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Monday, 1 December, 2008

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The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. 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.

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Updated Monday, 1 December, 2008

Canberra Christmas cheer in short supply

The Federal Opposition is maintaining its attack on the Government over its admission it might be forced to bring down a budget deficit. The Government in the meantime is happy to watch the growing pressure on the shadow treasurer, Julie Bishop, about her work performance.

Minister defends delay on greenhouse gas targets

The Federal Government says there are practical reasons to delay the release of its 2020 targets to reduce carbon emissions, as a UN climate change meeting begins in Poland. But the Greens say the Government is copping out, because it doesn't want to be embarrassed for setting low targets.

Report card finds Aussie companies unhealthy

The Australian Corporate Health Index released today has found many companies are not well-placed to survive a prolonged downturn, and one-fifth are already showing some symptoms of bankruptcy.

Survey shows stamp duty still too high

A new survey shows stamp duty on properties around Australia are eating into average incomes more than ever. House prices have been going up and so has the tax on them, but incomes haven't been increasing. The real estate industry says that's adding to the economy's woes.

Tensions mount following Mumbai attacks

Anger is growing in India over reports the Government could have been better prepared for the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Tensions are also mounting with Pakistan, following Indian accusations that all the attackers came from its long-time rival.

India-Pakistani conflict avoidable: analyst

One regional security analyst tells The World Today he's optimistic the escalation in tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, won't end in outright war.

Swiss vote to put heroin on prescription

Voters in Switzerland have opted to make heroin a prescription drug. Harm minimisation experts have welcomed the move, but authorities in Australia say there's no current proposal to look at adopting a similar approach here

New Lord Mayor for Melbourne

The former Victorian Liberal leader, Robert Doyle, has a new career in politics as the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. One of his most controversial proposals is to re-open Swanston Street to traffic, which faces strong opposition from many Melburnians and Greens councillors.

Witnesses to mass whale deaths demand answers

Locals who watched 155 pilot whales die after beaching themselves in a rocky bay on Tasmania's west coast say they're angry it took rescuers a day to arrive. But the rescuers say they got to the remote Sandy Cape as quickly as they could, and managed to save 32 whales when they did.

Giant squid stops traffic

Police have been called in to escort a 500 kilogram giant squid to New Zealand's national museum, where it will be put on display. The colossal sea creature was caught off Antarctica last year, then developed a world-wide following when it was defrosted live over the Internet.