You've heard about CSIRO's analysis of nuclear power, right?

And you remember when the ACT Government told you how great the next stages of light rail would be (although not the cost ... which is odd ... but we digress).

And you saw the Treasurer deliver the Budget (gee, you really are a sucker for punishment, aren't you!)

How reliable are the figures and their 'analysis'?

Do you really trust them?

Is CSIRO right when it says a nuclear reactor would cost $8.6 billion? No. They're wrong. Nothing against CSIRO, but predictions are hard - especially about the future! (It'll be waaaaay more than 8.6 - you can take that to the bank.)

Remember, Snowy 2.0 was meant to cost $2 billion and could now be edging to (if not over) $13 billion. And it's about four years late.

The truth is, they have no idea. No one does. Yet we place all our faith and make decisions based on what they swear is their reliable crystal ball.

This week on The Hoot, Murtagh takes the reins and tackles the 'experts'. What could possibly go wrong?

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This week on The Hoot, David Murtagh and Claire Fenwicke delve deep into Jack's Law, a move by the Canberra Liberals to combat knife crime. Hard to disagree with, right?

But there's a problem.

The law would allow police to use metal detection wands on people "without reasonable suspicion in designated areas". And that's where it gets complicated because it could result in profiling some marginal groups and increase police interactions. Where do you land on this issue?

When it comes to supermarkets, of course, we're all profiled as thieves, if the new checkout regimen is anything to go by. But shouldn't there be a payoff for the customer if we're going to be put through the humiliation of suspicion? We have an idea.

And finally, THAT painting. Everyone's got an opinion and it seems Gina doesn't have a lot of fans. Except Murtagh. Because someone should stick up for the (multi)billionaires. And in a no-way-related matter, sponsorship slots for The Hoot are available ...

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How about that Budget?! Thrilling, eh!

Yep, we're in the 'meh' boat, too. Talk about a nothing burger.

There's not much to get excited about - until you start looking under the bonnet at the tricks. Like, if inflation is too much money and not enough stuff, how can throwing $300 at households by 'lowering' bills be anti-inflationary when it's really putting more money into people's pockets? Surely Murtagh isn't the only one who smells a rat? Is the ABS really going to fall for this carnival trick? And the RBA?

That and more in this week's Hoot, with David Murtagh and Claire Fenwicke.

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