The federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has identified himself as the cabinet minister accused of a sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1988. He strongly denied the allegations and refused to resign or step aside. Also on today’s show, Judith Brett on the crisis facing Australia’s university sector, and Australian of the Year Grace Tame’s powerful speech at the National Press Club. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Judith Brett. Background reading: The bin fire of the humanities in The...
Mar 03, 2021•20 min
A cabinet minister in the federal government has been accused of rape, but he hasn’t been publicly identified and the Prime Minister has so far refused to initiate an inquiry into the allegations. Today, Karen Middleton on the sexual assault crisis that has rocked the country. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 02, 2021•16 min
Across Australia more than one hundred asylum seekers are being detained in hotel rooms. They have no access to fresh air and limited space to exercise. This is the story of two friends - one who the government released, and the other who is still arbitrarily detained. Guest: Features and field reporter Elle Marsh. Background reading: Fight to free refugees in hotel detention in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Mar 01, 2021•14 min
Following a series of fatal car accidents, Queensland has announced a major crackdown on youth crime. According to youth advocate Siyavash Doostkhah, policy is being dictated by the police union, emboldened by the tabloid media and both sides of politics. Guest: Youth Affairs Network of Queensland director Siyavash Doostkhah. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 28, 2021•13 min
This week, Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party to sit on the crossbench. But the Morrison government is so mired in scandal, it went largely unnoticed. It’s a huge risk for the Coalition - and any action on climate change. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 25, 2021•14 min
Description: For some people living with disabilities, the pandemic triggered feelings of being different and even dispensable. Micheline Lee on living through coronavirus, and what it revealed about Australia’s priorities. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Micheline Lee. Background reading: Nightclubs, pandemics and our real selves in The Monthly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 24, 2021•16 min
Australian property prices have just hit a record high – despite predictions the market would crash during the pandemic. So what happened? What will it take for prices to go down? Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Inequality and the housing bubble in The Saturday Paper. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 23, 2021•14 min
Eighteen months ago, Dhanya Mani spoke to the press about being assaulted while working as a Liberal Party staffer. This week, she reflected on how little has changed - and how culpable the prime minister is for that. Guest: Lawyer and founder of Changing Our Headline Dhanya Mani. Background reading: ‘ I was a staffer, and so was my perpetrator’ in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 22, 2021•20 min
Two long-forgotten High Court cases warned the government that robo-debt might be illegal. But they persisted with the welfare scheme anyway. Rick Morton on what they knew - and when they knew it. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Robo-debt shonky from the start in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 21, 2021•15 min
The Brittany Higgins case has dominated the week in Canberra. This is the story of how the prime minister has responded to her alleged assault, and how he has tried to manage the coverage that followed. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 18, 2021•16 min
As Labor prepares for a possible early election, Tanya Plibersek says the party is ready to confront the government over shortcomings in its handling of the pandemic. But some in the party believe it may be too late to turn around the polls. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Tanya Plibersek on post-Covid politics in The Saturday Paper . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Feb 17, 2021•16 min
A damning report has found Crown Resorts unfit to hold a casino licence in NSW. But what does that mean for James Packer’s operations in other states? Rick Morton on Packer’s winning streak - and how it ended. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Crown’s casinos and the Bergin report in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 16, 2021•16 min
The early era of space exploration was dominated by romantic ideas of universal connectedness. But the increasingly privatised nature of the space industry has obscured that vision. Today, Ceridwen Dovey on the new space industry entrepreneurs, and why we should be worried about what they’re planning. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Ceridwen Dovey. Background reading: Pale blue dot in The Monthly See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Feb 15, 2021•16 min
Victoria has been plunged back into lockdown after a new strain of Covid-19 escaped from hotel quarantine into the community. In recent weeks leaks have occurred across the country, leading to lockdowns in Brisbane and Perth. Today, Rachel Withers on whether our key defence against the virus is working as well as it should. Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. Background reading: Covid-19 leaks from hotel quarantine in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...
Feb 14, 2021•16 min
The Prime Minister is trying to calibrate his climate policy to better fit into a post-Trump world, but he faces a conservative revolt on his own backbench. On the other side, Australia faces trade sanctions if it doesn’t implement serious emissions reduction targets. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s climate standoff. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 11, 2021•14 min
Eddie McGuire’s resignation as the President of Collingwood is the culmination of a decades-long story of racism at the club. But the story isn’t just about Collingwood, the AFL or even sport. Today, Daniel James on how racism in sport can’t be divorced from racism across our society. Guest: Yorta Yorta writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Daniel James. Background reading: Collingwood and racism in the AFL in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. S...
Feb 10, 2021•16 min
The Coalition’s surprise win at the last federal election is largely attributed to a relentless campaign targeting Labor’s key economic policies, led by Liberal MP Tim Wilson. Now Wilson has launched a new campaign to reshape the four trillion dollar superannuation industry. Today, Rick Morton on the Liberal vision for our retirement savings, and how it would impact all of us. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Inside Tim Wilson’s campaign against supe...
Feb 09, 2021•16 min
While Australians grapple with shocking allegations of war crimes levelled against our armed forces, the federal government is moving ahead with a $500 million redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial. Today, Mark McKenna, on what our preoccupation with war tells us about who we are. Further listening: Brendan Nelson’s gravy sandwich Guest: Historian and writer for The Monthly Mark McKenna. Background reading: Australia’s haunted house in The Monthly See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt...
Feb 08, 2021•15 min
Myanmar’s democratically elected leader, Aung Sun Suu Kyi, was arrested last week as part of a military coup. The country is now back under complete army control. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on what led to the coup, and what happens next in Myanmar. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 07, 2021•17 min
Scott Morrison’s attempt to restart the political year was blown off course after one of his backbenchers was criticised for promoting misinformation about Covid-19. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the problems rogue Liberal MPs are making for the Prime Minister, and why it took him so long to reign them in. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 04, 2021•15 min
Diplomatic and trade tensions between Australia and China are at an all time high, and China’s president has even warned against the risk of a new cold war. Today, Rick Morton on where Scott Morrison is getting his advice from when it comes to our relationship with China, and whether his strategy will work. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusive: Scott Morrison misrepresents China advice in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and...
Feb 03, 2021•15 min
Financial analysts and investors are scrambling to understand what is actually going on with GameStop, Reddit and the sharemarket. But in this battle between the internet and Wall Street, who are the good guys? Today, Ariel Bogle on what happened to GameStop, and what it could tell us about the future of our economy. Guest: Journalist and analyst, Ariel Bogle. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 02, 2021•18 min
All over the world governments are abandoning fossil fuels like coal and gas, and embracing renewable energy, leaving Australia isolated and economically vulnerable. Today, Mike Seccombe on the new climate policies sweeping the globe and how Australia is already being left behind. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: 2050 net zero: Australia left behind as Asia goes green in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform...
Feb 01, 2021•16 min
Right now hundreds of ships carrying Australian coal are stranded in Chinese ports. More than 1,000 sailors have been trapped on board for months now because of one reason: Australia’s escalating trade war with China. Today, Anna Krien on the men trapped at sea and the question of who is responsible for them. Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Anna Krien. Background reading: Sailors caught in Australia–China trade war in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info...
Jan 31, 2021•18 min
Labor’s Anthony Albanese has been facing growing criticism over his political strategy and there’s renewed speculation over his leadership. With 2021 shaping up as an election year, what is Albanese’s plan? Today, Rachel Withers on how Labor is placed to take on Scott Morrison. Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 28, 2021•16 min
While thousands of Australians are still stranded overseas, 1,200 tennis players, officials and support staff have flown into Melbourne to take part in the Australian Open. Today, Ben Rothenberg on the debate over the decision to go ahead with the tournament, and what it could mean for the future of global sports. Guest: Journalist and writer for The Saturday Paper Ben Rothenberg. Background reading : The inequalities of grand slam tennis in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy a...
Jan 27, 2021•16 min
Last year Scott Morrison announced Australians would be first in line for the Covid-19 vaccine. But with 50 million people now vaccinated around the world, the rollout here is yet to begin. Today, Rick Morton on when Australians can expect to be vaccinated, and if it’s happening fast enough. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Did Australia put its money on the wrong vaccines? in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Jan 26, 2021•16 min
On Invasion Day, Wirlomin Noongar author Claire G. Coleman discusses how tokenistic gestures from our federal government have replaced the real change demanded by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the inability of Australians to acknowledge the legacy of colonialism. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Claire G. Coleman. Background reading: How political fear erodes Indigenous rights in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnyst...
Jan 25, 2021•16 min
As Joe Biden takes the reins in the US, the legacy of Donald Trump continues to cast a shadow across the world. Today, Richard Cooke on how the ideas and policies that came to define Trump found a welcome home in Australia. Guest: Writer for The Monthly and The Saturday Paper Richard Cooke. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 24, 2021•16 min
After five years on Manus Island, Imran Mohammad was resettled in Chicago. He says arriving in America was one of the happiest days in his life. But the coronavirus shutdown has brought back memories of detention and isolation. Guest: Writer and Rohingya refugee Imran Mohammad. Background reading: Resettled refugees in Covid-19 lockdown in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 22, 2021•14 min
