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The Morrison government is contemplating new laws which could see charities held responsible for minor legal breaches by their members and supporters.  The sector says the changes are an attempt to stifle protest, while lawyers are warning they could be unconstitutional.  Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why the government is targeting charities, and what the c...

Australia’s rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine has been stymied by a combination of different factors including supply, distribution and vaccine hesitancy amongst the public. A recent survey found that nearly one in three Australians aren’t willing to get vaccinated because they’re unsure about the risks or don’t think it’s necessary. Today, health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng, o...

The Culture is a brand new weekly show from the team behind 7am . Every week join host Osman Faruqi and special guests as they go deep on film, music, TV, streaming, books and art. The first episode drops May 28. Follow The Culture now! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over a year now Australia’s international borders have been closed to the rest of the world. Travel restrictions have played a crucial role in keeping Australia relatively safe from the worst of the pandemic, but the federal government has been reluctant to announce their end date. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on why Prime Minister Scott Morrison is so intent on keepi...

Sixty years ago commercial licenses were handed out to Australian fishers working in the lucrative shellfish industry. Since then, the families that obtained those licenses have made fortunes.  But many Aboriginal people whose ancestors have fished along the coast for tens of thousands of years have been locked out of the trade. Aboriginal fishers, like Yuin elder Keith Nye, have been described as...

In an attempt to fend off allegations of sexism within the Coalition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison reshuffled his cabinet earlier this year.  But his choice for Australia’s new Assistant Minister for Women, Amanda Stoker, has been controversial from the outset. Her hardline, and conservative, views on abortion have raised concerns from women’s health advocates.  Today, journalist for The Saturday...

For the past week the Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip has been under an intense aerial bombardment. Last Sunday was the deadliest day in the conflict so far. Two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 43 Palestinians, including eight children. On the same day, more than 100 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel. Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman on why...

Five years on from when MeToo went global, high profile allegations of assault and harassment still make headlines but justice rarely seems to be served. Today, writer and philosopher Kate Manne on why we need to not only believe women, but create a society that actually cares when they are harmed.   Guest: Contributor for The Monthly Kate Manne. Background reading: How to lose her voice in The Mo...

When Rana Hussain’s family migrated to Australia from India they brought with them a passion for cricket, though it wasn’t long before Rana fell in love with Australia’s biggest sporting code: the AFL. But navigating the blokey, Anglo-centric world of Australian football in the 1990s wasn’t easy for a young Muslim woman. Her experiences during that time galvanised her to become an advocate for div...

In the middle of a growing national conversation about sexual harassment and consent, the federal government launched a campaign on respectful relationships for young people.  The campaign was widely criticised by experts and advocates, including former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, who say it ignores their advice and research. They’re also concerned that it seems to have replaced another mo...

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down what is expected to be the government’s last budget before the next federal election. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what’s in the budget, and what it says about the government’s political priorities.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy...

Last month police arrested two people accused of possessing extremist material. The arrests came at the same time as Australia’s security agencies were warning of an increase in far-right extremist activity. But now Australian officials have introduced new terminology to talk about the threats we face and are carefully avoiding the term "right-wing". Today, researcher at the Lowy Institute Lydia K...

The relationship between Australia and China has already reached an all time low, but now senior political figures are starting to talk publicly about war. In the past week both the new defence minister, Peter Dutton, and senior public servant Mike Pezzullo, have discussed the possibility of an armed conflict with China. Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National Uni...

Next Tuesday, the federal government will drop its highly anticipated budget, laying out its priorities for the next 12 months. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as Australia reckons with the global economic fallout from the virus, and plots an uncertain future.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what the Treasurer is planning, and what it might tell us about who should pay fo...

Right now thousands of Australian citizens are trapped in India unable to get home, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate the country.  They are stuck because the Australian government took the unprecedented step of barring all Australians in India from returning. The legality of the move, which the government says is about protecting Australia from the virus, has been questioned by expe...

From Crocodile Dundee to Marvel blockbusters… Australia’s film industry is being rejuvenated by an influx of international productions. The pandemic has forced major film and TV productions to relocate to Australia, bringing with them big name celebrities and jobs. But there are concerns that the production boom here could be more of a bubble, with the main beneficiaries being big overseas studios...

Australia’s restaurant industry has been devastated by lockdowns and the loss of international tourism.  Some of the hardest hit businesses are those in Chinatowns across major cities.  Even before travel bans and lockdowns, many suffered the brunt of anti-Asian racism. Today, writer and food critic Jess Ho on what it could mean if we lose one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Guest: Writer J...

The 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, was recognised for her advocacy against sexual abuse. Since her appointment she’s been outspoken in her criticism of the Morrison government. The government has now launched an urgent review of the Australia Day Council. It denies the review is linked to Grace Tame’s appointment, but it could result in the government having more decision making power ov...

Author and activist Bri Lee regularly runs workshops on consent and sex in schools. In the upcoming issue of The Monthly Bri writes about those workshops in the context of a growing national conversation about sexual harassment and assault. In this special weekend episode of 7am Bri reads her article, 'Ill-informed consent'.   Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Bri Lee. Background reading: Ill-info...

As Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made no secret of his deep, evangelical Christian faith.  At a recent appearance at the Australian Christian Churches conference he referred to social media as evil, and said he believed he was doing God’s work as Prime Minister.  Those comments have ignited debate over the role of faith in political leadership.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bon...

Rupert Murdoch’s media empire is one of the most powerful corporate influences right around the world, but in recent years it’s been through radical changes. Now it looks like Rupert is starting to hand power over to his son Lachlan, as part of a succession plan. Journalist Paddy Manning is currently writing a biography of Lachlan Murdoch, titled Sly Fox. Today, Paddy Manning on Lachlan Murdoch’s...

Peter Dutton has long been one of the most controversial ministers in the federal government.  As Immigration minister he became the face of the Coalition’s hardline policy on asylum seekers and refugees. Now, at a time of rising global tension, especially in our region, he’s become the minister for Defence. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on Peter Dutto...

For much of the 20th century Northern Ireland was marred by violence, as Irish republicans and forces aligned to the United Kingdom fought over the future of the region.  That conflict, known as the Troubles, officially came to an end with a peace agreement in 1998.  But now the violence is flaring up again, and there are concerns the fragile peace deal is on the verge of being shattered. Today, w...

The billion dollar Tasmanian salmon industry promotes itself as environmentally friendly, healthy, and good for the state.  But when you look a little closer, the environmental and social impacts are alarming.  Award-winning author Richard Flanagan has seen the impacts of the commercial fishing industry first hand, and has spent years investigating the murky relationship between big business and t...

Nearly a year ago George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. His death sparked a resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement. Over the last three weeks the world watched and waited as one of the most significant trials in recent history took place and on Wednesday his murderer was found guilty. Today, US journalist Mary McGuire, on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the verdict, and th...