POLITICS FROM THE MOON Ross Evans

Ever heard of CANZUK or interested in international trade, particularly what that might mean for a post-BREXIT UK? This wee, Politics from the Moon talks to Craig William MP, Member of Parliament for the constituency of Montgomeryshire in the UK. Craig is also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury and sits on the UK parliament's influential International Trade Select Committee.

Listen in as Craig tells about his constituency of Montgomeryshire, one of the biggest and oldest in the UK, how he got into politics and his hopes for the future of international trade. Talking about post-BREXIT UK trade and the possibilities for the CANZUK idea (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK).

If you would like to find out more about Craig Williams MP you can find out more here:
www.craig-williams.org.uk
Facebook: @Craig4montgomeryshire and Twitter: @Craig4monty

If you would like to hear more about CANZUK and what that entails you can head to their website here: www.canzukinternational.com 

If you have ever caught part of a parliamentary debate on the nightly news, chances are you have heard someone refer to "Mr/Madame Speaker", but have you ever wondered what the role of the speaker is exactly? Politics from the Moon caught up with the Rt Hon (Right Honourable) Trevor Mallard MP, Speaker of the NZ House of Representatives (Parliament).

Trevor Mallard is a politician and member of the New Zealand Labour Party who is the 30th and current Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives. Currently a list MP, he formerly represented the constituencies of Hutt South from 1996 to 2017; Pencarrow from 1993 to 1996; and Hamilton West from 1984 to 1990.

Trevor was a Cabinet minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand (1999 to 2008) holding the portfolios of Environment, Labour, Broadcasting, State Owned Enterprises, Rugby World Cup, Education and Associate Finance.

Listen as Trevor talks to us about his role as both an MP and as Speaker of the House, what the NZ Parliament has done to make it unique among many western parliaments and what his proudest moment has been since taking office.

If you would like to learn more about the role of the Speaker in the NZ Parliament, the Parliamentary service and the Parliamentary Library, you can do so via their website: www.parliament.nz and if you want to learn more about Trevor Mallard's activities as Speaker you can follow him on social media:
FB: @RtHonTrevorMallard
Insta: @Speakertrevormallard
Twitter: @Speakertrevor

Following our first five episodes, Politics from the Moon has received a few enquiries and questions from members of the public, from across the world, about some of the things talked about in the episodes. 

One such person to reach out to the show was Shlomie Benison, a representative on the Macquarie university in Sydney, NSW. In this episode I talk with Shlomie and try to answer some of the questions he has about politics like:
- what is the Westminster System?
- What is the difference between policy and legislation?

The purpose of Politics from the Moon is to try and give people an insight into the world of politics and the people who work in the sector. But, we are also here to bring politics down to earth for you. If you have any questions about any aspect of politics, are just curious to know something in particular or would like the show to explore any area of politics in detail please get in touch with the show, either through our website www.podcastsfromthemoon.com or through social media by finding us @podcastsfromthemoon

This week on Politics from the Moon we caught up with political consultant and activist, Kadi McDonald from Ohio in the United States of America. Kadi talks to us about life in the United States following the election of President Biden, how Covid continues to affect life and the education system in the US and how mental health, whilst now being talked about at a national level, still has a long way to go to overcome stigma.

Kadi talks candidly about her passion for helping mental health Not for Profit sector organisations, how she personally is affected my mental health issues and what spurred her into a life of political consultancy and activism.

If you would like to learn more about the work of Kadi McDonald you can find more info on her website at: www.kadimcdonald.com

If you have been effected by anything talked about in this episode, Politics from the Moon strongly urges you to reach out and talk with a healthcare provider, friend, family or loved one. Below are some crisis lines and mental health organisations who are happy to talk:

Australia
Lifeline (24 Hr crisis line) 131 114
Beyond Blue (Mental Health and wellbeing org) 1300 224 636
Black Dog Institute: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/emergency-help/
Blue Knot Foundation Helpline (formerly ASCA Professional Support Line) 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm AEST / 7 days a week.

UK 
Mind UK (https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool) 0300 123 3393

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hoursText "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

New Zealand
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 


Need to talk? (1737 – free call or text)The Depression Helpline (0800 111 757)Healthline (0800 611 116)Lifeline (0800 543 354)Samaritans (0800 726 666)Youthline (0800 376 633)Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797)What's Up? - Helpline for children and young people (0800 942 8787)Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

United States of America (Nation-wide contacts)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential support)
Tel: 1-800-273-8255

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) text NAMI to 741 741

Mental Health America: if you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, or text MHA to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.

To mark International Women's Dy 2021, politics from the moon talks to Janine Hendry from Women's equality movement March 4 Justice.

Over the last few weeks scandal has engulfed the Australian Government. Multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment on the parliamentary estate has rocked Australian politics. The perceived lack of action to investigate and or take action on these allegations has led to a groundswell of anger and disbelief around Australia. March 4 Justice, one such movement that has sprung up in light of these event has organised a march on parliament to call for change.

Listen to Janine explain how the movement sprung up and why so many people across Australia are disturbed by recent events.

*Since recording this episode the Australian Government has appointed Kate Jenkins, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to lead an independent investigation into the culture of Parliament House.*

March 4 Justice can be found on www.march4justice.com.au
or on social media via @march4justiceau 

If you have been effected by anything talked about in this episode or on the associated media stories on this story Politics from the Moon strongly urges you to reach out and talk with a healthcare provider. Below are some crisis lines and mental health organisations who are happy to talk:

Australia
Lifeline (24 Hr crisis line) 131 114
Beyond Blue (Mental Health and wellbeing org) 1300 224 636

UK 
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hoursText "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

New Zealand
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

United States of America (Nation-wide contacts)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7, free and confidential support).They are made up of an expansive network of over 170 local- and state-funded crisis centres located across the United States.
Tel: 1-800-273-8255

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) text NAMI to 741 741

This week on Politics from the Moon we speak with Alex Davies-Jones MP, the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Pontypridd in South Wales (at the UK level). Listen to Alex's insights into why she joined the Labour Party, why she stood for council and ultimately for Parliament. Alex is a passionate advocate for the valley's constituency and for several social justice campaigns.

In the UK, since the late 1990s, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have had devolved parliamentary institutions, which similar to state governments in Australia, handle most domestic policies for the constituent parts of the UK, eg. Education, Health, Natural Resources, etc.. Whilst the UK parliament, which still governs England bizarrely, governs UK nation-wide policies, tax, defence and other such issues.

To learn more about Alex Davies-Jones MP head to www.alexdaviesjones.com