The IPA's Looking Forward Podcast - A weekly podcast of debate and discussion about politics and ideas hosted by Scott Hargreaves, Editor of the IPA Review and Chris Berg of RMIT University and Fellow of the IPA
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
The government is pushing ahead with plans to extend trials of the cashless welfare card, but with it will we see the start of drug testing Newstart recipients? (1:36-14:50) The Federal Circuit Court has awarded Peter Ridd $1.2 million following the decision that he was unlawfully terminated by James Cook University. With JCU likely to appeal, is it finally time for Education Minister, Dan Tehan, to step in? (14:50-28:01) Robert Mugabe, leader of Zimbabwe post-independence, has passed away at the age of 95. What does the post-colonial mess that is Zimbabwe tell us about the vital role of institutions in fostering development and freedom? (28:06-40:30) Your hosts Scott Hargreaves and Dr Chris Berg are joined by the IPA’s Evan Mulholland and Dr Zac Gorman to answer these questions and dive into their culture picks such as Samuel Gregg’s book Faith and the Struggle for Western Civilisation, Scott Pape’s economic bestseller The Barefoot Investor, new movies, Apollo 11 and First Man, on the historic moon landing and the great Victor Davis Hanson’s podcast on the lessons of the Versailles Treaty (40:30-59:40).
Show Notes:
Robert Mugabe: From Liberator to Tyrant
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27519044
U.N chief lauds Mugabe role in fighting apartheid
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-robert-mugabe-zimbabwe-leader-dies-95-65425412
Culture Picks:
Faith and the Struggle for Western Civilisation, Samuel Gregg
https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Faith-Struggle-Western-Civilization-ebook/dp/B07F6P81DX
The Barefoot Investor, The Only Money Guide You’ll Ever Need, Scott Pape
https://www.amazon.com.au/Barefoot-Investor-2018-Update-Money/dp/0730324214
Apollo 11, Todd Douglas Miller
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8760684/
First Man, Damien Chazelle
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8760684/
The Lessons of the Versailles Treaty, Victor Davis Hanson
https://amgreatness.com/2019/07/24/the-lessons-of-the-versailles-treaty/
The Classicist: Versailles at 100
Wednesday Sep 04, 2019
Wednesday Sep 04, 2019
Last Thursday Attorney General, Christian Porter released a draft package for Religious Discrimination Bills. Can anti-discrimination law work in the favour of conservatives and religious bodies? (1:46-16:27) Education Minister Dan Tehan takes an interest in the state of free speech on campus. Why are university administrators in denials about free speech crisis on campus? (16:27-32:14) Following the mass of hysteria regarding Boris Johnson’s big push we’re finally seeing some movement with Brexit. The question on everyone’s minds now is will there be an election before Brexit and is British Parliament doing its job? (32:14-42:34) Your weekly hosts Scott Hargreaves and Dr Chris Berg are joined by the IPA’s Renee Gorman and Gideon Rozner to answer these questions as well as discuss their culture picks such as stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle’s boundary pushing new show Sticks & Stones, comedy film Stan & Ollie based on comedic duo Laurel and Hardy, Jonah Goldberg’s discussion of Western Civilisation with Niall Ferguson on his podcast The Remnant and the new season of Utopia: Rob Sitch’s comedy show on life in the Canberra bubble (42:34-56:47).
Show Notes
Religious Freedom Bills
https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Pages/religious-freedom-bills.aspx
Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Education, Address to National Press Club, 28 August 2019
https://ministers.education.gov.au/tehan/national-press-club
Culture Picks:Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones
https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81140577
Stan & Ollie, Jon S. Baird
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3385524/
The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, Episode 129
https://theremnant.blubrry.net/2019/08/26/episode-129-basement-history/
Andrew Roberts on Churchill and the Craft of Biography, Econtalk
http://www.econtalk.org/andrew-roberts-on-churchill-and-the-craft-of-biography/
Utopia, Rob Sitch
https://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/utopia/
Wednesday Aug 28, 2019
Wednesday Aug 28, 2019
The G7 summit last week saw new tariffs but also an outbreak in niceness. Are Trump’s tariffs part of some grand master plan to win the trade war? (1:50-17:25) In the context of the Royal Commission into child sex abuse, new laws for mandatory reporting are making a big show of challenging the seal of the confession. Is this a violation of religious freedom? (17.25 – 33:00) Disney has just announced a plethora of new movies, begging the question, what are the economic and cultural ramifications of the industry giant? (33:00 – 48:12) Your hosts Scott Hargreaves and Dr Chris Berg are joined by Andrew Bushnell and Christian Kerr to answer these questions, as well as divulging their culture picks such as Quentin Tarantino’s latest movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, nostalgic 80’s TV show Stranger Things, rock stars Nick Cave and Warren Ellis with the MSO and Netflix TV show Mindhunter Season 2. (48:12 – 1:03:16)
Show Notes:
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7131622/
Stranger Things, Netflix
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis with the MSO
https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2019/nick-cave-warren-ellis/
Mindhunter Season 2, Netflix
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
With 1.7 out of 7.4 million people protesting in Hong Kong, the Chinese Government is under scrutiny as never before (1:35-23:40). In the latest of a series of devastating results, the federal court has dismissed a significant case that ASIC launched against Westpac. Is ASIC too hard, too soft, or just incompetent? (23:40-36:50). Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland, however, the Danish Prime Minister says she has no interest. Is this the biggest real-estate deal on earth, or a decision for the locals? (36:50-44:19). Scott Hargreaves and Dr Chris Berg are joined by Daniel Wild and Dr Zac Gorman to discuss these questions and share their culture picks, including China born British writer, Ma Jian, and his book China Dream, Toy Story 4 and its commentary on communism, Karl Popper’s old classic The Open Society and Its Enemies, and Steve Smith’s remarkable comeback in the latest Ashes series. (46:50-59:04).
Show Notes:
What If Everyone’s Wrong About China? Tyler Cowen, Bloomberg
Engineers of the Soul: Ideology in Xi Jinping's China by John Garnaut,
https://sinocism.com/p/engineers-of-the-soul-ideology-in
The State Strikes Back: The End of Economic Reform in China
https://www.piie.com/bookstore/state-strikes-back-end-economic-reform-china
ASIC loses landmark case against Westpac, Tim Boyd, Financial Review
Why does Donald Trump want to buy Greenland? Phillip Inman, The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/19/why-does-donald-trump-want-to-buy-greenland
Donald Trump, Twitter
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1163961882945970176?s=20
Dr Jennifer Marohasy at Climate Change Concern Forum in Maroochydore, Institute of Public Affairs, YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVlu-7_FxD8&feature=youtu.be
Culture Picks:
Chinese Dream, Ma Jian
https://www.amazon.com/China-Dream-Ma-Jian/dp/178474249X
Toy Story 4
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1979376/
The Open Society and Its Enemies, Karl R.Popper
https://www.amazon.com/Open-Society-Its-Enemies-One/dp/0691158134
Steve Smith’s comeback at The Ashes
Wednesday Aug 14, 2019
Wednesday Aug 14, 2019
Is the Keneally-fuelled success of the inaugural CPAC Australia conference a one-off or another sign of a vibrant centre-right movement? (01:40-14:20). What is it with Greta Thunberg and her alarmist followers; and does the elite encouragement reveal the deeper agenda of expanding State control? (14:20-25:10). How does the case of Comcare v Banerji, in which a public servant used an anonymous Twitter account to criticise the government’s immigration policy, differ from the Israel Folau case? (25:10-27:30). Scott Hargreaves is joined by Dr Richard Allsop, Evan Mulholland and Gideon Rozner to discuss these questions and share their culture picks, including Nikki Sava’s latest book on the downfall of Malcolm Turnbull, John Ruddick’s argument for more democracy in the Liberal Party, a dark (if not nihilist) comedy on HBO/Foxtel starring former SNL actor Bill Hader as a hit man who wants to be an actor, and Anne Henderson’s new book on 19th century free trade Labor politician, Paddy Glynn (34:10-56:00).
Show notes:
German meat tax proposal a risk to consumption, Fitch says
In praise of the bands that said no to Greta Thunberg
https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/08/in-praise-of-the-bands-that-said-no-to-greta-thunberg/
Outrage culture is killing free speech, Andrew Bushnell
https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/08/outrage-culture-is-killing-free-speech/
The Road to Ruin, Niki Savva
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-road-to-ruin-niki-savva/prod9781925322729.html
On Mutiny, David Speers
https://www.booktopia.com.au/on-mutiny-david-speers/prod9780522875065.html
Culture picks:
Plots and Prayers: Malcolm Turnbull's demise and Scott Morrison's ascension, Niki Savva
Make the Liberal Party Great Again, John Ruddick
https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/make-the-liberal-party-great-again-by-john-ruddick-9781925642568
Barry, HBO
Federation’s Man of Letters – Patrick McMahon Glynn, Anne Henderson
Wednesday Aug 07, 2019
Wednesday Aug 07, 2019
Does Noel Pearson’s argument that ‘the Voice’ is based on indigeneity and not race stand up? (01:30-17:00) What are the options for conservatives seeking to combat internet mobs and academic packs bent on defaming (or downright destroying) an individual, as happened recently to Nigel Biggar and Roger Scruton? (17:00-35:00) And does the Melbourne Institute’s latest HILDA survey really show a rise in inequality? (90:35-0:45) Dr Chris Berg and Scott Hargreaves are joined by Dr Bella D’Abrera and Andrew Bushnell to discuss these questions and share their culture picks, including a book on the unresolved legacy of the Vietnam War by Pulitzer Price-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (0:45-0:49), the final cut of the classic 1979 film ‘Apocalypse Now’(0:49-0:54), a Latin American soap opera on the Liberator, Simón Bolívar (0:54-:59) and Geoffrey Blainey’s autobiography, ‘Before I Forget’ (0:59-01:03:22).
Quillette podcast with Toby Young and Nigel Biggar on how to deal with online outrage mobs
Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War by Viet Thanh Nguyen
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674660342
Before I Forget by Geoffrey Blainey
https://www.penguin.com.au/books/before-i-forget-9781760890339
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Statistical Report 2019
Noel Pearson’s remarks to the Key Forum, Cape York Institute, 3 August 2019
https://capeyorkpartnership.org.au/all-updates/all-we-seek-is-our-rightful-place-thank-you/
Bolivar on Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80220422
Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Why are not just the police but also councils and dozens of government agencies allowed to access your metadata without a warrant? (01:40-15:15) Do digital platforms like Google and Facebook need more regulation, and why on earth is the ACCC seeking to solve ‘fake news’ and prop up traditional media? (15:15-37:50) Is Barnaby Joyce right to say Newstart should be increased, and how should we think about it? (37:50-50:35) Dr Chris Berg and Scott Hargreaves are joined by Kurt Wallace and Professor Jason Potts to discuss these questions and share their culture picks: a podcast by Reason on postmodernism, a brilliant comedy called ‘Fleabag’ from Amazon Prime via the ABC, John Marsden's new book 'The Art of Growing Up', and a fascinating ABC documentary series on the people and history of the Torres Strait (50:35-01:06:42).
ACCC, Digital Platforms Inquiry – Final Report
https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/digital-platforms-inquiry-final-report
Blue Water Empire, Series 1 Episode 1, ABC iView
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/blue-water-empire/series/1/video/IP1505Q001S00
Is Postmodernism Marxist or Libertarian? A Soho Forum Debate, Reason
Fleabag, ABC Comedy
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/fleabag
The Art of Growing Up
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019
If JCU appeals to a higher court, should the Commonwealth cover Peter Ridd’s legal costs? (03:50-20:50) Is George Calombaris really the whipping boy for ‘wage theft’, and what does that phrase actually mean? (20:50-31:50) And is BoJo as UK PM really the ‘new Trump’? (31:55-43:45) Dr Chris Berg and Scott Hargreaves are joined by Evan Mulholland and Gideon Rozner to discuss these questions and share their culture picks, including Memoirs of Roman Emperor Hadrian, a collection of essays on free speech, Trump etc from American Psycho author Brett Easton Ellis, the actual book of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (which doesn’t follow the left’s narrative), and ‘The Loudest Voice’ miniseries on Stan about Fox News founder Roger Ailes, played by Russell Crowe subtly subverting the caricature. (43:45-1:04).
SHOW NOTES
Christian Porter: Commonwealth could fund Peter Ridd’s fight against James Cook University, Joe Kelly, The Australian
Against Public Broadcasting: Why and how we should privatise the ABC, Chris Berg and Sinclair Davidson
Memoirs of Hadrian, Marguerite Yourcenar
https://www.bookdepository.com/Memoirs-Hadrian-Marguerite-Yourcenar/9780141184968
White, Brett Easton Ellis
http://breteastonellis.com/books/
The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
http://margaretatwood.ca/shop/
The Loudest Voice
https://www.sho.com/the-loudest-voice
The Loudest Voice in the Room, Gabriel Sherman
Thursday Jul 18, 2019
Thursday Jul 18, 2019
The panellists decipher the Morrison Government’s mixed messages on a Voice to Parliament and consider the real difficulties with a changing the constitution (1:20-18:22) then argue the pros and cons of an LNP proposal to set up an Office of Science Quality Assurance to challenge the science relied upon by bureaucrats (18:22-33:41) and seek to understand the National Conservatism launch, a big conservative confab in the USA (33:42-51:06). In the Books and Culture segment the panellists looks at some book which bear on the story of indigenous Australia prior to European settlement, an book smuggled out of North Korea at great danger to the author’s life, David Epstein’s Range, and Season 3 of Stranger Things.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550188/range-by-david-epstein/9780735214484/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/11/the-accusation-forbidden-stories-from-inside-north-korea-by-bandi-review
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/national-conservatism-conference-why-nationalism-and-why-now/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/
https://www.booktopia.com.au/dark-emu-bruce-pascoe/prod9781921248016.html
https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/general-books/history/The-Biggest-Estate-on-Earth-Bill-Gammage-9781743311325
Monday Jul 15, 2019
Monday Jul 15, 2019
A very special episode of The Looking Forward Podcast as Troy Bramston, senior writer with The Australian, joins Dr Chris Berg, Scott Hargreaves and Richard Allsop to discuss his new book Robert Menzies: The Art Of Politics. The panel cover Australia's life, his political fights and his legacy, while also talking about how the original IPA Looking Forward document underpinned many of Menzies' policies in office.
Purchase your copy of Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics here: https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/robert-menzies