An Apple a Week with Dr Katie Allen

The Victorian Opposition Leader, John Pesutto, believes the policy settings for our state are wrong. Join me as we discuss his vision for a better Victoria

Member for Casey, Aaron Violi, has strong and deep connections with his community. He is concerned that the cost of living crisis is biting deep. He is disappointed in Labor’s failure to take the right approach to the crisis. Join me as we discuss a better way forward.

Shadow Treasurer, Angus Taylor has a lot to say on how best to lead our nation to a more prosperous future. Join me as we discuss taming inflation, the credit squeeze and why improving productivity is a goal worth fighting for.

The duty of care of the Corporation Act (2001) requires directors to have visibility, oversight and governance on emerging risk including cyber, data privacy and responsible AI adoption. Join me in conversation with Liz Hallifax who is Head of Operational Risk for Unilever as we discuss how to get the balance between regulation and legislation right for these rapidly emerging technological advances.

Join me with former Prime Minister John Howard as we discuss tax reform, home ownership and new nuclear energy policy and their importance to the future prosperity of Australia as well as other important topics from his new book, “A sense of balance”.

As Victorian Shadow Attorney General, Michael O’Brien has thought deeply about integrity and the rule of law in our state parliament. Join me as we discuss how to foster a justice system that works for all Victorians and how to ensure integrity in government.

As former Premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett helped turn around the economic decline of Victoria. Join me as we discuss his views on whether it can be done again.

Are Australia’s policy settings right to deal with the rapid rise in cost of living and how do we address sluggish productivity? Join me in discussion with Shadow Minister for Finance, Senator Jane Hume, as she outlines her views on our economic future.

As former Minister for Trade and Tourism and now Shadow Foreign Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham has a wealth of experience in how to build Australia’s future prosperity. Join me as we discuss why Australia should always champion a global rules-based approach to trade, including with China, and how important it is to support Ukraine. He provides insights into why a last minute cancellation of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria should have been avoided.

As a journalist, author and former head of China analysis for the Australian defence department Paul Monk has thought deeply about our changing relationship with China. Join me as we discuss current issues pertaining to our relationship with China in the post-pandemic era.

As senior policy advisor to 3 Australian Prime Ministers and recently appointed CEO of the Menzies Research Centre, Dave Hughes has seen the principles of Australian liberalism put into action. Join me as we discuss the timelessness of Menzies founding principles in the modern political era.

Member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan, argues voters value integrity and believes Australians want an honest debate on the issues that matter to them. Join me in conversation with Keith as we discuss the cost of living crisis and what needs to be done to help enable the dream for more Australians to own their own home.

The Australian healthcare system faces enormous challenges in the post-COVID era. Shadow Health Minister Senator Anne Ruston argues pressures on our healthcare workforce is the most acute problem to solve as workers face post COVID burnout and training is not keeping up with demand. Add to that significant shortages in rural and remote areas and there are lots of challenges the government needs to do better at addressing.

As we read about daily cybersecurity threats to both businesses and the data of private citizens how is the Federal government addressing these challenges to our collective safety? Join me in conversation with Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and for Cybersecurity as we discuss how best to address these emerging threats to our future prosperity.

Australia’s healthcare system is underpinned by a mutual balance between private and public. Private Healthcare Australia has just released an important report called “There’s no place like home” that identifies out of home care as key to delivering optimal healthcare in a rapidly changing healthcare system. Join me as I discuss the importance of giving patients the care and convenience of out of home care with CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, Dr Rachel David.

Jason Falinski is the former Federal Member for Mackellar and Chair of the Economics Committee. Join me as we discuss whether the recent Federal Budget puts Australia on the right footing in the context of rising inflation and a cost of living crisis. We discuss the squeeze on renters and those trying to get into their first home and whether our infrastructure is prepared for an influx of 1.5 million immigrants over the next 5 years.

People living with food allergy walk a constant tightrope as they try to avoid foods that are innocuous to others but can be life-threatening to them. As CEO of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, Maria Said has spoken to too many families who have suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one to anaphylaxis. Join me as we discuss her life’s work to help make the world safer for those with food allergy.

As Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia, Jane Rowan is passionate about supporting families of patients with eating disorders. She shares her vision to destigmatise these conditions that affect more than 1 million people in Australia. She speaks about her personal “journey of hell” and how EDFA is providing hope to so many.

As head of the Centre for Augmented Reasoning, Professor Anton van den Hengel knows a lot about the rapid rise of Large Language Models such as chatGPT and the impact it will have on the way we live and work. Join me as we discuss Google’s concerns that “we don’t have a moat” contrasted with the Economist’s view that this open source approach presents an opportunity for improved productivity that is unprecedented in history.

When Danielle Snelling lost her mother over 10 years ago there was a dearth of services to help her deal with her grief. As co-founder and CEO of not-for-profit Motherless Daughters Australia she seeks to redress this issue and work to provide grief support services for those women who have lost their mother prematurely. Join me for this very personal conversation with Danielle about how it feels to lose your mother particularly in the lead up to Mother’s Day.

As a newly minted member of the upper house in NSW, Jacqui Munro is passionate about home ownership. She worries that the roll back of previous Perrottet government policy by the incoming Labor government will only exacerbate the problem of housing affordability in NSW. Join me as we discuss this and how Liberal values in action can and should inform good election campaign policy.

Prof Bob Williamson AO FRS has championed medical research for over 6 decades. As a former CEO of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute he has seen first-hand the impact of medical research investment both here and internationally. Join me as we discuss topics ranging from the discovery of DNA to the commercialisation of genetics.

As former diplomat, Ambassador and Federal Member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma has made a significant contribution to the public debate. Join me as we discuss childcare, home ownership and other policies likely to appeal to a new generation of voters as the party seeks to refresh and renew.

From Goldman Sacha to Impact Bonds via Australian Survivor, Kate Temby has been at the leading edge of our current financial transformation. Join me as we discuss sustainable financing, greenwashing and the Respect at Work Act 2022.

As an executive with Lloyds and PayPal and now board director in FinTech, Alessandro Hatami has a wealth of global experience in how digital banking is changing the world of finance. Join me as we discuss neobanks, cybersecurity and the disruptive emergence of open ai.

The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO was a Victorian Senator for 21 years and Minister for Health and Ageing. She is now the Human Rights Commissioner for Age Discrimination and is on the Council of Elders so she knows a thing or two about the impact of ageing on individuals, our community and the economy. Join me as we discuss how to address ageism, elder abuse and the rising problem of women at risk of homelessness.

Stuart Wood AM KC is one of Australia’s leading silks in Industrial Relations law. Join me as we discuss the recent test case of the 2009 Gillard amendment to the Fair Work Act: Ryan vs Rugg. What are the implications for workers and businesses in the context of a changing workplace? How will this affect our future productivity as a country?

Dr Elizabeth Finkel is a science journalist and co-founder of COSMOS - a popular science magazine. Her soon-to-be-released book, Proof, explores science mis-communication through COVID. Join me as we discuss what went wrong during the pandemic and how eminence-based medicine trumped evidence-based medicine in some countries.

As an experienced CEO and board director including on the Reserve Bank of Australia, Alison Watkins brings a wealth of insights across many sectors of our economy. Add to that her new role as Chancellor of the University of Tasmania and Alison has lots to say on how Australian prosperity can flourish going forward. Join me as we discuss how we can grasp our national opportunities better.

Tony Walker is an award-winning journalist and author who has witnessed massive changes in political journalism from the Whitlam-era to today. He has served as a Foreign Correspondent in the Middle East and China for Fairfax and the Financial Times of London. Join me as I “turn the microphone” on a political journalist who has interviewed the great, the good and the not so good during important pivot points in history.

As former Director of Energy at Fortescue Metals and now MD of Pollination, a clean energy investment and advisory firm, Rob Grant has been deeply engaged in the economics of the clean tech energy transition. Join me as we discuss the complexities of an issue that requires smart thinking not just wishful thinking.

As Chair of A New Approach, Australia’s first think tank for the Arts, Rupert Myer has done a lot of deep thinking about how to better support our creative and cultural industries. Join me as we discuss his vision for a more collaborative and creative approach to enabling a sector that not only provides beauty and joy to our daily lives but is core to our future prosperity.

As Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth played a key role in communicating critical government decisions during the early uncertain days of COVID. How did he navigate the politicised environment of the crisis given his training in infectious diseases and respiratory medicine? Join me as we discuss the real-time decision making faced by our health bureaucrats.

Professor Peter Doherty is one of Australia’s pre-eminent scientists. As a Nobel prize winner, former Australian of the Year and highly published author he continues to contribute to the public debate on Australia’s response to COVID. He provides fascinating insights into the origins of COVID and whether it’s here to stay.

Charlotte Mortlock is passionate about engaging more women in politics. As a former Sky journalist she understands the art of communication and the importance of appealing to your audience. Join me as we discuss the Hilma initiative and her vision for more grass roots support for women to engage in the political debate.

Judith Troeth represented Victoria in the Federal Parliament as a Senator for 18 years. She shares her views on the wash up of the 2022 Victorian State Election as well as the role of policy in appealing to the female vote.

Cristina Talacko leads the Coalition for Conservation which seeks to engage legislators in Australia on policy to combat climate change. Join me as we discuss emerging trends from COP27 and the role of the free market in delivering commercial products for effective emission reduction.

As former Chief Scientist of Australia, Professor Alan Finkel drove the Low Emissions Technology Strategy to help unleash Australia’s potential as a global renewable superpower. Join me as we discuss commercialising clean tech and the outcomes of COP27.

This week marks the 5th anniversary when Australia voted Yes to Marriage Equality. It was particularly significant for former Member of Federal Parliament, Trent Zimmerman, who was the 1st openly gay to be elected to the House of Representatives. He reflects on the joy the resulting legislation has brought to thousands of Australian couples and families. We also discuss the Zimmerman report- a parliamentary inquiry he chaired into improving the efficiencies of our health, medtech and clinical trials sector.

Greg Hunt was in the hot seat as Minister for Health for Australia when COVID emerged and then raged across the globe. Join me as we discuss the pressures and complicated decisions that had to be made at speed in the national interest. We explore how Greg navigated a crisis of unprecedented nature and how he kept his cool through a tumultuous period of our history.

Dr Emma Stuart is a GP who cares deeply about delivering the best health care for her patients. She describes the post-COVID burnout of doctors and nurses and how the global shortage of healthcare workers will get worse before it gets better. As a frontline doctor in the UK she offers her insights into how to help make the healthcare system better for patients and where she thinks the future of health is heading. #covid #healthcare #future #health #patients

Professor Alistair Chesser is Chief Medical Officer of one of the UKs largest NHS Trusts. He was on the frontline during COVID and saw first hand the speed of the health response required. Getting the balance right in health requires navigating the efficiencies of big data while maintaining the trust of patients and the public. Join me in this fascinating conversation focussed on the changes occurring in the healthcare system and what the future in health might look like.

As Health Secretary during the pandemic, Matt Hancock led the UK’s health response to COVID. Join me as we discuss the extraordinary medical research discoveries that helped protect people’s lives. We explore how rising healthcare costs and ageing populations will increasingly require governments to embrace technological opportunities to ensure better health for all.

As the UKs longest serving Health Secretary and now Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is passionate about safer healthcare. In his new book, “Zero”, he argues it’s not just good for patients to drive for zero avoidable deaths but also the financial sustainability of the healthcare system. As a paediatrician turned politician I’m fascinated to know how Jeremy thinks about the future of health. Join me to hear us discuss the role of government in making the future of healthcare better.