Policy and Rights

About Policy and Rights

This a series of conversations around government policy and our rights. We are trying to report information to listeners about what is happening with government and communities Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

Publisher

Michael Clogs

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Feb 2019

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

909 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Oct 2026

   The Hon. Tony Burke MP Addresses the National Press Club of Australia

   In this episode of Policy and Rights, correspondent Kelly Reeburn covers a major address delivered at the National Press Club by Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, and Cyber Security, Tony Burke. Minister Burke outlined the federal government's comprehensive overhaul of Australia’s immigration system, structured around three core pillars: who arrives, who stays, and who leaves. Key takeaways include: Current Migration Trends: Net overseas migration is currently down 47% from its post-pandemic peak, tracking lower than recent federal budget forecasts. Who Arrives (Skilled Entry & Point Reforms): Overhaul of the Points Test to prioritize skilled labor in high-demand sectors. Under the new framework, trade qualifications for construction workers will receive point allocations equal to university degrees to help boost housing supply. Who Stays (Visa Hopping & Student Reforms): Tightening restrictions on "visa hopping". International students and graduate visa holders will no longer be permitted to automatically attach family members to their visas (with specific exemptions for PhD students, Pacific, and ASEAN nations). Additionally, students will only be allowed to progress upward in qualification levels to prevent system abuse. Working Holiday & Visitor Visas: Implementation of a ballot system for second- and third-year Working Holiday Makers (capping Year 2 at 45,000 and Year 3 at 5,000). Visitor visas will increasingly feature "No Further Stay" conditions to streamline genuine tourist entries while closing onshore bridging visa loops. Who Leaves (Enforcement & Compliance): Re-establishing dedicated compliance mechanisms for visa overstayers with 100 additional compliance officers and 250 new detention/holding beds. Increased sanctions and de-registration risks for unethical migration agents pushing non-meritorious protection claims Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Surrey BC City Council Debate in Cloverdale

   Event Focus: A municipal candidate forum held in Cloverdale, featuring city council candidates representing major slates and independent campaigns ahead of the October 17, 2026 Surrey Municipal Election Permitting & Housing Supply: Wide agreement on reducing City Hall red tape. Proposals ranged from a 1-week permit approval model (Conservatives) and a 180-day permit guarantee (Imagine Surrey) to Rent-to-Own equity programs (SurreyNow) and property tax freezes (Safe Surrey Coalition). Public Safety & Youth: Strong consensus across all parties on restoring School Liaison Officers (SLOs) in public schools and expanding free or affordable youth sports leagues to combat gang recruitment. Transit & Congestion: Heated debates over rapid transit. Options included immediate Bus Rapid Transit (Imagine Surrey, SurreyNow), expanding SkyTrain lines (Safe Surrey Coalition, Conservatives), and utilizing existing heritage rail tracks for Fraser Valley commuter rail. Toxic Drug & Mental Health Crisis: Sharp ideological contrast. Conservative, Independent, and SurreyNow candidates voiced opposition to safe injection sites, advocating instead for abstinence-based recovery, involuntary treatment beds, and long-term facility care. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

3. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Surrey Mayor in Cloverdala Debate 2026

   Event Overview: Organized by the local Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, this mayoral candidate forum brought together six candidates running for Mayor of Surrey in the October 17, 2026 municipal election. Moderator & Host: Scott (Chamber Host) opened the event, Alisa Alexis delivered the First Nations land acknowledgment, and Walter van Halst moderated. Key Candidates Present: Mike Starchuk (Imagine Surrey), Doug McCallum (Safe Surrey Coalition), Troy Van Vliet (SurreyNow), Brenda Locke (Surrey Connect / Incumbent Mayor), Linda Annis (Surrey First), and Igal Ammons II (New Surrey+). (Candidate Surtaj Deo was unable to attend due to an emergency). Core Topics Discussed: Housing & Permitting: Speeding up approval processes, utilizing AI, reducing developer red tape, and creating pre-zoned districts for affordable/missing-middle housing. Property Taxes & Fiscal Management: Debates over a 0% tax freeze proposal versus capping tax rates to inflation to preserve municipal services. Transit & Infrastructure: Highway upgrades (e.g., 16th Ave), expanding rapid transit/bus networks, supply chain infrastructure (trucking, rail), and adjusting to the SkyTrain extension. Public Safety & Crime: Addressing retail theft, illegal drug/addiction crisis, expanding police/bylaw coverage, and alternative technologies (drones/helicopters). Cloverdale Fairgrounds & Recreation: Preserving the Cloverdale Rodeo, constructing new indoor swimming pools, and expanding sports tourism infrastructure. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss).

Who has been a guest on Policy and Rights

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• The Hon Sitiveni Rabuka
• Francesca Albanese
• Kelly Reaburn
• The Hon Sussan Ley MP
• The Hon Dr J Su McCluskey

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

92

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

30

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.