We’ve all heard of sniffer dogs, but what about sniffer rats? Did you know there’s a program that is training and using the critters to hunt down materials being used in the illegal wildlife trade in Africa? In this episode of The Briefing Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Kate Webb, who helped launch the project, to learn more about this amazing initiative and plans for the future of detection rats. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTub...
Nov 13, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 517
Headlines: Decision on Trump’s hush money case delayed again, Anglican church’s global leader resigns over child sexual abuse scandal, Parents and principals urged to help with social media ban, and CHOICE names the worst Australian products and services of the year. Deep Dive: As delegates from more than 200 countries meet to negotiate the future of global climate action this week at COP29, US president-elect and climate change denier Donald Trump is casting a long shadow. The world’s scientist...
Nov 12, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 516
New statistics out from Lifeline this week have revealed a surge in contacts made to the crisis line in 2024. More than 110 thousand calls for help have been made to the helpline since January with money worries dominating conversations, with October 7th was the busiest day of the year. We’re told all the time to reach out to Lifeline if we need help, but what is it actually like to call a mental health crisis line? What do you talk about? What sort of help can they offer? And will it actually m...
Nov 12, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 515
Headlines: Labor admits there’s more work to do on cost of living, Trump makes more appointments, three in five Aussie renters never expect to own a home, police escort for Adelaide elephant and your thoughts on free uni and 4B! Deep Dive: Is your boss spying on you right now? Last month, Woolworths was under fire for its practice of intensely monitoring the productivity of some of its workers, reportedly using technology and algorithms to assess their minute-by-minute productivity. We’ve heard ...
Nov 11, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 514
In the days since Donald Trump won the US election, you might’ve seen the term ‘4B’ gaining traction on social media. Born in South Korea, 4B is a feminist movement in response to strictly held gender roles in the country that sees women swearing off men altogether. With this new political reality, will 4B find its way into Western society? And what would that actually look like? Earlier this year The Briefing spoke with Su-Kyoung Hwang, a Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of S...
Nov 11, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 513
Headlines: Trump sweeps all battleground states, EV sales drop across Australia and a massive weekend in Aussie sport. Deep Dive: Student debt reforms are leading the Albanese government's 2025 election promises. The key changes would reduce existing student debt by 20% and raise the income threshold for repayments. However, some say these measures don't go far enough, with calls for free higher education back in the spotlight. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou digs into these propos...
Nov 10, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 512
Mel Buttle is one of Australia’s favourite comedians and self-declared number one fan of the Matildas. You might recognise her as the creator behind Australia's favourite online mum character 'Lyn' or from the latest season of Taskmaster. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Mel opens up about her struggles with severe bullying, ongoing homophobia, and feeling rejected by her wife’s family at what should be a time of blissful newlywed joy. Mel is currently touring her hit comedy show Not Here t...
Nov 08, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 511
Most Australians agree that consent is key to healthy sexual experiences. But what does consent mean? What does it look like in action? Before we can talk to our kids about consent, we need to talk to each other. In this special series, made in partnership with the Australian federal government as part of its Consent Can’t Wait campaign, The Briefing invites iconic Australians to unpack how they feel about consent, what their understanding of it is, how they're having conversations about it with...
Nov 08, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 510
Bonnie Blue has been making nation headlines around her plan to invite quote un quote “barley legal” young men attending schoolies on the gold coast to have sex and film it for content on her wildly popular only fans account Harrison James is one of many who thinks Bonnie’s actions are exploitative. He’s a survivor of sexual violence and now works as an activist speaking to consent, sexual violence and the safety of children and young people. On this episode of the Briefing Helen Smith is joined...
Nov 07, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 509
Headlines: Joe Biden’s first address since Trump win, Optus fined $12 million for outage, National Cabinet meeting today to consider social media ban and Australia’s biggest frog count gets underway! Deep dive: Bonnie Blue is a 25-year-old Only Fans creator inviting “barely legal” young men attending schoolies on the Gold Coast to have sex and film it for content, sparking a serious and complex debate about consent. Bonnie stresses that those involved must be over 18, have an ID with them, sign ...
Nov 07, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 508
What does Donald Trump returning to the White House mean for Australia? One man with a deep insight into this question is former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who Trump in during his first term. Speaking with the Briefing’s Bension Siebert, Turnbull gives his advice on how current PM Anthony Albanese should deal with him, reveals what Trump is like behind closed doors, and explains what Trump 2.0 means for Australia’s next election, our economy and the world. Follow The Briefing: T...
Nov 07, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 507
Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States. While it will take days to finalise the vote count, the Republican nominee currently holds 292 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 224. He is also on track to win the national popular vote. It's being lauded by key Republicans as "the greatest political comeback in the history of America." But how will another Trump presidency impact global conflicts, immigration, women's rights and conversations around climate change? In this special episod...
Nov 06, 2024•15 min•Season 5Ep. 506
The results have been streaming in as voters deliver their verdict on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as they battle to become the next president of the United States. Trump and Harris have been doing everything possible up until the final moments urging people to get out and vote. Meanwhile, there have been bomb threats in the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona, and fake FBI accounts online have been calling the integrity of the vote into question, and been wild weather in va...
Nov 06, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 505
Headlines: Voting is underway in the US election, WA Premier fails to disclose Qantas Chairman’s Lounge membership, Prince William and Robert Irwin team up for the environment and 87% of Briefers said they weren’t participating in Melbourne Cup day. Deep Dive: Politicians and their free memberships to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge have been in the news all this week. But what actually goes on inside these luxurious spaces, and where is the line between reasonable luxuries for high-level politicia...
Nov 05, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 504
The US election might look batshit crazy from afar – but what does it feel like if you’re witnessing the madness unfold live on the ground? On this episode of the Briefing, we take you away from the polls, campaigns and the candidates, and into the homes of three different Australians living in US battleground states right now. Each of their lives will be directly affected by the outcome. As millions cast their ballots across the US to choose the next President of the United States tomorrow, wha...
Nov 05, 2024•15 min•Season 5Ep. 503
Headlines: Kamala Harris promises to end the war in Gaza, Independent MPs hand back their Qantas memberships, Australia's first commercial rocket to launch into space and tributes flow for Quincy Jones. Deep Dive: Should we still be racing horses? As the warmer spring weather rolls in, it also brings on a major series of events in the country’s sporting calendar – the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, and most notably, the Melbourne Cup. While horse racing is a year-wide event, the Melbourne Cup...
Nov 04, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 502
The race for the White House is almost over - but how does it all work again? This week, millions of Americans will cast their vote in the country’s election. The result will be historical and is likely to shape democracy for the US and the world. Before the counting begins, The Briefing brings you the first part of this week’s special US election coverage. Today, Chris Spyrou is joined by Matt Bevan, host of ABC's If You’re Listening, to explain everything you need to know about the Electoral C...
Nov 04, 2024•17 min•Season 5Ep. 501
Headlines: Kamala Harris’ SNL appearance may have violated TV political rules, Anthony Albanese’s promise to young voters and Sydney hosts the world premiere of Wicked. Deep Dive: A network of volunteer doctors in Australia are stepping up to provide free medical care for Palestinians who have fled Gaza. From performing surgeries on patients with amputated limbs to treating chronic illness, they are stepping in where the government has fallen short, in part due to visas provided for those fleein...
Nov 03, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 500
Craig Foster is a massive overachiever. He was Australia’s 40th Socceroos captain, he’s been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and is a fierce human rights advocate. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Craig reveals why he declined an invitation to meet the King, what his nightmare blunt rotation is and how he chooses what human rights causes to champion. Weekend List TO LISTEN: Coldplay We Pray TO WATCH: The Office Australia on Amazon Prime TO TRY: Vaseline eye mask DON’T WATCH: Lo...
Nov 01, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 499
Most Australians agree that consent is key to healthy sexual experiences. But what does consent mean? What does it look like in action? Before we can talk to our kids about consent, we need to talk to each other. In this special series, made in partnership with the Australian federal government as part of its Consent Can’t Wait campaign, The Briefing invites iconic Australians to unpack how they feel about consent, what their understanding of it is, how they're having conversations about it with...
Nov 01, 2024•17 min•Season 5Ep. 498
Headlines: Over 1000 large companies didn’t pay tax in Australia last year, 60 million Americans have already voted, and Russia has fined Google more money than there is in the entire world. Deep Dive: Is it possible that there’s a serial killer wreaking havoc along the NSW coast? That’s the question that’s been raised by Jeremy Buckingham, Legalise Cannabis Party MP and member of NSW legislative council. In an impassioned address to parliament, the MP made the case for the state to take a serio...
Oct 31, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 497
Do you know what to do if a snake bites you? Snake season is upon us, and Australia is living up to its international reputation for alarming wildlife in unexpected places. An unusually high number of snakes are being spotted in suburban homes in Australia right now – so if you come into contact with one over the coming months, what should you do? And if you’re bitten, what’s the steps you need to take to ensure your survival? On this episode of the Briefing Bension Siebert speaks to snake handl...
Oct 31, 2024•13 min•Season 5Ep. 496
Headlines: Anthony Albanese says he never called Alan Joyce for flight upgrades, UN Security Council warns Israel against banning UNRWA, and Harris and Biden walk back ‘garbage’ comments. Deep Dive: Are Australia’s mortgage wars back? After a period of corporate coordination, banks have started making moves and competing hard for your money – happy news for mortgage holders, and people hoping to enter the property market alike. But will things get better, or is this just a temporary reprieve? An...
Oct 30, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 495
A long-awaited and lengthy report by an inquiry looking into Australia’s COVID response was handed down yesterday. It found that while state and federal governments nailed the early response to the threat of the virus, tough restrictions, poor communication and a lack of consideration of our human rights eroded public confidence and trust. On today’s episode of The Briefing, we’re digging deeper into how Aussies feel now about politicians and the government, and whether it puts us in danger shou...
Oct 30, 2024•11 min•Season 5Ep. 494
Headlines: Key takeaways from Australia’s first COVID response inquiry, 90% of federal pollies are members of Qantas’ Chairman’s Lounge and 50 Cent knocked back $3 million USD to perform at Trump's New York rally. Deep Dive: Would you take MDMA to help your mental health? In this two-part special, The Briefing is taking an exclusive step into one of the only clinics in Australia offering MDMA-assisted therapy to help treat those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - with some asto...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 493
Youth crime has been in the spotlight nationally in recent years, with stories of teenage offenders dominating mainstream news bulletins. It’s sparked a groundswell of support for political parties that are promising to be tough on the issue, and it’s worked, with the Liberals having decisive wins in the Northern Territory and Queensland in recent weeks. With promises of locking up kids at younger ages, enforcing adult time for adult crimes and even looking at periods of solitary confinement for...
Oct 29, 2024•11 min•Season 5Ep. 492
Headlines: The fallout from Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, calls grow for Senate inquiry into Albanese-Joyce relationship, NATO confirms North Korean troops deployed in Russia and a new survey reveals the sexual diversity of Aussie students. Deep Dive: Today, The Briefing is doing MDMA. In this two-part special, we take an exclusive step into one of the only clinics in Australia offering MDMA-assisted therapy to help treat those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - w...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 491
Moving mountains isn’t meant to be an easy feat. But did you know that mountains can, and are currently, getting taller? It's true – and researchers have found Mount Everest is one mountain which makes that list. The mountain has risen an extra 15 to 50 meters over the last 89,000 years. This works out to be around 2 millimeters per year – which might not sound like much. But what impact could this have on its surroundings over the years? And how does it happen? Mark Quigley is an Associate Prof...
Oct 28, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 490
Headlines: David Crisafulli claims victory for LNP in Queensland, Anthony Albanese defends Qantas upgrades, US politics wrap and American Airlines are trialling new tech to bust line cutters at airport gates. Deep Dive: Since Israel’s assault on Lebanon has escalated, schoolteacher Nahed Mawassi and her daughter Zainab have been anxiously clinging to hope for their family’s safety, while enduring anguish from afar in Australia. Then came the unthinkable news via WhatsApp. Without any warning, th...
Oct 27, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 489
Lucy Jackson and Nikki Westcott first meet as grid girls and connected immediately, but little did they know their friendship would turn into one of the most popular podcasts in Australia. The duo is behind the podcast Happy Hour , where they chat about everything from relationships, to sex, running a fashion brand and being a woman in your 30s. Lucy and Nikki have described their friendship together as like a marriage and when they started their fashion label Jagger & Stone back in 2018, th...
Oct 25, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 488
