The Conversation Hour

Should it be harder for people to have committed serious crime to be granted bail? That is what I being debated today in cabinet, but some are concerned that this measure could inadvertently perpetuate youth crime and suggest that there needs to be a greater emphasis on prevention and support instead. Also in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at why struggling young students don't repeat a year as much as in previous decades. Plus, a big win for a small frog.

Stacey Wagner was a victim of an elaborate ticket scam that affected several people. 

St Vincent de Paul saw a 34 per cent increase in customers in the last year compared with 2023.

Melbourne book publisher Black Inc has caused a stir after it sent a request to its authors to allow for their writing to be used in the training of artificial intelligence.  

On average, for every $1 a man earns, a woman earns 78 cents.

In this episode we explore new data that has shown a promising reduction in young people vaping. 

A new album featuring the likes of Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn has just been released. But there is no actual music on the album. "Is This What We Want?" is a protest album which represents the impact on musicians of having AI use their work. As concerns grow about artists rights in the face of AI we ask you what authenticity in music means to you. We also hear a new development in brain cancer treatment and later in the hour we ask you whether you would want to have coffee with your younger self.

From Andrew Gaze to Kieren Perkins, we hear from some of Australia’s most influential sporting identities about what role men should play in combating sexism in sport. We also look at why there are concerns for the survival of the hooded plover seabird and hear about a freshly launched initiative that aids people in rural communities with allergies. 

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the trauma associated with a home invasion and how we are best placed to manage the impact it can have. Also, as health apps increase in popularity we explore some research out of Flinders University that looks at where they are helpful and when they can be harmful. The new series of White Lotus has us ‘set jetting’ and why renting a frock for that do could be a better option than buying. 

The Queen Vic market is something of an institution in Melbourne and according to some functions as a type of social glue, beyond a place to get your fruit and veg – but as fruiters strike what would a Melbourne without the market look like? Also in this edition of The Conversation Hour we hear about a new resource launched by PANDA that seeks to support women from culturally diverse backgrounds experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression. And a list of the 100 highest paid athletes has been revealed, and they are all men.