The country might still be in the grip of a pandemic and ongoing lockdowns, but our major parties are already planning for a looming federal election. The Prime Minister has strongly hinted the nation could be heading to the polls in just a few months, and the political battle lines are now being drawn. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on when the election looks likely to be held, and what it will be fought over. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See ...
Sep 03, 2021•15 min
Over the past few weeks the world has witnessed scenes of chaos and desperation in Afghanistan as people scrambled to evacuate the country as it fell to the Taliban. Some were able to get out, but many others, including Afghans with Australian visas remain trapped. Coalition forces had been planning their withdrawal from Afghanistan for months, but it’s now emerged that intelligence reports failed to forecast how quickly the country would fall, and the impact that would have on the evacuation. T...
Sep 02, 2021•15 min
Follow journalist Ruby Jones as she investigates an open secret in the Australian music industry -- stories of harassment, abuse and assault spanning decades. In this episode, Ruby asks why Me Too stories are still so hard to tell in Australia - and why there is so much fear about speaking out, and naming names. So will Ruby be able to tell this story? Or will the allegations remain hidden in plain sight? This is episode one of Everybody Knows . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info...
Sep 01, 2021•35 min
As hospitals in NSW and Victoria prepare to deal with an influx of Covid-19 patients, there are fresh concerns that our healthcare system might not be up to the challenge. Hundreds of healthcare workers have been forced into isolation during this outbreak, putting further pressure on a system already grappling with the Delta strain. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on the situation in hospitals right now, and what might happen when we come out of lockdown. Guest: Senior...
Aug 31, 2021•14 min
As wealthy countries like Australia race to vaccinate their population, many other nations in our region are falling behind due to the high cost of vaccines: a cost set by big pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer. As a result, South East Asia is now the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Lyndal Rowlands on the proposal that could speed up vaccinations around the world, and why Australia is holding it back. Guest: Contributor for The Saturday Paper , Lynd...
Aug 29, 2021•14 min
Lorde released her first full-length album, Pure Heroine , back in 2013 and it struck a chord around the world, selling 5 million copies, picking up two Grammys and inspiring a new generation of pop artists. Four years later Lorde returned with her follow-up, the critically acclaimed but much less commercially successful, Melodrama . Another four years down the track, she’s back with her third album, Solar Power . It’s a pretty big gear shift, and the sunny, warm sound reflects the new, luxe lif...
Aug 27, 2021•37 min
It was just a couple of weeks ago that the Prime Minister, along with state and territory leaders, signed off a plan to end lockdowns and border closures when vaccine rates reached 80 percent of the adult population. But it didn’t take long for the so-called national plan to fall apart, with states and the federal government spending the last week bickering over Australia’s roadmap out of this crisis. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the battle over when to open the coun...
Aug 26, 2021•13 min
As scientists, and the United Nations, continue to warn about the likely impacts of climate change, the federal government is spending big to help prop up the gas industry. One company in particular has been the sole beneficiary of a government fund established to help drill for gas in the Northern Territory. That company, which has links to the Liberal Party, has been quietly lobbying for federal support for months. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the quest...
Aug 25, 2021•14 min
In November 2020, an Instagram account began to publish anonymous stories of harassment, abuse and assault in the Australian music industry. These were stories that journalist Ruby Jones had heard whispers about before. But when she started looking into them, she found that the allegations were much worse than she had thought, and that they were an open secret in the music industry. Everybody Knows is a new five-part podcast series from the makers of Australia's number one daily news podcast, 7a...
Aug 25, 2021•3 min
One of the most concerning outbreaks of Covid-19 in the country right now is taking place in western NSW. Towns like Wilcannia and Walgett have high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and some of the lowest vaccination rates in the state. When the pandemic hit the region only eight percent of Indigenous people were fully vaccinated. Now, with the virus spreading fast, there are serious concerns for the community. Today, Bhiamie Williamson on the situation on the ground in western ...
Aug 24, 2021•14 min
As Covid-19 case numbers continue to reach record highs in NSW, so too do hospitalisations and intensive care admissions. Now, a leaked document from the National Cabinet has revealed that the state’s hospitals could soon reach a tipping point. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on exactly who is being hospitalised with Covid-19 and how close our hospitals really are to capacity. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton Stay in touch with us on Twitter ...
Aug 23, 2021•15 min
After twenty years of war, invasion and occupation, US-led forces in Afghanistan, including Australian defence personnel have finally withdrawn, ending one of the longest military engagements in modern history. Within weeks of the withdrawal the Taliban, who were officially deposed at the beginning of the conflict, swept the country, seizing the capital, Kabul, and retaking control. Now there are fears for millions of Afghans facing life under a repressive regime. Today, chief political correspo...
Aug 22, 2021•18 min
Tony Armstrong, former AFL player and sports presenter on ABC News Breakfast, joins The Culture to talk about a show one of the most heartwarming TV shows out right now - ‘Ted Lasso’. The first season dropped on Apple TV last year, starring Jason Sudeikis as the small-time US football coach, who ends up coaching a UK Premier League soccer team. The show went on to make history, scoring 20 Emmy nominations, the most ever for the first season of a comedy. We’re about halfway through the second sea...
Aug 20, 2021•33 min
This week the federal government was caught out without a clear plan on two of the biggest crises facing the world right now: the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. In both instances, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of not sufficiently preparing for outcomes that many had predicted, and responding too defensively. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether being underprepared is now a feature of Scott Morrison’s lead...
Aug 19, 2021•14 min
Outbreaks of Covid-19 are continuing to spread across the country, hitting largely unvaccinated and unprepared populations. Eighteen months into the pandemic many Australians are feeling exhausted, and compliance with public health measures is dropping off - leading governments to ramp up policing efforts. Today, infectious disease and pandemic response expert Dr Alexandra Phelan on the situation in Australia, how governments can maintain public trust, and what the end game looks like. Guest: Me...
Aug 18, 2021•16 min
From its origins as a little watched cable news broadcaster, Sky News has grown into a media powerhouse reaching millions of people, primarily on YouTube. Now it’s broadening its reach even further, into the homes of thousands of Australians living in the regions, further solidifying Rupert Murdoch’s control of news media in Australia. Today, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on what Murdoch is planning to do with Sky News, and how it could impact Australian politics. Guest: Former Prime Minister...
Aug 17, 2021•17 min
NSW is currently experiencing its worst outbreak of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. With case numbers continuing to rise, the government has slowly acknowledged it’s losing control. Unlike the rest of the country, it now appears that NSW is abandoning its intention of eliminating the virus and reaching zero cases of community transmission, instead relying more heavily on vaccinations. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the NSW strategy to deal with th...
Aug 16, 2021•16 min
Australian scientist Joëlle Gergis was one of the lead authors on a landmark climate report by the IPCC, a United Nations body responsible for assessing the science on climate change. The report has been described as “code red” for humanity, a desperate attempt by the world’s best climate scientists to force political leaders to take action and stop runaway climate change. Today, Joëlle Gergis explains the science behind it, what it tells us about the future of our planet, and how we can all mai...
Aug 15, 2021•15 min
This week on The Culture, we’re talking about the young Kamilaroi kid from Waterloo, New South Wales, who this week topped the US Billboard charts. His name is The Kid LAROI, and his album 'F*ck Love' is taking the world by storm. He dropped his debut EP at 14, was mentored by the likes of Juice WRLD at 15, and signed an international deal at 16. He’s collaborated with Miley Cyrus and his most recent single 'Stay', features one of the biggest pop stars in the world, Justin Beiber. The success of...
Aug 13, 2021•32 min
Australia’s anti-lockdown movement reached federal parliament this week, when a rogue Coalition MP took to the floor to blast public health measures used to limit the spread of Covid-19. The comments highlight growing divisions in the government over Australia’s national approach to the pandemic. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the challenges Scott Morrison is facing from his own side, and why he’s unwilling to openly confront them. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Pap...
Aug 12, 2021•15 min
In 2014 two friends from Sydney created a company that transformed the way we buy and sell things online. That company, Afterpay, has become a bedrock of the online shopping experience, growing exponentially every year. Its success was cemented when it was sold for $39 billion, making it the largest corporate deal in Australian history. Afterpay promises the allure of credit-free online shopping. But just how different is it’s business model compared to traditional credit cards and loans? Today,...
Aug 11, 2021•16 min
No matter which major party wins the next federal election, the top 5 percent of income earners in Australia will receive tax cuts worth 180 dollars a week. These tax cuts, which will overwhelmingly benefit high income earners, will cost the budget 300 billion dollars over 10 years. So how will those cuts be funded? According to those in the social services sector it's likely to be made from cuts to education, health and welfare. Today, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service...
Aug 10, 2021•14 min
Eighteen months into the pandemic Scott Morrison has announced a plan for the way out, underpinned by modelling from one of our most respected scientific institutes, The Doherty Institute. The plan itself, which has four phases, is based on vaccination rates. It predicts we could be living almost as normal when we reach 80 percent of the population fully vaccinated. But how likely are we to reach that target, and when? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the uncertainty ...
Aug 09, 2021•16 min
For thousands of years naturally occurring psychedelics have been used medicinally. But for the past few decades, research into their potential has been on hold, because their supply and use is illegal. Now, things are changing. In Australia there are a number of trials currently underway investigating the use of psychedelics as a way to treat depression and addiction. But while the research is happening, for some it’s not happening fast enough, and there are those who are taking matters into th...
Aug 08, 2021•14 min
In 2018 singer Billie Eilish released her debut album ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ With it the teenager pretty much immediately changed the face and sound of modern pop music. Her album won all four of the major categories at the Grammy awards that year. The first time that’s happened since 1981. Her hit Bad Guy took out the top spot on the Hottest 100, making her both the youngest person to win the countdown and the first solo female artist. Now, she’s back, with her follow up sec...
Aug 07, 2021•37 min
Today, Scott Ludlam, ICAN ambassador and former Australian Greens Senator, reads his cover essay from the latest issue of The Monthly . It’s called ‘The Endgame’. It explores the trial of Julian Assange, and the powers fighting to extradite him, while his condition deteriorates in a UK prison. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Scott Ludlam, ICAN ambassador and former Australian Greens Senator. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/liste...
Aug 06, 2021•33 min
After riding high in the opinion polls for the past 12 months, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is now facing the consequences of a slow and messy vaccine rollout. To try and claw back public support the PM has tried to tap into the country’s Olympic spirit, describing our vaccine challenge as a “gold medal” race. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the intertwined fates of the vaccine rollout and the Prime Minister’s political fortunes. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and In...
Aug 05, 2021•15 min
Sydney has been in lockdown for six weeks now, but the number of Covid-19 infections is still continuing to rise. While most residents are able to stay at home, thousands of essential workers are traveling to their place of employment everyday, to keep the city turning. They’re doctors, nurses, teachers, carers, but they’re also cooks, cleaners and factory workers. And according to the state government, they’re the people most at risk of catching and spreading Covid-19. Today, we speak to Paloma...
Aug 04, 2021•15 min
More than three million Australians face a health crisis that can severely impact their quality of life: chronic pain. But many people experiencing chronic pain are let down by an outdated healthcare system. It’s a system that frustrates both patients and doctors, so is it time for a radical overhaul of how public health operates in Australia? Today, Beth Atkinson Quinton speaks to The Saturday Paper’s health columnist Dr Mel Cheng and The Saturday Paper contributor Shakira Hussein about the cha...
Aug 03, 2021•15 min
Hosting the Olympics is an honour that cities have competed for over a century. It’s seen as recognition of a nation’s economic superiority, and a source of national pride. But, is winning the bid to host the Games really worth it? As some cities are finding - dealing with the International Olympic Committee can leave them financially and legally ruined. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the power of the IOC, and its vice president, John Coates. Stay in touch ...
Aug 02, 2021•15 min
