"The Week on Wednesday" with Van Badham & Ben Davison cover art

"The Week on Wednesday" with Van Badham & Ben Davison

"The Week on Wednesday" with Van Badham & Ben Davison

By: Ben Davison
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About this listen

Join notorious Guardian columnist Van Badham and her labour activist co-host (and partner!) Ben Davison. As they deep-dive into the big news themes of the week and provide fresh, irreverent analysis about what's really going on in Australia and around the world.Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Episode 173: An NDIS for communities, not for cowboys; let’s talk about tax it’s a gas gas gas… and good news about renewables - from a war zone…
    Apr 22 2026

    Van Badham is in Sydney and Ben Davison’s in Ballarat, but they’re brought together by the miracle of technology and sheer force of will to discuss the Albanese government’s reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, gassing about taxes ahead of the budget, and some truly amazing news - about the environment - out of Ukraine. There’s lots of union news relevant to, well, everyone who works - and you can also help the good concrete workers of Hytec here: https://tinyurl.com/48Blitz-Hytec (https://tinyurl.com/48Blitz-Hytec)

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    58 mins
  • Episode 172: War against Iran, Culture War against the Vatican, War Crimes... and good news about British Beavers
    Apr 12 2026

    Van Badham and Ben Davison survive Trump’s threat of nuclear was to discuss the Hungarian election and Viktor Orbán’s illiberal rule and its EU/Ukraine implications. They then explore Trump’s escalation with Iran, chaotic U.S. decision-making, international peace efforts, and whether it was wise for Trump to declare a culture war against the actual Vatican. How does this relate to the Ben Roberts‑Smith civil and criminal proceedings - beyond the broader need for military accountability in democratic societies? You’ll have to listen to find out… but the good news is all about beavers. GO THE BEEVS!!

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Episode 171: The Fuel Crisis, Trump's new forever war and the good news is about bilbies, this is the Week on Wednesday
    Apr 3 2026

    This week, Van Badham and Ben Davison juggle a chaotic dog incident while discussing multi‑employer bargaining and planned industrial action by local government workers in Victoria. The dogs calm down enough for Van and Ben to get into the details of the spike in fuel prices driven by Middle East and Ukraine conflicts - and the related misinformation about this online. The discussion around Australia’s fuel reserves and policy responses naturally escalates into critiques of U.S. military action in Iran and its global geopolitical fallout. The good news is that it’s Easter, and bilbies are involved! TASTY, TASTY bilbies! Enjoy!

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    1 hr and 14 mins
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