Audio
New medicinal cannabis campaign as patients say laws aren't working Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Some of Australia's most high-profile medicinal cannabis advocates have banded together to launch a new campaign for better access to the drug. The Greenlight campaign kicks off tomorrow, with a full page ad in a major metropolitan newspaper featuring five-year-old Katelyn Lambert asking the Prime Minister and state premiers to make it legal for her to eat cannabis extract to manage her epilepsy. Federal legislation last year was meant to give patients access to cannabis for medicinal use, but many say it is harder to get than ever before.
Topics: cannabis, regulation, australia
Northern Ireland abuse inquiry recommends compensation for Australian child migrants Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry in Northern Ireland has recommended that children who were sent to Australia as child migrants in the 1940s and 1950s be given compensation for the trauma they suffered. The inquiry found that at least 138 children aged under 14, who were in state and church care in Northern Ireland, were wrongly transported to Australia - often without their parents being given truthful information about where they were being sent. Former child migrants who gave evidence at the inquiry said they were treated like baby convicts.
Topics: emigration, children, northern-ireland, australia
Australian politics suffering from nationwide short-termism Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Only two of the leaders at the state, territory or federal level have been in office for more than three years: and the short-termed nature of modern politics is worrying some who used to hold the top jobs. This week Mike Baird resigned as New South Wales Premier after serving just two years and nine months. But his term is fairly consistent with other leaders around the country. A number of former premiers - Victorians Steve Bracks and Jeff Kennett and former NSW premier Nathan Rees - have told AM that the current political environment doesn't allow politicians the time and space to be effective leaders.
Topics: government-and-politics, nsw, australia
Hanson incorrectly labels Bourke Street horror a terrorist attack Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson was in the middle of a media conference when news of the horror on Bourke Street broke. She immediately declared it a terrorist attack but was wrong. Senator Hanson also said the incident underlined the need for tough immigration policies.
Topics: one-nation, crime, australia
Melbourne reacts to deadly CBD crash Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Many Melburnians spent last night processing the terrifying and deadly events of Friday afternoon. A 26-year-old man is expected to be charged with multiple counts of murder, accused of deliberately driving a stolen car into a lunchtime crowd in the CBD. Overnight a fourth person has died in hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, as the city's emergency departments worked around the clock to treat about 20 injured people.
Topics: crime, death, melbourne-3000
Seize the initiative: Australia's new strategic role Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The Trump presidency represents some significant challenges for Australia, not least of all on the strategic defence front. The Australian National University's National Security College has released a series of policy recommendations for Australia to adopt during the Trump administration. The lead author and head of the National Security College, Rory Medcalf, says that Australia must deepen its strategic alliances in Asia and must adapt its alliance with the United States to 'a new reality'.
Topics: defence-and-national-security, world-politics, united-states, australia
Trump's 'new decree' Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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US Correspondent Conor Duffy discusses Donald Trump's 20-minute inauguration speech with AM's Emily Bourke. Trump spoke of an 'American carnage' of poverty, underemployment, inadequate education, drugs and crime. He issued a new decree: 'America first.' After his speech, around 100 arrests took place as protesters attempted to interrupt the inaugural parade, however the estimated 900,000-strong crowd was mostly peaceful.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
'We are transferring power... and giving it back to you': President Trump inaugurated Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Donald John Trump has been inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America. After one of the most bitter election campaigns in modern times, President Trump has taken the oath of office, pledging to shift power from the political establishment to the forgotten people of America and to put America first in every single decision he makes. Under grey skies and drizzle, hundreds of thousands of people gathered to witness the ceremony on the National Mall. Small groups of protestors, mostly peaceful but some smashing windows and clashing with police, have also made their way through the capital.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
Bob Katter to introduce bill to stop fake Aboriginal art sales Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Federal Member of Parliament Bob Katter says he will soon introduce legislation to stop the sale of fake Aboriginal art and crafts. Mr Katter says the laws will set up a certification system to regulate the sale of products in tourist shops and markets. Mr Katter says he's got the support of the Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion.
Topics: visual-art, community-and-society, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, law-crime-and-justice, laws, nt, australia
A new home for the finest uncut opal in the world Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The finest uncut opal in the world will stay in Australia, despite lucrative offers from overseas including Christie's and Sotheby's. The Fire of Australia which weighs almost one kilogram, has been in the Bartram family since being mined in Coober Pedy, 70 years ago. Costing half a million dollars, in mostly federal government funding, the opal has found a new home at the South Australian Museum.
Topics: human-interest, library-museum-and-gallery, sa, australia
International schools concerned about education industry Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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International language and training schools are being urged to assist foreign students affected by an alleged financial scam. Police and the Overseas Student Ombudsman are investigating a Brisbane-based international student agency, for allegedly taking money from around 100 students in Latin America, but failing to pay for their tuition enrolments. Some in the industry fear it could damage Australia's reputation as a study destination.
Topics: adult-education, education, continuing-education, law-crime-and-justice, corruption, brisbane-4000, australia, qld
James Packer embroiled in bribery allegations surrounding Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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James Packer is making headlines in Israel for all the wrong reasons. In recent weeks, sensational allegations of gifts, influence peddling, and attempts to buy favourable media coverage have emerged, involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close ties with a handful of select billionaires. It's been reported that Mr Packer provided generous flights, gifts and hospitality to the Prime Minister's son, Mariah Carey tickets to the head of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, and that Prime Minister Netanyahu set up an investors' meeting between Mr Packer and a newspaper publisher, in exchange for favourable coverage of his Prime Ministership by that newspaper. PM speaks to Dr Tehilla Altshuler, director of the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions at the Israel Democracy Institute.
Topics: business-economics-and-finance, government-and-politics, israel, australia
President Trump inspires global protest Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The inauguration of Donald Trump has triggered protests across the globe, including weekend marches in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Protesters are angry at the divisive rhetoric directed towards women since Mr Trump entered the US election race in 2015.
Topics: government-and-politics, community-and-society, feminism, activism-and-lobbying, united-states, australia
Why Donald Trump has so much influence on financial markets Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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We're just hours away from Donald Trump becoming the 45th US president, and PM understands there's a general feeling of nervousness in the financial markets. Traders say Mr Trump has become the most influential market mover in recent history - more powerful than the last Federal Reserve chairs.
Topics: markets, business-economics-and-finance, government-and-politics, united-states, australia
Three dead, 20 injured after car ploughs into pedestrians in Melbourne CBD Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Three people are dead and at least 20 are injured after a car ploughed into pedestrians at high speed on a busy city street in central Melbourne this afternoon. One man has been arrested and at this stage police say they aren't looking for anyone else. Police also say the incident, unprecedented in Australian history, is not a terrorist attack, but is related to a stabbing earlier today in the inner southern suburb of Windsor.
Topics: road, community-and-society, death, melbourne-3000, australia, vic
PM: Full Program Audio
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On Friday's program: In Melbourne three people are dead and at least 20 injured after a car ploughed into pedestrians at high speed on a busy city street in the CBD this afternoon. One man has been arrested and at this stage police say they're not looking for anyone else. The inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump is predicted to be much more low-key than previous ceremonies in 2009 and 2013, but is also triggering protests across the United States and around the globe. And Federal MP Bob Katter says he'll soon introduce legislation to stop the sale of fake Aboriginal art and crafts.
Topics: australia
Melbourne CBD slowly returning to normal after fatal car crash Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Our reporter Tom Nightingale is at the Victoria police headquarters. He says things are solely returning to normal after a car killed and injured pedestrians in central Melbourne today. Earlier, the CBD was brought to a standstill, with cars, pedestrians and trams all stuck as emergency crews dealt with the aftermath of the crash.
Topics: road, death, disasters-and-accidents, accidents, melbourne-3000, australia, vic
Alcoa Portland saved by government rescue package Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Victoria's biggest exporter, Alcoa's Portland aluminium smelter, has been saved by a rescue package of about $230 million from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. The smelter was crippled by a power outage last December, which left it operating at a third of its capacity.
Topics: mining-industry, portland-3305
Gladys Berejiklian confirms tilt at premier job Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The New South Wales Treasurer, Gladys Berejiklian, has encouraged her colleagues to run for the position of Liberal Party leader, saying there'll be no hard feelings if they do. Earlier today Ms Berejiklian said she was taking nothing for granted, as she re-confirmed her intention to stand as the state's next premier.
Topics: states-and-territories, nsw
What does Donald Trump's Inauguration say about the US social climate? Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Preparing for this year's lighter side of the US Presidential inauguration has been more challenging than in previous years. Many celebrities have refused to perform, out of protest against President-elect Trump, or as a response to backlash from fans. That contrasts with previous inaugurations, which have featured the likes of Beyonce, U2, Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra. An expert in contemporary and pop music says the reaction has been unprecedented, but he doubts it will have a significant impact on the Trump presidency. He argues that inauguration events now serve as a cultural and social barometer and that it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next four years.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
St Stanislaus College set to issue apology for child abuse Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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One of Australia's oldest and largest boarding schools is set to apologise to students who were sexually abused during their time there. St Stanislaus College in Bathurst has been the subject of child abuse investigations for nearly a decade, with a number of its priests, brothers and teachers convicted. The apology has been welcomed by many, but some advocates are calling for the school to be publicly scrutinised by the child abuse Royal Commission.
Topics: child-abuse, catholic, bathurst-2795
Donald Trump attends Washington events ahead of inauguration Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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Festivities have begun for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Security is out in full force across Washington DC, as Trump supporters celebrate the controversial businessman's rise to the top of the American political tree. Protesters have also flocked to the city are planning a series of rallies to voice their opposition to Mr Trump.
Topics: world-politics, united-states
Shock over police decision to appeal against Federal Court ruling Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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The lawyer for a man found to have been discriminated against by Queensland Police says he's stunned that an appeal has been lodged against the ruling. Palm Island man Lex Wotton was jailed for inciting a riot on the island in 2004, after the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee. Last December the Federal Court ordered the state to pay more than $200,000 in damages to Lex Wotton. But police are appealing against that decision, saying the findings are not supported by evidence. They also believe the damages are excessive.
Topics: courts-and-trials, police, palm-island-4815
New Hollywood blockbuster condemned for its portrayal of mental illness Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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A new Hollywood blockbuster has been condemned for its depiction of mental illness. The psychological thriller 'Split' portrays a man who has dissociative identity disorder, or split personality. It's been criticised for trivialising mental illness and contributing to the stigma that people who suffer the condition are dangerous. But one film critic says 'Split' has actually promoted discussion and raised awareness about mental illness.
Topics: mental-health, film-movies, discrimination, australia
BHP, Vale close to Samarco settlement but UN warns on mounting human cost Audio Transcript and Verbatim
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BHP Billiton and the Brazilian miner Vale have struck a preliminary deal to settle multi-billion-dollar claims stemming from the Samarco dam disaster. The deal with Brazilian prosecutors is aimed at lowering a $US45 billion civil claim after a Samarco tailings dam burst in late 2015, killing 19 people and devastating the environment. But United Nations special advisor Leo Heller says that the human cost continues to mount - and that lessons about the safety of tailings dams have not necessarily been learned.
Topics: floods, mining-industry, landslide, mining-environmental-issues, brazil, australia
