West Gippsland Week

After the huge Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Child Abuse a redress scheme was established but demand has well outstripped initial estimates to administration has been slow, and it is now due to close which risks many missing out. We discuss the issue, the problems with and benefits of the scheme, and the options victims have.

A survey by federation University aims to understand the ways in which phone apps are used in domestic abuse. We explore what is going on and how to be part of the survey.

There is much talk of critical minerals but what are they and are they a net benefit to our environment?

Employment in Australia appears to be statistically "full", but hours worked show many want more work, but employers still complain of insufficient skills in applicants. And further many are using automatic culling of written applications. What helps to get through this maze...

Home batteries come with several different chemistries with different performance. We explore some basic choices.

We discuss state politics with Wayne Farnham, member for Narracan in Victoria. We look at language in robust debate, the experience of late night sitting in parliament, the opening of a new rail tunnel in Melbourne and some fresh ideas to speed the supply of housing.

A recent report from Infrastructure Victoria (the state government organization that plans and recommends development) has set out the costs likely to be faced arising from continuing climate change

The increasing threat to our environment and safety presented by feral deer has prompted the start of an awareness campaign, the need for which we discuss with the manager from the federal department.

Increased scrutiny and aggression has increased the stress on umpires and referees and a recent survey has shown just how much it has become an issue, and looked at the threat to our sports if they do not continue to offer their services.

With batteries in almost everything these days, the need for much increased recycling is obvious. But the different chemistry and the many machines in which the batteries are built in makes it tricky. We discuss the problems with the industry association CEO.

Returning veterans from military service often need support across a range of medical issues and Warragul RSL has taken on the issues from the ground up. Beginning with opening a tranquil garden to advocacy and support for those seeking from the department of veteran affairs they have set out to actively back their members.

Simon Ortega is an employment consultant in Gippsland and we discuss current opportunities, future possibilities and approaching applications from the point of view of the employer.

A fairly sudden increase in diptheria in central australia raises questions about vaccination rates, living condition in indigenous communities and whether we should consider getting a shot. AMA Vice President Julian Rait discusses.

Regular chat with the Mayor of Baw Baw Shire includes discussion of staffing, rubbish costs and collection, governance and more.

Much discussion has been had about ways in which Australia should be getting more benefit from the gas that is extracted here. What is going on?

Segment produced by people with an intellectual disability presented by Yooralla and Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability (VALID). In this episode we meet Ben Haack who is a leader fro the Special Olympics in Australia and hear about his early struggles and how sport has improved his life, and what the Special Olympic movement aims to acheive.

With winter well and truly starting we discuss ways to keep warm while keeping the costs as low as possible with Amelia Pearson from Monash University.

Social media companies have been required to exclude Australian under 16 years. Year 13, a charity aimed at helping young people navigate the years after school, has actually acted the young people what they think of the situation and what they feel they are missing.

World bee day has been established by the UN to highlight the vital role in food supply played by our pollinators, mostly bees. We explore all things bee with Cormac Farrell, Chair of the Australian Bee Day Steering Committee, and Beekeeper for teh Australian Parliament.!

Regular chat with member for Narracan in state parliament, and in this one he is had as hell...!

PFAS has been across our media and has been dubbed "the forever chemical". Full name: polyfluoroalkyl substances which refer to a man-made compounds that are widely applied in industrial and consumer goods because of their resistant characteristics to both water and grease. Although PFAS have played important roles in industries and in the manufacture of consumer goods such as non-stick...

Australia leads the world in uptake of rooftop solar and it is making a major contribution in keeping costs down, but almost all of that benefit goes to home owners. Renters largely miss out and Solar Citizens are campaigning to introduce tax law to give landlords incentive to install solar panels. We are chat about the proposals to increase fixed charges for supply.

With the expansion of cheaper renewable energy into our supply power prices were expected to come down, but they remain stubbornly high. We chat about where the costs come from and where the most expensive parts of the system are.

Mayor Kate Wilson discusses the way state government shifts jobs and costs on to municipalities, without the funds to carry them out. Also their objections to Battery Energy Storage System proposals and the desperate need for additional childcare.

In a regular chat with Member for Monash in the Australian parliament we discuss the situation in the opposition party, gambling control, and more.