Perth Dialogues

Perth Dialogues

Perth Dialogues is a long-form interview podcast exploring the issues shaping Australian life — housing, healthcare, tax, democracy, identity, and community. Host Nirmal Singh brings together policymakers, advocates, entrepreneurs, and everyday Australians for honest, unfiltered conversations. New episodes every Monday.

  1. "Multiculturalism Has Turned Into a Dogma" — Chetna Mahadik's New Book Explains Why | #39

    1d ago

    "Multiculturalism Has Turned Into a Dogma" — Chetna Mahadik's New Book Explains Why | #39

    Australia took 2 million migrants in 25 years after World War II. In the last five years alone, we've taken another 2 million. Same number — one-fifth the time. Is our multicultural framework built for that pace?"Multiculturalism has turned into a dogma — something that cannot be questioned." When the editor of a new book on immigration dares to ask the hard questions, the answers are more nuanced than any political party will admit.Chetna Mahadik is the General Manager of the Robert Menzies Institute in Melbourne and editor of 'Immigration & Multiculturalism: The Past, the Present and the Future' (Connor Court, 2026) — a landmark collection bringing together political leaders, scholars and commentators from across the political spectrum to examine where Australian multiculturalism came from, where it stands today, and where it needs to go.Buy the book: https://www.connorcourtbooks.com.au/products/immigration-multiculturalism-the-past-the-present-and-the-future-edited-by-chetna-mahadikConnect with Chetna:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetna-mahadik-0306902/The Spectator Australia: https://www.spectator.com.au/author/chetna-mahadik/Timestamps:00:00 Is Multiculturalism Becoming a Dogma That Can't Be Questioned?01:13 From India to Melbourne - Chetna's Story04:21 "Did You Experience Racism in Australia?"06:31 Is Multiculturalism a Success — or Has It Become Untouchable?17:06 Why Write a Book on Multiculturalism Right Now?19:12 The Blind Men and the Elephant — And What It Tells Us About Australia22:04 How Do You Bring Labor and Liberal Together in One Book?25:49 From White Australia Policy to Multicultural in 25 Years — How?33:32 Has Multiculturalism Become a Dogma — Not a Framework?37:35 Do Second-Generation Migrants See Australia Differently?42:48 Is Australia Actually Racist — or Is the Narrative Misleading?50:33 Who Gets to Define Racism in Australia?51:41 Why Does the Media Keep Getting Multiculturalism Wrong?56:01 Is Anti-Racism Now a Funded Industry — and Who Benefits?01:00:17 Is Government Funding of Migrant Groups Actually Stereotyping Them?01:05:19 Should we take Pauline Hanson's 'Monoculture' Seriously?01:09:47 How Do You Build Multicultural Communities From the Ground Up?01:14:46 Are Group Rights Quietly Undermining Individual Rights?01:19:22 If Multiculturalism Isn't Working — What's the Alternative?01:21:07 Why Does Chetna End the Book with "Let's Remain Friends"?--------------------------------------------------------------------Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 24m
  2. Navigating the New Federal Budget Changes — Property, Tax & Investment Strategy | Garth Davis #38

    Jun 22

    Navigating the New Federal Budget Changes — Property, Tax & Investment Strategy | Garth Davis #38

    Garth Davis turned a $1,000 property deposit into $170,000 in equity — and he's spent the last 20 years helping everyday Australians do the same. Garth Davis is the Founder and CEO of Property Powerhouse, who emigrated from Zimbabwe to Perth in 2002 and has spent over 20 years helping more than 500 mum-and-dad investors build property portfolios across Australia. In this conversation, Garth and Nirmal unpack the federal government's new tax changes — capital gains, negative gearing, and what it means for new builds versus established homes — and what it all means for first-home buyers, investors, and renters caught in the middle. Meet Garth here: Property Powerhouse: https://www.propertypowerhouse.com.au/garth-davis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PropertyPowerhouse/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-powerhouse Phone: 0408 735 9490 0:00 New Federal Budget Has Property Investors on Edge 02:36 From Zimbabwe to Property Powerhouse 05:26 Property Cycles Explained 08:30 Inside the Tax Changes 10:49 Is Buying at the "Top of the Market" a Mistake? 14:03 Can Policy Actually Fix Intergenerational Inequity? 17:00 CGT and Negative Gearing 20:11 New Builds vs Established Homes 22:57 The Hidden Infrastructure Tax 25:35 Interest Rates, Equity, and the Smart Move InvestorsMake 28:41 Where Smart Money Is Moving Next 32:15 What Happens When Property Prices Correct? 37:07 Perth, Melbourne, Sydney — Mapping National Property Cycle 39:47 Rate Rises and Tax Uncertainty: A Perfect Storm? 43:57 Why Rents Have Nearly Tripled 46:14 The #1 Reason Most Investors Never Buy a Second Property 50:13 A 20-Year-Old's First Property Deal — And Why It Matters 53:11 The $1,000 Deposit That Turned Into $170,000 57:49 How to Prepare Before You Enter the Market 01:03:29 The Hidden Risks in New House-and-Land Contracts 01:08:50 Are Property Investors Really "Greedy"? 01:19:39 Garth's #1 Lesson From 20 Years in Property -------------------------------------------------------------------- Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic -------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 24m
  3. Toxic Taxes, Aspirations, Housing, Freedom, Class War, & Welfare | Libertarian Jordan Woodhams #37

    Jun 2

    Toxic Taxes, Aspirations, Housing, Freedom, Class War, & Welfare | Libertarian Jordan Woodhams #37

    Australia is $1.05 trillion in debt, taxing you at nearly 47% — and the government wants more. Jordan Woodhams, President of the Libertarian Party of WA, joins Nirmal on Perth Dialogues to make the case for a 20% flat tax, smaller government, and why Australia's red tape is now worse than India's corruption. They also reveal a surprising truth: once welfare transfers are included, the bottom 50% of earners pay zero net tax — so who's really footing the bill? Join Jordan Woodhams: https://x.com/JordanWoodhams_ What we discussed:00:00 Who Is Jordan Woodhams and Why Does He Think Taxes Are Toxic? 02:38 What Does the Libertarian Party Actually Stand For? 05:15 Why Do Religions Advocate for 10% Giving? 08:02 Is Cronyism Destroying Australia's Democracy? 09:11 Can India Teach Us About Economic Freedom? 11:59 How Can We Solve the Housing Crisis? 14:41 Does Taxing More Solve Economic Problems? 17:30 Why Do Migrants Choose Australia? 18:58 Is Progressive Taxation Killing Ambition? 37:09 Capital Gains Tax: Reform or Grab? 44:35 What does 'Intergenerational Equity' actually means? 46:55 Are the Rich Paying Their Fair Share? 51:27 Are We Paying Too Much for Government Services? 57:49 Is a Flat Tax the Key to Fairness? 59:08 Australian economic grease 01:01:08 Is the Government's Budget Helping or Hurting? 01:05:11 Is Red Tape Stifling Australia's Growth? 01:07:15 How do taxes add productivity in economy? 01:11:59 Is government really supporting small businesses? 01:19:17 Is Government Waste the Real Debt Crisis? 01:21:49 Are High Taxes Really Helping Us? 01:24:11 The Burden of Payroll Tax 01:27:15 Inflation: A Hidden Tax 01:29:55 AI, Automation, and the Future of Work 01:33:35 Government Spending and Services 01:36:46 Government Waste and Accountability 01:44:45 Funding Government Services 01:48:12 A Vision for a Libertarian Future --------------------------------------------------------------------Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇 Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, at Website: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 53m
  4. $20 Grocery Budget to $27M Property Portfolio — PK Gupta's Unfiltered Story #36

    May 5

    $20 Grocery Budget to $27M Property Portfolio — PK Gupta's Unfiltered Story #36

    His family arrived in New Zealand from India with $1,000. His mum stitched curtains. His dad took years to find work as an engineer. By 36, PK Gupta owned a $27 million property portfolio and never has to work again. Today he tells me the whole story — the banker years, the data system, the real mistakes, and why he says if the government axed every property tax concession tomorrow, he'd actually buy more. 📌 PK Gupta is the founder of Consulting by PK and the Property Investment Accelerator — Australia's top-rated independent property education program. His community of 75,000+ members has collectively purchased over 4,000 properties across Australia. 🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AusPropertyMasteryWithPK 🔗 Website: https://consultingbypk.com.au/ 🔗 Facebook Group: Australian Property Mastery with PK 🔑 WHAT WE COVER00:00 Introduction to PK Gupta 01:53 Early Life and Migration Story 05:24 Professional Background 08:59 The First Step 11:20 Transition to Property Investment 15:09 Building a Property Portfolio 16:57 Property vs Shares 20:19 Lessons Learned and Mistakes Made 24:14 Current Focus and Mentorship 26:07 Mentoring 28:55 Giving Back 30:36 Changing Markets 33:50 Property Investment vs Renters 37:55 Negative Gearing 41:06 Starting Afresh 43:36 Towards Closing --------------------------------------------------------------------Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, at Website: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    45 min
  5. Preventable Deaths, Ignored Warnings, No Accountability — Inside WA Health Crisis | Suresh Rajan #35

    Mar 30

    Preventable Deaths, Ignored Warnings, No Accountability — Inside WA Health Crisis | Suresh Rajan #35

    Western Australia is a wealthy state. It also has mothers giving birth on the side of the road after being turned away from hospital. How does that happen — and who is being held accountable?In this episode, health advocate Suresh Rajan joins us to expose the systemic failures quietly costing lives in WA's public health system: ignored bypass protocols, cultural and communication barriers, a complaints process that protects institutions over patients, and a cycle of recommendations that go nowhere.Through real cases — including a young mother's traumatic roadside birth and a 21-year-old whose neglected leg injury nearly ended his future — Suresh makes the case for the reform WA urgently needs: an independent, empowered Health Ombudsman with the authority to investigate, enforce, and finally break the cycle.If you care about healthcare that works for everyone — not just the statistics — this one is essential viewing.Follow Suresh Rajan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sureshrajan1/#HealthcareReform #WesternAustralia #PatientRights #HealthPolicy #PublicHealth #HealthOmbudsman #AustralianHealthcare #SystemicChange00:00 The Health Crisis in WA12:06 Crisis & Racism in WA Health System23:06 Proposal for WA Health Ombudsman35:08 Breaking the 'Recommendation' Cycle47:15 Navigating the Maze of Health Agencies57:02 The Commonwealth Health Ombudsman01:01:58 Mediation vs Reporting in Healthcare01:08:23 Cultural Sensitivity in Healthcare01:13:30 Learning from Queensland & NSW--------------------------------------------------------------------Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 18m
  6. Why This Australian Now Supports One Nation — and What It Tells Us About Our Democracy | Simon #34

    Mar 23

    Why This Australian Now Supports One Nation — and What It Tells Us About Our Democracy | Simon #34

    Why are record numbers of Australians abandoning the major parties for One Nation — and what does that tell us about the state of our democracy?In this episode, Simon Mohiuddin joins Perth Dialogues to share his political journey, his support for One Nation, and his views on the issues he believes mainstream politics refuses to address honestly: voter trust, national identity, migration policy, and the future of multicultural Australia.This is a frank conversation — one that challenges comfortable assumptions on all sides. Whether you agree with Simon or not, understanding why Australians hold these views is essential to understanding where our politics is heading.#AustralianPolitics #OneNation #VoterTrust #PerthDialogues #NationalIdentity #MigrationPolicy #MulticulturalAustralia #PoliticsAustralia#MinorParties #AustralianDemocracy #PaulineHanson #IntegrationDebate--------------------------------------------------------------------Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 40m
  7. #33 Is Australia's Maternity System Safe? What They're Not Telling Pregnant Women? | Alecia Staines

    Mar 16

    #33 Is Australia's Maternity System Safe? What They're Not Telling Pregnant Women? | Alecia Staines

    Australia's maternity system has one of the highest caesarean rates in the developed world — yet women still feel unheard, unsafe, and unsupported. Alicia Staines, founder of the Maternity Consumer Network, joins Perth Dialogues to explain why, and what genuine reform looks like.Whether you're pregnant, a midwife, a policymaker, or simply someone who cares about how women are treated in our health system — this conversation will change how you think about birth in Australia.00:37 Introductions and Alicia's origin story02:34 The universal theme: women not being listened to04:09 Politics, activism, and accountability in maternity outcomes07:03 The big three problems08:43 Respectful maternity care and reducing birth trauma11:16 Australia's C-section rates13:17 Gaps in preconception and birth education16:15 Home birth and free birth19:38 Why C-section rates are so high22:54 Data transparency: giving women the power28:16 Rural maternity service closures32:27 Migrant women's experiences36:39 Community-based models and culturally sensitive care38:51 Midwives vs obstetric dominance45:14 Birth trauma's lasting impact48:07 Society's pressure on women52:20 Reimagining parental leave, caregiver policy, and reproductive rights54:36 Respectful maternity care as a human right65:40 What respectful care actually means72:36 Gendered gaps in medicine76:53 Why government policy is reactive81:09 How healthcare professionals and consumers can advocate together85:43 Interpreters, communication gaps, and safety risks87:13 Respectful maternity care as a feminist issue94:44 Late-term pregnancy and IVF-related terminations106:07 The ideal maternity system in 15 years108:23 How to connect with Alicia and the MCN#MaternityCare #BirthRights #RespectfulBirth #AustralianHealth #Midwifery #BirthTrauma--------------------------------------------------------------------Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    1h 50m
  8. #32. Institutional Childcare’s Hidden Cost, Child Development & More Choices to Women | Jen Fleming

    Feb 16

    #32. Institutional Childcare’s Hidden Cost, Child Development & More Choices to Women | Jen Fleming

    In this conversation, Jen Fleming outlines how the current Australian Childcare system doesn’t include parents in its design, or gives any kind of choice to parents. Jen is a mum to two young daughters and has firsthand experience of the difficulty many Australian families face in trying to fit rigid childcare arrangements around work and family life. Her frustration with the existing system, which she describes as exhausting and often misaligned with what felt right for her children, led her into grassroots advocacy.Join Jen Fleming at https://www.childcarechoice.com.au/#our-people00:00 Introduction to Childcare Challenges in Australia01:09 Understanding the Childcare Subsidy System04:43 The Debate on Institutionalised Childcare07:31 Advocating for One-on-One Care Models09:17 Education vs. Care: The Early Years12:01 Qualifications of Caregivers: A Comparative Analysis14:20 Government Policies and Parental Voices17:42 Profit Motives in Childcare21:33 Rural Childcare Solutions25:27 Budget Concerns and Economic Implications31:17 Regulatory Challenges in Home Care33:57 Who the Childcare really is for?38:25 The Need for Choice in Childcare42:32 Invitation to the Prime Minister44:06 The Importance of Parental Voices46:43 Conclusion and Call to Action--------------------------------------------------------------------Perth Dialogues is a platform to celebrate migrant success in Australia, bringing Australian and migrant communities closer and helping understand Australian issues.Join and Subscribe to Perth Dialogues on our channels 👇Support us Here: https://perthdialogues.au/ Join on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Youtube Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/PD-Spotify Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/PD-ApplePodcasts Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/PD-AmazonMusic --------------------------------------------------------------------Follow our host, Nirmal Singh, atWebsite: https://nirmalsingh.au/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/nirmalsingh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirmalsingh.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nirmalsingh.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psknirmal/

    47 min

About

Perth Dialogues is a long-form interview podcast exploring the issues shaping Australian life — housing, healthcare, tax, democracy, identity, and community. Host Nirmal Singh brings together policymakers, advocates, entrepreneurs, and everyday Australians for honest, unfiltered conversations. New episodes every Monday.