Lockdown is over and cinemas are back! Luckily, Australia’s reopening happens to coincide with a bunch of exciting new releases coming out between now and the end of the year. This week on The Culture , Osman Faruqi is joined by Flick Ford - film reviewer and presenter of Triple R’s ‘Primal Screen’ - to run us through the most exciting films to watch this summer. Guest: Flick Ford See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 06, 2021•35 min
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has just returned from two international summits, but Australia’s diplomatic standing is worse than ever. His handling of a $100 billion submarine contract has created tension with both France and the United States, two traditional allies, and he’s also been accused by his predecessor of being a serial liar. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s damaged international standing, and the impact it has on Australia. Guest: Columnist ...
Nov 05, 2021•14 min•Ep. 583
With international travel resuming and our biggest states re-opening, life in Australia is finally returning to normal. So, is this really the beginning of the end of the Covid-19 pandemic? And what have we learnt from the past eighteen months? Today, Nobel prize winning scientist Peter Doherty on what surprised him most about the pandemic, and the way we respond, and what we should expect in the months to come. Guest: Nobel laureate and immunologist Peter Doherty Stay in touch with us on Twitte...
Nov 03, 2021•15 min•Ep. 581
In Australia the not-for-profit sector employs over a million people, and it’s growing. Much of this growth is driven by charities accepting government grants to deliver essential services to our most vulnerable. But these grants come with strict contractual obligations, which effectively prevent organisations from holding government agencies to account. Frontline workers say that this can mean that the people they’re supposed to be helping are instead sidelined and betrayed. Today, contributor ...
Nov 02, 2021•15 min•Ep. 580
Last week former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian fronted the Independent Commission Against Corruption and was asked candid questions about the nature of her relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on what happened when Gladys Berejiklian went to ICAC, and what the corruption investigation reveals about NSW politics. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instag...
Nov 01, 2021•18 min•Ep. 579
Dave Chappelle is one of the most successful comedians in the world, and his latest Netflix special, ‘The Closer’, reportedly made him $20 million. The special has sparked a huge amount of backlash, prompting a staff walkout at Netflix, and calls for the special to be taken down. This week comedians Cassie Workman and Tom Ballard join The Culture , to help unpack the reignited conversation around free speech, what kind of impact harmful and offensive language can have in the real world, and the ...
Oct 30, 2021•46 min
After spending weeks locked in secret negotiations with the Nationals on climate policy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is finally heading to the UN summit in Glasgow. But while Morrison’s deal with the minor party might solve an internal political issue for him, it still leaves Australia without a serious and ambitious emissions reduction plan. And that could lead to more political trouble for Morrison as the federal Labor opposition weighs up fighting the upcoming election on climate policy. To...
Oct 29, 2021•15 min•Ep. 578
Right now world leaders are gearing up for COP26: a major international climate summit starting in just a few days. The summit has been billed as humanity’s last chance to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change. But while many developed nations are preparing to commit to strong emissions reduction targets, Australia remains an outlier. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why COP26 is so important, and how Australia might undermine global efforts to sto...
Oct 27, 2021•16 min•Ep. 577
A landmark judgement by the High Court of Australia has reignited debate over whether or not our legal system is fit for purpose in the age of social media. The Court found that news organisations are liable for the comments posted on their Facebook pages. The decision has forced many news sites to disable comments - impacting how each of us find and consume the news. Today, legal affairs editor for The Saturday Paper, Richard Ackland on what this High Court decision means for how we use the int...
Oct 27, 2021•15 min•Ep. 576
In recent weeks the world’s two superpowers, China and the United States, have been steadily building up their military presence in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he wants to bring Taiwan back under China’s control, a move the United States seems likely to resist at all costs. Today, Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University Hugh White on how Australia could be drawn into a war over Taiwan, and why it could turn nuclear. Guest: Emeritus Prof...
Oct 26, 2021•16 min•Ep. 575
At the last federal election, mining billionaire Clive Palmer spent more than $80 million trying to influence the makeup of Australia’s parliament. Now his United Australia Party is back with a new leader - Craig Kelly. Kelly, a former Liberal MP known for his controversial views, says that under his leadership the United Australia Party is stronger and bigger than ever. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper , Mike Seccombe on what impact a Palmer-Kelly alliance could have on the ...
Oct 25, 2021•16 min•Ep. 574
Today, Helen Garner, one of Australia’s most acclaimed authors, will be reading her piece from the latest issue of The Monthly . It features entries from her diaries, covering her experience during this year’s lockdown in Melbourne. Guest: Helen Garner, acclaimed Australian novelist and nonfiction writer. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 23, 2021•21 min
When the Real Housewives first aired 16 years ago it was written off as “trashy”. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem even called it "a minstrel show for women". But the show has shrugged off those labels, and become bigger and bigger, exploring themes of consumerism, class, and race, all while being highly entertaining. Now the franchise is at the centre of serious legal drama, providing both high stakes entertainment and a window into what happens when highly produced reality TV collides with actual ...
Oct 23, 2021•46 min
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally confirmed that he will be attending the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November. Morrison is under pressure, both from voters and Australia’s international allies, to publicly support a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. But his coalition partners, the Nationals, are yet to support the policy - and some in the minor party are pushing hard against it. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s war ove...
Oct 22, 2021•15 min•Ep. 573
Over the past week, Victoria’s anti-corruption commission has heard damning evidence about the political culture at the heart of the state’s Labor party. The allegations aired so far include claims of branch stacking and misuse of taxpayer funds, and the investigation has already forced the resignation of a number of state government ministers. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what the inquiry is actually about, and what the consequences might be for...
Oct 21, 2021•16 min•Ep. 572
From the moment the pandemic began, uncovering the origins of Covid-19 has been a fraught pursuit. Many different theories - some more viable than others - have flourished, including the hypothesis that Covid-19 was deliberately leaked from a lab in Wuhan. The Wuhan lab leak theory has been given new prominence thanks to a controversial book written by Australian journalist and Sky News commentator Sharri Markson. Today, writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Linda Jaivin, on the credibili...
Oct 20, 2021•16 min•Ep. 571
As vaccination rates across Australia continue to surge, the country is preparing for life after lockdown. But focusing on the headline, national vaccination rate masks the fact that many vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, have been left behind in the race to get vaccinated. For the first time leaked government documents have revealed the disproportionate burden Indigenous communities have borne during this pandemic. Today, senior reporter for The Sat...
Oct 19, 2021•16 min•Ep. 570
When Afghanistan fell back under Taliban control earlier this year, the Australian government announced it would evacuate more than 4000 people. Most of them arrived in cities in the middle of Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, unsure about what happens next and how to navigate their lives in a new and unfamiliar country. But despite being promised safety here, some are concerned they could be sent back to the country they fled. Today, 7am producer Anu Hasbold on one refugee’s journey from Afghan...
Oct 18, 2021•17 min•Ep. 569
After a two year break HBO’s ‘Succession’ is finally back for season three. The first two seasons of ‘Succession’ were critically acclaimed, but failed to attract big audiences. But the hype has been steadily building as more and more people streamed the show during the pandemic. To help preview the new season, and talk about how the show became such a phenomenon, writer and critic for The Saturday Paper , Tara Kenny joins The Culture . Guest: Writer and critic for The Saturday Paper , Tara Kenn...
Oct 15, 2021•47 min
Four years ago Prime Minister Scott Morrison wielded a lump of coal in the Australian Parliament, demonstrating his commitment to fossil fuels. Now he’s trying to pivot, shifting his government towards a position of supporting net-zero emissions by 2050. But Morrison is facing stiff opposition from his Coalition partners in the National party, who have historically been opposed to taking more serious climate action. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s newfo...
Oct 15, 2021•16 min•Ep. 568
This week, after more than 100 days in lockdown, NSW residents were officially allowed back into restaurants, bars, shops and gyms. But for many, the end of lockdown wasn’t about being able to drink beer in a pub again but the chance to see family after months of isolation. Today, 7am producer Kara Jensen-Mackinnon speaks to two sisters finally reunited after lockdown about what opening up means to them. Guest: Producer at 7am , Kara Jensen-Mackinnon Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagra...
Oct 14, 2021•17 min•Ep. 567
Since coming to power the federal Coalition has chipped away at the public service, increasingly outsourcing key functions of government to private companies. In the past 18 months everything from the vaccine rollout strategy, to advice on manufacturing the vaccine has been contracted out to management consultants. The trend has raised important questions about transparency, and the long-term sustainability of government services. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how ...
Oct 13, 2021•15 min•Ep. 566
The resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, following the announcement of an investigation by the state’s ICAC, has renewed calls for a federal anti-corruption watchdog. In the lead up to the last federal election Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised to implement such a body, but the model he’s put forward has been criticised for being too weak. Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on the calls for a national anti-corruption commission, and why it’s taking so long to...
Oct 12, 2021•15 min•Ep. 565
Since the beginning of the pandemic, healthcare workers have faced wave after wave of outbreaks, working around the clock in tough conditions. Eighteen months in, Australia has more case numbers than ever, and our doctors, nurses and other health professionals are reporting alarmingly high rates of exhaustion, burnout and mental health issues. Today, Doctor Natasha Smallwood on the stress that healthcare workers on the frontline are facing and what that means for the health system after the pand...
Oct 11, 2021•16 min•Ep. 564
Can you believe it’s been almost three years since Lil Nas X dropped ‘Old Town Road’? With that one track, produced for less than $100, the rapper made history. ‘Old Town Road’ became the longest running single to sit at number one on the charts, and kicked off a debate about the definition of country music. Lil Nas X himself became the first openly queer Black artist to win a Country Music Association Award. He’s won two Grammys, 5 MTV Video Music Awards, and continues to break chart records. H...
Oct 09, 2021•37 min
This year Rupert Murdoch turned 90, and that milestone has focused discussion on who will take over the world’s largest media empire. Now, Murdoch’s son Lachlan is making major strategic moves in his role as News Corp’s co-chair. He’s also changing the way the company is structured - signalling that power is finally shifting in the media dynasty. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Paddy Manning on Rupert Murdoch’s succession plan, and what the media empire will look like under Lachlan’s co...
Oct 08, 2021•18 min
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has so far refused growing international pressure to commit to net zero emissions by 2050. Now he’s facing a concerted push from MPs in his own party to embrace the policy. But on the other side of the Coalition, right-wing Nationals are refusing to budge - including senior figures in the government. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how climate politics has wedged Scott Morrison, and why he’s running out of time. Guest: Natio...
Oct 07, 2021•16 min•Ep. 562
On Tuesday, Dominic Perrottet won the support of his Liberal Party colleagues to become the party’s leader, and the 46th Premier of NSW. He’s taking over the Premiership at a crucial time for the state, as it prepares to end a long lockdown and enter a new phase of living with Covid-19. But he’s already facing criticism for his socially conservative views on issues ranging from abortion to voluntary euthanasia. Today, journalist with the Australian Associated Press Hannah Ryan on Dominic Perrott...
Oct 06, 2021•14 min•Ep. 561
Australia’s two largest states are getting ready to end their long lockdowns and reopen when 80 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated. But what does reopening with that target mean for the 20 percent who are yet to receive their vaccines? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how some of our most at risk communities fell through the cracks of the national vaccine rollout. Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusiv...
Oct 05, 2021•17 min•Ep. 560
On Friday, after serving for a decade on the front line of New South Wales politics, nearly half of that as Premier, Gladys Berejiklian suddenly resigned. Her shocking departure from the top job has left the state in political turmoil in the midst of a pandemic. It's also raised important questions about political accountability and transparency. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why Gladys Berejiklian resigned and what happens next in New South Wales. Guest: ...
Oct 04, 2021•16 min•Ep. 559
