Jeremy Cordeaux returns to The Court of Public Opinion Garage Edition with a sharp look at the issues shaping Australia. From the Papua New Guinea “Puk Puk” pact and the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, to the rise of “scrimpflation”, government waste, and the Bedford Industries scandal — Jeremy calls out hypocrisy and mismanagement at every level. He questions how your money is being spent, who’s really running the country, and whether common sense has disappeared from politics altogether.

• Australia’s new “Puk Puk” defence pact with Papua New Guinea

• Remembering Dame Jane Goodall and South Australian leaders Anthony Toop and Michael Brock

• The one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel

• “Scrimpflation” – less quality for the same money

• One in four shoppers think it’s okay to steal from supermarkets

• Rampant government waste: hospital patients in luxury hotels

• Failure to ban online gambling ads

• Liberal Party leadership, Andrew Hastie, and political drift

• Lake Eyre regatta banned by Aboriginal groups

• Bedford Industries scandal: taxpayer money and poor management

• Return of ISIS brides and government accountability

• Upcoming guests: Professor Ian Plimer, John Overton, SA Aviation Museum

• Historical notes: carbon paper, Putin’s birthday, Fox News launch, Clive James, Pillow Talk

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On The Court of Public Opinion, Jeremy Cordeaux is joined by Chief Economist Leith Van Onselen to unpack Australia’s energy and housing crises. From skyrocketing power bills in South Australia to the government’s 5% housing deposit scheme, they expose the hidden costs of net zero, failed energy policy, and a looming affordability disaster.

Topics Discussed;

• South Australia’s renewable energy dependence and high penetration of wind/solar

• Reality check: reliance on gas, diesel, and batteries when renewables fail

• Why SA has the highest power bills in Australia (49% higher than average)

• Transmission and infrastructure costs being passed to consumers

• Comparison with California – “the South Australia of the USA”

• Energy market manipulation and “bid stacking” pushing up prices

• The role of coal in keeping prices stable and efficient use of batteries

• Net zero targets vs Australia’s 1% share of global emissions

• Risks of deindustrialisation and manufacturing collapse due to high energy costs

• Environmental impacts of mass renewables vs nuclear power option

• Unrealistic government targets (wind towers, solar panels, transmission roads)

• Subsidies, Snowy Hydro blowouts, and taxpayer burden

• Policy failures: privatisation of utilities, gas exports without domestic reservation

• Future blackout risks when Victoria also eliminates coal power

• Housing affordability: government’s 5% deposit guarantee scheme

• Scheme compared to “state-sponsored subprime mortgage scandal”

• Long-term effects: inflated prices, taxpayer risk, negative equity for buyers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.