The Briefing

Tuesday Headlines: Consumer watchdog to grill petrol companies over price hikes Australians blaming the federal government for cost of living pain Sydney Swans apologise for removing references to Jewish community in Bondi speech Whistleblowers claim Meta and TikTok push harmful content to remain competitive Melbourne trial of tap and go payments on public transp...

Australia is facing growing concern over its fuel security, with experts warning the country remains dangerously dependent on overseas supplies.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by defence analyst, John Blackburn, who’s been sounding the alarm for more than a decade, warning governments from both sides of politics that Australia’s fuel supply chain leav...

The 98th Academy Awards are underway. Hosted by TV presenter and comedian Conan O’Brien in Hollywood, they honour the best films from 2025.   In this special Oscars coverage from The Briefing team, we unpack the latest from the red carpet, the big winners and how the internet is reacting in real time.  Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @th...

Monday Headlines: Four more Iranian soccer players give up asylum in Australia Gov expects inflation to rise, while facing pressure to send warship to Middle East New leader has little impact on Coalition’s polling Vape catches fire on Virgin Australia flight Queen Mary and King Frederik tour Uluru Further listening from the headlines:  Is it unethical for us to read the lips...

Getting ahead in the workplace is something many Australians aspire to - but for a lot of women, the hurdles can be higher and more complex.   So, what does it really take to succeed at work? How do you ask for a pay rise or a promotion? And why do so many of us still hesitate to put ourselves forward for leadership roles?   In this bonus episode of The Brie...

Matt Okine ’s resume reads like that of a classic overachiever. He’s a comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and radio host, with Logie and ARIA award nominations and a critically acclaimed TV show to his name. But after doing just about everything in Australian media, he’s returning to where it all started - stand-up, for the first time in six years, with his new tour No. 10 Hope S...

After a 17-year legal battle, Australian fashion designer Katie Perry has finally won her David vs Goliath fight with international popstar, Katy Perry.  In this episode, Katie recounts the moment it all began in 2009 -- celebrating the launch of her clothing label before opening a shocking cease-and-desist letter that threatened to shut down her business.   What followed ...

Friday Headlines: Australian officials told to leave Israel and the UAE Australian towns run out of fuel amid Middle East crisis Families of Chinese backpackers killed in Queensland floods to travel to Australia Grace Tame says she has no more speaking engagements, blames ‘smear campaign’  How much Super you need to retire 'comfortably' revealed The Pussycat Dolls are re...

You can gamble on anything. Now you can even bet on the war in the Middle East. Concern is growing over a dangerous new form of prediction markets, where users are anonymous, and crypto is the only currency. There are even claims of insider trading, where players make billions betting on military strikes and a country's next move in a major war...  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Be...

Thursday Headlines: Iran accuses Australia of hypocrisy and kidnapping footballers Ships targeted in the Strait of Hormuz  Protestors arrested for using banned pro-Palestinian phrase Calls for NAPLAN test to be scrapped after test outage Aussie city crowned the best in the world Further listening from the headlines:  THE BEEFING: Sydney vs Melbourne Deep Dive: Israel...

The Nationals have been rocked by a shock leadership shake-up after the sudden resignation of David Littleproud, just weeks after he survived a leadership spill. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by The West Australian Canberra bureau chief, Katina Curtis. They discuss why Littleproud really stepped down, the role of the surging support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nati...

Wednesday Headlines:  Iranian women footballers defected to Australia last night US warn today will be the most intense so far in Iran Nationals to choose new leader after Littleproud’s shock resignation Lululemon cops $700k + fine for spam emails Australia’s favourite toilet paper revealed Deep Dive: Digital price tags that can change instantly,...

We’re often told to seek help if we’re struggling with trauma. But what happens when the therapy that helps you heal could also impact your chance at justice? EMDR is widely recognised as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD, but one Australian woman says undergoing the therapy later became a factor in prosecutors deciding not to proceed with her case alleging sexual abuse as an...

Tuesday Headlines: Donald Trump and Albanese speak about Iranian footballers Alleged Bondi terrorist seeks suppression order Nationals float tripling paid parental leave and lowering HECS debts for women Union calls on Labor to legislate four-day work weeks Anger at plan to charge visitors an entry fee to the Twelve Apostles Deep DIve: Fuel prices are already rising and th...

Iran has a new Supreme Leader - but who is he, and what does it mean for the region and the future of the Middle East conflict?  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who explains the rise of Mojtaba Khamenei, who has stepped into power during one of the most volatile moments in Iran’s history. Kylie reveals what his rise means for the Irani...

Monday Headlines:  Australia’s role in Middle East being considered Crocs “absolutely everywhere” in flooded NT Tributes for 22-year-old Melbourne Good Samaritan  Age verification comes into effect for porn sites from today Matildas draw 3-all with South Korea in electric Asian Cup clash Further listening from the headlines: Watching porn? ID please How I escaped p...

Before she was busy being “difficult”, Grace Tame was side-eyeing former Prime Ministers, calling out power at the highest levels and reshaping Australia’s conversation around sexual abuse. The former Australian of the Year has endured more scrutiny than many public figures twice her age, all while staying fiercely outspoken and unapologetically herself. In this bonus episode of...

When Sam Taunton was a kid, he dreamed of becoming a professional golfer. Instead, he found himself in a blazer, behind the desk of The Project, working live on national television alongside a man whom he calls “the smartest guy in the country." He didn’t grow up with a lot of money and his dad would often get creative to keep the family home standing. But long before he invited the wh...

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is driving Australia’s first work from home laws, arguing they will boost productivity and help families.  But there's backlash from small businesses, who warn the extra pressure of remote working and lack of exemptions will force some to move operations interstate or overseas. In this interview with Natarsha Belling, the Premier addresses the new WFH con...

Friday Headlines: More Aussies return from Middle East as thousands flee Beirut Hizb ut-Tahrir officially banned 'From the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada' outlawed in Queensland Number of kids enrolled in public school drops to record low Matildas beat Iran 4-0 in Asian Cup clash Britney Spears arrested in California Deep Dive: Millions of young men’s algorithms are being take...

The rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East is now sending shockwaves through global aviation, with major airspace closures and key international travel hubs suddenly out of action. So what does it mean for Australians planning to travel overseas?  In this episode, Natarsha Belling is joined by aviation expert Professor Ron Bartsch, who explains why this disruption could be the most si...

Thursday Headlines: First war-trapped Aussies arrive back home Attorney General pays back $8000 for family flights Inquiry launched into racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people Scorching temps and hot nights plagued summer 2025/26 Beckhams post birthday messages for estranged son Brooklyn Your thoughts on our high-speed rail deep dive Deep Dive: While they were controvers...

Women’s bodies are back in the headlines with Kelly Osbourne this week slamming online trolls for their cruel and dehumanising comments about her appearance at the BRIT Awards. So, is it ever ok to comment on someone’s body? And when you are concerned someone could be unwell, what do you do?  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Body Image expert Professo...

Wednesday Headlines: Oil and gas prices surge as the US and Israel’s war on Iran continues Australian girl dies in Japan after snowmobile accident Secret Liberal election loss review labels Dutton ‘grim’ and ‘unattractive to women’ Jackie O sensationally quits breakfast radio show with Kyle Sandilands Oscar Piastri mobbed by fans in Melbourne Deep Dive: Australia has...

The latest Gender Pay Gap report has been released with a major wake-up call for some of our leading companies and organizations. While the gap is closing, there is still a need for massive improvement, especially in male-dominated industries like finance and mining.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by PwC Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Elizabeth Shaw. Elizabe...