Up Late Podcast: Recent Episodes
The West Australian
Up Late with Ben Harvey delivers off-beat and bold commentary on news, politics and current events. Irreverent and shrewd, Up Late will provoke and entertain you in ways you don't expect. You didn't ask, but ... you'll want to listen.
Wednesday June 8, 2022
Ben Harvey predicts a fresh legal fight over the death of one-time Bandido bikie Ricky Chapman and explains why this one could involve a lot of money.
Harvey explains why the Reserve Bank decision to hike interest rates will have little effect on soaring inflation.
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Tuesday June 7, 2022
Ben Harvey has the wild stories on WA’s Italian mafia.
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Monday June 6, 2022
Ben Harvey recounts the extraordinary story of how one teenager turned 21 pinball machines into the Timezone gaming empire – and why he could be setting himself up for a bumper payday that will rock corporate Australia.
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Thursday June 2, 2022
Ben Harvey predicts which bikies will follow Troy Mercanti and be hit with anti-consorting notices.
And Harvey examine America’s love affair with guns in the wake of the country’s latest mass shooting.
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Wednesday June 1, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals the 31 bikies Troy Mercanti has been banned from seeing after he was hit with WA’s first anti-consorting notice.
Harvey explains how the laws work and what happens to Mercanti if he breaches the order.
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Tuesday May 31, 2022
Ben Harvey lampoons Julie Bishop’s new sponsorship deal with Estee Lauder and uses Peter Matera’s heart attack to identify simple steps men can take to prevent ending up in hospital with a dicky ticker.
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Monday May 30, 2022
Ben Harvey emerges from COVID isolation confused to discover that the new Liberal Party leader is a hardline conservative famous for his tough stance on border security.
Harvey is even more perplexed to learn the new head of the National Party is a Queenslander vehemently opposed to gay marriage who recently left his wife of 20-plus years.
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Thursday May 19, 2022
In the last episode before the federal election, Ben Harvey pinpoints the Liberal Right and Labor Left as the two most dangerous things in Australian politics and implores voters to think about which candidate for Prime Minister will best contain the fringe maniacs inside their parties.
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Wednesday May 18, 2022
Ben Harvey reviews the worst political ads of 2022 and reveals the archaic reason Australians will see fewer of them after 12.01am on Thursday.
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Tuesday May 17, 2022
Ben Harvey uses a $120 million cocaine bust by the Australian Federal Police to reveal the extraordinary story of a Mafia assassination plot targeting the AFP’s top man in WA.
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Thursday May 12, 2022
Harvey decodes Mark McGowan’s 2022 Budget speech, comparing what the Premier said with what he really meant.
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Monday May 16, 2022
Ben Harvey crunches the numbers to deliver some surprising home truths about Scott Morrison’s housing plan.
Harvey calculates the real cost of raiding your superannuation to buy a home and reveals some fine print that could trap first homebuyers.
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Tuesday May 10, 2022
Ben Harvey looks at the renewable energy project that’s 10 times the size of Singapore and about to be built near Port Hedland.
He also explains the political background to the St John Ambulance response time controversy.
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Monday May 9, 2022
Ben Harvey examines West Coast’s nightclub controversy in the context of three decades of off-field scandals.
And he asks one question: Why is Trevor Nisbett still chief executive after presiding over so much misconduct at the Eagles?
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Thursday May 5, 2022
Ben Harvey says there are bigger things to worry about than Anthony Albanese’s latest press conference gaffe – such as why wife-cheating former Education Minister Alan Tudge is still in Cabinet even though he has no portfolio.
He asks why taxpayers gave Tudge’s lover $500,000 when an investigation found their affair was no breach of ministerial conduct.
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Wednesday May 4, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals why Dayne Brajkovich is the reason the WA Government cracked down on outlaw gangs – and why every bikie in WA should hate the one-time Hells Angel for ruining their way of life.
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Tuesday May 3, 2022
Ben Harvey outlines the brutal reality facing mortgage holders by comparing today’s interest rate decision with one made when Roxette was at number one on the charts.
Harvey asks why anyone will come to Perth on the direct London flight once the non-stop route to Sydney opens.
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Monday May 2, 2022
Ben Harvey highlights some numbers that will shock property investors and exposes two sham announcements: Mark McGowan’s plan for hospital EDs and Anthony Albanese’s blueprint for Australian manufacturing.
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Thursday, April 28, 2022
Ben Harvey highlights the jaw-dropping hypocrisy of the two public companies which have decided to keep COVID-cheat Nev Power as a board member – and the ethical dilemma facing a third company yet to decide his future as a director.
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Wednesday April 27, 2022
Ben Harvey profiles three court cases he says show WA judges have lost touch with reality and reveals what each defence had in common.
And he explains why Scott Morrison will feel The Chaser’s new song cuts close to the bone.
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Tuesday April 26, 2022
Ben Harvey identifies the dumbest drug runners in Australian history and how one accidental butt-dial put them all in jail over a $1 billion shipment of cocaine, MDMA and meth.
Harvey also explains why Bluey is central to Labor’s plan to limit Chinese expansion in the Pacific.
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Monday April 25, 2022
Ben Harvey explains why one of Perth’s best-known nightclubs is linked to a Corruption and Crime Commission investigation.
Harvey traces the history of the club going back to its Elle Macpherson-backed relaunch in 1983 and profiles its latest owner.
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Thursday April 22, 2022
Ben Harvey examines the high-profile outlaw life, and quiet death in the Pilbara, of one-time Bandido bikie Ricky Chapman.
In the wake of the death of a woman forced to wait for treatment at Busselton Hospital, Harvey identifies the nine hurdles every patient needs to clear to be seen by a doctor.
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Wednesday April 20, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals why the DPP’s shock boning of a respected staff member has been labelled a dog act by WA’s prosecutors.
And he critiques the ScoMo v Albo election debate and compares the spectacle with other televised debates going back to 1984.
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Tuesday April 19, 2022
Ben Harvey highlights some of the preposterous promises made during Scott Morrison’s whirlwind tour of WA.
And he examines claims that Kevin Rudd could be Australia’s next ambassador to the US.
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Monday April 18, 2022
Ben Harvey identifies the three psychotic murderers who could be freed from prison in the coming months.
He also reveals why prisoners should dread WA’s new Governor taking office.
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Thursday 14th April, 2022
Ben Harvey introduces ‘ghost slabs’ and blames them for bringing WA building companies to their knees.
And he explains a little-known perk that nets loser politicians $100,000.
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Wednesday 13th April, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals why a press conference about the WA Government’s gun crackdown was not what it seemed - and the cynical role of a rifle so powerful it needs a 2.7km firing range.
He also reveals why he’d never be a politician, and takes a look at the latest Anthony Albanese misstep on day three of the Federal election campaign.
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Tuesday April 12, 2022
Ben Harvey revisits an Anthony Albanese gaffe so cringeworthy it makes his unemployment blunder look tame.
Harvey discovers one of music’s best-kept secrets: the United Australia Party anthem.
And he explains why he’s confused by Lloyd Rayney’s defamation payout.
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Monday April 11, 2022
Ben Harvey uses Anthony Albanese’s memory fail about the unemployment rate to recall the great gotcha moments of Australian politics.
Harvey explains why sex entrepreneur Malcolm Day’s move into minerals is proof of a commodity price bubble and compares a WA billionaire’s reaction to being broken into with the Mel Gibson film Ransom.
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Thursday April 7, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals the best political heckling of the past 40 years and compares today’s taunts with zingers through the ages.
And Harvey explains why the battle for the seat of Curtin is really a proxy war being waged by two of WA’s most powerful families.
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Wednesday April 6, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals the amateur footy club that’s blocked Mongol bikie Troy Mercanti from playing on the weekend.
Harvey talks about Mercanti’s little-known ball skills and discloses intimate details of the Mongols gang, including its club anthem and code of conduct.
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Tuesday April 5, 2022:
Ben Harvey predicts that the absence of any brains in the heads of anti-vaxxers means they will be successful in their court bid to be deemed disabled in the eyes of the law.
Harvey lets slip a surprise outside chance for the new police commissioner, reveals the real reason St John WA is under fire and identifies the problem that’s keeping a gold mining legend and two of Perth’s prominent dealmakers up at night.
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Monday April 4, 2022:
Ben Harvey explains why Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaping as good news for FIFO workers chasing an easy swing on a mega-project.
He also asks what the Queen would think about Chris Dawson’s appointment as WA Governor — and makes a prediction about who will be next Police Commissioner.
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Thursday March 31, 2022:
Ben Harvey examines the latest bullying pile on in Federal Parliament and reveals two surprise contenders to be the next Governor of WA.
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Wednesday March 30, 2022:
As WA Police try to fill dozens of vacant regional postings, Harvey explains why Blue Heelers is false advertising about life as a country cop.
Harvey reveals “Hey Siri” as a new tactical policing strategy.
And he spells out why the board of Fortescue clashed with Andrew Forrest over a $50 billion green hydrogen project.
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Tuesday March 29, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals what Treasurer Josh Frydenberg really meant when he delivered his Budget speech.
From cutting petrol tax to boosting defence spending, Harvey explains how to read between the lines of the 2022 Federal Budget.
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Monday March 28, 2022
Ben Harvey outlines the extraordinary tale of a one-time cricket star who played for WA alongside Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges before becoming a member of the Satadurah bikie gang, patching over to the Rock Machine, getting addicted to drugs, robbing a meth dealer and ending up in jail. That old chestnut…
Harvey then explains why the latest Budget promise to help petrol pain benefits the rich more than the poor.
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March 24, 2022:
Ben Harvey asks why nobody has been hung out to dry in the Crown royal commission report despite casino bosses overseeing industrial-scale money laundering and regulators failing to hold anyone to account.
Harvey details the tragic history of WA’s most infamous ghost town – Wittenoom.
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Wednesday March 23, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals the personal reason Mark McGowan keeps snubbing Labor’s Federal leaders, questions why Nev Power isn’t in jail and explains the tribal reasons why Canberra’s ‘Mean Girls’ hated Kimberley Kitching.
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Tuesday March 22, 2022:
Ben Harvey investigates the extraordinary number of guns in the WA community and reveals an unexpected twist in the case against bikie David Pye – the man accused of ordering the assassination of Rebels chief Nick Martin.
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Monday March 21, 2022:
Ben Harvey charts the Perth Skyworks back to the 1980s.
He uncovers a history of councillors bashing each other, burning debris raining down on spectators, a bizarre live performance, a Premier demanding the music be toned down and endless fights on the foreshore - all set against Icehouse’s Great Southern Land.
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Thursday March 17, 2022:
Ben Harvey wonders why anyone would be surprised that the footy would be embroiled in a scandal so early in the season.
And he has some advice for when Scott Morrison and Mark McGowan host their next joint press conference.
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Wednesday March 16, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals how Scott Morrison’s critical minerals strategy will see taxpayers hand millions of dollars to one of Australia’s richest people.
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Tuesday March 15, 2022
Ben Harvey identifies six smelly financial transactions - from Scott Morrison’s Perth fundraiser to Mark McGowan’s union kickback deal - that should piss off every taxpaying West Australian.
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Monday March 14, 2022
Ben Harvey explains how Mark McGowan is profiting from the war in Ukraine and why we will see more of the Premier’s hands-on-hips Superman pose if cruise ships come back to Australia.
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Wednesday March 9, 2022
Ben Harvey dissects a cringe-worthy text exchange between Premier Mark McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley.
Harvey critiques the name-calling, insults and vomit-inducing discussions about early morning love-making that are the latest parts of the Clive Palmer defamation trial.
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Tuesday March 8, 2022
Ben Harvey blows the whistle on a price-fixing cartel organised by WA brickies and details a bizarre courtroom drama involving the Hells Angels bikie gang.
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Monday March 7, 2022:
Ben Harvey identifies the not-so subtle courtroom tactics in the Palmer-McGowan defamation trial.
He reveals the absurdity of WA’s nuclear meltdown contingency plan and explains why West Aussies should be thankful the country’s new submarines won’t call Garden Island home.
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Thursday March 3, 2022:
Ben Harvey explains why Perth Airport was like Love Actually on Thursday - and puts the WA Government’s revamped tourism campaign head-to-head with 1985’s ‘Love ya Perth’ advertisement.
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Wednesday March 2, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals why people living in Perth’s golden triangle are going broke from the war in Ukraine.
Harvey also decodes Mark McGowan’s latest COVID press conference and reveals why he’s perplexed by Clive Palmer’s most bizarre purchase to date.
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Tuesday March 1, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals the 10 bikies charged with wearing club colours or tattoos in breach of Mark McGowan's gang insignia laws. Harvey uses the examples of a Rebel named Jet and a Gypsy Joker called Boof to explain why police are using the new laws sparingly. Harvey looks at the kids in masks rule and predicts that McGowan is about to lose the plot with the journalists questioning his COVID response.
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Monday February 28, 2022:
Ben Harvey gets into the latest developments in Ukraine, and looks at the worrying new warning over Vladimir Putin and why something isn’t right. Also, Harvey digs into the dangerous crisis unfolding in our prison system and goes through Mark McGowan’s latest round of restrictions ahead of what’s expected to be our toughest Covid month yet.
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Thursday February 24, 2022:
Ben Harvey takes a look at what is a big day in news – Vladimir Putin declares war, Mark McGowan reveals a major new covid problem and Nev Power avoids prison (for now) . Plus, Harvey exposes the major power shift and pressure-cooker situation about to blow in Casuarina Prison.
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Wednesday February 23, 2022:
Ben Harvey itemises Troy Buswell’s nine lives and examines the former Treasurer’s latest, and possibly last, fall from grace. Plus, Harvey analyses Scott Morrison’s latest press conference on Ukraine and provides some context to the Russian advance.
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Tuesday February 22, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals the surprisingly domestic life of frightening outlaw king pin, Dayne Brajkovich. The property the terrifying tattooed bikie called home is for sale, just as he’s dealing with the fallout of making enemies with the Hells Angels – the club that’s just kicked him out. Also tonight, Harvey looks at why Premier Mark McGowan would prefer to stay in a crappy hotel to quarantine and how Clive Palmer’s big day was cancelled by covid chaos.
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Monday February 21, 2022
Ben Harvey explains why the Hells Angels have turned on Dayne Brajkovich, and why it means all hell could break loose. Harvey also takes a look at the surprise Perth train announcement – why Armadale is being cut off.
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Thursday February 17, 2022:
Ben Harvey explains why Clive Palmer is right to worry that Mark McGowan may try to kill him. Plus, Harvey reveals the perverse reasons WA business stands to profit from war in Ukraine.
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Wednesday February 16, 2022:
Ben Harvey reveals how WA’s covid strategy is getting in the way of keeping world peace. Plus, Harvey looks at how protesters are distracting police from stopping crime and wonders why unvaxxed are banned from so many places – except where State Cabinet meets.
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Monday February 14, 2022:
Ben Harvey gives chopper-flying businessman Nev Power some disgusting advice for surviving life in prison if he is jailed for breaching COVID border restrictions. Harvey examines day one of the McGowan-Palmer defamation trial and explains why both litigants are full of it.
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Thursday February 10, 2022:
Ben Harvey takes you inside the funeral of Catholic priest Joe Walsh and tells the extraordinary story of how the man known as Father Armani forged a close friendship with WA’s most notorious outlaw, Troy Mercanti. Also, Harvey profiles Boomtown’s newest and flashiest billionaire and reveals how Big Oil is profiting from a longer fuel price cycle.
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Wednesday February 9, 2022:
Ben Harvey gives an idiot’s guide to Scott Morrison’s religious freedom bill and points out a transgender law Anthony Albanese hopes you forget. Also, Harvey asks why only old musicians are boycotting Spotify over Joe Rogan.
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Tuesday February 8, 2022
Ben Harvey blasts the decision to cancel the Canning Vale College school ball, saying kids at the high school had survived worse safety threats than coronavirus. Also tonight, Harvey analyses the Prime Minister’s apology to victims of sex abuse in Canberra, castigates the WA Liberals for caving in to Clan elder Nick Goiran and wonders what’s in the white powder found at Mark McGowan’s electorate office.
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Monday February 7, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals the reason Roger Cook has been kicked out of his house and explains why mark McGowan’s latest border announcement is counterintuitive. Plus, Harvey questions how the aged care system was allowed to get so dire, the army is being sent in to help.
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Thursday February 3, 2022
Ben Harvey reveals why Andrew Forrest’s lawsuit against Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg will be played out next to bikies and meth zombies.
Harvey bowls bouncers at Cricket Australia over its reluctance to extend Justin Langer’s contract as coach.
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Wednesday February 2, 2022:
Ben Harvey pinpoints the likely reopening date of WA’s border, and ponders the wisdom of closing WA schools each time there’s a COVID case.
Harvey examines which Cabinet Minister called Scott Morrison a “psycho” and why the PM should be worried about what Grace “Stink Eye” Tame has said about that photo.
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Tuesday February 1, 2022:
Ben Harvey explains why WA’s supply chain misery is surely a sign for the Premier, and reveals the truth about Perth’s ‘Father Armani’ - Joe Walsh - who has died after a three-year cancer battle.
Harvey gives the inside story of Father Joe’s business genius, underworld connections, arrest for theft and poisonous battle with the senior Catholics who pursued him.
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Monday January 31, 2022:
In the first show of Up Late for 2022, Ben Harvey previews a new book that will have every politician, journalist, business leader and bureaucrat in WA ringing their defamation lawyer.
He lists some of the big names outed in a 600-page expose written by former government minister and ALP powerbroker Julian Grill.
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