Live Recording of The Protagonists on The World Today.

Bondi Beach: How Did We Get Here?

Yesterday one of Australia's most iconic locations, Bondi, was again under attack. With the Bondi Junction stabbings in April 2024 still in our minds, many of us have already concluded that Australia has changed irreparably for the worse.

While the impact of the terror incident at Bondi was emerging, the narrative was defined very quickly as a targeted attack on a Hanukah celebration.

It may well have been but do these early and definitive conclusions, and the various lobby groups vying for attention distract us from broader questions such as how the hell we got to this place. And if there is any going back.

While we don't expect authorities to be omnipotent and omnipresent, it is an obvious question - have we seen a massive failure of governance over decades?

Even if we succeed in stamping out anti-semitism or Islamophobia - will this solve the problem? I think not.

While they will be egged on - can our Governments State and Federal - stay away from the virtue signalling, campaigns of harassment and censorship and instead throwing sops to sops to powerful interests or impulsive authoritarian responses that treat all citizens as criminals - take a look at their own policies and assess if they are supporting and attracting terror? Surely this is not beyond their web of agencies, high priced consultants and even community organisations that are sustained by taxpayer largesse.

Australian Governments and their agencies should face intense scrutiny on whether their policies are failing all Australians by introducing unnecessary levels of risk.

But who will do this - certainly not the co-opted mainstream media.

Mike Ryan HOST

GUESTS:

Dr. Bernie Power, Islam And Christian-Muslim Relations Lecturer & Melbourne School Of Theology.
Shalini (Shelley) Bhasin, Libertarian & Community Advocate.
Harry Hatzikalimnios: Retired Detective.

Hour 2. Fortress America - Visitors Not Welcome

Are we witnessing a new Fortress America?

It is likely that Australians, New Zealanders and citizens of 40 other visa-exempt countries must disclose five years' worth of social media history to visit the US. A new plan would bring the rules for citizens of those countries in line with those for tourist visa applicants, who have been required to provide social media data since 2019.

Other requirements will include biometrics - iris, face, DNA and fingerprints; personal and business phone numbers for the past 5 years, personal and business email addresses for past 10 years; IP addresses and metadata, family members names phone numbers past 5 years, addresses, dates and place of birth. The proposal is open for public comment until early January.

On the other hand, the US is prioritising groups that will make America great, with the launch of a new program that will allow wealthy foreign individuals to buy a US "golden visa" for $1m, and a "platinum" version for $5m being trialled. The gold card program has already faced heavy criticism by seemingly contradicting the US's traditional reputation as a refuge for the hardworking poor.

Hiring new talent from abroad will cost US employers hefty fines under new provisions to the H-1B visa. Amid the push for American companies to hire American workers, Donald Trump has raised the application fee for H-1B visas from $1,700 to $4,500 to $100,000

Time will tell how these rules, working in conjunction with Trump's tariff policy will affect the American economy. Will the tourism sector feel the heat of restrictions on visitors? Will the US no longer attract the talent it did from other countries?

Either way, can America continue to be regarded as the home of the free? Over the top surveillance is quickly being implemented as an antidote to illegal migration of the Biden era and now all Americans, and law abiding visitors are considered guilty until found innocent or fabulously rich?

Mike Ryan HOST

GUESTS:

Robert Barwick is a longtime executive member of the Australian Citizens Party (formerly Citizens Electoral Council).

John Mair is a Journalist & Broadcaster and one of the most prolific editors of books on modern journalism in Britain today.

Trevor Coult MC is a decorated British Army veteran who served in the Royal Irish Regiment and a veteran who's sick to death with Politicians.

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