Billy Bragg on Q+A

This week on Q+A … legendary musician Billy Bragg joins the panel and performs a song from his latest album. From folk music to fighting the power, Bragg is well known for combining his music with politics. A champion of the British underclasses – he lived through punk, protested Thatcherism and put himself on the frontline of the miners' strike. So, what does he make of the challenges facing struggling households today?

The Reserve Bank has delivered its tenth consecutive interest rate rise this week, pushing the cash rate to its highest level since May 2012. With inflation still running high, many Australians are facing mortgage stress – the Reserve Bank says it's considering a rate pause but many households are feeling the pain now. Are our political leaders doing enough to address the widening gap between the wealthy and working class?

And we explore whether Australia needs a Human Rights Act? It's a question the federal government is considering, so what should be included? Will some parts of society benefit more than others?

All this plus news of the week – and a special live performance from Billy.

Joining Stan Grant on the panel:

Billy Bragg, Singer-songwriter and activist
Josh Burns, Labor Member for Macnamara
Perin Davey, Deputy Leader of the Nationals
Antoinette Lattouf, Journalist and author
Gigi Foster, Economist, UNSW.