7am

Australia’s economy has taken its biggest hit since the Great Depression, but so far government stimulus measures have cushioned most people and businesses from the worst impacts. Those stimulus measures are about to dry up. Today, the upcoming danger zone for Australia’s economy, and how we can avoid it.   Guest: CEO of the Grattan Institute Danielle Woods. Background reading: The way out of the...

Australia has one of the most concentrated media markets in the world, and that concentration could worsen as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp launches a new service. Today, Mike Seccombe, on how the Australian Associated Press was nearly shut down, and now faces the prospect of being starved out.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Murdoch grab: The...

A coronavirus vaccine is the best chance the world has of returning to some kind of normal, but the stalling of one of the most viable candidates last week was a reminder that nothing is guaranteed. Today, Karen Middleton on the Australian government’s plans and the likelihood of a vaccine in 2021.  Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Va...

A leaked briefing from Victoria’s chief health officer has contradicted public statements on contact tracing, and highlighted flaws with the privatised response to coronavirus in the state. Today, Osman Faruqi details the extraordinary call, and what it means for Victoria’s roadmap out of the pandemic.   Guest: Journalist and editor of 7am, Osman Faruqi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

Actor Miranda Tapsell describes her partner, James Colley, as a little nerd. His performance on the quiz doesn’t do anything to dispel that. If you don’t need any hints to answer “What technology is used to make telephone calls over the internet?” then a little nerd is exactly what you are. Guests: Miranda Tapsell and James Colley In the paper: Top End Wedding actress Miranda Tapsell See acast.com...

Scott Morrison is waging a war on two fronts this week. He’s locked in a battle with state governments to reopen borders, and he’s increasingly blaming the Victorian government for the severity of the state’s second wave. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the growing political divide across the country.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

As coronavirus transforms the country before our eyes, cultural institutions are trying to record what is happening in real time, as part of a movement towards constructing ‘social histories’. But, as Lauren Carroll Harris reports, Australian museums are hampered by a lack of a national vision for how to conduct arts and culture in the country.    Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Lauren Ca...

Inheritance taxes are a feature of most advanced economies, including the UK and the US. But in Australia they haven’t been levied for 40 years, and their abolition has contributed to growing inequality in the country. Today, James Boyce on why now is the right time to restart the conversation on death taxes.   Guest: Author and contributor to The Saturday Paper James Boyce. Background reading: Th...

After lobbying from the Murdoch press and Nine newspapers, the government is trying to force Google and Facebook to pay for journalism. The tech giants have responded by threatening to stop sharing news from Australian outlets. Today, Mike Seccombe on the battle that will shape the future of media in this country.   Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background rea...

A federal court has been re-examining controversial psychiatric treatments used in a Sydney hospital in the 1960s. The treatments drew the attention of the Church of Scientology, and led to a Royal Commission. Today, Lane Sainty on what happened at Chelmsford, and the journalist caught in the middle 30 years on.   Guest: Contributor for The Monthly Lane Sainty. Background reading: Chelmsford revis...

To celebrate 300 episodes, we produced a special, behind-the-scenes feature on how we make 7am . We followed host Ruby Jones and senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton as they put together an episode on the crisis in aged care.   Guest: Host Ruby Jones and senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. To support 7am you can make a one-off or monthly contribution here . See acast....

The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg started this week by launching an extraordinary attack on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, and ended it by presiding over the biggest fall in economic activity in decades. Today, Paul Bongiorno on Australia’s economic predicament and who’s really to blame.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat...

Serious allegations of branch stacking and factional warfare have engulfed both major parties in recent months, and the latest example even implicates senior federal ministers. Today, Mike Seccombe on why branch stacking has become more common, and how it’s influencing key policies. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: How branch stacking drags po...

As Australia grapples with an unemployment crisis corporate job agencies are benefiting from a boom in government payments. Some agencies are also being accused of pressuring those looking for work into face-to-face appointments during a pandemic. Today, Rick Morton on who is profiting from Australia’s unemployment industry.    Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton. Background...

For months the prime minister has been projecting a return to normality. But it’s become increasingly clear the world around us has fundamentally changed. What kind of Australia is waiting for us on the other side of the pandemic? Today, Sean Kelly on the type of society Scott Morrison envisions, and what might lie ahead.    Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Sean Kelly. Background reading: Snapbac...

Last week the Christchurch terrorist was sentenced to life without parole, the first time the sentence has ever been handed down. But even though he’s behind bars, his atrocities continue to inspire far-right extremists around the world. Today, Osman Faruqi on the increased threat of violent white nationalism and what happens after Christchurch. Note: This episode contains use of the attacker’s fu...

The creators and stars of Rosehaven – Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor – attempt to answer the questions from The Saturday Paper’s quiz. Unfortunately, there are no questions in Celia’s expert categories, “Stephen King novels” and “Which animals are the cutest?” But Luke knows what a bodhran is… or does he? Guests: Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor In the paper: ABC TV’s ‘Rosehaven’ See acast.com/p...

In a week where the minister for aged care was unable to answer questions about the crisis in his portfolio, and details emerged about a branch stacking scandal in his own party, the Prime Minister is finding himself under increasing pressure. Today, Paul Bongiorno on whether we should be expecting more from our politicians.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/p...

The ongoing crisis in aged care has become one of the defining elements of Australia’s second wave. There are currently over 1500 active cases linked to aged care in Victoria, nearly half of the state’s total number of active cases, and hundreds have died. Today, Rick Morton on the new details that explain what went so wrong, and what the government could have done to save lives.   Guest: Senior r...

As the federal government tries to hand power over environmental regulations to state governments, parallels have been drawn to the battles fought between activists and big business during the Howard years. Today, former Greens leader Bob Brown on how the legacy of John Howard’s environmental policies is shaping the current fight.   Guest: Former Senator and contributor for The Saturday Paper Bob...

As our hospitals face pressure from coronavirus outbreaks, we’re relying on nurses more than ever. But at the same time, the pandemic means many nursing students may not be able to graduate. Today, Santilla Chingaipe on the looming shortfall in our health workforce.   Guest: Journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Santilla Chingaipe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informati...

The coronavirus is ushering in a new era of international relations of a kind we haven’t seen since 9/11 and the War on Terror. National intelligence agencies and the way they conduct spycraft are a key part of that change. Today, former intelligence officer Andrew Davies on the world of spies during and after the pandemic.   Guest: Contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs Andrew Davies. Backgrou...

Multi-hyphenates – actors, writers, musicians – Briggs and Tim Minchin take on The Saturday Paper’s quiz. It’s a battle of brains rather than brawn, but have they been keeping up their fitness in lockdown? Guests: Briggs and Tim Minchin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a number of inquiries interrogate how prepared state and federal government’s were for the coronavirus pandemic the Prime Minister has evaded criticism by changing the conversation. The announcement of a coronavirus vaccine made headlines, but how realistic is it? Today, Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s attempt at distraction.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acas...

The Australian government is currently holding over fifteen hundred people in immigration detention centres across the country. Some are convicted criminals with a foreign nationality, some are visa overstayers and at least 500 are asylum seekers. Today, Karen Middleton on the fate of one those detainees, and the secrecy surrounding our immigration detention system.   Guest: Chief political corres...