Description: Following his wrongful conviction for the murder of Canberra’s top police officer, David Eastman sought compensation. But there are bigger questions in this case, about how the legal system responds to mental health. Sam Vincent on how a troubled man tried, unsuccessfully, to represent himself. Guest: Writer and journalist Sam Vincent. Background reading: The retrial of David Eastman in The Monthly Cap in hand in The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast....
Dec 09, 2019•16 min
In Canberra in the 1970s and ’80s, David Eastman was thought of as a serial pest. That was until he was convicted of murdering the assistant commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. The problem was, he didn’t do it. Sam Vincent on a case that sent the wrong man to prison for 19 years. This is part one of a two-part episode. Guest: Writer and journalist Sam Vincent. Background reading: The retrial of David Eastman in The Monthly Cap in hand in The Monthly The Saturday Paper The Monthly For ...
Dec 08, 2019•17 min
As the parliamentary year ends, and politicians go home for summer, Scott Morrison is celebrating the repeal of medevac. The key vote came from Jacqui Lambie, who says she has a deal with the government. She won’t say what it is, and the government says it never happened. Paul Bongiorno on the end of another year in politics. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Hydrogen strategy backs dirty coal in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more...
Dec 05, 2019•16 min
Hydrogen will be a major renewable energy source, and can be produced by splitting water atoms. But the government is ignoring this low-carbon option to ensure Australia’s hydrogen industry is controlled by fossil fuels. Mike Seccombe on how Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan are turning a green energy source brown. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Hydrogen strategy backs dirty coal in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more in...
Dec 04, 2019•15 min
As the first two decades of the 21st century come to an end, Australia is going to be forced to confront its place as a middle power and embrace an electorate that is markedly different to the parliament. George Megalogenis on what’s likely to happen in the 2020s. Guest: Author and journalist George Megalogenis. Background reading: The middle of nowhere in The Monthly The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for priva...
Dec 03, 2019•15 min
Andrew Bolt has led a campaign against Bruce Pascoe and his book Dark Emu . But after reading the explorer journals on which the book is based, Rick Morton was unable to find any errors. This is the story of a culture war and a columnist who won’t say if he’s read the book he’s condemning. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Bolt, Pascoe and the culture war in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, vis...
Dec 02, 2019•15 min
As the fallout from the Westpac scandal continues, attempts are already underway to limit corporate responsibility. Michael West on why the story broke and what happens next. Guest: Founder of michaelwest.com.au and contributor to The Saturday Paper Michael West. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 01, 2019•17 min
Scott Morrison has put himself in a difficult position, calling the NSW police commissioner to check on an investigation into his own minister. Paul Bongiorno on the questions that need to be answered. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Taylor twist as Morrison phones a 'friend' in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. S...
Nov 28, 2019•15 min
According to author Jeff Sparrow, a new fascism is emerging from the internet – one that is rooted in meme culture, but that harnesses mass shootings as a political tool. This is the story of how the Christchurch massacre came to represent a new frontier in the far right. Guest: Author of Fascists Among Us , Jeff Sparrow. Background reading: Under fire from the new fascism in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystud...
Nov 27, 2019•17 min
As Julian Assange fights against extradition to the United States, an unlikely group of politicians is working to have him returned to Australia. Rick Morton on the question of law that underpins his case. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Saving Julian Assange in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio...
Nov 26, 2019•16 min
A speaking tour of Europe has revealed the strategy behind Peter Ridd’s rejection of reef science: he believes that if people doubt the reef is dying, they will doubt climate change more broadly. Max Opray on the Australian physicist whose sacking became a cause célèbre. Guest: Morning editor at Schwartz Media Max Opray. Background reading: Peter Ridd and the climate sceptics in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . S...
Nov 25, 2019•15 min
Xi Jinping’s ambitions for China are paranoid and expansionist. His mindset mirrors that of the guerrilla fighters in the Chinese Civil War. Peter Hartcher on how understanding this history helps in understanding Australia’s relationship with China now. Guest: Author of Quarterly Essay 76: Red Flag Peter Hartcher. Background reading: Quarterly Essay: Red Flag The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and op...
Nov 24, 2019•20 min
The Morrison government has halted its robo-debt program, finally confronting issues with the troubled scheme. Separately, the government has affirmed its reliance on Chinese trade – irrespective of human rights concerns. Paul Bongiorno on the week in politics. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Dogged by dollar dilemmas in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. See acast.com/pri...
Nov 21, 2019•15 min
As Scott Morrison’s co-design process gets underway, ruling out the key aspirations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, there are signs that a new political fight is about to begin. Rick Morton on what’s next for the Voice to Parliament. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. Background reading: Co-designing the Voice to Parliament in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly See acast.com/privacy fo...
Nov 20, 2019•14 min
Since becoming prime minister, Scott Morrison has stamped himself on the cabinet process. There will be more PowerPoints, and less debate about issues he sees as being routine. Karen Middleton on the new processes and how they work. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Scott Morrison imposes discipline in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/pr...
Nov 19, 2019•15 min
A review of consent laws in New South Wales is recommending changes to how juries interpret sexual assaults and the onus that is placed on defendants. Bri Lee on the response from frontline organisations and the woman whose case triggered the inquiry. Guest: Author, advocate for consent reform and writer for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee. Background reading: Proposed reforms to NSW consent in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast...
Nov 18, 2019•16 min
Last week, a million hectares of eastern Australia was burnt in catastrophic bushfires. In the main, politicians refused to acknowledge the science that links these fires to climate change. Mike Seccombe on the political strategy behind these denials – and where it comes from. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Actually, it is climate change in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7am...
Nov 17, 2019•17 min
As fires burn through NSW and Queensland, a fundamental shift can be detected in Canberra: the politics of climate change have altered. It is no longer viable to do nothing. Paul Bongiorno on how the Coalition is dealing with this new reality. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/list...
Nov 14, 2019•15 min
We don’t know what exactly happened or what ASIO was investigating; those details are secret. What we do know is that early last year the spy agency broke the law while conducting an operation. Karen Middleton on the complex legislation that guides ASIO officers, and the risks it poses for compliance. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: ASIO officers broke law on warrant in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more i...
Nov 13, 2019•15 min
New work from the Productivity Commission shows the federal government spends twice as much on income support for people affected by mental illness as it does on treatment. Rick Morton on the human realities of living in poverty while being mentally unwell. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Mental health cost of welfare in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.c...
Nov 12, 2019•15 min
Recently, Scott Morrison described his plans for a ban on environmental groups lobbying businesses. The speech he gave has been called a defining moment in his prime ministership. Mike Seccombe on why this is important and what it says about Morrison’s “ordinary bloke” mask. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Activism and secondary boycotts in The Saturday Paper. The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7am...
Nov 11, 2019•15 min
Lech Blaine grew up in country Queensland. After the 2019 federal election, he spent several weeks driving around the state, trying to understand what makes it different. He found people with a strong desire to be treated with respect amid a picture more contradictory than it seems. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Lech Blaine. Background reading: “How Good is Queensland?” in The Monthly . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.co...
Nov 10, 2019•16 min
As Labor responds to an internal review of its election defeat, some in the party feel they have already lost the next election. While the party struggles with uncertainty, the Coalition struggles with the task of governing. Paul Bongiorno on the difficulties of winning and losing. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Post-election blues all round in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcas...
Nov 07, 2019•15 min
There is a widening gap in Australia between the life expectancy of the rich and the poor. On some figures it is as much as 10 years. Mike Seccombe on the death toll of inequality. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: The fatal cost of Australia’s rising inequality in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Se...
Nov 06, 2019•15 min
Ross Garnaut wrote the blueprint for Australia’s response to climate change. As the politics fell apart, he became interested in the economic opportunities of a zero-carbon future. He says Australia has more to gain than any other developed country. Guest: Economist and author of Superpower Ross Garnaut. Background reading: Superpower by Ross Garnaut, published by Black Inc. The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy fo...
Nov 05, 2019•18 min
Anthony Albanese was shaped by the circumstances of his childhood: a single mother, a council house, a love of the Labor Party. The question now is if his working-class background can help the ALP reconnect to its working-class base. James Button on making sense of the leader of the Opposition. Guest: Journalist and former speechwriter James Button. Background reading: Picking up the pieces in The Monthly. The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.c...
Nov 03, 2019•16 min
The Morrison government is committed to a budget surplus above all else. But as Paul Keating points out, this commitment can be a kind of sickness. Paul Bongiorno on what happens when politics refuses to acknowledge circumstances. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: The Coalition's surplus focus in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt...
Oct 31, 2019•14 min
After the Morrison government announced another inquiry into the family courts, to be co-chaired by Pauline Hanson, advocates in the sector expressed concern it was a distraction. One of them was Rosie Batty. Guest: Anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty. Background reading: Family law needs reform, not inquiry in The Saturday Paper . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Oct 30, 2019•18 min
As the number of police strip-searches rises in New South Wales, a law enforcement commission considers whether many of them are actually legal. Fiona McGregor on police powers and the trauma of being searched. Guest: Author and performance artist Fiona McGregor. Background reading: The strip-search state in The Monthly . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/...
Oct 29, 2019•16 min
How the American anti-climate-science lobby hijacked local councils in Australia, changing sea-level benchmarks as it went. Guest: Writer for The Monthly and The Saturday Paper Bronwyn Adcock. Background reading: Rising tide in The Monthly . The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 28, 2019•16 min
