Hack

One Nation has a new pitch for superannuation: that Aussies should be able to access their super payments to help pay for the mortgage or rent. But what do experts think? And almost two years since the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide produced 122 recommendations, the government has introduced a $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans.  Plus, why has the UN just endorsed...

Some tradies are anticipating a 'blue collar gold rush'. Big infrastructure projects to build data centres and underground tunnels mean that tradies, particularly electricians, are about to be in high demand. But, what if there aren't enough tradies to build everything we need? In this week's deep dive, we hear about the tradie shortage expected over the next few years and whether Australia can ge...

Prisoners would be put to work fixing Victoria's roads if Labor is re-elected. A good idea, or exploitation? And we unpack why young Australians are turning away from ambition and instead embracing 'career minimalism'. Plus, people are speaking less each year according to a new study. Are we losing the art of conversation?  Host Dave Marchese is joined by performer Etcetera Etcetera and podcaster...

Some corners of social media are flooded with viral conspiracy theories and support for a US woman accused of murdering her three children.  With Lindsay Clancy saying postpartum psychosis led to her actions, we unpack why this case has flamed so much hype and such deep public divisions. And we speak with Awer Mabil, the Socceroos star who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and now has a message fo...

Awer Mabil is one of Australia's most recognisable footballers, representing Australia at two World Cups. It's a long way from his childhood in a refugee camp, where he was forced to make footballs out of balloons and plastic bags. Now back in Australia after years living overseas, Awer opens up about his past, what he's looking forward to, and how it feels to live his dreams. In this chat with Da...

Australia needs 72,000 more tradies by 2030 to keep up with demand for data centres, renewables and new homes. But with apprentice dropout rates remaining an issue, how will the tradie shortage be solved?  And Sydney's gangland wars are leaving innocent people dead, after a string of what police believe to be mistaken identities.  Plus, with triple j's One Night Stand just days away we hear from r...

Former gang boss Duane "Keffe D" Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur. And should depictions of strangulation in porn be banned? The government says it's seriously considering the idea, as calls intensify following the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl. Plus, Teach Us Consent has spent all year pushing for the government to 'fix our feeds' to limit young men's e...

As rescuers desperately search for survivors after catastrophic floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border region, we speak to an Australian man working to free hundreds of people trapped in tunnels.  And One Nation has won the Secret Harbour state by-election in WA. What does this say about the party's chance of success in future elections? Plus, should rich collectors be able to keep dinosaur bones? We u...

Does there need to be more transparency around lobbying?  A Four Corners investigation has revealed dozens of former defence officials, including ministers, high-ranking officers and senior staffers, have jumped from government roles into lucrative lobbying firms or the defence sector. So, do we need to see tougher rules around lobbying?  In this week's Deep Dive, we hear from someone who has been...

Meta has agreed to pay $23.6 billion to settle social media addiction lawsuits accusing it of contributing to the youth mental health crisis in America. We hear what keeps you addicted and what might help.  And would you want to live forever? After our interview with Bryan Johnson, the world's most famous 'biohacker', we're unpacking your thoughts on immortality.  Plus, we hear about your unoffici...

More than a thousand people are missing after deadly flash floods on the Tibet-Nepal border.  With dozens of Australians among those unaccounted-for, we bring you the latest on the rescue effort.  Plus, controversial millionaire Bryan Johnson and his Australian partner Kate Tolo are intent on living forever.  They open up about biohacking their bodies, what they think of their critics, and their t...

He's either a freak or a pioneer, depending on who you ask. Millionaire "biohacker" Bryan Johnson — the man who wants to live forever. For years he's been making headlines for swapping blood with his teenage son, tracking his erection data, or more recently claiming to have cloned himself. Now his partner Kate, a 30-year-old Australian has kickstarted her own mission to become "the most measured w...

American country music legend Dolly Parton has died, aged 80. We hear about her unique journey in show business and how she has influenced Australians. Plus, it has been predicted that AI data centres could use almost as much power as all the homes in New South Wales and Victoria by 2036. But could renewables be the answer? And will the states and territories sign up to the government's national p...

There are growing calls for a crackdown on lobbyists after a Four Corners investigation revealed dozens of political staffers have jumped from government jobs into lucrative lobbying firms. So how does lobbying work and what does this all mean for our democracy? Also, Ukraine now has access to new missile technology after the UK's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv to mark 35 years of Uk...

Renters earning an average wage are now spending more than half their income on housing in every capital city, according to a new report. So why is rent still going up while house prices cool, and is anything going to change soon? Also, authorities have confirmed a seal in South Australia has died as a result of the H5 bird flu. Plus, is artificial intelligence a bubble? We speak to the man who co...

Gambling reform has been on the political agenda for years. Now, after days of negotiations, the government has finally pushed the laws through Parliament. But not everyone's celebrating. Gambling harm advocates say the reforms don't go far enough, while the betting industry reckons it should be trusted to manage risk with its own punters. So, will the new laws actually protect people from gamblin...

The AFL has been rocked by scandal this week. Five Sydney Swans players have been banned for breaching club standards on drinking and staying out late. And separately, police are investigating a report of sexual assault. Police have not made any arrests or laid charges.   And, a British collector has stumbled upon the ‘holy grail’ after he noticed a taxidermy 'fox' for sale was the skull of a now-...

The Israel Defense Forces has cleared its personnel of any criminal wrongdoing in the 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, where Australian Zomi Frankcom was killed.  And Brisbane band Bugs is coming to terms with the news that bassist Jordan Brunoli has just months left to live, after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.  They open up about what scares them, how music...

Almost a year since Jordan Brunoli sat down with hack to talk through his stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis, the Bugs bassist returns with an updated prognosis. Jordan was told in June he has just months to live. In this extended chat with Dave, Jordan unpacks what it felt like being handed the bad news and the reality of living life like there's no tomorrow. He's also joined by Bugs band mates...

What happens when the gym becomes a place of worship? We meet the young guys in Melbourne who're coming together to lift weights and pray.  Plus, legislation aimed at stopping gambling harm is set to pass Parliament this week. But is it strong enough? If this episode raised issues for you or anyone you know help is available. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. Listen now: 01:00 -...

Police are continuing to investigate an alleged sexual assault linked to Sydney Swans players. We unpack the club's response and what happens now.  And controversial cuts to the NDIS are set to pass parliament after the government struck a deal with the Coalition.  Plus, we head inside an art gallery that's collecting your deepest, darkest secrets. Why? Listen: 01:16 - Sydney Swans investigation 1...

New South Wales' decision to become the first state to sign up to the federal government's gun buyback scheme, announced after last year's Bondi Beach terror attack, has divided the community. We hear why some groups are relieved, and why some are calling it a "joke". And sexual violence can be a common experience for women on public transport, but experts are worried it is largely going unreporte...

Are men attracted to or intimidated by ambitious women?  Some women feel like they're being penalised when it comes to dating because of their career success, study accomplishments, or property goals. Dee Salmin asked the Hook Up audience and heaps of listeners said they feel like a lot of men are attracted to the idea of ambition, but in reality, are put off by it. So, what’s going on?  In this w...

Anthony Albanese's "joke" about receiving crown melons from Japan's Prime Minister has landed him in hot water. Was it problematic, or overblown?  And, from leading the federal opposition to being "invisible" on a bus tour through the US, we unpack Sussan Ley's post-politics holiday.  Plus, how much housework do you do? Are you ready to elevate your situationship to 'partner' status? The Census ha...

Students around the country have walked out of school and university to protest the rise of One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson.  We hear from the protesters and what Pauline thought about the nationwide events.  Plus, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among young people. One mum opens up about her search for answers after the death of her son. Listen now:  01:56 - Nationwide...