What does it mean to be Australian in the time of Corona?

The Gig Economy can provide flexibility and freedom for task by task workers like delivery drivers. Last year an Australian study found that 13% of the workforce had used a digital platform to find work and that number is expected to grow massively, particularly for young workers. But how we can protect independent contractors who work in this free market system? We speak to Diego the Delivery Driver (who says he was terminated unfairly and is fighting back) and Nick McIntosh – Transport Workers Union Assistant National Secretary. In today's news headlines: Coronavirus-infected live export ship allowed to dock in WA despite sick crew members Accused Australian paedophile principal ‘fit’ to be extradited from Israel to finally face charges Bushfire Royal Commission hears 445 people likely died prematurely from smoke last summer Sharks young gun tests positive to steroids days out from NRL restart In today's Briefing we ask: Why is the gig economy an easy fast way to findemployment but it is also easier to get let go? What are the hidden costs to participants? How do people sometimes end up getting paid less than the minimum wage? How does this way of work treat our most vulnerable workers? Why are young people and temporary migrants most at risk? How do they get the right level of protection in this gig economy? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Mai 202020min

Hydroxychloroquine is the drug at the centre of public debate and Donald Trump has revealed he’s been taking it to try and reduce his chances of getting Covid-19. Professor Marc Pellegrini (Walter & Eliza Hall institute of Medical Research) is the lead researcher on the Australian trial and joins us on today's show. In today's news headlines: Bushfire royal commission hears black summer “not a one-off” Court rules Celeste Barber’s $51 million NSW RFS fundraiser can’t go to other charities Preventing male suicide a focus of $20 million mental health package Top medical body demands urgent information campaign after Pete Evans anti-vaxxer interview In today's Briefing we ask: How dangerous are the side effects? What are the risks of taking it to prevent COVID-19? What does Australia hope to achieve with their trial? Why are populist right wing leaders latching on to Hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 solution?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Mai 202019min

Warning - Adult/Explicit content in this episode. It’s hard to imagine a work practice any more socially non-distant than sex work. To talk about the impact of the pandemic on this racy industry, we speak to sex worker and CEO of Australian Sex Workers Association Scarlet Alliance - Jules Kim. (⚠️ Warning: obviously there is a discussion of adult themes in this episode, so it's recommended not to listen with kids in the car unless you're ready for the birds and the bees chat) Today's news headlines: New Zealand could be open before QLD PM takes responsibility for massive JobKeeper mistake The AFL and NRL’s plans to get fans back in stadiums US threatens to sever ties with Australia over Victorian project In today's Briefing we ask: How has sex work been impacted during the pandemic and social distancing? Should it be allowed to reopen under Step 3 of the Covid rollback plan?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Mai 202020min

Why is COVID-19 killing more men everywhere? Why do men and women die differently? Why do women outlive men? To find out, we speak to Dr Sharon Moalem - Author “The better half. The genetic superiority of women” and Dr Rebecca Kippen – a Demographer from Monash University. Today's news headlines: QLD Premier not bothered by Pauline Hanson’s threat to take state to High Court Lockdown now eased in every American state Police say car crash into hijab shop that injured 14 not terror-related Australian unfair dismissal claims up 70% In today's Briefing we ask: Why are more men dying from coronavirus? When it comes to pandemics why don’t men do as well as women? What gives females this leg up when it comes to survival? What does it mean that women are genetically superior to men? How does genetics and behaviour affect the longevity of Men vs Women both during a pandemic and beyond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Mai 202020min

Despite advice from the overwhelming majority of scientists, the concerns and conspiracies around 5G continue to get traction with so many people. Today we find out why. This is part 2 of our Briefing on the 5G Corona Conspiracy. Today we find out why the 5G concerns have gained so much traction during this pandemic with Dr Robin Canniford University of Melbourne who researches Human Behaviour. Today’s news headlines: Casual workers are entitled to paid leave: Federal court Chinese state media labels Australia “this giant kangaroo that serves as a dog of the US” Queensland woman develops Covid-19 two months after travel UK war veteran who raised record amount for Covid-19 Knighted In today’s Briefing: The internet has been lighting up with theories in this time of fear, and in several countries people have been setting 5G towers on fire. 5G is a big concern for a lot of people. A poll released this week found 1/5 of young people believed 5G was spreading the coronavirus. Despite the advice from the overwhelming majority of scientists... the concerns and conspiracies around 5G continue to get traction with so many people. Today we once again delve deeper into why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Mai 202020min

The coronavirus pandemic has sent 5G fear into overdrive, with several conspiracy theories emerging. So we put all the big questions to Professor Rodney Croft from the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bio Effects research at the University of Wollongong. In today's news headlines: Qantas unveils “Fly Well” program: face masks but no spare seats China labels Australia’s inquiry vindication claims as “nothing but a joke” Masterchef contestant charged with sexual assault Aussie music festival FOMO goes into liquidation In today's Briefing we ask: At the heart of the 5G debate is the concern that radio waves are harmful to our health - is that true? At what levels are radio waves harmful? How much research has been done on the harms of 5G itself? We know that people around the world have been setting 5G towers on fire - do the towers pose a greater risk? Can 5G radio waves can harm your immune system making you more vulnerable to Covid-19? Can radio waves spread Covid-19? What research is often used to justify conspiracy theories?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Mai 202021min

Health experts believe vaping is more effective than nicotine patches and gum and is the most popular quitting aid in countries where it is available... then why is it illegal in Australia? We’ll explain the key arguments and find out why Australia is taking a tougher stance than other western countries, and why its such a divisive issue here. To find out more we speak to Professor Colin Mendelsohn who is Chairman of Tobacco Harm Reduction. In today's news headlines: China caves and supports independent coronavirus inquiry championed by Australia States being pressured to reopen borders AFL introduces “bonk ban” to stop covid-19 spread Puppy scammers taking advantage of rise in adoptions In today's Briefing we ask: Is vaping safer than smoking? Is there evidence it helps you quit smoking? If it’s better for you than smoking, why hasn’t it been legalised? Flavoured vaping V’s nicotine vaping and could vaping be a gateway for smoking in young people? How do we sift through the suspicion around vaping because of the tobacco industry’s involvement?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Mai 202017min

Millions of us are currently working from home because of the pandemic, but could working from home become the new normal? Today our guest is Organisational Psychologist Amantha Imber. In today's news headlines: 62 countries back Australia’s call for a coronavirus enquiry Western Australia, Tasmania opening up as Victoria reveals its roadmap Police still not sure how AFL player was stabbed Aussie shoppers flock to stores buying PJs, trackies, casual gear It turns out Dr Google’s wrong most of the time In today's Briefing we ask: If studies are showing that people get more done working from home, there’s higher job satisfaction and in some cases we took shorter breaks and had less sick days, why is it not the done thing? What has the pandemic has taught us about working from home? What are the biggest benefits and the downsides? How can we build and maintain our connections while WFH? Which businesses both at home and abroad are adopting working from home as being a normal part of the job?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Mai 202018min