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Protests have broken out across the US in response to Donald Trump’s attempts to cling to power. But as counting continues in key states, Joe Biden’s position is becoming stronger. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what a potential Biden presidency could look like, and whether Trump will succeed in hijacking the result.   Guest: Reporter for 7am Oscar Schwartz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

After a full night of counting votes, the outcome of the US Presidential election still remains in doubt, with Donald Trump holding on to key states that delivered him victory in 2016. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what drove voters to each candidate, and what the results mean for a nation already exhausted by division.    Guest: Reporter for 7am, Oscar Schwartz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o...

As voters in the US head to the polls, President Trump has warned that a close or uncertain result could spark chaos. Behind the scenes both parties have been locked in a battle over voting rights. Today, Rick Morton on the fight against voter suppression, and why, no matter who wins, the US is facing a fractured future. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading...

After losing last year’s election the Labor party turned to Anthony Albanese to rebuild. But what does he actually stand for? Today, Richard Cooke on how Albanese compares to leaders like Jacinda Ardern, and whether he can find his party a path out of the wilderness. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Cooke. Background reading: The disappearing man in The Monthly See acast.com/privacy for priva...

In recent years Australia has seen an acceleration in law and order style electioneering, and it’s led to a record high incarceration rate. Now, as a global conversation about justice reform continues, there are growing calls to change our approach. Today, Mike Seccombe, on who gets jailed in Australia and what needs to change. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Ba...

Pressure has started to mount on the federal government following a string of scandals involving senior public officials. Labor and crossbench senators used Senate hearings this week to forensically examine government departments, bureaucrats and ministers. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the government’s attempts to use Covid-19 to deflect criticism. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorn...

This week, the Victorian government began cutting down sacred Djab Wurrung trees to make way for a highway expansion between Melbourne and Adelaide. After years of protest, police moved in to dismantle an embassy on the site. Today, Djab Wurrung woman and Greens senator Lidia Thorpe on the fight to save her peoples’ heritage. Guest: Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

As an investigation into Australia Post’s leadership gets underway, a deeper crisis at the organisation is threatening to jeopardise the way it operates. Today, Rick Morton on what went wrong at Australia Post.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton Background reading: What went wrong inside Australia Post? in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf...

The controversial Adani coalmine in Queensland has already been approved by both state and federal governments, but a new legal challenge by two teenagers could be one last roll of the dice to stop it from going ahead. Today, Anna Krien on the cracks opening up in the federal government’s backing of Adani. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Anna Krien. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

Australia’s relationship with Indonesia has a significant impact on our culture, economy and national security. But despite our proximity, it’s often been a relationship defined by tension as well as indifference. Today, Karen Middleton on Australia’s regional blind spot, and why it’s time we started engaging more closely with South-East Asia. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday...

As political battles over the government’s stimulus measures and proposed industrial relations reforms loom, Scott Morrison has been taking aim at the federal opposition. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the prime minister is drawing influence from his political predecessors.    Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnys...

After enduring one of the world’s longest lockdowns, Melbourne is slowly reopening and hairdressers are some of the first businesses allowed to welcome customers back. Today, Rick Morton on the return of hairdressers, and the intimate role they play in our lives.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.c...

In recent weeks refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia have received letters from the federal government stripping them of financial support and threatening them with deportation. Today, Rick Morton on the newest frontline in the government’s war on refugees.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusive: War on refugees moves to final phase ons...

A week after her secret relationship with a politician being investigated over corruption was first revealed, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is still facing questions over what she knew. Today, MIke Seccombe on what the Premier’s connection to a disgraced MP means for her political future. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: ‘Poor Gladys’ rings h...

After more than 100 days of strict lockdown, Victorians finally have a new path out of restrictions. It signals a more gradual easing than the government originally hoped, after outbreaks amongst frontline workers led to a spike in case numbers Today, Osman Faruqi on the story behind the slower path out of lockdown and where the risk now lies.   Guest: Editor of 7am Osman Faruqi. Background readin...

All the way from their home in Los Angeles, actors Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall provide more information than is entirely necessary as they stumble across the answers to this week’s quiz. We get an insight into safe work practices on film sets in the time of Covid-19, and a special bonus question about Cats. Guests: Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

With the Queensland state election looming, the Prime Minister has hit the campaign trail. But just as he arrived it was revealed that the LNP Opposition leader had been referred to the election watchdog for alleged impropriety. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the growing political scandals around the country.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and...

A reliance on imports has left Australia with dwindling supplies of some essential medicines and now experts are warning that manufacturing capabilities at home need to be boosted. Today, Margaret Simons on Australia’s pharmaceutical vulnerability.  Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Margaret Simons. Background reading: Why Australia runs out of vital medicines in The Saturday Paper See acas...

Over the past few weeks an inquiry into Crown Resorts, Australia’s largest gambling company, has laid bare a culture of risk taking and threats. It’s also embroiled one of the company’s biggest shareholders. Today, Mike Seccombe on James Packer’s extraordinary evidence, and what’s at stake for Crown.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: James Pa...

Experts have accused the government of failing to properly fund the aged care sector in this year’s federal budget. Advocacy groups are also concerned about the lack of support for young people, women, the unemployed and migrants. Today, Rick Morton on the groups left behind by the Morrison government’s recovery plan.    Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading...

For decades, students in Footscray in Melbourne’s West, have been taught in Vietnamese alongside English, in line with the suburb’s long-standing heritage. But now, the program is under threat. Today, André Dao on why we value some languages more than others, and what it says about where Australia sees its place in the world.  The audio of Professor Alan Crookshank in this story is from the Earsho...

Actors Shari Sebbens and Gemma Bird Matheson take on the quiz this week. Gemma can tell you how many minutes there are in half a day, and Shari knows the name of Tara June Winch’s 2020 Miles Franklin award-winning novel. But neither of them have any idea where the inventor of the Rubik's Cube was born. Guests: Shari Sebbens and Gemma Bird Matheson See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info...

In his budget reply speech last night Opposition leader Anthony Albanese outlined his response to the economic crisis and criticised the federal government for spending in the wrong places. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the political battlelines between the major parties are being drawn.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informat...

Lidia Thorpe entered the Senate this week, becoming the first Aboriginal Senator representing Victoria. Today, she talks to Ruby Jones about rebuilding after the pandemic, and what we can learn from the communities that she represents.  Over the next few weeks 7am will be interviewing prominent Australians who have written about their vision for the country in The Saturday Paper .  Guest: Senator...

Josh Frydenberg’s second budget is a world away from the surplus he was predicting last year. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, debt is on track to hit $1 trillion and the Treasurer is talking up a jobs-led recovery. Today, Karen Middleton on a budget of big numbers and heroic assumptions.    Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy for pri...