. Welcome to this week’s edition of Australia Asks, where the headlines are factual, the consequences are serious, and the political behaviour occasionally resembles a television comedy written by people who thought subtlety was overrated. From missing financial statements and a $312,000 branding contract to diplomatic insults, billionaire-funded travel and a telecommunications outage blamed (without … Continue reading Video Podcast: This Week’s Strange Australian Political Stories
Tag: Australia
Community Forum With Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University
. David Heilpern is an Australian legal trailblazer, author, and former NSW Magistrate who served on the bench for over two decades before retiring in 2020. Throughout his distinguished judicial career, he presided over thousands of cases in regional and metropolitan courts, earning a reputation for his compassionate approach and commitment to social justice. Before … Continue reading Community Forum With Professor David Heilpern, Dean of Law at Southern Cross University
Video Podcast: A Week of Bizarre Politics in Australia
. In this week’s episode of Australia Asks, we ask: “What the hell is wrong with the Australian media?” Is it Australian politics, or Australian entertainment? This week, we watched Barnaby Joyce command a dog to “sit down” during a serious television interview, Anthony Albanese stumble on an escalator and drop an F-bomb, and political … Continue reading Video Podcast: A Week of Bizarre Politics in Australia
Video Interview With Tom McIlroy, The Guardian’s Political Editor
. In this week's episode of Australia Asks, we interview Tom McIlroy, Political Editor at The Guardian (Australia). In it, he reveals some secrets from behind the scenes in Canberra. Tom McIlroy is the political editor for Guardian Australia, based at Parliament House in Canberra. With over a decade of experience in the federal parliamentary … Continue reading Video Interview With Tom McIlroy, The Guardian’s Political Editor
Video Interview With Senator David Shoebridge (Greens, NSW)
. This week’s guest on the Australia Asks video podcast is Senator David Shoebridge. He is an Australian Greens Senator representing New South Wales. First elected to the Senate in 2022 after serving over a decade in the NSW Legislative Council, he currently acts as the party's spokesperson for Justice, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, … Continue reading Video Interview With Senator David Shoebridge (Greens, NSW)
Video Interview With Allegra Spender MP and Zali Steggall MP About Their New Political Party, Community Strong
. This week's guests on the Australia Asks video podcast are Allegra Spender MP and Zali Steggall MP, talking about their new political party, Community Strong. Allegra Spender MP is the Federal Member for the Sydney electorate of Wentworth, first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and re-elected in 2025. Before entering politics, … Continue reading Video Interview With Allegra Spender MP and Zali Steggall MP About Their New Political Party, Community Strong
Video Podcast: The Cost of Living, Housing Affordability and Taxation
. This week's episode of the Australia Asks video podcast asks the question: "“What are the facts about the cost of living, housing affordability, and the changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax?” The cost of living has become the biggest political issue in Australia because it affects everyone. Whether you're a student, a … Continue reading Video Podcast: The Cost of Living, Housing Affordability and Taxation
Community Forum with Senator Steph Hodgins-May
. Senator Steph Hodgins-May is the Australian Greens Senator for Victoria, bringing a deep background in environmental law and human rights advocacy to Federal Parliament. Before her parliamentary tenure, she worked as an adviser to the United Nations and as a director at Greenpeace, fighting for strong climate action and sustainable food systems. Sworn in … Continue reading Community Forum with Senator Steph Hodgins-May
Video Interview With David Ettershank, Member of the Legislative Council in Victoria
. This week’s’s guest on my Australia Asks Video Podcast is David Ettershank, a Member of the Legislative Council in Victoria for the Legalise Cannabis Party. He was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2022. His political mission is to legalise, de-stigmatise, and reform cannabis laws across Victoria. As a long-term recreational and therapeutic cannabis … Continue reading Video Interview With David Ettershank, Member of the Legislative Council in Victoria
Video Podcast: Pauline Hanson at the National Press Club
. Welcome to this week’s episode of Australia Asks. This week we are asking: “What is the truth behind Pauline Hanson’s claims?” We’ll take a close look at Pauline Hanson's recent address to the National Press Club. During that speech, Hanson made a series of claims about immigration, multiculturalism, climate change, the economy, energy policy … Continue reading Video Podcast: Pauline Hanson at the National Press Club
Video Podcast: Australians Standing With Albania
. Welcome to this week’s edition of Australia Asks, and this week we are asking: “What the hell is going on in Albania, and what can we in Australia do about it?” Today, we're talking about a story unfolding on the other side of the world that has implications far beyond the borders of Albania. … Continue reading Video Podcast: Australians Standing With Albania
Video Interview with Dr Gordon Reid MP, Federal Member for Robertson, NSW
. This week’s’s guest on my Australia Asks Video Podcast is Dr Gordon Reid MP, the federal member of parliament for Robertson in the ACT. Dr Gordon Reid MP is an Australian medical practitioner and politician who serves as the Federal Member for Robertson in New South Wales. A proud Wiradjuri man with deep roots … Continue reading Video Interview with Dr Gordon Reid MP, Federal Member for Robertson, NSW
Community Forum with Clare O’Neil MP, Australia’s Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities
. Clare O'Neil is the Federal Member for Hotham and Australia’s Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, and Minister for Cities. Her path into politics started in Melbourne's south-east, where she grew up and later studied law and history at Monash University. While still at university, she entered local government and became the youngest female … Continue reading Community Forum with Clare O’Neil MP, Australia’s Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities
Video Interview with Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities & Treasury
. This week's’s guest on my Australia Asks Video Podcast is Dr Andrew Leigh MP, the federal member of parliament for Fenner in the ACT. Andrew was elected to parliament in 2010, and is currently the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities & Treasury. He holds a PhD from Harvard, and was formerly a professor … Continue reading Video Interview with Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities & Treasury
How We Took on Trump Tower and Won
. Recently, I got my 15 minutes of fame for helping stop the proposed Trump Tower project on the Gold Coast. The reality, though, is that I was simply the public face of something much bigger: a campaign powered by hundreds of thousands of ordinary Australians who decided enough was enough. When I first heard … Continue reading How We Took on Trump Tower and Won
Petition: Implement federal price-gouging laws in Australia
. The cost of living in Australia is already a significant burden for many families, and it is only made worse when oil companies and petrol stations opportunistically hike prices by capitalising on global crises, such as wars, to inflate costs even further. This practice of price-gouging not only exploits the vulnerabilities of everyday Australians … Continue reading Petition: Implement federal price-gouging laws in Australia
Why we started petitions to stop the Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
. We didn’t set out to run one of the biggest grassroots campaigns the Gold Coast has seen in years. But the moment the Trump Organization’s first Australian tower was announced - a 91-storey, 340-metre Trump International Hotel & Tower proposed for Surfers Paradise - we knew we had to act. So we did what … Continue reading Why we started petitions to stop the Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
Ten Places Where Trump Investments Have Had a Negative Impact
. These are places around the world where Trump-owned or Trump-branded projects were widely reported as symbols of luxury-led redevelopment, priced at notable premiums, or tied to controversies that locals said harmed communities. These included the displacement of local businesses, skyrocketing property prices, and a sharp increase in income inequality. Hudson Square, “West SoHo,” Manhattan … Continue reading Ten Places Where Trump Investments Have Had a Negative Impact
Stop the construction of Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
. I am deeply concerned about the proposed construction of a Trump Tower on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland. This magnificent region, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant local culture, is at risk of losing its charm and integrity if this project goes ahead. Donald Trump, the figure behind this development, is not … Continue reading Stop the construction of Trump Tower on the Gold Coast
“The China Challenge” is now available as an eBook (epub)
. My book “The China Challenge” is now available as an eBook (epub) in my book store. It tells the true story of the life, loves, wins and losses of an Australian businessman, teacher and journalist, through 23 towns and cities in China. Just A$5.99. From glittering Chengdu boardrooms to crowded high-school classrooms in Chongqing … Continue reading “The China Challenge” is now available as an eBook (epub)
The Insecurities of the Extreme Right
. In recent years, the rise of far-right extremism and neo-Nazi groups in Australia has drawn increasing concern from communities, academics, and law enforcement. Beneath its aggressive rhetoric and often-violent ideology lies not strength, but insecurity, manifested as hatred toward groups that challenge their sense of identity, status, and entitlement. They hate Asians because Asians … Continue reading The Insecurities of the Extreme Right
Craig Hill: Legalise Cannabis Party Candidate for Bonner, Queensland
. Craig Hill is a teacher, corporate trainer, business consultant and journalist. He has lived in Carindale for six years, where he owns and operates the Australian Business and Leadership School, an education and business consultancy service. He is married to Fatemeh and has an adult stepdaughter. He is the Legalise Cannabis Party candidate for … Continue reading Craig Hill: Legalise Cannabis Party Candidate for Bonner, Queensland
Centrelink Legislation is in Drastic Need of Reform
. The Social Security Act and Social Security (Administration) Act each contain over 1,000 sections, most of which are designed to deny people payments, and many of which are in contradiction to other legislation. The legal age for voting is 18, but Centrelink expect parents to support their children until they are 22. That is, … Continue reading Centrelink Legislation is in Drastic Need of Reform
A Social Justice Plan for Bonner
. Craig Hill, the Legalise Cannabis Party candidate for the federal electorate of Bonner, today announced a robust policy platform aimed at promoting social justice and equity across the community. Recognising the diverse needs of Bonner's residents, Craig is committed to implementing initiatives that address key areas such as education, employment, and community engagement. Craig … Continue reading A Social Justice Plan for Bonner
Bringing Back the CES Would Have Great Benefits for Bonner
. Reinstating the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) in Australia, particularly within the Bonner electorate, offers several compelling advantages: Enhanced Accountability and Consistency: Transitioning employment services back to a public model could address issues of inconsistency and lack of oversight observed in the current privatised system. A parliamentary review highlighted that the full marketisation of employment … Continue reading Bringing Back the CES Would Have Great Benefits for Bonner
Craig Hill 