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World leaders are preparing to meet for a historic global climate change summit, to try and limit the catastrophic impacts of global warming.  After decades of inaction and a lack of leadership, countries like the United States and China are finally working together to try and develop real solutions. But Australia has already been singled out as a roadblock to taking serious climate action. Today,...

Scientists researching Covid-19 have discovered that the physical impacts of the virus on the body go far beyond what we might have originally thought. The results could have profound impacts for how we respond to and treat Covid-19. Today, Rick Morton on our growing knowledge of how the virus changes our bodies, and our brains. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnyst...

Federal and state governments are locked in a high stakes battle over the future of Australia’s vaccine rollout, while hundreds of millions of people around the world have now received their vaccines. Many countries are now starting to prepare for the resumption of international travel. But in Australia the slow rate of vaccination has led to state premiers becoming more vocal in their criticisms...

The recent wave of allegations in federal parliament have highlighted that the law that’s supposed to protect women from harassment doesn’t actually apply to politicians. Today, Chris Wallace on the surprisingly dramatic history of Australia’s sex discrimination act, and the moves to update it for this current moment.  Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace. See acast.com/privacy for p...

Six months after the chief executive of Australia Post, Christine Holgate, was forced out of her job, she’s now broken her silence. Holgate claims that she was bullied, and has revealed the real reason she believes she was targeted. Today, Paul Bongiorno on what really happened at Australia Post.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

Thirty years ago Australia held a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, but most of its recommendations still haven’t been implemented and hundreds more Indigenous people have died in custody. Today, Gary Foley on what led to the Royal Commission, and why white Australia needs to face up to its own history. Guest: Activist and academic Gary Foley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

Both the United States and the UK have recently announced policies to increase their tax rates, and spend the revenue on new social policies, as part of their economic response to the pandemic. But Australia is bucking the trend. Today, Mike Seccombe on what Australia’s economic recovery plan is, and who stands to benefit.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. See a...

Australia no longer has an official vaccination target, and one reason for the delay is our reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been associated with health risks. Today, Dr Melanie Cheng, on weighing up the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and what it all means for Australia’s rollout. Guest: Health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

There are growing fears that homelessness could soon rise in Australia. One of the most at risk groups in the country is older women, who face both age and gender discrimination. Today, Kristine Ziwica on the homelessness crisis Australia should have seen coming. Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/...

The federal government promised that by the end of March four million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 but as of this week we’ve barely hit a quarter of that target. Today Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison is doing enough to vaccinate the country.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystud...

The National Disability Insurance Scheme was established to provide people living with a disability high quality and tailored support, but leaked documents have revealed the federal government is proposing radical reforms to the scheme. Today, Rick Morton on the battle for the future of the NDIS. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

In 2015 the Northern Territory government announced a Royal Commission into Youth Detention, but six years on almost every single young person in prison in the NT is Indigenous. Now, the NT government has announced new laws that could see even more young Indigenous people locked up. Today, Sophie Trevitt, on why the Northern Territory is undoing the recommendations of the Royal Commission. Guest:...

As Australia’s former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel has been on the front line of Australia’s climate wars. This year he was appointed special advisor to the federal government on low emissions technology, but some of Australia’s leading climate scientists have expressed concern about Dr Finkel’s plan, questioning whether it’s ambitious enough. Today, Alan Finkel on his plan for our energy future...

For the past three years author and farmer Bruce Pascoe has been trying to establish a sustainable practice on his land. Informed by the Indigenous farming techniques he researched for his bestseller Dark Emu, he’s seeking to undo the damaging legacy inflicted through decades of post-colonial practices. Today, he speaks to Ruby Jones.   Guest: Author Bruce Pascoe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

From thunderstorm asthma to the increasing prevalence of infectious disease, a warming planet is already making us more sick. In the final part of this series, we investigate how climate change puts us more at risk of disease. Today, Climate change will kill you, part three: sickness. Guest: Contributing editor to  The Monthly , Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat...

In 2011 the Queensland town of Grantham was inundated with rain, causing flash flooding. It had a devastating impact on the town’s residents. But events like this are predicted to become more common, as the planet warms leading to more extreme weather events. Today, Climate change will kill you part two: flood. Guest: Contributing editor to  The Monthly , Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for p...

From bushfires and heat, to floods, and the increasing severity of disease, Australians are already feeling the impacts of a warming planet. In this new series, journalist Paddy Manning investigates the link between climate change and human health, and tells the stories of those who have become some of the first casualties of the climate crisis. Today’s episode is part one: heat. Guest: Contributi...

  After suffering through record-breaking bushfires, a pandemic, and floods, big parts of Australia now have a new problem: a plague of mice. Farming communities have been overwhelmed by one of the worst mouse infestations in recent history, threatening crops and livelihoods. Today, the CSIRO’s Steve Henry on the origins of the mouse plague, the impact it’s having, and when it might finally end. G...

For many Australians the pandemic has led to some kind of economic hardship, but while workers have suffered some of Australia’s billionaires doubled their wealth during one of the worst global recessions on record. Today, Mike Seccombe on how badly implemented government policy combined with pure luck to make the country’s richest even richer.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Pape...

Over the past month there have been four Indigenous deaths in custody across Australia. Now, a new organisation has been created to help their families fight for justice. Today, Madeleine Hayman-Reber on the grassroots group supporting families whose loved ones have died in police custody. Guest:  Journalist and Gomeroi woman Madeleine Hayman-Reber. Background reading: Dhadjowa Foundation to help...

The platypus is one of Australia’s most iconic and intriguing animals, but like so much of our natural wildlife it’s under threat. Today, James Bradley on what makes the platypus so special and whether we’re at risk of a future without them.   Guest: Writer for The Monthly James Bradley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison told the women of Australia this week he was listening to their concerns. But since then the Liberal Party has been rocked by more and more allegations of bad behaviour and sexism. Today, Rachel Withers on what this week revealed about Australian politics, and whether Scott Morrison’s actions are living up to his words. Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. Back...

One of Australia’s biggest arts festivals is facing an intense backlash after announcing a work that called for the blood of First Nations people. Today, Tristen Harwood on what this controversy tells us about the way Australia’s cultural institutions are operating.    Guest: Art critic for The Saturday Paper Tristen Harwood. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudi...

Nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated as Australia’s east coast suffers from the worst floods in more than half a century. NSW’s mid-north coast, one of the worst hit regions, was also devastated by the Black Summer bushfires. Today, a first-hand view of the floods, and what the increasing severity of wild weather events is telling us about climate change.    Guest: Taree resident Taliha Scott...

Australia’s closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, is on the verge of a Covid-19 crisis. Thousands of people in the country are now infected, pushing the local health system to the brink. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on the danger facing Papua New Guinea and whether it can be avoided. Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman. Background reading: PNG on the brink of Covid-19 catastrop...