Van Badham and Ben Davison start their Wednesday on a Thursday with discussion of the federal government’s “Future Made in Australia” policy suite, and just what a policy dedicated to local jobs exposes about the people who criticises it and why unions are supporting it. Join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow SPOILER ALERT: trickle down economics gets the rightful kicking from Ben that it deserves. Next, Van’s horror at the massacre in Bondi Junction, turns to rage about the carnage opportunism of online disinformation influencers exploiting the tragedy. The good news, though, is about solar cars! If you'd like to become a supporter and make a contribution go to www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday Remember all our Extend the Reach and Cadre supporters get acknowledged by Van every episode

Baby, we are BACK! Van and Ben return after a super frustrating hiatus to discuss the issues of the day in their inimitable style. The recent Tasmanian election has thrown up a complex and divided result, delivering more crossbenchers to the parliament than opposition members, and the Liberals forming minority government with nothing to guarantee the passage of legislation but wild hope. Ben and Van discuss this in the context of Tasmania’s unusual electoral system and the politics of independent representation more broadly. The analysis continues as Ben breaks down the ongoing good news about the Australian economy, with the unsurprising if excellent news that union members are seeing significant pay increases as the result of the newly legislated frameworks for improved collective bargaining. (If you want in, join your union right now via www.australianunions.org.au/wow Ben peeling back the obfuscations of the Liberals and works through why Labor’s successes aren’t more broadly known. The distraction politics of Peter Dutton and the Amazing Modular Nuclear Reactors That Don’t Actually Exist is placed in the context it so duly deserves. Finally, the good news is about airships. This is at least the third time this show has celebrated airship initiatives, as Van is obviously obsessed with them, everyone should Be, they are the jewels of the air and the future of all humanity! (It is possible that Van wrote this). We’d like to thank all of our listeners for their continued support and solidarity with us over this period of Ben’s illness. It means more to this household than you could possibly know. You can become a supporter and leave us a message at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Ben Davison returns to take a look at a week in parliament that saw the Closing Loopholes bill pass the lower house, the greens and coalition team up to block the new shared home equity scheme, the mess that Labor is trying to clean up from Dutton's unlawful immigration detention scheme and Julian Hill's inquiry into Employment services. The Employment services inquiry has found a huge amount of waste, an ideological system that punishes people and fails to actually help people get work. Ben takes a look at the report, Van Badham's latest Guardian article on the topic and the insights of Per Capita CEO Emma Dawson as the Labor government considers changes that Dutton's Coalition has already said they will oppose. The Labor government's reform agenda is starting to face multiple fronts of inertia, vested interest and a media more interested in a fight and "who's winning" than in the impact that governing can actually have in people's lives. Ben take a look at why we need to cut through the noise and keep the debate focused on the billions of dollars and millions of lives that are improved by reform.

Van Badham and Ben Davison give and update on the For Every Child public school funding campaign (www.foreverychild.au/postcard) , the Maritime Union campaign to stop wage theft in shipping and take a deeper dive into the progress on Closing the Loopholes for labour hire, casual and gig workers. it is Go Home on Time Day! Workers are losing billions in unpaid overtime and through the corporate exploitation of loopholes. Van and Ben discuss how the union movement is tackling this problem and why you should join at australianunions.org.au/wow The systemic generational and class divides that are being defended by big corporate interests, billionaires and those who believe in the RBA ideology come into sharp focus as Van and Ben discuss some of the latest research showing just how much economic insecurity is impacting people and how disinformation is trying to keep working people divided. Why? To slow and prevent changes that would benefit everyone at the expense of the already wealthy and powerful. The good news is that renewable energy has driven power bills down to almost ZERO in Portugal! Proving that we can, over the long run, take control of our energy emissions and bills. As always Van acknowledges our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have made ongoing financial contributions to helping us build the audience for the podcast. Become a supporter at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Ben Davison returns with the weekend wrap to look at how corporate share buy backs are further evidence of profiteering driving inflation and why the Closing the Loopholes legislation is needed asap. You can join your union at www.australianunions.org.au/wow to add your voice to the millions calling for wage increases instead of profit payouts. The Australian Education Union has released new research that shows our public schools are underfunded by the almost the same amount as the share buy backs that just the big banks are handing out, that private schools are on track to be OVER funded by $3Billion and that the government investment in public education makes a return TWO to FOUR times! If you want our public schools properly funded go to https://www.foreverychild.au/postcard to send Albo a message. Finally Ben discusses why Albo needed to go to APEC, why Dutton is attacking him for it and how the Coalition is still desperate to find an existential threat, other than climate change, to justify its existence. If you enjoy our podcast you can help us reach more people at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Van Badham and Ben Davison dig into the best wage rise numbers in more than 20 years, discuss why many people will still be going backwards and, as the ACTU Price Gouging Inquiry wraps up, what we can do to help stop the profiteering. The union movement wins on minimum wage, awards, for aged care workers and improved collective agreements are lifting wages so if you want to see your pay get above the cost of living join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow Peter Dutton is back on the disinformation train, this time using a High Court decision to score political points at the expense of at least 74 innocent people. Indefinite detention has been ruled unconstitutional and the rules that Dutton put in place during his time in government have been exposed as not just morally without basis but also without legal standing. As Labor moves to fix these issues Dutton has ramped up mis vitriolic disinformation. Could it be a handy distraction from his party voting against returning $9 billion in unpaid workers wages? Or the loss of another of his moderate MPs to the cross bench? Or is it just that he bought the Trump/Bannon franchise and is determined to play it out? There's talk of another surplus budget and the ideas are already flowing. Ben and Van discuss why Albo's targeted cost of living relief is, in general, the right approach and also why supporting the 98% of public schools that are currently not funded to the MINIMUM level needed for every child is both targetted cost of living support and an investment in the future. Show your support for properly resourcing every school at https://www.foreverychild.au/postcard The good news is that the CFMEU and the broader union movement is winning the campaign to ban engineered stone. Ikea has joined Bunnings in announcing they won't stock the killer products in the future. A national policy is on the horizon and the campaign to prevent workers dying for bench-tops continues. Van acknowledges our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have signed up at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday to help us get this podcast into even more ears each and every week.

Van Badham and Ben Davison dish the latest on the Optus outage chaos that has swept across Australia - and argue why key national infrastructure should be in public hands. They discuss why another interest rate rise is yet another painful example of an economy outgrowing the neoliberal zealots who insist on running it, and they take a tour into the history of abusive welfare policy. The good news is from America - with key victories for Democrats (and the rights of women) in Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky elections. The dog makes a number of noises that we hope you politely ignore and the whole unscripted, unedited and DELIGHTFULLY ORGANIC conversation is recorded through an improvised tether on Van's (Telstra) mobile phone...

Van Badham and Ben Davison shine on a spotlight on the attempts by corporate giants BHP, Qantas and Doordash to keep the labour hire, forced casualisation and sham contracting loopholes open at this week's senate committee hearings. Van lays out what is wrong with capitalism in Australia and why being in your union, join at australianunions.org.au/wow, has never been more important with over $9,000,000,000 that could become wages if the loopholes close. Jason Clare, federal Education Minister, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today launched a $10M campaign to recruit more teachers. Ben and Van discuss why its a good start but that getting the 98% of public schools that are currently underfunded up to the minimum standard will do more to address the workload, wage and classroom issues that are creating teacher shortages. You can send the PM a postcard at https://www.foreverychild.au/postcard to show your support for every child being able to access a quality public education. Albo had a busy day as he also joined Health Minister Mark Butler to announce a boost to the Medicare bulk billing incentive. The tripled incentive will help 11,600,000 Australians get better access to bulk billing doctors. Van and Ben discuss why they focus on these core material stories that impact millions of working people when so much of the media is now dominated by culture war issues. The good news is from our friends at Labor for Farrer and is about spiders! Plus Van gives a shoutout to our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters. Head over to www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday if you'd like to help us grow our audience.

Ben Davison gives a breakdown of Anthony Albanese's successful state visit to the United States and places it in the context of what has been happening in the US, the Biden administration demonstrating the "imperial presidency" while the Republican bicker over the speakership and some of the tangible positives for Australia. Insiders seemed unable to grasp how international politics and domestic politics actually interact so Ben explains what being a "middle power" actually means and why the international rules based order is a constantly evolving concept that dates back to the Treaty of Westphalia and the end of the Holy Roman Empire but now includes people's right to join a union, the rights of people with a disability and equal opportunity for women. join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow Plus there is a shout out for the recent world teachers day and the For Every Child Campaign that is trying to get the 98% of public schools that are currently underfunded their full and proper funding.

Van Badham and Ben Davison are back with a new podcast episode that tackles why anyone would want to keep making a product that kills the workers who create it, how corporations have done just fine during high inflation and why they are spending millions to stop the government closing the loopholes that let them pay people less than their entitlements. The union movement has said it will ban the use and transport of engineered stone if the government does not act and it has called for stronger workers rights to lift wages. Join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow With inflation jitters spooking economists Ben and Van discuss why the economics of neo-liberalism continues to get it so wrong, what today's inflation figures might mean and why reducing our dependance on foreign oil is increasingly important. October 27th is World Teachers Day so Van and Ben preview the For Every Child campaign, check out foreverychild.au , which is trying to get full funding for the 98% of public schools which currently don't have the minimum funds required to meet every child's needs. Van really lays out the issue. Plus there is good news about Australia's biggest battery! If you'd like to help support the podcast to reach more people check out our page at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday and you too can have Van read your name at the end of EVERY episode!

Ben Davison takes a look at some of the stories form this week that Insiders missed given their focus on the Middle East. While the situation in Israel and Gaza is horrendous, Ben gives a brief synopsis, there is lots happening in Australia. The new National Skills Agreement is a win for the Australian Education Union, workers and employers who will benefit from the $30 billion investment in TAFE including another 300,000 fee free places in 2024. 1,400 United Workers Union diary workers took a 48 hour strike this week, AMWU members in Tasmania took action, NTEU workers took actions in Victoria and Queensland while AWU and MUA members stood up against a multinational gas giant and won! Join your union at australianunions.org.au.wow The Albanese government has introduced laws to increase paid parental leave from 20 weeks to 26 weeks between now and 2026. Ben discusses why this isn't just good for new mothers but for all Australians. This week also saw the most important High Court judgement about state and federal tax powers in over 50 years as two EV owners managed to get a Victorian road user tax ruled unconstitutional and opened the door for billions in state revenues to be struck down. Ben discusses what might happen next and why we need to engage with the potential reforms that will emerge.

Van Badham joins Ben Davison for this post referendum special edition of the Weekend Wrap. Our co-hosts look at what the results of the referendum tell us so far, why there is such sadness, how we can respond and what it might mean for the future. The rise of misinformation in the referendum is examined, how electoral politics and referendums are different, why we need to be kind and how we can reengage with solidarity. Send your message of solidarity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at https://solidarityalways.ausunions.io/ Van and Ben discuss why this result means we can expect to see a rise in misinformation campaigning against workplace reforms as multi-national corporations will be trying to stop $9Billion going from their profit lines to workers wages. Join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow to make sure you are prepared to win the next struggle for jobs, fair wages and decent working conditions.

Van Badham and Ben Davison take a deep dive into the murky waters of American politics as the Republican Party conspires to unseat one of its own from the role of Speaker. It is the first time in history that a Speaker of the House of Representatives has been deposed. Van breaks down why it has happened, what it means for American politics and the kind of markers we need to watch for in our own political system. Prepoll voting has opened around Australia for the referendum with recent polls showing that the YES case is making up ground. Van and Ben explore the misinformation campaign that has been largely imported from America, why it is getting traction and what we can do it break the grip of fear. Check out yes23.com.au for how you can get involved. With the new Reserve Bank Governor keeping interest rates on hold for another month Ben and Van discuss why the union movement's position of no involuntary unemployment and closing the loopholes to return $9 billion to working people in wages is so important. You can join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow And there is good news about Fat Bear Week! Van also gives a shout out to all our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have made a contribution to the podcast at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Ben Davison looks at the established research which shows the NO campaign is leveraging misinformation and a global network of disinformation campaigners. In a shock admission Ben admits that he agrees with Phil Coorey and Chris Kenny that the No campaign has become a grab bag of grievances. The disability royal commission report has been handed down with 222 recommendations from over 10,000 submissions. Ben looks at how it intersects with the current NDIS review and why reform will take time but is urgently needed. Mike Pezzullo has stood aside while there is an investigation into his conduct by the public service commissioner. Ben discusses why there needs to be an investigation, who this man is and what influence he has been wielding over our lives. Ben also give a shout out to the leader of the Australian Union movement, Sally McManus, for her being named the 4th most powerful person in Australia. You can join your union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Van Badham and Ben Davison open by congratulating the workers who won their struggle with Inghams chicken, the artists in NSW who won restored funding and by sending international solidarity to the writers, screen actors and auto workers in the USA, who were joined on the picket line by Joe Biden. Making Biden the first ever sitting President to join a picket. You can win better pay, better conditions and better management by joining your union at australianunions.org.au/wow Dan Andrews departs politics as Labor's longest serving Victorian Premier. Ben and Van take a look at his legacy and the rise of his successor, Jacinta Allan, who is only the 2nd woman to lead Victoria. The Albanese government has released an employment white paper so Van and Ben take a look at how the Commonwealth Labor government will deliver "a job for everyone who wants one". There's some major policy changes to come. Van has written about disinformation in the Guardian and today her piece has been supported by academia, the Prime Minister and a growing understanding of the problem. Ben gives an update on Noel Pearson's Press Club address and the coming of pre-poll and postal ballots. And there is good news about kite power one of our listeners! Plus Van gives a shout out to all out Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who make a contribution to expanding our audience at www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Ben Davison RETURNS with his weekend wrap! Instead of breaking down Insiders he compares and contrasts the difference the Walk for YES last weekend and the far right rallies for NO this weekend. Ben also reads a message from a listener in Arnhem Land who is talking with local first nations people about the referendum. With less than three weeks until the referendum and a week until pre-poll Ben is urging people to get involved at yes23.com.au The Alan Fels price gouging inquiry kicked off this week as the true source of Australia's inflation problem becomes clear; profiteering. The ACTU backed inquiry has heard testimony from experts and people impacted about how prices have been artificially increased to pump up profits. At the same time workers are in week nine of their strike at EnerSys and workers have started a strike at Inghams where the company, which has enjoyed a 72% increase in profits, is denying workers a $1.50 pay rise. Join you union at australianunions.org.au/wow

Van Badham and Ben Davison are BACK! Having, almost, recovered from their illnesses Van and Ben dissect the disinformation that is swamping the Voice referendum. They break down what the Voice is, why the disinformation is happening, where it is coming from and what we can all do to make sure it doesn't taint our democracy. The Labor government in NSW has handed down its first budget following a range of wins by workers in unions there are pay increases, more teachers, more healthcare and less outsourcing of the public sector. You can join your union, whatever state you live in, at australianunions.org.au/wow In Victoria a long term Labor government has announced a new massive policy on housing. Ben and Van look at what's in the package, how it shows the importance of long term Labor governments and contrast material realism politics with culture war politics. It has been a huge week for workers with the High Court decision finding Qantas illegally sacked 1,700 workers, the cross bench teaming up with the Coalition to delay the closing of loopholes bill until February and polling showing that every major measure to close loopholes has the support of a majority of Australian's of EVERY political persuasion. Plus Van, with her croaky voice, gives a shoutout to our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters, check out www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday to become a supporter!

Ben Davison takes a look at Noel Pearson's Insiders interview and how he managed to cut through the misinformation, fear mongering and misdirection to remind Australia that the referendum is an opportunity to accept the hand of friendship by recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as our first people and embrace the opportunity of reconciliation by guaranteeing an advisory body. Nothing more, nothing less. The crossbench teamed up with Peter Dutton's Noalition to delay the closing loopholes laws which will cost workers, just in the gig economy, as much as $200,000,000. Ben breaks down what the laws are about, why they are important to workers and why big business is fighting so hard to stop them. Hint: It's got to do with who gets $9,000,000,000 Only unions are fighting for working people in this struggle and if you want your fair share you need to join, go to australianunions.org.au/wow The NSW Teachers Federation has won a landmark pay deal as the campaign to fix the under resourcing of 98% of our public schools continues. Check out foreverychild.au for more info The 1,700 workers unlawfully sacked by Qantas will have their fates decided in the High Court on Wednesday. Ben looks at how this could have implications for all workers. If you're able to help us promote the show to more people and spread the message beyond the ONE MILLION + downloads we already have check out www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday for ways to make a contribution.

Van Badham and Ben Davison examine the government's bill to close the loopholes that are letting corporations take $9 billion from workers through forced casualisation, sham contracting, gig exploitation and legal chicanery. With $9 billion on the line corporations are fighting back with some of the weirdest and most easily disprovable lies imaginable. Van and Ben breakdown why the corporate bosses are investing millions in ads to attack the improvements for workers. Workers are fighting back to secure the pay that should be theirs by join their union at australianunions.org.au/wow and getting involved in the campaign to win over the cross bench. Alan Joyce is no longer CEO of Qantas! As of today a new CEO has started and inherited an airline that is, in a strategic sense, on fire. With law suits from workers, consumers and the government, a potential senate inquiry, an ageing fleet and a brand so damaged it is less trusted than its wholly owned budget version the Qantas story is in heavy turbulence. The latest GDP growth figures have been released so Ben and Van put them into the context of Australia's overall economic situation and are pleased to find Australia has grown more than five of the G7 countries. Plus there is good news about solar glass! And Van gives a shout out to all of our Cadre and Extend the Reach supporters who have gone to www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday

Ben Davison dives into the detail of the new workplace reforms that will give more rights to everyday working people who are casuals, gig workers or engaged as labour hire by setting some minimum standards. Tony Burke went on Insiders to explain how the new approach will work and David Speers still hasn't wrapped his mind around the idea that Labor is governing from a people first perspective as opposed to a corporate first approach. Qantas, the company that has unlawfully sacked workers, abused the labour hire system and given huge payouts to executives while taking massive taxpayer handouts is now under investigation for selling 8,000 flights that never existed. Ben looks at why this might be the latest, and last, opportunity to bring the flying Kangaroo back into the hands of our Commonwealth. You're the Voice, try to understand it. Those immortal words from John Farnham will grace a new YES campaign ad just as Peter Dutton launch his own latest effort to muddy the waters around the referendum.