Today, Anthony Albanese is set to end his isolation and return to the campaign trail after he tested positive for Covid-19 last week. As he returns to campaigning in-person, the cost of living has become an even more pressing election issue. New inflation figures show prices are 5.1 per cent higher today than they were this time last year – which could mean interest rates are raised in the middle of an election campaign. And in the midst of this China has signed a deal with the Solomon islands, ...
Apr 28, 2022•17 min•Ep. 681
This election, one person is having more of a say than anyone else when it comes to the political advertising Australians are seeing everyday. That person is Clive Palmer. And he’s not only outspending the major political parties by a significant margin, he’s also got a huge personal say in the ads he’s putting onto billboards and TV screens. That’s because he writes them all himself. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton on the rise of Clive Palmer and what he is trying to...
Apr 27, 2022•17 min•Ep. 680
In the Northern Territory, there’s a youth detention centre that has been subject to multiple reports, complaints, and a Royal Commission. That commission recommended it be shut down, but children as young as 10 years old are still being held there, with reports of minors having been locked inside their cells for 23 hours a day. Today, journalist for The Saturday Paper , Esther Linder on the grandmother who is fighting for the closure of the Don Dale detention centre. Guest: Contributor to The S...
Apr 26, 2022•16 min•Ep. 679
As the election tightens, there is a very real possibility that neither major party wins the 76-seat majority they need to govern in their own right. If this happens, they will have to convince independents and minor party representatives in the lower house to join them and form a minority government. For independents in this scenario, it’s an enormous choice – who do they support, what do they ask for, and who do they make prime minister? Today, we speak to someone who has made that choice, for...
Apr 25, 2022•16 min•Ep. 678
Earlier this year, Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame went to Canberra together. The day before, Prime Minister Scott Morrison had delivered an apology to people who had worked at federal parliament, who had been subjected to sexual harassment, assault and bullying. What Ms Higgins and Ms Tame said at the National Press Club was a devastating indictment of Australia’s political institutions, and as this election campaign continues, it is well worth revisiting. That’s why today we are spotlighting o...
Apr 24, 2022•15 min
With a crucial deadline now passed, Liberal candidate Katherine Deves will almost certainly remain the Coalition’s pick for the seat of Warringah. That’s despite her transphobic comments, and the concern expressed about them from senior Liberal figures. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Katherine Deves controversy and how it looks to the independents who could be shaping up as kingmakers. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper , Paul Bongiorno. Stay in touch with us ...
Apr 21, 2022•15 min•Ep. 677
The Vote is your essential guide to the 2022 election. We’ll bring you original reporting from around the country, interviews with political candidates and the sharpest analysis from the campaign trail. Building on the reporting of The Saturday Paper and The Monthly , episodes of The Vote will come to you in your regular 7am feed. Hosted by Ruby Jones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 21, 2022•2 min
On the campaign trail, Anthony Albanese struggled to say whether he would change the way people are appointed to the Australian Human Rights Commission. In fact, he didn’t know who the most recently appointed commissioner was. The reason he was being asked about it though, was because the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions recently threatened to downgrade Australia’s Human Rights Commission to a ‘B’ status. Today, The Saturday Paper’s national correspondent Mike Seccombe on th...
Apr 20, 2022•17 min•Ep. 676
Hillsong Church’s growth and success has faltered in recent years. Founded by Brian Houston in New South Wales, the global megachurch has outposts in 30 countries, including the United States. But mounting scandals at home have led Brian Houston to step aside and now, sensational allegations of misconduct in its US operations have been made public. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton, on how the leadership of the megachurch has entered a phase of panic and recriminations....
Apr 19, 2022•15 min•Ep. 675
Two years ago, the High Court made a landmark decision that prevented the deportation of non-citizen Aboriginal Australians. Now, the federal government is seeking to overturn that decision after a man, Shayne Paul Montgomery, used the case to successfully challenge his deportation. Today, lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Kieran Pender, on the case of Shayne Montgomery, and concerns around the potential politicisation of the High Court. Guest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday ...
Apr 18, 2022•16 min•Ep. 674
In 2020 we brought you the story of the last family left on Nauru. Just over a week ago - that family was released. They were among the 26 refugees freed from onshore detention. So, today we’re re-releasing that 2020 episode, featuring journalist Hannah Ryan on the story of Mustafa and Salah. Their story is a reminder of what hundreds of refugees have endured within the Australian detention system. Guest: Journalist, Hannah Ryan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 17, 2022•13 min
Today, we are spotlighting an episode of 7am from the archive: A major study found that the therapeutic use of the illicit drug MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy, could cure people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At the time, an Australian psychologist was finally embarking on Australia’s first ever clinical trial using the drug. James Bradley on the healing power of MDMA - and why Australia has been so slow to explore its possibilities. Guest: Writer for The Monthly , James Br...
Apr 14, 2022•14 min
As Russian forces have withdrawn from around Kyiv, Ukrainians have found shocking scenes of civilians executed and evidence of alleged war crimes. But Russia isn’t leaving these towns to give up on its war in Ukraine. Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman, on the race to gather evidence of war crimes and Vladimir Putin’s new plan to win the war in Ukraine. Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper , Jonathan Pearlman. Background reading: Evidence of atrocities as Russians...
Apr 13, 2022•17 min•Ep. 673
In the final days of a Government, before an election is called, last-minute appointments are often made. Last week, the Morrison government made 19 of those, to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Half of the people appointed have ties to the Liberal Party or to conservative politics. Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the case of one young man, who never got his chance at redress. Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick...
Apr 12, 2022•17 min•Ep. 672
With an election called, Labor leader Anthony Albanese has six weeks to convince Australia he would make a better prime minister than Scott Morrison. The challenge is to avoid the mistakes of the last Labor election campaign, but as a small target, can he still be inspiring enough to win over voters – and secure a majority? Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper and biographer of Anthony Albanese, Karen Middleton, on his rebrand and what it tells us about Labor’s strategy. G...
Apr 11, 2022•20 min•Ep. 671
After years in public life, Scott Morrison can still seem hollow and one-dimensional. According to his biographer, this is deliberate. But with the election now running, Morrison faces one of the strange truisms of politics: that what helped him win last time could be what costs him victory this time. Sean Kelly, author of The Game: A portrait of Scott Morrison , on what we know about the prime minister and what that tells us about the kind of campaign he will run. Guest: Author of The Game Sean...
Apr 10, 2022•20 min•Ep. 670
With the countdown to the federal election on, both sides of politics are attempting to shore up internal support and reassure voters. Labor is still firmly ahead in the polls, but the race is getting tighter, at least according to newspoll. In an unprecedented development, however, members of the Liberal Party have begun turning on Scott Morrison. Today columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the fight ahead. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper , Paul Bongiorno. Stay in touch wit...
Apr 07, 2022•12 min•Ep. 669
From The Monthly and LiSTNR comes The Politics Podcast , a new daily podcast that cuts through the noise and delivers you the in-depth analysis of the moments that defined the day in politics. Hosted by Rachel Withers from The Monthly , The Politics Podcast drops at 5.30pm each weekday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 07, 2022•44 sec
Across the country, COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. Yesterday, NSW recorded more than 24,000 new cases and in Victoria there were more than 12,000. While deaths and hospitalisations have not hit the highs of January, over 2,500 Australians are in hospital and the figure has been rising. So, what’s driving the spread of COVID-19 right now? Today, Professor Raina MacIntyre, a member of the World Health Organization’s advisory group, on what we’re misunderstanding about the current wave of ...
Apr 06, 2022•16 min•Ep. 668
Fifteen years after winning the safe seat of Cook, the true story of Scott Morrison’s ugly preselection fight can now be revealed. For the first time, statutory declarations show how Morrison allegedly used race and religion to undermine a rival. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton, who broke the story, on what really happened and what it tells us about Scott Morrison as a politician. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middle...
Apr 05, 2022•17 min•Ep. 667
Ann Marie Smith died from staggering neglect in her Adelaide home. Her carer was sentenced for manslaughter, but many in the Disability community believe that the charge should have been murder. Today, Disability activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Georgia Cranko on what happened to Ann Marie Smith, and what the case tells us about how society treats Disabled people. Guest: Disability activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Georgia Cranko. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
Apr 04, 2022•20 min•Ep. 666
More than in any other election, next month’s poll will feature a defining number of independent candidates. They represent a new, well-organised reaction against the major parties. For the Liberals, they also represent a threat that may one day see the party split. Today, contributor to The Monthly Margaret Simons on the independents who could go on to hold the balance of power. Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Margaret Simons. Background reading: Independents and the balance of power in The M...
Apr 03, 2022•15 min•Ep. 665
Australia's pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions relies in part on the success of the federal government’s carbon market. But explosive claims from a former head of the government’s integrity body show almost all the money spent on emissions reduction has gone to projects that did not contribute to reductions. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the man blowing the whistle on the Morrison government’s sham carbon projects. Guest: National correspondent fo...
Mar 31, 2022•14 min•Ep. 664
One of the ways survivors of child sexual abuse or violent crime can seek redress is through compensation. But, at that point, some discover that the perpetrators have hidden their assets - in their superannuation funds, where it can’t be reached. It’s a common enough problem that four years ago, the government promised to fix it. So far, however, it has failed to act on that promise. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Bri Lee on the loophole being exploited, and why the government has fai...
Mar 30, 2022•15 min•Ep. 663
Last night, Josh Frydenberg delivered his last budget before the Morrison government goes to the polls. It was a pitch to voters worried about the cost of living, with new payments and bold claims about an economic turnaround. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what the government is promising and what it tells us about an election that could be called in the next few days. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Mar 29, 2022•14 min•Ep. 662
As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, it’s clear that a swift and easy victory for Russia was never a possibility. Russian forces are now fighting Ukraine on three fronts, but have failed to capture any major cities, with battles stalled as Ukrainians resist. So did Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimate Ukraine’s strength? And if so, what is he likely to do next? Today, historian and contributor to The Saturday Paper Mark Edele on how the war in Ukraine will end. Guest: Histori...
Mar 28, 2022•16 min•Ep. 661
Last year, the federal court found the environment minister has a duty of care to young Australians when making decisions regarding climate change. This month, that decision was overturned. But for the teenagers involved in the case, it is not the end. Today, Anjali Sharma on her fight for action on climate change. Guest: Climate Activist, Anjali Sharma. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 27, 2022•14 min•Ep. 660
The death of Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has ignited claims of bullying within the party. Meanwhile, heavy losses for the Liberals in the South Australian election could have dire implications for Scott Morrison. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the unseen forces driving both stories. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 24, 2022•15 min•Ep. 659
A few weeks ago, Energy Minister Angus Taylor made changes to the Australian carbon market that crashed the value of government-issued carbon credits. The changes made it cheaper for big companies to pollute. They also cost the government as much as $3.5 billion. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why Taylor did it and what it means. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See omnystudio...
Mar 23, 2022•15 min•Ep. 658
As further details emerge about the federal response to the flood crisis in Northern NSW, it has become clear that the government did not send troops when it could have. Since then, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has gone silent on a recovery package already finalised by the NSW state government. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on Morrison’s blame shifting and the consequent fallout. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton. Stay in touch with us on Twitter ...
Mar 22, 2022•14 min•Ep. 657
