7am

Last week’s march for justice highlighted how the justice system stacked against women, from the law, to the police, to the courts. Today, Bri Lee on the barriers to justice, and the steps being taken to reform the system. Guest: Lawyer and writer for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian Porter is still facing calls for an inquiry into allegations of sexual assault levelled against him, allegations he denies. But Porter has announced he will return to parliament in his role as the nation’s first law officer. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the conflicts of interest facing the attorney-general. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for pri...

The Online Safety Bill is being framed by the government as a way to modernise how Australia regulates the internet. But concerns have been raised about what the consequences could be for freedom of expression. Today, Lizzie O'Shea on the new laws that could change how every Australian uses the internet.    Guest: Chair of Digital Rights Watch Lizzie O’Shea. Background reading: Flaws in new online...

For years the rise of Lex Greensill, a farmer’s son turned billionaire investor, seemed unstoppable. But now things are falling apart, and the economic carnage threatens the livelihood of an entire town. Today, Rick Morton on the business deal that could cost 7,000 jobs in Australia.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Lex Greensill: Why the green energ...

Thousands of Australians marched in cities and towns across the country yesterday. The protests were sparked by allegations of sexual harassment and assault in federal parliament. Today, Karen Middleton on the march for justice, and whether the government is taking notice. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf...

On Thursday night the Chinese government passed new laws effectively stamping out democracy in Hong Kong, significantly strengthening the Communist Party’s grip on the territory. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on whether this is really the end of Hong Kong and what happens next to those who have been fighting for freedom.   Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman. See acast.com/priv...

The Prime Minister has declared Christian Porter “innocent” and said any inquiry into the allegations of sexual assault would undermine the rule of law. Today, Rachel Withers on what exactly the rule of law means, and whether it’s a sufficient enough justification to stop an inquiry from going ahead.   Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. Background reading: The rule of law(y...

Growing concern about far-right extremists in Australia has led to the creation of a new federal inquiry, but the inquiry has revealed that one police force is out of step with our national security agencies. Today, Osman Faruqi on the emboldened far-right in Australia, and whether enough is being done to counter them. Guest: Editor of 7am , Osman Faruqi. Background reading: Victoria Police and ex...

Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout is already behind schedule, but while the headlines have focused on issues with supply and delivery, there are much deeper problems. Today, Mike Seccombe on the challenges to the federal government’s vaccination plan, and what’s at stake if we don’t get it right.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Exper...

Last week, the most significant report to examine aged care in Australia was released. The Saturday Paper ’s senior reporter Rick Morton has been covering every step of the journey to get here. Today, he tells us why this could be the moment we change a broken system. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudi...

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...

The Attorney-General has so far refused to resign, denying the rape allegation levelled against him. He’s been supported by senior ministers and the Prime Minister. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how Scott Morrison fought alongside Christian Porter to keep him in his job, and what happens next.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform...

The federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has identified himself as the cabinet minister accused of a sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1988. He strongly denied the allegations and refused to resign or step aside. Also on today’s show, Judith Brett on the crisis facing Australia’s university sector, and Australian of the Year Grace Tame’s powerful speech at the National Press Club.  ...

A cabinet minister in the federal government has been accused of rape, but he hasn’t been publicly identified and the Prime Minister has so far refused to initiate an inquiry into the allegations. Today, Karen Middleton on the sexual assault crisis that has rocked the country.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

Across Australia more than one hundred asylum seekers are being detained in hotel rooms. They have no access to fresh air and limited space to exercise. This is the story of two friends - one who the government released, and the other who is still arbitrarily detained. Guest: Features and field reporter Elle Marsh. Background reading: Fight to free refugees in hotel detention in The Saturday Paper...

Following a series of fatal car accidents, Queensland has announced a major crackdown on youth crime. According to youth advocate Siyavash Doostkhah, policy is being dictated by the police union, emboldened by the tabloid media and both sides of politics.    Guest: Youth Affairs Network of Queensland director Siyavash Doostkhah. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnyst...

This week, Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party to sit on the crossbench. But the Morrison government is so mired in scandal, it went largely unnoticed. It’s a huge risk for the Coalition - and any action on climate change.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: For some people living with disabilities, the pandemic triggered feelings of being different and even dispensable. Micheline Lee on living through coronavirus, and what it revealed about Australia’s priorities.   Guest: Writer for The Monthly Micheline Lee. Background reading: Nightclubs, pandemics and our real selves in The Monthly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out infor...

Australian property prices have just hit a record high – despite predictions the market would crash during the pandemic. So what happened? What will it take for prices to go down?   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Inequality and the housing bubble in The Saturday Paper. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio...

Eighteen months ago, Dhanya Mani spoke to the press about being assaulted while working as a Liberal Party staffer. This week, she reflected on how little has changed - and how culpable the prime minister is for that.   Guest: Lawyer and founder of Changing Our Headline Dhanya Mani. Background reading: ‘ I was a staffer, and so was my perpetrator’ in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for pr...

Two long-forgotten High Court cases warned the government that robo-debt might be illegal. But they persisted with the welfare scheme anyway. Rick Morton on what they knew - and when they knew it.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Robo-debt shonky from the start in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnys...

The Brittany Higgins case has dominated the week in Canberra. This is the story of how the prime minister has responded to her alleged assault, and how he has tried to manage the coverage that followed.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Labor prepares for a possible early election, Tanya Plibersek says the party is ready to confront the government over shortcomings in its handling of the pandemic. But some in the party believe it may be too late to turn around the polls.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Tanya Plibersek on post-Covid politics in The Saturday Pape...

A damning report has found Crown Resorts unfit to hold a casino licence in NSW. But what does that mean for James Packer’s operations in other states? Rick Morton on Packer’s winning streak - and how it ended.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Crown’s casinos and the Bergin report in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf...

The early era of space exploration was dominated by romantic ideas of universal connectedness. But the increasingly privatised nature of the space industry has obscured that vision. Today, Ceridwen Dovey on the new space industry entrepreneurs, and why we should be worried about what they’re planning.     Guest: Writer for The Monthly Ceridwen Dovey. Background reading: Pale blue dot in The Monthl...