As the death toll in Gaza pushes past 10,000 this week, what will it take to end the conflict? Western powers have been advocating for a two-state solution; Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the Palestinian people. In this episode of The Briefing, Tom Tilley is joined by Bob Bowker, a former Australian diplomat who was stationed in the Middle East for four decades, to break down what he thinks of a two-state solution, and how he thinks the war will play out. Bob Bowker's book: Tomor...
Nov 07, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 321
The Reserve Bank has today once again lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points, up to 4.35%. It’s the 13th rate rise since last year, with many Australian homeowners struggling more than ever to afford their growing mortgage. Despite this, house prices are soaring to record levels across the country. Today in this extra episode of The Briefing, we speak with two young Australians - one who is buying a home amidst the cost-of-living crisis, and one who has recently made the decision to sell. What ...
Nov 07, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 320
AI today is often about faking human intelligence, but this fakery isn’t a modern phenomenon. It can be traced back to the very beginning of the field. It is one of AI’s original sins! Professor Toby Walsh joins Tom Tilley to explain the fundamentals at the heart of AI, drawing back the curtain to reveal the reality behind all this artificiality in his new book. Headlines: China’s President Xi Jinping meets with Anthony Albanese Police search for two people after a horrific crash in Sydney Five ...
Nov 06, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 319
The Melbourne Cup has long been known as the race that stops the nation. But over the years, crowd numbers at the iconic event have been declining as support for phasing out horse racing grows. Today on this extra episode of The Briefing, we look at the history of the cup and ask whether the Melbourne Cup does have a future on Australia’s sporting calendar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 06, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 318
We live on the driest inhabited continent on earth, so it’s no surprise water security is listed as one of the biggest challenges we’ll face in the next few decades. Cheap drinking water is a key factor in this conversation - but do we have the stomach for what achieving that will require? Katrina Blowers is joined by water policy expert Will Fargher to discuss the stigma of recycled water. Headlines: Five dead after car ploughs into Daylesford beer garden Polling shows slide of support for Alba...
Nov 05, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 317
Rarriwuy Hick is one of Australia’s leading young actors, she can speak seven languages and she’s part of the Home and Away family Rarriwuy is back with an exciting new project Erotic Stories on SBS in a role like she’s never played before In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Rarriwuy explains the significance of the role and reveals something she hasn’t even told her parents Weekend list Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Blackest Black Bite-sized Banana Pancakes The Shape of Dust: A...
Nov 03, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 316
Over the last few years there has been an explosion in the number of e-bikes and e-scooters across the country. But amidst a chain of recent fires linked to malfunctioning lithium batteries, what are the risks? And do we need restrictions on the sale of e-bike or e-scooter batteries until we know more about them? On today’s extra episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Professor Matthew Burke from the Cities Research Institute at Griffith University to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
Nov 03, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 315
The brutal murder of Lilie James at a Sydney high school shocked the country when it made headlines last month - but her killing was just one case among seven women who suffered violent deaths in October. In this episode of The Briefing, Tom Tilley speaks with the Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher about what the government believes should be done to stop it. 1800RESPECT Lifeline 13 11 14 Headlines: Woman charged with murder over mushroom deaths Australia’s most wanted in Turkish police custody ...
Nov 02, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 314
It once dominated headlines, but almost two years on, media coverage of the war in Ukraine has significantly dropped off. And despite a waning interest in the Western world, the war continues - so what’s the latest? On today’s extra episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by foreign affairs expert Dr Keith Suter to find out the latest on the war in Ukraine. Is there an end in sight? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 02, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 313
More than 200 people were taken hostage by Hamas militants when the group staged a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th. Those taken hostage included Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as foreigners caught in the attack. Five of those being held captive have been freed since the attack, following calls from Israel, human rights groups and the United Nations for their immediate release. But who is managing the complex negotiations surrounding the further release of hostages, and how will...
Nov 01, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 312
A shortage of opportunity and an excess of crime - artists ONEFOUR have risen from troubled beginnings to become Australia’s first drill rap stars, winning international success and recognition for their distinctive music. This is not, however, a simple rags-to-riches story. A new documentary ONEFOUR: Against All Odds follows the group as they try to capitalise on the viral success of their music, despite losing members to jail time and aggressive opposition from the police. In this extra episod...
Nov 01, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 311
Researchers have discovered a link between the advent of social media platforms and spikes in eating disorders. Over the last 20 years, people being hospitalised for eating disorders have jumped 400% with the biggest spike following the rise of TikTok. In this episode of The Briefing, Dr Veya Seekis from Griffith University breaks down the numbers with Katrina Blowers. Headlines: Israel takes responsibility for refugee blast The US to regulate artificial intelligence Justice for New Zealand Whak...
Oct 31, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 310
Victoria has become the first Australian jurisdiction to announce compensation for mothers impacted by the country's brutal historical forced adoption policies. Under the $138 million scheme, mothers affected by historical forced adoption practices before 1990 can apply for $30,000 in financial compensation, alongside counselling, psychological support and individual apologies. But what does the announcement mean for mothers impacted by the practices across the rest of the country? In this extra...
Oct 31, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 309
There’s now a morning after pill for men who have sex with men. Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, known as "doxy- PEP" can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex and is effective at preventing syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Around 40 of Australia’s leading sexual health physicians have now agreed that doxy-PEP, should be considered for the prevention of some STIs among men who sleep with men. In this episode of The Briefing we speak with one of them - sexual health specialist at...
Oct 30, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 308
As sitcom show Friends goes from strength to strength finding new audiences 20 years after winding up, one of its brightest stars Matthew Perry has died aged 54. Himself saying no one would be surprised if he died early, he battled a lifetime of addictions to both drugs and alcohol. In this extra episode of the Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Katrina Blowers to discuss Perry’s career, his ups and downs, and what is legacy will be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 30, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 307
An extreme movement of Australians who reject the authority of our government and believe they’re exempt from laws, taxes and the values of mainstream society has snowballed over the past five years. Known as “sovereign citizens”, they’re most visible at anti-government protests and came under the glare of national spotlight during the COVID pandemic. While some sympathise with the notion the government has over-reached into our lives and personal freedoms, sovereign citizen ideology is built on...
Oct 29, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 306
You've probably come across ASMR content in your TikTok feed recently - content in which you can hear in highly detailed sound of other people eating, brushing their hair or whispering a bedtime story. Earlier this week The Briefing brought you an episode about ASMR and the science behind it - but what is it actually like being someone who creates this content, an 'ASMRtist'? In this bonus episode of The Briefing, you'll hear the full interview between LiSTNR journalist and ASMR Creator Jade Sca...
Oct 28, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 305
Trent Dalton is one of Australia’s best known and loved modern authors. Unsure if it would sell, Trent went from book club to book club speaking about his semi-auto-biographical novel, Boy Swallows Universe. Now a national and international bestseller and Netflix series on the way, Trent is out with a new novel Lola in the Mirror. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Trent breaks down his character writing process and explains why he still reads the critics words. Weekend list One Four: against all o...
Oct 27, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 304
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a social media phenomenon. From videos of people tapping on objects, to whispering bedtime stories, or even eating within millimetres of a microphone, many posts have hundreds of thousands of views. But is it just a TikTok trend, or can it actually help people relax? Many describe ASMR as giving them a warm, tingly feeling when watching or listening to certain 'triggers'. While not everybody experiences these reactions, many who do claim it helps th...
Oct 27, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 303
Melbourne Fashion Week is coming to close, after a week marked with controversy following a dozen Black Australian models boycotting the event to highlight the fashion industry’s mistreatment of people of colour. Making headlines across the country and overseas, the public boycott sparked further action across the week, with additional models choosing to snub the event. In a statement to the Briefing, a MFW spokesperson said organisers "acknowledged and fully support" the concerns expressed by B...
Oct 26, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 302
In Australia men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, a statistic that has lead to countless mental health campaigns aimed at blokes across the country - but how much of an impact do they have on that statistic? In a survey of almost 1,300 Aussie men, the Sax Institute’s Public Health Research and Practice journal found most rank their mental health as their number one preventative health concern, particularly those aged 18-35. As we head into Men’s Health Awareness Month, t...
Oct 26, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 301
Cryptocurrencies are set to be be regulated – with the government announcing plans to bring crypto exchanges under the control of the financial regulator ASIC. Exchanges holding more the $5m worth of assets will soon have to apply for a licence from ASIC. Tom Tilley is joined by Stephen Jones the Minister for Financial Services who’s leading the charge. Headlines: Australia and the US deepen ties Inflation numbers rise 1.2% Matildas to begin their Olympics campaign Follow The Briefing: Instagram...
Oct 25, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 300
Have we seen the end of an era of large-scale festivals in Australia? For a long time music festivals have been a key part of an Australian summer - but following the Covid pandemic they are facing a range of challenges, including increasing costs and changes in ticket purchasing behaviour due to the cost of living and weather events. In this extra episode of The Briefing, Dark Mofo’s new Artistic Director Chris Twite takes us through the reasons for postponing next year’s event, and Managing Di...
Oct 25, 2023•11 min•Season 4Ep. 299
On Sunday Indigenous leaders sent an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after a week of silence was observed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples following the defeat of the Voice referendum. Thomas Mayo is one of the indigenous leaders who helped write the public letter and was a key campaigner for the Yes camp. Thomas joins Tom Tilley to breakdown the letter. Headlines: Released Israeli hostage speaks about ordeal Second bushfire death as fires continue to burn on the E...
Oct 24, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 298
Britney Spears has been in the headlines since she was 16; from global pop princess, to very public breakdown, to a battle in court to free her from a conservatorship she says she never needed or wanted. Tomorrow her tell-all memoir The Woman in Me will hit bookshops across the world, promising to reveal her journey in her own words for the very first time. So, what have we learnt already from leaks of the book? And what impacts will it have on pop culture and our understanding of the world of f...
Oct 24, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 297
With the recent escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict, both sides of the war have been calling out the other for enacting war crimes. In this episode of The Briefing we look at what both sides allege, what a war crime is and how international law gets enforced with Professor Ben Saul from the University of Sydney. Headlines: Microsoft to invest $5 billion in Australia Israel has escalated their aerial bombardment of Gaza Britney Spears is about to release a memoir Follow The Briefing: Instagra...
Oct 23, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 296
Every day those who represent some of the country’s largest organisations meet with our politicians and public servants to try and influence government decisions. Lobbyists represent a range of interests - from mining to environmental causes, and everything in between - and while it’s completely legal, nearly 40% of federally registered lobbyists are actually former government representatives. Today in this extra episode of The Briefing, you’ll find out how lobbying works and why you should care...
Oct 23, 2023•9 min•Season 4Ep. 295
NSW Police are trialling technology allowing them to remotely access Triple Zero callers' phones so they can see what’s happening on the ground in an emergency. The GoodSAM app enables police dispatchers to turn on a caller’s camera and start livestreaming video, as well as pinpointing their location, direction of travel and speed. Privacy experts have said while the app looks to be an effective tool, there are significant concerns about transparency, accountability and openness, and the lack of...
Oct 22, 2023•14 min•Season 4Ep. 294
Monique Conti has taken the sporting world by storm playing for both Richmond in AFLW and the Melbourne Boomers in basketball. But this is something she had to fight for. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Monique explains how the Matilda’s have helped put the spotlight on women’s sport and what’s next for her AFLW career. AFLW 2023 season tickets here Weekend List I'm Glad My Mom Died BY Jennette McCurdy Audio book on Spotify Helen’s Summer skincare: MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen...
Oct 20, 2023•24 min•Season 4Ep. 293
The Sydney Opera House, an iconic building synonymous with Australia, turns 50 today. Iva Davies is the founder and frontman for Icehouse, one of the most significant and successful bands in Australia; he also played in an orchestra at the first performances at the then-new building back in 1973. In this extra episode of The Briefing, we take a look at how the Opera House has shaped our national identity, and take a deep dive on Iva Davies’ relationship with the building, going back 50 years. Se...
Oct 20, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 292
