Is Democracy Failing: Interview With Dr Mary Griffiths Head Of The Discipline of Media Adelaide University

With the virtual gridlock in Canberra and in Washington people are starting to ask if democracy is failing. Are we seeing the end of the post democratic era,  with our own system of government crumbling amid unproductive partisan politics, and a media which tries to entertain rather than inform. With the parties virtually identical, are they simply a vehicle for the vanity and lust for power of their leaders? With China rising and rising with a stable, strong, governmental system, are we inevitably falling behind? Politics and Media lecturer Dr Mary Griffiths from Adelaide University spoke to Tim Brunero, and he asked Dr. Griffiths if Democracy was failing.

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US Debt Crisis: Interview With Steve Keen – Assoc Prof Economics and Finance University of Western Sydney

One of the top stories currently circulating in the media is of course the US debt crisis. Although they hit their legal debt ceiling of $14.3 trillion May, Democrats and Republicans still can’t agree on what to do about it. Many plans have been discussed ahead of next Tuesday’s deadline, but it seems no solution is in sight. This lack of progress means that federal spending might have to be reduced by at least 40% for the rest of the month, forcing the treasury to decide whether to suspend valuable benefits such as social security and defence spending. Steve Keen, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Western Sydney, spoke to Tim Brunero, and Tim asked him how this situation came about.

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NT Intervention: Interview With Dr. Lynn Arnold – CEO Anglicare

The Prime minister, Julia Gillard, probably recieves quite a lot of mail every day, but on her desk recently was a significant letter signed by 24 prominent South Australians. They wrote to the Prime Minister to ask her to put a stop to the Northern Territory Intervention. The Federal Government is currently holding talks with people in remote central Australian communities about the impact and future of the Intervention. Signatories to the letter include Robyn Layton QC, Dorinda Hafner, Christobel Mattingly, Lowitja O’Donahue and Dr. Lynn Arnold, CEO of Anglicare. Tim Brunero spoke to Dr. Arnold and he asked him why the letter was sent now.

Anglicare SA

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Gay Marriage: Interview With Shelly Argent – PFLAG

Earlier this week, parents of gays and lesbians came together to discuss the issue of same-sex marriage with the federal attorney-general Robert McClelland.  Labor backbencher John Murphy has called for a referendum on the issue, and wants MPs to have a conscience vote on any legislation. The western-Sydney MP doesn’t believe there’s overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage, despite what its proponents claim. However, lobby group, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, points to recent polls that show 75% of Australians support same-sex marriage. SHELLY ARGENT was at the meeting representing PFLAG, and suggests it’s time our MP’s listened to the voices of parents, not just their gay sons or lesbian daughters. She Spoke to Tim Brunero and he asked her what happened at the meeting.

PFLAG Website

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The Road To Reconciliation: Interview With Prof Lester-Irabinna Rigney

Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd was in Adelaide this week delivering the 2011 Magna Carta Lecture at the Adelaide Town Hall.

In the speech, Rudd expressed the need for faster progress towards Indigenous Reconciliation in the country and has said it is time to appoint the first Indigenous Australian as Ambassador abroad.

Tim spoke to Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney, the Dean of Aboriginal Education at Adelaide University, and asked him what would it take to achieve reconciliation in Australaia.

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Producer: Jennie Lenman

National Pain Week

Chronic pain is a curse. And for those who suffer from it there is little respite.

But some South Australians suffering chronic pain are being forced interstate to obtain adequate doses of narcotics because of changes to government policy. Some are sourcing drugs such as morphine and pethidine on the streets because authorities will not prescribe enough to relieve their pain.

Luckily this week is National Pain Week – organised by Chronic Pain Australia – which gives us a chance to shine a spotlight on this issue and make sure we’re doing enough to support those afflicted by chronic pain.

Greg Betros, President of Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers, joined Tim in the studio to talk about the biggest issues facing pain sufferers.

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If you need someone to talk to Lifeline is there to help – 13 11 14.

Scott Forrest – World Champion Tree Climber

Australians are well known for our prowess in the sports world and it’s no different in the sport of tree climbing. The International Tree Climbing Championship was held in Parramatta over the weekend. New Zealanders and Australians took the top spots in the competition, which was the very first one held in the southern hemisphere.

Kiwis Scott Forrest and Chrissy Spence took out the men’s and women’s divisions with Aussies Jessica Knott, Kiah Martin and Joe Harris close behind. In fact, Scott took the title by less than one point. Tim asked Scott Forrest “what came first: the climbing or the name?”

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Isobel Redmond: freedom of information … not so free?

The Environmental Protection Authority revealed yesterday after a nervous wait for Klemzig residents that there has been no benzene found in their backyards after conducting tests on four groundwater sources.

However in the period of waiting between the revelation of a contamination and now, residents have been left relatively in the dark UNLESS they sought information from the EPA. What you may be surprised to know is that this in fact costs money.

Tim asked Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond why it was so difficult for members of the public to access EPA information about their area.

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London Calling

Radio Adelaide London correspondent Dermot Smyth chats to Tim about the Euro-Debt and the abundance of civil servants partaking in ‘golden handshakes’. On the lighter side of London Calling, Dermot chats about the cycle taskforce lead by the London police and the Chap Olympiad.

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30,000 Trees for Towns

As with every fortnight Tim Brunero talked to Trees for Life.

This week Karen Tamm, the Business Development Manager for Trees for Life told us about the Trees for Towns project.

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