and a half percent tax, that makes it less attractive for Victorians to come and stay in the state. That makes it less attractive for interstate visitors and international visitors. I want Victoria to be somewhere that's attractive and cheaper for visitors to come and have a holiday here.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Absolutely, all right, let's change place for a second. I want to talk about something that we probably don't talk about as often as we should, and that's the toll that policing takes on the mental health of officers. I know it's been fun to sort of knock Victorian police after what went down during the COVID pandemic, but I mean, our police are incredibly important. It's a very tough job, and Victoria Police have confirmed mental health injuries, including those resulting from attending traumatic events, having a huge impact on our police. Almost eighty percent of the two hundred thousand lost shifts among uniform and unsworn employees were related to mental health issues in twenty twenty three, twenty four that's according to the Victorian Police Annual Report. They say the problem is escalating. David, it's pretty concerning when our police are really struggling themselves emotionally and mentally with the job they have to do. Is the government doing enough for our police?

Absolutely, all right, let's change place for a second. I want to talk about something that we probably don't talk about as often as we should, and that's the toll that policing takes on the mental health of officers. I know it's been fun to sort of knock Victorian police after what went down during the COVID pandemic, but I mean, our police are incredibly important. It's a very tough job, and Victoria Police have confirmed mental health injuries, including those resulting from attending traumatic events, having a huge impact on our police. Almost eighty percent of the two hundred thousand lost shifts among uniform and unsworn employees were related to mental health issues in twenty twenty three, twenty four that's according to the Victorian Police Annual Report. They say the problem is escalating. David, it's pretty concerning when our police are really struggling themselves emotionally and mentally with the job they have to do. Is the government doing enough for our police?

I think the government's doing too much. I mean when a police officer signs up, I imagine that they want to you know, they want to be the hero that takes out the murderers and find the thieves and thugs. But over the last few years, what they've been tasked with during COVID, we're policing all these crazy restrictions. More recently they've had to police the consequences of crazy government policy on tobacco XIE, which has resulted in arson attacks all over the state like hundreds. Now it's almost impossible for them to deal with this. And now coming up down the line, we have the state government wants to implement these what they're calling their social cohesion laws, which effectively will mean police will need to police words, symbols and gestures. I don't think the police signed up for this sort of thing, and I can understand why it would be very demoralizing for them and I really hope that the new Opposition leader, mister Brad Batton, reconsiders their support for what the government has been proposing with the social Cohesion laws and we can maybe put a stop to it.

I think the government's doing too much. I mean when a police officer signs up, I imagine that they want to you know, they want to be the hero that takes out the murderers and find the thieves and thugs. But over the last few years, what they've been tasked with during COVID, we're policing all these crazy restrictions. More recently they've had to police the consequences of crazy government policy on tobacco XIE, which has resulted in arson attacks all over the state like hundreds. Now it's almost impossible for them to deal with this. And now coming up down the line, we have the state government wants to implement these what they're calling their social cohesion laws, which effectively will mean police will need to police words, symbols and gestures. I don't think the police signed up for this sort of thing, and I can understand why it would be very demoralizing for them and I really hope that the new Opposition leader, mister Brad Batton, reconsiders their support for what the government has been proposing with the social Cohesion laws and we can maybe put a stop to it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, I guess police officers in Victoria will be heartened by the fact that the new opposition leader has a policing background, as does Peter Dutton, so maybe they'll get a bit more love and attention from the government if the Libs get in. But I mean, you mentioned COVID and the pandemic, and you know, we can say what we like about policing, but ultimately they have to do what the government is charging them to do. They've taken a pretty bad rap and I can't imagine that policing would be a preferred career for a lot of Victorians after all the flak they took from the pandemic.

Well, I guess police officers in Victoria will be heartened by the fact that the new opposition leader has a policing background, as does Peter Dutton, so maybe they'll get a bit more love and attention from the government if the Libs get in. But I mean, you mentioned COVID and the pandemic, and you know, we can say what we like about policing, but ultimately they have to do what the government is charging them to do. They've taken a pretty bad rap and I can't imagine that policing would be a preferred career for a lot of Victorians after all the flak they took from the pandemic.

That's not going to help with policing either, is it.

That's not going to help with policing either, is it.

No, And you're right, like the police have to do what the laws say, right that they have to enforce the law.

No, And you're right, like the police have to do what the laws say, right that they have to enforce the law.

That's their job. They don't make up the laws.

That's their job. They don't make up the laws.

And you know, there was a lot of trust destroyed between the public and police during COVID when they saw you know, Grandma's being arrested for being outside, or you know, people getting fines for not wearing a mask, and all these other things that you know, would would have seemed outrageous and sort of crazy. Like a few years ago, all of a sudden, the police were at the front line trying to deal with this sort of stuff. But ultimately it was the government that allowed the public health bureaucrats to go crazy and take control and come out with these mandates that the police ultimately have to enforce. After all, all laws ultimately are enforced by the man in the uniform holding the gun.

And you know, there was a lot of trust destroyed between the public and police during COVID when they saw you know, Grandma's being arrested for being outside, or you know, people getting fines for not wearing a mask, and all these other things that you know, would would have seemed outrageous and sort of crazy. Like a few years ago, all of a sudden, the police were at the front line trying to deal with this sort of stuff. But ultimately it was the government that allowed the public health bureaucrats to go crazy and take control and come out with these mandates that the police ultimately have to enforce. After all, all laws ultimately are enforced by the man in the uniform holding the gun.

Yeah, all right, I want to move on to one more topic before I let you go, David, and you can celebrate your New Years. But I, believe it or not, I want to talk to you about a table, A very expensive table, I might add, because we learned today the Victorian government managed to splurge forty thousand dollars on a dining table for Parliament House.

Yeah, all right, I want to move on to one more topic before I let you go, David, and you can celebrate your New Years. But I, believe it or not, I want to talk to you about a table, A very expensive table, I might add, because we learned today the Victorian government managed to splurge forty thousand dollars on a dining table for Parliament House.

Have a look at this.

Have a look at this.

It seats eight lucky MPs for forty grand Can you believe it? A Department of Secretary Services Secretary Trish Burrows defended the purchase as you would expect.

It seats eight lucky MPs for forty grand Can you believe it? A Department of Secretary Services Secretary Trish Burrows defended the purchase as you would expect.

She said.

She said.

The table that was previously in the room was very old and was not a dining table. It had a low apron, which meant it was difficult and uncomfortable for many people to sit at. Well, thank god that Victorian taxpayers have only had to pay forty grand to fix that problem so that eight MP's at a time can sit at the parliamentary dining room table. Honestly, can you believe this rubbish in a cost of living crisis?

The table that was previously in the room was very old and was not a dining table. It had a low apron, which meant it was difficult and uncomfortable for many people to sit at. Well, thank god that Victorian taxpayers have only had to pay forty grand to fix that problem so that eight MP's at a time can sit at the parliamentary dining room table. Honestly, can you believe this rubbish in a cost of living crisis?

Well, it's a bit interesting this one because the decision actually isn't a government decision. This is made by Parliament itself. And I'll say this, the Commonwealth games are debarcle.

Well, it's a bit interesting this one because the decision actually isn't a government decision. This is made by Parliament itself. And I'll say this, the Commonwealth games are debarcle.

That happened.

That happened.

The government spent five hundred and eighty nine million dollars and taxpayers got absolutely nothing. At least the Department of Parliamentary Services got a table out of this, so at least they got something.

The government spent five hundred and eighty nine million dollars and taxpayers got absolutely nothing. At least the Department of Parliamentary Services got a table out of this, so at least they got something.

David Limbrick, I like your optimism. That's a great way to look at it. It was a win for Victorian taxpayers.

David Limbrick, I like your optimism. That's a great way to look at it. It was a win for Victorian taxpayers.

They shelled out a whole lot of money and actually this time got something in return.

They shelled out a whole lot of money and actually this time got something in return.

Miracles do happen.

Miracles do happen.

David Limbrick, thanks so much for joining me, Happy New Year, all the best for twenty We're going to go to a break, but.

David Limbrick, thanks so much for joining me, Happy New Year, all the best for twenty We're going to go to a break, but.

When we come back.

When we come back.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has issued a final warning to the Hooti rebels. Plus why have Donald Trump's cabinet nominee has gone so quiet on social media? Michael Danby will join me in a moment, welcome back. Well, there's a bit happening internationally on this New Year's eve, So joining me to talk about it all is the past chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Michael Danby. Michael, actually a time tonight. The Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations has called on the Iran backed Hooti rebels to stop their missile attacks on Israel. These have been going on for quite some time. Israel have said, this is your final warning. During an address to the UN Security Council, the Israeli Ambassador, Danny Dannon, said the Hooties would share the same miserable fate as Hamas Hezbalah and Assad if they persisted with these rocket attacks. How much of a threat to the huties pose to the Israeli people.