Federal Politics With Chris Wallace; Brendan Crabb On The Scientific Reality Of COVID-19; Artist Mandy Martin’s Vision Of The Anthropocene

Uncommon Sense

Chris Wallace, from the Faculty of Business, Government, and Law at the University of Canberra, reflects on federal politics in 2022, after the last sitting of federal parliament came to a close. Chris discusses the passing of legislation on the federal anti-corruption body (NACC) and the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill, plus the censure of former PM Scott Morrison after the release of the Bell report into his secret Ministries arrangement. Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, speaks directly and in-depth about the scientific reality of COVID-19 for everyone in Australia right now. Now in our fourth wave this year and with cases in the past week estimated at between 500,000 to 1 million (5 to 10 times the reported cases), what are the consequences of the unmitigated spread of COVID-19? What makes COVID truly exceptional? How do we stop transmission, and what are the risks of repeated infection? With a federal inquiry into Long COVID underway, Brendan explains the most up to date scientific thinking behind the causes and effects of Long COVID and what patients need the most – to be believed and understood. As COVID is not just a respiratory condition, but an "inflammatory disease of your blood vessels," Brendan explains what kinds of post-COVID complications are possible for some, like stroke, diabetes, pulmonary embolism (PE), and heart attack. All this and more is discussed in a nuanced and wide-ranging interview. Geelong Gallery Director Jason Smith speaks about their latest exhibition, Mandy Martin – A Persistent Vision. An Australian environmental and feminist artist, the late Mandy Martin is considered "a landscape artist of national stature" – Tom Griffiths. Jason discusses the range of works on display, including the late artist's video collaboration with Alexander Boynes and composer-musician Tristen Parr, called Luminous Relic (2017). It's a panoramic piece that combines traditional oil painting with video projection and a music composition.