Every two years the Australian and US defence forces engage in a massive military exercise called Talisman Sabre. It's about strategising for potential conflict - and this year, many observers say the focus has been on China. The wargames haven’t gone unnoticed - in fact, the Chinese navy sent two spy ships to monitor the situation. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Brian Toohey on the danger of these military maneuvers and the espionage arms race taking place in our region. Guest: Contri...
Aug 01, 2021•16 min
The original Gossip Girl debuted 14 years ago and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Now the show is back with a brand new cast and brand new storyline, along with promises of more politically correct storylines. But do we need a new version of the show in 2021? And is it even any good? To answer these questions, and more, New York City based culture writer Tara Kenny joins the show. Guest: Tara Kenny, culture writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Background reading: Gossip Girl in The...
Jul 30, 2021•33 min
While many Australians were focused on watching the Olympics this week, the federal Labor Opposition quietly made some significant policy changes. The party has now fallen in line with the government's tax cuts for the wealthy, despite previously labelling them unfair and ineffective. The backflip comes as Labor tries to minimise potential attacks from the Coalition, ahead of the next election. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Labor’s small-target strategy, and if it wil...
Jul 29, 2021•12 min
Last weekend thousands of people marched across Australia to protest against lockdowns. Officially the rallies were called “Marches for Freedom”... but attendees represented a wide cross-section of the community, from anti-vaxxers, to conspiracy theorists, and the far-right. But the sheer size of the protests suggests that the anti-lockdown movement might also be crossing over into the political mainstream. Today, journalist and disinformation researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy instit...
Jul 28, 2021•16 min
Over the past few weeks a slow-moving weather event has led to record high temperatures across North America. This kind of event is known as a heat dome, and it’s breaking existing models that try to predict the weather. Today, journalist for The Saturday Paper Max Opray on why this particular heat even is alarming climate scientists, and what it means for the next Australian summer. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper , Max Opray. Background r...
Jul 27, 2021•15 min
If there’s a state government the Prime Minister has spent the most time talking up over the past year it’s the one led by Gladys Berejiklian. Scott Morrison has regularly praised the NSW Premier for her government’s so-called ‘gold standard’ approach to contact tracing, and unwillingness to enter lockdown. But behind the surface there are growing tensions between key Liberal party figures in NSW and the federal government. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on ho...
Jul 26, 2021•14 min
In Australia, DNA testing has been routinely used for decades in deciding who can and can’t enter the country. The tests can be used to unify families, but they can also tear them apart. The story of one couple trying to make a new home in Australia has raised new questions about how exactly the tests work, and if they discriminate against people from certain racial backgrounds. Today, writer Oscar Schwartz on the faulty science that is keeping families separated. Guest: Writer for The Monthly O...
Jul 25, 2021•18 min
Britney Spears is one of the biggest music stories in the world right now, but it’s not because of her music. It's to do with the saga of her controversial 13 year long conservatorship. In 2019 the Free Britney hashtag and movement went viral. More recently we’ve seen a series of documentaries covering the issue, and the story has grown and grown. Then, a few weeks ago, after years of silence, we saw Britney finally speak out publicly. She confirmed years worth of speculation regarding her conse...
Jul 23, 2021•41 min
After being postponed last year, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games officially begin tonight in the middle of Japan’s third wave of Covid-19 and amidst a pandemic that is still raging across the world. Tens of thousands of athletes and officials have poured into Tokyo, but stadiums will be empty, with fans prohibited from taking part. But, with athletes pulling out and more and more participants testing positive for Covid-19, are the games worth it? Today, journalist Kieran Pender on what it’s like to...
Jul 22, 2021•16 min
Throughout this pandemic one group in particular have been at the forefront of key policy debates: young people . From whether schools should close, to how likely children are to get sick from Covid-19, the conversation has been filled with uncertainty and doubt. But as we’ve learnt more about the virus, a new fault-line has emerged: the question of how and when to vaccinate young people. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on the growing debate over wheth...
Jul 21, 2021•12 min
Four years ago the mining giant Adani was struggling to fund its massive coal project in Queensland’s Galilee Basin. Public pressure and a political backlash had stalled the company’s plans to build the biggest coal mine in the country. So Adani turned to the Chinese government to try and secure its financing. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper , Mike Seccombe on how a group of Australians stopped China from backing Adani, and what the story says about our approach to fossil fu...
Jul 20, 2021•17 min
The rapidly spreading Delta variant has forced nearly half of Australia’s population back into lockdown, and it’s not clear when the restrictions might end. The slow uptake of vaccinations has been pointed to as a key factor behind the latest outbreaks, and how fast they spread. But why is vaccine uptake so slow in Australia? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how shifting medical advice, poor communication and careless journalism created a perfect storm for this latest...
Jul 19, 2021•16 min
The Tarkine rainforest, in Tasmania's north west, is Australia's largest temperate rainforest and home to some of the country’s most endangered species. So far it’s natural wilderness has remained largely untouched. But now a mining company has started clearing the Tarkine, to build a new dam. And the project could cause irreparable damage to the natural environment. Today, former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown on the fight to save the Tarkine, and why the Morrison Government is so he...
Jul 18, 2021•14 min
In 2017 Melbourne musicians Ed Service and Jack Madin recorded a song in their Brunswick studio. It was recorded with, and for, their friends. The track got some love at local gigs and warehouse parties, but disappeared pretty quickly. Ed and Jack soon moved on with their lives and got day jobs. But four years later that song they wrote has gone international. It’s playing at festivals and stadiums all over the world. It’s even been remixed by David Guetta. The track has been streamed millions o...
Jul 16, 2021•24 min
This week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new COVID-19 financial support package for Sydneysiders currently in lockdown. The new measures were welcomed as a necessary response to help those impacted by a loss of work and business. But the announcement was met with frustration from other states, particularly Victoria, who had been asking for help during their own lockdowns. Today, contributing editor of The Monthly Rachel Withers on why it took an outbreak in his own backyard for Scott ...
Jul 15, 2021•14 min
Chris Cheers is a psychologist who spent the long lockdown in Melbourne last year supporting people struggling with their mental health. A few days ago he began sharing advice on social media about getting through lockdowns, as a way to support those in Sydney. His posts went viral, encouraging other Melbournians to share their own tips. Today, Chris Cheers on how those of us not in lockdown can support our friends and family who are, and why listening is one of the most helpful things we can do...
Jul 14, 2021•15 min
It's been over 50 years since equal pay for equal work became law in Australia, but right now women are still significantly underpaid. In recent years, efforts to better value women's work and increase wages have stalled but now, a new case being brought to the Fair Work Commission by a group of aged care workers could change that. Today, writer for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica on the case that could help close the gender pay gap. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica. Backg...
Jul 13, 2021•15 min
According to most scientists, the world has until 2030 to transition away from coal-fired power in order to prevent runaway climate change. Six years ago one Australian energy company tried to do just that. But now, new details have emerged showing the role played by the federal government in trying to stop that from happening. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how ideology keeps trumping economics when it comes to Australia’s climate policies. Guest: National...
Jul 12, 2021•14 min
Over the past few years the federal government has passed more and more laws granting police and security agencies greater access to our private communications. Law enforcement agencies claim the powers protect Australians from criminals, but there are growing concerns that they actually weaken our online security. Today, writer for The Saturday Paper and chair of Digital Rights Watch Lizzie O’Shea on Australia’s ever expanding surveillance powers, and if they could actually make us more vulnera...
Jul 11, 2021•14 min•Ep. 498
In basements and bars across the country crowds gather to cheer on people wearing tight, spandex outfits as they toss and pummel each other all over a ring. In today’s episode we visit Deathmatch Downunder: one of the most spectacular, violent and progressive professional wrestling events in the country. It’s popular, it’s growing and it’s the perfect combination of sports and entertainment. But where did it come from and what makes it so compelling? Guest: Contributor to The Monthly and author ...
Jul 09, 2021•26 min
For most of the past year the Coalition government has faced sustained criticism over its treatment of women. Now a former Liberal MP has added fuel to the fire, lashing a culture of sexism and bullying in the Liberal party, and accusing a cabinet minister of sexual harassment. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the latest allegations levelled against the Morrison government and why there seems to be no consequences. And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of sex...
Jul 08, 2021•15 min•Ep. 497
For most of the past 18 months, Australia has been hailed as a world leader in terms of its handling of the pandemic. But now, some of our biggest cities have been plunged back into lockdowns, restrictions and border closures, while Europe and the United States reopen. Last week the federal government outlined a plan to get us back to some kind of normality but it’s been criticised for being pretty light on the details. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on whether Austral...
Jul 07, 2021•14 min•Ep. 496
A scathing new report has found that in the lead-up to the last election the federal government spent more than half a billion dollars on infrastructure projects heavily targeted to seats held by the Coalition, or seats they were trying to win. The funding was specifically for car parks, but it raised serious questions about how government funding decisions are made, and the politicisation of the public sector. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what h...
Jul 06, 2021•14 min•Ep. 495
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but now it’s on the cusp of being declared “in danger” by UNESCO. But scientists have been warning for decades that rising sea temperatures could kill off the Reef, though their concerns were largely ignored by the government. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the scientist who predicted the end of the reef, and why the Australian government doesn’t want to listen to him. Guest: N...
Jul 05, 2021•17 min•Ep. 494
In a recent landmark judgement, the federal court has found that the government owes children a duty of care in preventing harm from the impacts of climate change. The case, which centred around the proposed expansion of a NSW coal mine, could have far reaching legal implications in Australia. Today, writer for The Monthly Kieran Pender on the case that saw a group of teenagers take on the Minister for the Environment. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Kieran Pender. See acast.com/privacy for privac...
Jul 04, 2021•14 min•Ep. 493
Today, Richard Flanagan, Booker prize winner and author of The Living Sea of Waking Dreams , reads his essay from the latest issue of The Monthly . It’s called ‘To be free’ and it explores why he writes, and, in his words “the need to write against the dogmas of conformity”. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Flanagan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 02, 2021•26 min
Less than eight percent of Australians are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, previously only available for people over 60, could now be accessed by anyone, regardless of their age. The announcement led to significant pushback, particularly from the Queensland government, who are still advising younger Australians to avoid AstraZeneca. Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on what's behind the go...
Jul 01, 2021•16 min•Ep. 492
Australia’s meat processing industry is one of many that relies heavily on migrant workers, to do jobs that Australian residents often aren’t willing to do. Many of those migrant workers come from China, with the promise that hard work will lead to permanent residency in Australia. But for some that promise is never delivered on. Today, writer for The Monthly André Dao on how Australia’s immigration system exploits the hopes and hard labour of migrant workers. Guest: Writers for The Monthly Andr...
Jun 30, 2021•17 min•Ep. 491
In the past few days over 10 million Australians have been plunged back into lockdowns, as fresh outbreaks of Covid-19 spread across major cities. The emergence of these new clusters has highlighted how vulnerable Australia still is during this phase of the pandemic, largely as a result of our low vaccination numbers. The current crisis forced the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to announce a radical overhaul to the vaccine rollout on Monday night. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper R...
Jun 29, 2021•15 min•Ep. 490
A case currently before the High Court, involving one academic’s controversial views on climate, could have significant ramifications for freedom of speech in Australia. Physicist Peter Ridd was fired after he publicly criticised his colleague’s research on the Great Barrier Reef, but what started as an employment dispute has become a test case on climate denial and cancel culture. Today, writer for The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender on Peter Ridd’s day in court and what the outcome could mean for...
Jun 28, 2021•17 min•Ep. 489
