Past Programs
Health - 2007
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Our defenceless children
10/12/2007
In a Federal election campaign strewn with slogans and catchphrases; 'economic prosperity' was probably the most repeated - but a report just published by the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare concludes that increases in our disposable income don't necessarily translate into greater security for the socially vulnerable. 'Australia's Welfare 2007'; is the eighth report card released by the AIHW in 15 years. Amongst the figures it quotes - a thirty-four percent increase in household disposable income in the ten years since 1995-96.
Despite this, the report finds that a considerable number of Australian children - and not just indigenous children - are still subject to violence and abuse. The number of Australian children on care and protection orders rose by almost a third between 2002 and 2006; and if this year's media coverage of the issue is any guide; things haven't improved.
So, are child protection authorities and systems to blame, or is it the values of the community at large that need to be questioned? Why does a country as prosperous as Australia seem to struggle to look after its vulnerable children?
Drug driving
07/12/2007
Although drunk driving is much more of a problem, drug users are more likely to jump behind the wheel under the influence. So do roadside drug tests deter this trend? And should police be testing for prescription drugs as well as illicit substances?
Super bugs
06/12/2007
Killer antibiotic-resistant bacteria are prevalent not only in our hospitals, but also in our environment, and our homes. Is it time to get tough on simple hygiene messages, like 'wash your hands'? And, are hospitals doing enough to keep these super bugs out of our hospitals?
The killer fibre
05/12/2007
Australia Talks reflects on the legacy of asbestos and the struggle of campaigner Bernie Banton; honoured with a state funeral today.
What cost is Australian society paying for its short-lived flirtation with fibro?
GM food
29/11/2007
The genetically modified (GM) food debate is in the news again now that both the New South Wales and Victorian governments have lifted their moratorium on GM canola crops.
Some say that GM foods are safe, healthy and essential to improving the lives of millions of the world's poorest people.
But others are concerned about the cross-contamination between GM and non-GM crops, fearing it will lead to increased use of herbicides for Round-up resistant weeds.
A beleaguered health system?
28/11/2007
A beleaguered health system or are we expecting too much from our hospitals -- which some health experts have called the 'best in the world'? As the new government looks at cutting duplication between federal and state governments, we would like to hear about your experiences in Australian hospitals.
Australia's hospitals have until 2010 to address concerns about their performance, or face the prospect of a complete Commonwealth takeover. Should the states give up their control of hospitals, or is a move to district health boards a solution?
How green is your office?
08/11/2007
How green is your office? Do you leave the office lights on at the end of the day? Or print endless copies of a document? Maybe you'd like to turn off the air-con but can't open the windows. If you want to go green at work, join us to find out how we can all do our bit to save the planet.
Memory - what's your experience?
26/10/2007
In giving evidence to the Diana inquest yesterday, two witnesses remembered that night in the tunnel in fundamentally different ways.
And - apparently - it's not unusual for many of us to remember an event in a more positive way than it actually happened.
So, the fragility of memory - how well do you perform in exams?
Food Security
24/10/2007
How green is your garden?
The drought has drastically restricted water for our agricultural industries, and the price of water is escalating affecting the price, and supply, of our food. So, how do we ensure 'food-security'? And what can we all do to encourage a sustainable food future?
Poker machine revenues
13/09/2007
Are our state treasuries -- as Kevin Rudd has suggested -- too dependent on poker machine revenues? Does the social impact of the pokies outweigh the benefits to the coffers and to the hospitality and entertainment industry, and is it realistic to expect that we can go about changing behaviour by limiting access to the one-armed bandits?
Nuclear energy in Australia
12/09/2007
The federal Australian government has recently signed deals to sell uranium to Russia and to India.
The arguments about nuclear power have changed considerably in the past 20 years since greenhouse gas emissions have caused global warming.
Nuclear energy will clearly play a role in future energy needs, but what is Australia's role in the global nuclear industry, as well as right here at home?
Men and their emotions
04/09/2007
Some of the softest, most romantic songs on the pop charts are written and sung by men, so we know that many men can express their emotions ... but why are elite sportsmen and ordinary men alike masking their emotions with drugs and alcohol? Is it OK to be masculine and emotionally free -- and who are the good male role models for a new century?
Equine flu
29/08/2007
Assessing the damage of the equine influenza outbreak...everyone from trainers and bookies to bar staff and punters are feeling it; but how does one event in New South Wales shut down a national industry, and does it raise questions about our quarantine systems?
21st century quality control
28/08/2007
21st century quality control ... as Batman and Barbie toys become part of a global recall by Mattel, and concerns are raised about some imported blankets; we look at who is accountable for scrutinising the safety of imported goods. Is it time for a national product protection authority?
Join us for our live recording in Canberra tonight; 'The Science of Sexuality'
27/08/2007
Come and be in the audience at the Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medicine: Building 54, Garran Road, Acton. 5.45pm for 6pm start. A free event.
Is our sexuality pre-determined before birth? What's the link between our sexuality and our genes? Is sexuality triggered by our environment or perhaps the number of siblings we have? This forum will discuss how sexual preferences are formed, and our panellists will take questions from our live studio audience.
Flu season
20/08/2007
It's just the flu -- or is it? Australians have just faced their worst flu season in five years.
Today we're examining what impact this annual unwelcome and mutating visitor has had on our homes and workplaces -- and how is our public health planning for next year's outbreak? Will you do anything different next flu season?
Government intervention in Indigenous communities
18/07/2007
An update on the federal government's response to the child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory ... with the Western Australian government also requesting help.
But is the need to upgrade the permit system and wanting to reclaim Aboriginal land a step too far?
Cluster bombs
16/07/2007
The continuing debate on the ethics of modern warfare and ordnance ...
Last month, the Australian Red Cross urged a ban on cluster bombs, but Australian political and military leaders have given a 'green light' to 'safer' cluster bombs.
So when is the use of a cluster bomb legitimate? And what is unacceptable harm to civilians?
Give us a call to have your say ... should we ban cluster bombs altogether, or find a way to regulate their use?
Taking a walk
06/07/2007
We will be taking a walk with Tony Kevin, author of Walking the Camino, a modern pilgrimage to Santiago. We will be discussing the therapeutic value of walking. We want to hear your experience about walking...be it along the South Coast trek in Tasmania to check out the spectacular wilderness, or 'rambling' throughout the English countryside -- or you may have taken the historic pub crawl while in Britain...we want to hear your stories about the joys of walking.
Towards a consumer-driven mental health system?
28/06/2007
In today's discussion we're joined by former consumers of the mental health system, who believe consumers should have a greater role in shaping a mental health system for the 21st century. We ask, what will that system look like?
Indigenous self determination and the federal intervention
25/06/2007
After an enormous week in indigenous affairs in Australia our first program of the week will ask what the federal government's intervention means for Aboriginal self-determination, a key indigenous aspiration. And we'll touch on another issue that hasn't gone away; aboriginal deaths in custody...
Smoking in the movies
05/06/2007
Smoking in the movies - is it time to get tough on films that glamourise smoking? Or, is contemporary cinema simply an accurate depiction of everyday life?
And what is the cultural exchange between movie scripts and society in general?
What do you think about this one-time ubiquitous movie prop - smoking - should it be restricted on-screen or not? Should there be more indicators to parents that smoking is in a film?
Bullying
16/05/2007
Today on the program we're looking at the Prime Minister's pledge to tie future state education funding with reforms; including the reporting and handling of violence and bullying.
It coincides with the million-dollar compensation payout to a victim of school bullying. Is better reporting going to help keep vulnerable children safe in our schools?
The Dementia Epidemic
09/05/2007
Dementia is officially an epidemic, last year over 200 thousand Australians had a diagnosis of Dementia, by the middle of the century that will be three quarters of a million, and it's not just a condition that affects the elderly. Today we examine the personal and social costs of the epidemic and current state of knowledge about the condition.
We'll also discuss a program that aims minimise the risk of developing dementia.
Protecting whistleblowers
12/04/2007
A couple of classified reports that exposed security breaches were leaked to the media last year and initiated a $200 million overhaul of Australia's aviation security. But it's a tough life for whistleblowers, with the Customs officer who blew the whistle now facing two years jail.
Why is there such a restricted flow of information - when it's in the public interest? And why is our legal system punishing those whose revelations transform the way we live?
HIV/AIDS - Illusions and Truths Read Transcript
07/02/2007
Back in 1981 when AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency - was first declared a deadly communicable disease, Australia dealt with the problem head-on - through a public scare campaign, and an efficient needle exchange program - but in 2007 the numbers of people contracting HIV-AIDS are once again increasing.
So, how do we talk about high-risk behaviour and the culture around a disease that's ravaging new populations here and in the South Pacific?
