The Wire with Alex

It has been reported that millions of dollars has been spent in Otago to control populations of wallabies, but some critics are saying that money is being spent with little results. Associate Professor Margaret Stanley from the University of Auckland disagrees that this is wasted money, and highlights the importance of controlling wallaby populations. Simon began by asking Margaret why complaints towards the money spent are misguided.

Crescent Under The Southern Cross is a short documentary that tells the story of four muslim men who fought in the Australian Defence Forces in World War Two. Dr Simon Wilmot directed and produced the documentary and in this two part interview he talks in depth about how these men ended up in Australia, the immigration policies that they faced at the time, the role they played in the war, as well as why it is important to tell their stories. In part one Dr. Wilmot discusses how these men arrived in Australia, how they ended up in the Defence Forces, and the important missions they were involved in. 

Tune in next week for part two where he talks about how these men were received when they arrived back in Australia after the war, as well as the implications of the white Australia immigration policy that was in force at the time, and why this story is an important part of Australian history.

Spike speaks to Ellie Hooper, an oceans campaigner from Greenpeace, about bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf, and the push from the public to ban it.

Feral cat hunting was a prize category at the North Canterbury Hunting Competition up until today, when public backlash caused event organisers to remove the category. 

Arno spoke to Will Appelbe from Save Animals From Exploitation, abbreviated as SAFE, to find out more about the hunting event and to determine why a competition involving hunting feral cats is inhumane and generally a bad idea. 

Arno started the interview by asking what SAFE’s position on the competition was.