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One of the federal government’s most controversial decisions during the coronavirus pandemic has been allowing workers to access their superannuation accounts. The policy risks dramatically increasing Australia’s generational wealth gap, as young workers drain their retirement savings. Today, Mike Seccombe on how the government is reshaping the fundamental purpose of superannuation.    Guest: Nati...

Ten days ago, Melbourne entered the strictest shutdown the country has seen so far, and one of the harshest lockdowns currently taking place in the world. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the extraordinary powers a state of disaster bestows on the government, and how we got here.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: What led t...

Two Australians have launched court cases in an attempt to radically overhaul the way our government and big corporations are responding to climate change. Today, lawyer Kieran Pender on the story of climate litigation in Australia and what’s at stake.   Guest: Lawyer and writer for The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender. Background reading: Suing for climate change in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/p...

As calls for police reform and prison abolition grow across the world, a new campaign in Australia led by formerly incarcerated women is seeking to combat the stigma of criminalisation. Today, Tabitha Lean, one of the organisers of that campaign, on life after prison.    Guest: Tabitha Lean, a formerly incarcerated Gunditjmara woman. Background reading: Speaking out for criminalised women in The S...

Recent Emmy nominee Sarah Snook and the guy from the 7-Eleven ads, Dave Lawson, solve The Saturday Paper’s quiz. What’s the best use for a Logie? What’s your middle name? And if you just repeat the question back to the quizmaster, will they answer it for you? Guests: Emmy nominee Sarah Snook and actor Dave Lawson In the paper: The Quiz See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See...

While most of the attention has been focused on Victoria’s handling of the latest coronavirus outbreak, behind the scenes the federal government has been sending mixed-messages on economic policy and state border closures. Today, Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison is accurately reading the mood of the electorate during this phase of the crisis.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul...

There are new signs that Covid-19 can cause a range of serious, long-term health problems. Today, we look at the evidence that the virus can cause neurological damage, and the scientific race to understand how it operates.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton. Background reading: Lost function: Long-term consequences of surviving coronavirus in The Saturday Paper See acast.c...

As the Treasurer Josh Frydenburg praises Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan’s economic policies, a controversial recovery plan is gaining traction. In today’s episode, Mike Seccombe discusses the Treasurer’s economic inspirations, and whether Australia can spend its way out of the crisis.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Could Frydenberg ea...

Aged care has been one of the hardest hit sectors during this phase of the Covid pandemic, with residents and their carers making up a large proportion of those catching the virus. The sector is also being examined by a Royal Commission, following widespread allegations of mismanagement and poor care. Today, Rick Morton on the crisis in our aged care facilities, and why we should have seen it comi...

Scott Morrison’s Prime Ministership has been dominated by a series of rolling crises, but what can we learn about the ideology that drives him from the way he’s governing at this moment? Today, Richard Cooke on how Scott Morrison is using the pandemic to fulfil his political objectives.   Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Cooke. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See om...

Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney from Get Krack!n solve The Saturday Paper’s quiz. Who would invite Hitler to open the Olympics? Does the existence of a Henry VIII suggest a Henry VII? What do you learn at private school? In the paper: ABC TV’s ‘Get Krack!n’ in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout the Covid pandemic traditional political hostilities have been dialled back, with governments of all political persuasions trying to project a sense of national unity. But this week that unity started to fray. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the growing political stoush over the crisis in Victoria’s aged care system.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privac...

With two-thirds of volunteers staying at home due to Covid and donations drying up, there are serious concerns about the viability of Australia’s charity sector. Experts are worried about the impact the funding drought will have on the provision of key services. Today, Mike Seccombe on the challenges charities are facing, and what we might lose if they collapse.   Guest: National correspondent for...

On Monday the Prime Minister announced a revamp of the National Covid Coordination Commission, the body he tasked with leading Australia’s pandemic recovery. But what do we really know about Neville Power, the man in charge of the Commission? Today, Margaret Simons on Power’s background, and what the Commission is actually doing. Guest: Business writer for The Saturday Paper Margaret Simons. Backg...

Penny Wong warns that coronavirus could unravel the rules-based system on which the modern world is founded. The shadow foreign minister says we must guard against trends towards nationalism and xenophobia – and prepare for the next pandemic, which is climate change.   Guest: Shadow foreign minister Penny Wong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener...

As face masks become compulsory, doctors and public health officials are working to find consensus on their efficacy. But in the rush to contain coronavirus, there is no time to wait for perfect science.   Guest: Health journalist Amy Coopes. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

As the government reveals the extent of the budget deficit, Scott Morrison has become increasingly short in answering questions. He no longer meets with his virtual party room, and some MPs say he doesn’t like being asked to explain what’s happening.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy fo...

The decision to pull subsidies from childcare has caused alarm in the sector - especially because it is the first place the government cut support. Now questions are being asked about the men-only committee that made the decision.   Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Gina Rushton. Background reading: Childcare centres at financial risk in The Saturday Pape r The Saturday Paper The Monthly For mo...

After a 10-year legal battle, the “palace letters” were finally released last week. In full, they show how Gough Whitlam’s relationship with the governor-general broke down - and how involved the Queen was through this collapse.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au See acast.com/privacy for p...

In the middle of last month, Australia had its last chance to contain the coronavirus pandemic. One strain of the virus was all but defeated in the community. But then a second strain broke out.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/...

As climate models predict even worse outcomes for the planet, some scientists believe the way to change what is happening is for people to “feel” the emotion of it. There is still time to halt the crisis, but we are at a fork in the road.   Guest: Climate scientist and writer Joëlle Gergis. Background reading Witnessing the unthinkable in The Monthly The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more informa...

As the pandemic worsens in Victoria, Scott Morrison has been careful to distance himself from bad news. He chooses when to be the face of the response, and when to leave it to the state premiers.   Guest: Contributing editor (politics) for The Monthly Paddy Manning. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au . See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omn...

Daniel van Roo spent 18 months trying to convince his doctors he was sick. They continued to test only for STIs - he says because he was gay. By the time he was diagnosed with cancer, it was terminal.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusive: Doctors ignore terminal cancer in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on...

With Victoria one week into its second shutdown, and NSW on high alert, there are new fears about what a second wave could mean for Australia’s coronavirus recovery. Already, the federal government is sounding dire warnings.    Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: The impact of Victoria’s second shutdown in The Saturday Paper The Saturday...

The sentencing of Ramzi Aouad to life without parole came at a tense moment in racialised policing. There are now people asking if the evidence was fair – and if the politics around “Middle Eastern crime” played a part. This is part two of a two-part episode. Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Mahmood Fazal. Background reading: The man inside and the inside man in The Monthly The Saturday Paper The...