New GST review: Will it be successful?

The federal government has commissioned a review of the distribution of GST revenue to the states and territories. The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s visit to Western Australia yesterday – a state which says they’ve been penalized because of the mining boom.

The government says the review will lead to a simpler, fairer,  more predictable and more efficient GST distribution to states and territories… but will it ?

Catherine Zengerer was joined by Professor John Quiggin from the University of Queensland to discuss the issue. She asked Professor Quiggin what Treasurer Wayne Swan means by the term ”horizontal fiscal equalisation.”

Download Interview

How can you make your vote count?

A public hearing was held yesterday by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters about the conduct of the 2010 Federal election. The meeting was held as part of an inquiry into concerns that voters are not making their votes count.

2010’s Federal Election had 5.55 per cent of informal votes which has risen from past years. This means that over seven hundred and twenty thousand votes were not counted in the 2010 Election.

The public hearing aimed to help people understand how to make their votes count and reduce the level of informal votes at the next election.

To discuss yesterday’s hearing, Catherine Zengerer was joined by New South Wales MP Daryl Melham. She asked Mr. Melham why the level of informal votes is on the rise.

Download Interview

Libya Update

Australia has recently declared their support for the formation of a NATO-led international contact group to provide leadership and political guidance in Libya.

A summit was held in London earlier this week, after the formation of the United Nation’s National Security Council Resolution 1973, which introduced a no-fly zone over Libya and reconfirmed an opposition to escalating violence.

Although Australian representative John Dauth suggested the conference will have a positive outcome, others believe the leaders’ summit “struggled to devise an endgame” for the Libyan violence.

The first meeting of the contact group is due to be held in Qatar with participating countries taking rotating chairmanship.

Meanwhile, in the US, President Barack Obama gave a speech explaining the limits of America’s role in Libya. He defended America’s position and their commitment to the new NATO command.

To discuss the current situation in Libya, Catherine Zengerer spoke to Dr. Matthew Grey, Senior Lecturer of the Australian National University, who specialises in Arab and Middle Eastern issues. She asked Dr. Grey for his opinion on the current situation in Syria.

Download Interview

What does a ‘sustainable population policy’ mean for our cities?

Yesterday, Urban Taskforce Australia held a panel discussion on “What does a ‘sustainable population policy’ mean for our cities?”

A recent report was also commissioned by the Urban Taskforce, titled ‘People Power’, which looks at the issue of population growth within our cities.

This report came about after concerns that the Federal Government’s forthcoming “Sustainable Population Strategy” may conclude that some cities have reached their “carrying capacity”.

Urban Taskforce are concerned that this strategy may seek to freeze Australia’s capital cities at their current size. The report considers the economic impact of such a government policy decision.

To talk about this issue, Catherine Zengerer was joined Aaron Gadiel, Chief Executive of Urban Taskforce Australia. She asked Mr Gadiel what this ‘sustainable population policy’ actually means, and whether economic growth, vibrant city and population growth all go hand-in-hand.

Download Interview

Security guard injured in armed hospital robbery

This week on London Calling, Catherine Zengerer spoke to our regular UK correspondent Dermot Smyth about the promotion of Irish foods in Europe. First up, we find out about the security guard injured in an armed robbery at the Belfast hospital where the robbers dressed as patients!

Download Interview