WEDNESDAY SHOW - 1st April 📻
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Ben Fordham Live on 2GB delivers a high-energy, April Fools' Day edition packed with breaking news, satirical pranks, and urgent social issues. The show opens with a serious discussion on the controversial proposed ban of 'good character references' in NSW courts, championed by victim survivor Harrison James, who argues such references unfairly soften sentences for serious offenders like child abusers. This is contrasted with a major April Fools' prank where Rotary Australia announced it was ending its iconic sausage sizzles—only to reveal it was a joke on April 1, sparking massive listener backlash and engagement. The episode also covers escalating global tensions in the Middle East, a fuel crisis with diesel shortages and rising prices, and a record-breaking attempt by two men to drink a beer in every Australian state within 24 hours. Other segments include a deep dive into the health risks of vaping, a shocking case of a 13-year-old charged with 52 offences, and the return of Celine Dion after a health hiatus. The show concludes with a major twist: a fake interview with Donald Trump, which turns out to be a prank, highlighting the theme of deception and media literacy on April Fools' Day.
The proposed ban on 'good character references' in NSW courts aims to prevent offenders from receiving lighter sentences based on social reputation, not harm caused.
Rotary Australia's announcement to end sausage sizzles was an April Fools' prank, revealing how easily misinformation spreads and the deep cultural significance of community barbecues.
Vaping is now linked to increased cancer risk through biological markers like inflammation and oxidative stress, despite being marketed as safer than smoking.
A 13-year-old girl in Melbourne faces 52 charges for a series of violent and anti-Semitic incidents, raising urgent concerns about youth crime and mental health.
The Reserve Bank of Australia will ban credit/debit card surcharges from October, potentially saving consumers $1.6 billion annually but risking price hikes in retail.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
April Fools' Day Begins: Sausage Sizzle Prank & Good Character Debate
“If you commit a serious crime like domestic violence or sexual assault or child sexual abuse, you should not get a lighter sentence because someone writes a letter saying you're a good bloke.”
Fuel Crisis & Vaping Health Warnings
“We are saying that's one avenue of investigation and we have involved at least four or five other avenues... provide confidence in the assertion that vaping in itself is likely to cause lung and mouth cancer.”
Youth Crime, Car Thefts & Global Tensions
A 13-year-old girl in Melbourne is charged with 52 offences, including driving a stolen car and hurling anti-Semitic abuse. The episode also covers the theft of Liberal leader Angus Taylor’s car and the ongoing Middle East crisis, with the UK deploying troops to the region and Iran threatening retaliation against US actions.
Socceroos Qualify, Italy Misses Out, and Celine Dion Returns
“The Socceroos crowned champions of the FIFA Series round-robin competition... They defeated Curacao last night 5-1.”
The Trump Prank & Media Literacy
“I thought okay, I'll play along if he's got some Trump impersonator coming on. He doesn't even have that. Anyway, you did get me on that.”
“We are saying that's one avenue of investigation and we have involved at least four or five other avenues... provide confidence in the assertion that vaping in itself is likely to cause lung and mouth cancer.”
“It's April Fools' Day and what better way is to wake people up saying no more sausages.”
“If you commit a serious crime like domestic violence or sexual assault or child sexual abuse, you should not get a lighter sentence because someone writes a letter saying you're a good bloke.”
Host
Guests
Ben Fordham
person
Rotary Australia
organization
Jennifer Scott AM
person
FIFA World Cup
other
Harrison James
person
Donald J. Trump
person
Professor Bernard Stewart
person
Josh
person
Darcy
person
Tiger Woods
person
‘What a joke’ - Talkback erupts over charity sausage sizzle ban 🤔
Ben Fordham Live on 2GB Breakfast • 10m • 3/31/2026
THURSDAY SHOW - 2nd April 📻
Ben Fordham Live on 2GB Breakfast • 1h 31m • 4/2/2026
EXCLUSIVE - Inside the world of ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying’ ⚰️
Ben Fordham Live on 2GB Breakfast • 11m • 4/2/2026
FRIDAY SHOW - 3rd April 📻
Ben Fordham Live on 2GB Breakfast • 1h 25m • 4/3/2026
MONDAY SHOW - 6th April 📻
Ben Fordham Live on 2GB Breakfast • 1h 13m • 4/6/2026
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