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Grattan Institute proposes blanket 15 per cent university loan fee Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A new loan fee that university students are bound to hate is a budget saving measure being put forward in a report by the Grattan Institute. But the idea for a 15 per cent fee on all government funded student loans already has one higher education group turning their nose up at it.
Topics: university-and-further-education, government-and-politics, australia
Protein that protects brain from trauma also causes Alzheimer's Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A scientist from the University of Melbourne has told a trans Tasman neuroscience conference that the same protein that protects the brain during a traumatic injury causes Alzheimer's disease and his team is working on using the protein as a drug to treat memory loss. While the scientists are sharing their knowledge year 10 students have been taking part in a brain bee competition.
Topics: neuroscience, alzheimers-and-dementia, awards-and-prizes, australia, new-zealand
New Zealand PM John Key resigns: 'I'm not a career politician' Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The shock resignation of the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is being read as a decision to go out on top. He announced the move at a press conference earlier today, saying he'd never been a career politician. Mr Key's resignation comes after eight years in the top job, during a period of relative popularity.
Topics: world-politics, new-zealand
PM Full Program Audio
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On PM: Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has expressed his dismay over reports his successor Malcolm Turnbull is planning to cut the Green Army program; and we look at the researcher hoping to deter stroke patients from embarking on so called 'stem cell tourism'. This is the early edition of PM, broadcast on ABC Radio National. The longer, local radio edition will be available for download at 7.30pm.
Topics: australia
trians elect centre-left president Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Voters in Austria rejected the idea of electing the EU's first far-right head of state since World War Two. Alexander Van der Bellen, who ran as a centre-left independent candidate, defeated the far-right Freedom party challenger, Norbert Hofer, in the country's presidential election at the weekend. The original vote took place in May, but was annulled by the constitutional court due to voting irregularities. The newly elected Alexander Van der Bellen said his victory sent a signal of hope to all the capitals of the European Union.
Topics: world-politics, fascism, austria
European banks under growing stress as populist politics comes to fore Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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There are growing concerns tonight about the economic implications of Italy's referendum result for the European Union. The win of the "no" vote is another example of a populist victory, but economists argue the associated rejection of austerity and economic reform has potential to derail an already fragile euro-zone.
Topics: world-politics, markets, european-union
Palm Islanders claim victory in class action against Queensland police Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Residents of an Aboriginal community off the coast of Townsville have had a victory in their class action against the Queensland Police force. The Federal Court found some police officers breached the Racial Discrimination Act in their handling of the Palm Island riot in 2004. The court has ordered more than $200,000 be paid in compensation.
Topics: indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, police, palm-island-4815
NT Royal Commission: Don Dale run like 'human storage facility' Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory has been told the current Don Dale detention centre is being run like a human storage facility. The author of a damning report about the Territory's corrections system is giving evidence at public hearings this week. Keith Hamburger says he and his staff were horrified about conditions inside the former adult prison, now being used for young people.
Topics: prisons-and-punishment, child-abuse, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, darwin-0800
Former PM Abbott hits out at unconfirmed demise of his 'Green Army' Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Prime Minister won't confirm reports that his government is planning to axe the $360 million Green Army program, but that hasn't stopped the former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott warning against the move. The program for young unemployed people to work on environmental projects was one of Mr Abbott's signature policies, but Mr Turnbull has emphasised the success of Landcare instead. The Government has also released the terms of reference for a review into its broader suite of climate change policies.
Topics: climate-change, environment, australia
Stroke survivor study aims to deter stem cell tourism Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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There are concerns about the number of Australian stroke patients who are travelling overseas for stem cell therapies, many which are untested and potentially unsafe. Researchers in Adelaide are studying stroke survivors to find out what patients know about the therapies and why they're seeking out the experimental treatments. The study is hoping to identify those who may be inclined to go abroad for so-called stem cell tourism.
Topics: stroke, travel-and-tourism, australia
Which drug racked up $1 billion within four months of being on the PBS? Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Details have been revealed about the ten most prescribed and most expensive drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in the past year. The most expensive drugs for the Government were approved in March, and within just four months they had already cost tax payers one billion dollars. But people who have been cured by the drugs say despite the small number of people being treated, the spending is justified.
Topics: pharmaceuticals, chemicals-and-pharmaceuticals, budget, australia
Oakland police open criminal investigation into dance party fire Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Police have opened a criminal investigation into a dance party fire in California, which has killed at least 30 people. Rescue workers expect to find more bodies as they push deeper into the charred ruins of the converted warehouse. Many people were living illegally in the building which has been labelled a death trap.
Topics: fires, united-states
Trump's phone call to Taiwanese leader gives 'impression of unpredictability' for new US President Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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President-elect Donald Trump is generating tensions with China. The Chinese Government has now lodged a complaint over the US President-elect's conversation with the Taiwanese President, at a time when the region is already volatile. The Lowy Institute's East Asia specialist, Aaron Connelly, is launching a report today on Indonesia's more independent role in the region. He says the unpredictability of the new US administration is a concern.
Topics: world-politics, defence-and-national-security, united-states, china, taiwan
Carbon pricing for power industry an option Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A long-anticipated review of the coalition's climate change policies will look into a carbon 'baseline' system for the power generation industry that would act as an industry-specific carbon price. The move comes as Energy and Environment minister Josh Frydenberg drives a debate about the future of the power grid in the wake of the South Australia blackout, with reliability of supply a key issue.
Topics: climate-change, electricity-energy-and-utilities, alternative-energy, federal-government, energy, australia
YMCA NSW assures Royal Commission that it's now 'child safe' Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A major provider of outside school hours care has assured that it has taken steps to address past failures in its child protection policies. The leaders of the YMCA are giving evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Topics: royal-commissions, child-abuse, family-and-children, australia
Tax Inspector General investigating super rip-off claims Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Claims that a third of Australian workers are not receiving their full superannuation entitlements are being investigated by the Inspector General of Taxation. Ali Noroozi, who oversees complaints about the Australian Tax Office, says better enforcement is needed to ensure vulnerable workers saving for their retirements are not being ripped off by their bosses. A report from Industry Super Australia and C-bus says rogue employers are dodging $3.6 billion in payments every year by not paying the minimum 9.5 per cent superannuation guarantee. Mr Noroozi spoke with the ABC's Peter Ryan.
Topics: superannuation, tax, australia
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key resigns Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, has announced his shock resignation. He's stepping down after eight years in the job, and up to a year out from the next election. Mr Key says he's leaving on his own terms and was never a career politician.
Topics: world-politics, new-zealand
Austrian independent defeats right-wing candidate for presidency Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Right-wing Austrian politician Norbert Hofer has conceded defeat to his left-leaning rival in the country's presidential election. Independent Alexander Van der Bellen defeated Mr Hofer decisively in the poll. It was the second presidential election since May, when the last poll was ruled invalid. Mr Van der Bellen won that vote narrowly. But with the success of Brexit and Donald Trump since then, many expected a different outcome this time around.
Topics: world-politics, austria
Right wing European politicos rush to spin Italian referendum result as anti-EU Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Right Wing European leaders such as Marine lePen in France and Nigel Farage in the UK have been quick to spin the result of the referendum in Italy, and subsequent resignation of the country's Prime Minister. They say it indicates that Italians are disavowing no only Renzi but the EU as a whole. However, the referendum did not address EU membership and Italians campaigning against Renxi's position came from a broad range of political affiliations.
Topics: world-politics, immigration, agreements-and-treaties, italy
Italy's Prime Minister resigns after referendum on constitution Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation, sparking more instability not only in Italy but in the European Union. The Prime Minister suffered a heavy loss in the referendum to change Italy's constitution, with at least 54 per cent voting 'no'.
Topics: world-politics, italy
Wandjina: Renewed effort from traditional owners to educate people on spirit figures Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Aboriginal families in Western Australia's north are reclaiming a famous image; the large, looming Wandjina spirit figures, that featured prominently in the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony. When the images were first published by British explorer George Grey in the 1830s, they sparked wildly inaccurate theories involving Arabs and aliens. Now, there's a renewed effort from traditional owners to educate people about the spirit figures.
Topics: indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, olympics-summer, spirituality, australia
Doctors warn Victoria against euthanasia move Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Palliative care doctors are warning the Victorian Government against any changes to enable assisted suicides. Clinicians say the proposed model would result in unintended consequences, and palliative care offers far better outcomes for patients.
Topics: euthanasia, australia
Government services could be improved through privatisation and competition: Productivity Commission Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A Productivity Commission report out today is suggesting privatisation and increased competition could be introduced across a range of government services. The Productivity Commissioner says it's all about improving those services for the people who use them, but there's already caution about the suggestions from one prominent healthcare group.
Topics: privatisation-and-deregulation, public-sector, healthcare-facilities, australia
Austria and Italy votes a barometer for populist anti-establishment movements Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Two critical elections in Europe this weekend have been watched as a barometer of the progress of populist anti-establishment movements. In Austria, the results are in. In a re-run of the presidential race the far right candidate Norbert Hofer has conceded to the the left-leaning Alexander Van der Bellen, an indication perhaps that the populist push there has run its course. But Italians are still waiting for the result of a referendum on constitutional reform, that could end up destabilizing not only that country but the European Union.
Topics: world-politics, elections, italy, austria
Employers ripping off Australian workers by holding back super payments, report says Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Around a third of Australian workers are being ripped off by rogue employers who are holding back some or all of their superannuation entitlements, according to a report out today. Research by Industry Super Australia and Cbus has found that employers dodging superannuation payments are pocketing $3.6 billion a year from 2.4 million workers. Under the mandatory Superannuation Guarantee, employers are required to contribute the current minimum 9.5 per cent into the super funds of any worker aged 18 and over earning $450 a month. Industry Super Australia chief executive David Whiteley speaks with the ABC's Peter Ryan.
Topics: superannuation, australia
