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Those who imagined, designed and delivered robo-debt put their personal ambition above the wellbeing of the people they were meant to serve. But there were some on the frontline who knew from the very beginning that this government shakedown was wrong. One, Colleen Taylor, came forward at the royal commission. While senior leaders failed to recall, or refused to say how robo-debt happened, she tol...

Australia was gaslit by its own government. From ministers to public servants – they backed something that was illegal, just to shake down innocent people for money, then lied about it for years. There will likely be criminal prosecutions, civil action and more accountability to meat out. But Robo-debt was also born out of a cultural rot inside politics and our public service – it’s a culture that...

This week we're bringing you something special. The first episode of our new podcast: Read This. In the first episode of the show, host Michael Williams sits down with author Helen Garner. She invites us over for cake and conversation about what she’s writing about, how she problem solves and the inspiration she gets from watching her grandson’s footy training. Socials: Stay in touch with Read Thi...

Some of the biggest stories and characters in Australian politics could soon be under the scrutiny of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. It’s already had hundreds of referrals, with more to come.  But not everyone is warmly welcoming the new corruption watchdog to federal politics. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how our politicians have greeted the new NACC. Social...

El Niño is coming again and Australia is vulnerable.  The UN’s World Meteorological Organization declared this week that the extreme weather event has begun, and the impacts will be felt across our health, ecosystems and economy. Today, climate scientist, contributor to The Saturday Paper and a lead author for the IPCC Joëlle Gergis – on what’s headed our way and what we have to do to avert crisis...

It’s the dawn of a new era in federal politics, with a brand new anti-corruption watchdog now operating and promising to help combat corruption in Canberra. In its first 48 hours since opening on Saturday, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had already received 44 referrals for investigation. But there are concerns the way the NACC has been designed could mean it will struggle to meet...

The ‘Yes’ campaign has intensified its efforts this week, with thousands of people turning out for rallies nationwide on Sunday to back the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. It’s the kind of visible community campaigning that ‘Yes’ organisers have long been promising would ramp up as the referendum approaches. But it came at the end of a difficult week for the campaign, with some major opinion polls...

Once there was public outcry from some quarters that ICAC would even investigate Gladys Berejiklian – one of the most popular premiers in NSW history. Flowers were left at her electoral office after she stepped down, and talkback radio callers were furious with ICAC for precipitating her resignation. But now we know that Berejiklian was seriously corrupt when she was treasurer and later the premie...

Today on the show, author Carrie Tiffany, with her piece from the Monthly.  After the death of her mother, Carrie reflects on the hold of sugar upon her family’s health and history. Carrie will read her piece, ‘Sweet Regret’ after a short conversation with the Editor of the 7am podcast, Scott Mitchell.  Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Author, Carrie Tiffany See omnys...

Stuart Robert may have resigned from parliament – but this parliament might not be done with him yet. New allegations, which he strongly denies, paint a picture of a lobbying firm setting up arrangements to profit Robert if he helped them win government work. And we’ll soon see how voters react, with a by-election in Roberts’ seat looming. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on...

Since the Voice to Parliament referendum was announced, it has enjoyed majority support, according to the biggest opinion polls – that is, until this week. As legislation for the referendum made its way through parliament, the debate on the chamber floor and in the media only became more acrimonious. Now, the polls seem to suggest the resounding majority hoped for by advocates of the Voice might b...

Parliament is struggling with how to handle the case of Senator David Van, who continues to strenuously deny allegations of sexual harassment and assault levelled by Senator Lidia Thorpe and others. The case shows how, more than a year after the Jenkins review into the culture at parliament house, it remains uniquely incapable of handling complaints, finding the truth and providing a safe workplac...

Russian president Vladimir Putin may have averted an armed mutiny, but the wounds could prove fatal for his leadership. Wagner group, a private military force that has flourished with Putin’s blessing, and just halted its march from the Ukrainian front towards Moscow, has exposed cracks in the Russian government. Russia’s ruling elites will now exchange deep recriminations over how the attempted i...

A string of recent incidents involving the use of force has raised questions about the way in which Australian police wield power, and how these incidents are investigated. The officer who allegedly Tasered a 95-year old woman, Clare Nowland, is in court next month and is expected to fight the charges. Meanwhile, a Queensland police officer was caught on video punching and Tasering a man who’d bee...

We learned this week that United States president Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, will accept a plea deal on federal tax crimes. With the 2024 presidential race already underway, Republicans are calling the deal evidence of nepotism and corruption – none more loudly than Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Trump, of course, is facing a much more lengthy federal indictment, with 37 charges against him. T...

The government’s housing policy could be dead in the water. On Monday, the Greens chose to block the legislation – by deferring the vote on the bill until October. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the delay is the same as rejecting it, and he’s seeking urgent legal advice about whether this could be a trigger for a double dissolution of parliament – which could bring on an early election. Toda...

Kathleen Folbigg was once known as Australia’s worst female serial killer – now she’s free after being pardoned. New scientific evidence played a big role in her release. But there are other issues that drove the media and the justice system’s condemnation of Folbigg. The way her psychological state, her grief and her reliability were questioned speak to the treatment of women who are accused of m...

The Albanese government is campaigning to host the next United Nations Climate Conference in partnership with Pacific nations. Some have described this as an Olympic moment, but there is real concern it’s just an exercise in public relations and greenwashing Australia’s climate policies. In response, Pacific countries are now demanding Australia do more on climate action before agreeing to be part...

One way that inequality becomes baked into Australian society is through education.  For decades, the school system has become increasingly stratified – to the benefit of private schools and detriment of public ones. So, what are the consequences of this divide, and how will the past twenty years of education policy shape the Australia we see tomorrow?  Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Jan...

Today, journalist Esther Linder will be reading her piece from the May issue of The Monthly . While Australians often can’t skip a rent payment, they can skip a meal. And as the cost of living soars, more and more Australians are going hungry. Through the lens of hunger, Linder looks at economic inequality, Australia’s failure to perceive the growing gaps in wealth. Socials: Stay in touch with us...

Parliament began this week with bitter arguments over the handling of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation, with the opposition using leaked text messages from Higgins’ phone to prosecute their case against the government. But it took only two days for fresh allegations of another sexual assault to emerge. Liberal senator David Van has been advised he will no longer sit in the party room, following a...

Activists around Australia have proven willing to risk jail time and fines of tens of thousands of dollars under new anti-protest laws, as states and territories rush to crack down on climate and environmental protests. Victoria has said the state will end native logging by 2024, but it remains committed to harsh anti-protest laws aimed at protecting the industry. Today, contributor to The Saturda...

Personal text messages between Brittany Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, have been splashed over the news for days – reopening questions about the lead up to the interview when Higgins first went public with the allegation she was raped in a ministerial office. The Coalition says the texts show evidence of “collusion” and “weaponisation” on the part of the Labor government. But as the politi...

While the push towards a Voice to Parliament continues, decisions are still being made that affect the lives of Indigenous people. Mines continue to open on traditional lands, in states around the country the age of criminal responsibility remains as young as 10 years old, and the gap is not closing. There are plenty of things that governments across the country could be doing right now to improve...

A speaking tour claiming to quote “let women speak” has been at the centre of disturbing scenes across Australia. In Melbourne, neo-Nazis stood on the steps of Victorian Parliament and openly performed the Nazi salute – while in Canberra, Senator Lidia Thorpe was tackled and held to the ground by police as she tried to protest the tour. So who is this British woman touring Australia, provoking the...