More Current Affairs:

Latest Program:

Thursday, 4 December, 2008

Full program Real Play Real
Full program Windows Play Windows
Full program MP3 Play MP3

PM covers a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia's geographically and culturally diverse community. It looks behind political, economic, industrial, business, social, cultural, rural, regional and arts stories. Below is the latest program summary and transcripts are published as soon as they become available. You can listen to today's full program or individual reports in Real Media, Microsoft Windows Media or MP3.

Latest Transcripts:

Updated Thursday, 4 December, 2008

Opposition continues infrastructure bank attack

The Treasurer has dismissed the Opposition's Question Time probe over claims that the Government is setting up an infrastructure bank to help out the States. It's looking likely the House will sit again tomorrow, with the Senate making slow progress on the Government's big legislative agenda.

Thousands of factories closing down in China

Australia has produced a record monthly trade surplus in October of $2.6-billion but the nation's future trade position is looking less robust, with China and the global economy slowing. Richard Lindell spoke with IMA Asia managing director Richard Martin who is currently in the industrial city of Zhongshan.

Car sales slump in November

There are more indications that the Australian economy is suffering the effects of a slowdown with the latest figures showing car sales substantially down on last year. Sales of new cars and trucks for November 2008 were down 22 per cent from the same time in 2007. The Chamber of Automotive Industries says it's the worst month for car sales since 1986.

Pensioners and parents counting pennies from the Government's cash bonuses

Eight point seven billion dollars in cash bonuses will be rolled out from next Monday, but welfare experts say many people will spend the money catching up on outstanding debts.

A security first for Australia

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered his inaugural national security statement, promised more than a year ago in the lead up to the last election. In it, he officially ditched Labor's election promises of a new Department of Homeland Security and a coastguard service. Instead, he is appointing a former SAS commander as his own national security adviser, as part of an overhaul of policy coordination on defending Australia from a host of threats.

More evidence emerges in India of Pakistani involvement

With more evidence linking the Mumbai terrorist attacks with a Pakistani group, pressure is mounting on the Pakistani Government to confront Islamist terrorism inside its borders. The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice is in Islamabad for talks with Pakistan's civilian and military leadership. Indian and American officials say the Pakistani group, Lashkar e-Toiba carried out the Mumbai attacks, however, Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, denies it.

International treaty banning cluster bombs signed in Oslo

More than 100 countries, including Australia, have gathered in the Norwegian capital Oslo to sign an international agreement banning cluster bombs. It's being hailed as the most significant arms control treaty in a decade, but the US, China, Russia and India are among the nations refusing to sign. There are fears the treaty won't stop the production of a new generation of more deadly cluster munitions.

Melbourne Cup runner-up cleared

An inquiry has found that the Melbourne Cup runner-up, Bauer, was given illegal treatment before the race, but the horse will not be stripped of its placing. Under national regulations, shock-wave treatment is illegal in the week leading up to a race, but Racing Victoria has decided to let the matter slide.

Senate clears NT Government

A Senate inquiry has effectively cleared the Northern Territory Government of allegations that it incorrectly spent billions of dollars in federal grants intended for Indigenous affairs. The inquiry examined claims that successive Territory governments had failed to allocate money from the Commonwealth Grants Commission properly. The Greens and Coalition senators on the inquiry weren't satisfied; arguing that the dire state of Indigenous affairs shows funding is failing to reach those who need it.

Bias inquiry a waste of time

A Senate committee has dismissed its own inquiry into allegations of academic bias at schools and universities as a waste of time. The inquiry was sparked by concerns from the Liberal Students' Federation of a left-wing agenda in Australia's education system. But the Labor-dominated committee has found there's no evidence of a widespread bias.

Babcock and Brown receives a lifeline

Business and finance with Brigid Glanville