Why Can't They Just...

Welcome to a new series. In our first episode, Janaline, Glenn and Luke consider why the Government can't just plug the budget's $200 billion worth of tax loopholes (called 'tax expenditures'). There are lots of reasons, and we think they can and should plug some of them.Here's a transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people to find us.Music:"Insurrection"Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Soul Jazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

Janaline, William and Ella Haddad MP delve into why they have decided to join and vote Labor. They discuss how Labor governments has prioritised the environment, social justice and support for vulnerable people, and how only governments can set the policy agenda, which limits the effectiveness of minor parties and independents to create real change. Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William discuss the US and Israel attack on Iran, its consequences for the rest of the world and the Australian government's response. Here's the transcript.Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William delve into the pros and cons of rent freezes as a cost of living measure and talk about the broader issues of housing affordability. Here is the transcript.The live event mentioned is on Sunday the 15th of March at 2pm, in the AEU Tasmanian branch here:https://maps.app.goo.gl/B6p9cZ9pyiQtg4zf8Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William discuss the implications of One Nation overtaking the Coalition in the latest polls and how the Labor Party needs to adjust to a changing political environment. The Dan Carlin reference was a reference to Dan Carlin's Wrath of the Khans Series in his Hardcore History Podcast. Here's the ⁠⁠transcript⁠⁠.Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William discuss the hate speech laws passed in the parliament in the wake of the Bondi attack. They discuss the implications of the new laws, whether they were necessary and if the government should be doing something else to combat antisemitism.Here's the ⁠transcript⁠.Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William delve into the current state of the international rules-based order in the wake of Canadian PM Mark Carney's speech in Davos. They talk about the new Australian ambassador to the US as Kevin Rudd bows out early, and the nature of the Australian-US relationship as it stands today. Here's the transcript.Please rate and review us - it helps people find the show.If you'd like to send us feedback or suggestions, especially if you have your own 'Why Can't They Just' question, email us at: [email protected]. Music Credits:Composer: Franz SchubertWork: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 100 (D. 929)Performers: * Rudolf Serkin (Piano)Adolf Busch (Violin)Hermann Busch (Cello)https://archive.org/details/lp_trio-no-2-in-e-flat-major-op-100_franz-schubert-rudolf-serkin-adolf-busch-h/disc1/01.02.+Trio+No.+2+in+E+Flat+Major%2C+Op.+100%3A+Andante+con+moto.mp3

Janaline and William delve into the ramifications of the US attack on Venezuela. They consider the legality of the strike, the political and diplomatic consequences, and how Australia could respond. Janaline answers the question "Why can't the government just rethink the US alliance in the age of Donald Trump". Here's the transcript.If you have any suggestions or question of your own feel free to send us an email at: [email protected]. Please feel free to rate and review us, it helps people to find us.Music Credits:Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, D. 929. Performed by Rudolf Serkin (Piano), Adolf Busch (Violin), and Hermann Busch (Cello). Recorded Oct 23, 1935. Source: Internet Archive (Public Domain).

Janaline and William delve into Labor's Future Made in Australia policy and explore its implications for Australia's future economic prosperity. Here's the transcript.If you have any suggestions for future episodes or you have questions you would like us to answer, please email us at [email protected]. Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people to find us.Merry Christmas, everyone. Music Credits:Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, D. 929. Performed by Rudolf Serkin (Piano), Adolf Busch (Violin), and Hermann Busch (Cello). Recorded Oct 23, 1935. Source: Internet Archive (Public Domain).

Callum and Janaline go through the draft environmental law reform that the Labor Government recently passed through the House of Representatives, and is hoping to pass the Senate in the final sitting of Parliament in 2025. The episode is a bit longer than usual because the laws are complex and there is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation out there about them.Here's the transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Soul Jazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

In which Callum and Janaline discuss why the federal Labor government is not implementing more ambitious reform to the regulation of gambling and gambling advertising. Spoiler alert - we think they are being lame.Here's the transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

Callum and Janaline talk about economic inequality and what governments can do to address it. Here's the transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Soul Jazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

Callum and Janaline discuss immigration, racism, what it means to be Australian, and Why Can't They Just eliminate racism?⁠Here's the transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it helps people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Soul Jazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

In this episode, Callum and Janaline discuss why Australia might need to increase defence spending, what are the real strategic threats to Australia and will we actually get any subs under AUKUS?Here's the transcript.Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.Please also feel free to rate and review us as it does help people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

This episode is about the reform of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Janaline and William discuss the politics of environmental law reform and the key reforms that are needed to stop the biodiversity crisis while also making processes easier for business. Here's the transcript.Feel free to leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question. Feel free also to rate and review us, as it helps people to find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

This epsiode Janaline and Will delve into Australia's superannuation tax changes. They explore the media's coverage of the issue and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' new productivity roundtable. Janaline and Will discuss how to make the taxation system more fair and equitable, using different forms of taxes and transfers. Here's the transcript.If you like the episode or would like us to discuss a question you have about this or previous epsiodes, feel free to send us an email at: [email protected]. Of course we would love it if your question started with: why can't they just?Please also feel free to rate and review us, as it does help people find us.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

This episode comes in the wake of the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Janaline and William discuss the lameness of Australia's response to the conflict and the important role of international law in times of crisis. Here's the transcript.Feel free to leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question. Feel free also to rate and review it - it helps people find the podcast.Music:"Insurrection" Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

Episode 2 explores the difference between climate slogans and climate policy in the context of the decision by the federal environment minister to extend the life of a large gas project. The episode looks at what impact stopping new fossil fuel projects in Australia would have on global emissions and what meaningful contribution Australia can make to international climate action.Here's the transcript: https://whycanttheyjust.github.io/transcripts/episode2climate.htmlIf you have any thoughts/ suggestions email us at: [email protected] Music:"Insurrection"Written by Pierre ChrétienPerformed by the Souljazz OrchestraCourtesy of Do Right Music Inc.

Why Can't They Just...? is a podcast about policy, politics and getting stuff done. It looks at the difference between a policy and a slogan and examines how things are often harder than they look.This episode takes a look at the 2025 Australian federal election, what Labor's thumping victory means for democracy, the difference between opposition and alternative government, and what actually happened to the Greens. Janaline Oh is a former Australian diplomat. William Sinclair is a university student. Both are members of the Australian Labor Party and the Labor Environment Action Network.Feel free to send us an email at [email protected]