Audio
Palaeontologists celebrate discovery of 99 million-year-old dinosaur bones in amber Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
Palaeontologists are celebrating the discovery of a 99 million-year-old piece of amber, which contains perfectly preserved bones and feathers from the tip of a dinosaur tail. Scientists hope they'll be able to use the fragments to shed some light on the evolution of dinosaurs into birds. But the discovery might never have happened if not for some lucky timing.
First American astronaut to orbit Earth, John Glenn, dies at 95 Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
The first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, John Glenn, has died at the age of 95. The decorated air force pilot was one of the first men selected for NASA's space program. The lure of space always stayed with him. In 1998 he notched up another record, becoming the oldest man in space, when he travelled on the space shuttle Discovery.
Topics: federal-government, australia
Disillusionment among steel workers as Donald Trump's cabinet takes shape Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
The US President-elect Donald Trump is about halfway through picking his cabinet team. So far he has a lineup of generals, millionaires and billionaires and a climate change sceptic to head environmental protection. A former fast food executive who's opposed to raising the minimum wage is also expected to be appointed as Labor Secretary. Meanwhile Mr Trump has already fallen out with some of the steel workers credited with delivering his election victory.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
Aceh earthquake: 11,000 displaced, 102 dead as rescue efforts continue Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
In the Indonesian province of Aceh, more than 11,000 people have now been displaced by this week's powerful earthquake. Makeshift tent shelters are continuing to be put up in areas where the quake hit hardest. After another day of search and rescue efforts, the death toll remains at 102, with authorities saying they're now concentrating on clearing damaged sites rather than finding bodies.
Topics: earthquake, indonesia
Mother of Indigenous girl who took her own life urges end to silence on youth suicide Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
An Indigenous woman whose daughter took her own life after struggling with depression is urging the community to break its silence over youth suicide. A recent report found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged between five and 17 were five times more likely to take their own lives than non-Indigenous people.
Topics: federal-government, australia
Mortgage rates on the rise in bank Christmas cheer Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
After several years of record low interest rates, Australian mortgage borrowers are facing unwelcome news in the leadup to Christmas. Banks have been quietly raising rates for investor loans in recent days and are now eyeing up variable rates on home loans. Martin North of Digital Finance Analytics told AM that rates will rise with residential and business borrowers set to feel the most pain.
Topics: federal-government, australia
Charities welcome Government's funding extension for homelessness services Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Charities are welcoming the Federal Government's announcement of a one-year extension to funding for homelessness services, while also warning a long-term plan is urgently needed. Canberra's commitment of $117 million in funding for the year ahead is a slight increase on the last annual extension.
Topics: federal-government, australia
Disability services warn rise in supported workshop wages untenable Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
It's been four years since the High Court ruled that people with disabilities were being underpaid at supported workshops, yet many are still working for less than $3 an hour. The Federal Government is negotiating with disability service providers, advocates and unions about a new way to set wages, but there's been little progress. And the head of the country's peak body for disability services warns that if wages rise, 20,000 people with disabilities will be out of a job.
Topics: disabilities, federal-government, australia
Australia's energy policy won't meet current targets, leaked report reveals Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
A leaked report into the country's electricity market says Australia is not on track to meet the Paris climate change commitments and that investment in the sector has stalled because there's no long term government policy to reduce carbon emissions. It says there's an urgent need for a clear policy on reducing emissions, that there's currently no way Australia can reduce carbon levels to what was promised at the Paris agreement, and it's critical of elements of the Government's Direct Action policy.
Topics: federal-government, australia
Syrian army suspends combat operations in Aleppo Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Syria's army has suspended combat operations in Aleppo. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that'll allow 8,000 civilians to be taken out of the besieged city. The United States has welcomed the temporary ceasefire, but says it'll be closely watching what actually happens. More than 800 people have been killed and 3,500 wounded in eastern Aleppo in the past month.
PM: Full Program Audio
Posted
On Thursday's program: Labor stepped up its attack on the Prime Minister today for ruling out putting a price on carbon pollution for the electricity sector; Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews has indicated the death of his father earlier this year led him to change his mind about voluntary euthanasia; and the New South Wales Government has announced plans to relax some of its controversial lockout laws in Sydney's CBD.
Topics: australia
Women run 14 marathons in 15 days around Tasmania to raise mental health awareness Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
Two women have embarked on an extreme physical challenge to raise awareness about mental health. They're running 14 marathons in 15 days around Tasmania, and trying to raise $30,000 for mental health organisations while they do it.
Topics: marathon, mental-health, australia
Calls for United Nations-led law to stop elder abuse Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
A group of Australian legal and aged care experts are meeting with United Nations representatives to push for a convention on the rights of older persons. The convention is likely to be several years in the making and aims to protect the human rights of people aged over 60. It comes after a UN led report highlighted the need for international law to stop elder abuse.
Topics: older-people, federal-government, australia
Recession fears rise following trade deficit blowout Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
After yesterday's surprisingly poor economic news, today's trade data was meant to provide the silver lining. However worse than expected October trade data has now heightened the risk of Australia experiencing its first technical recession in 25 years. Exports rose in the month sucking money into the economy, but imports grew by even more sending money offshore.
Topics: economic-trends, australia
Federal Court dismisses consumer watchdog case against Woolworths Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
The Federal Court has dismissed the case against Woolworths, saying its conduct was not unconscionable when it demanded millions of dollars from suppliers. The competition watchdog has lost the case it took against the giant retailer, which had clawed back $18 million in a concerted campaign it called 'Mind the Gap'. The ACCC says it's unfortunate that it could be seen as good business practice, and it hasn't decided if it will appeal.
Topics: consumer-protection, australia
Uluru traditional owners sign off on landmark community-based leasing deal Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Traditional owners from a remote community near Uluru have signed off on a landmark leasing deal after a six year fight with the Federal Government. They're hoping the deal will give people living in the community greater control over what happens on their land. Alongside the deal, the Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has promised the community $10 million worth of new housing and renovations.
Topics: land-rights, nt
Immigrant women survivors of family violence are isolated and vulnerable, research shows Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety has found women who are international students, asylum seekers and on prospective spouse visas have little government support available if they try to leave their abusive partners. Being non-citizens the women are without access to Centrelink and Medicare and their financial vulnerability is often used by their abusers to isolate and control the women.
Topics: immigration, federal-government, australia
NT Royal Commission: Government tries to delay evidence from former detainees Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
The Northern Territory Government today tried to delay evidence from two former detention centre inmates, along with other witnesses, at the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children. The Government argued it didn't have enough time to prepare for cross-examination. The commissioners rejected the application, saying it was clear further delays could jeopardise the young people's mental health.
Topics: royal-commissions, australia
Government's 'work for the dole' program penalising its participants, figures show Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
New figures reveal the Federal Government's remote work for the dole program is financially penalising most of its participants time and time again. The Community Development Programme covers mostly Aboriginal people. It has about 35,000 participants, but more than 20,000 of them were slapped with fines in the last financial year. Critics say it's further proof the program should be scrapped.
Topics: welfare, aboriginal, australia
Victorian Premier links father's death with change of mind on assisted dying Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Victoria's Premier, Daniel Andrews has indicated the death of his father earlier this year led him to change his mind about voluntary euthanasia. Today the Victorian Government has released details of how it'll attempt to become the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying.
Topics: euthanasia, australia
Electricity industry pleas for energy policy certainty Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
The groups representing the electricity industry's distributors, generators and retailers have warned of increasing network instability if governments don't deliver an overhaul of energy policy soon. The Australian Energy Council and Energy Networks Australia have issued a joint statement ahead of tomorrow's COAG meeting. They advocate for a market based system to encourage the shift to cleaner energy, and say next year's review of climate policies should consider all options.
Topics: electricity-energy-and-utilities, federal-government, australia
Mixed response to NSW Government's relaxation of Sydney lockout laws Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
The New South Wales Government has announced plans to relax some of its controversial lockout laws in Sydney's CBD. The changes come after a review from a former High Court judge who found that the laws were effective in reducing violence, but at a cost to the city's vibrancy.
Battlelines drawn on climate policy ahead of COAG meeting Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted | Updated
Labor stepped up its attack on the Prime Minister today for ruling out putting a price on carbon pollution for the electricity sector. The Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, is tomorrow expected to suggest just that in a report to the Prime Minister and premiers which will, reportedly, recommend an emissions intensity scheme. In lieu of a Commonwealth scheme, the South Australian Premier hopes his fellow leaders at the meeting tomorrow will back his idea for the states and territories to lead the way with their own emissions trading scheme.
Topics: electricity-energy-and-utilities, federal-government, australia
Sydney museum uses modern technology to reveal secrets of mummification Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
Now to the technology that is revealing the secrets of people who've been dead for thousands of years. Egyptian mummification was an extraordinary technology for its time. Today an exhibition at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum is using modern science to expose the stories of six Egyptians who were mummified as long as 3,000 years ago.
Topics: archaeology, history, science-and-technology, australia
Flaws in Queensland's fire ant eradication program, says former worker Audio Transcript and Verbatim
Posted
An independent review of Queensland's deadly red fire ant eradication program has called for the Federal Government to double its efforts and spend almost $400 million over the next decade. But a former State Government employee says that money should not go to Biosecurity Queensland.
Topics: pests, invertebrates---insects-and-arachnids, australia
