7am

The NBN is facing it’s most crucial test yet, and there are serious questions over whether the network will handle the unprecedented load it’s under. Today, Paddy Manning on our virtual lifeline, and how it’s holding up. Guest: Contributing editor at The Monthly , Paddy Manning. Background reading: NBN under pressure in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on toda...

A lockdown, together with a shattered economy, means that many domestic violence victims are now trapped inside their home with their abuser, unable to access help and services. Today, Rick Morton on how coronavirus is making Australia’s domestic violence problem worse.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Family violence increasing during Covid-19 lockdo...

The public health response to the coronavirus has quickly become a law and order issue. Extensive new powers have been granted to police in several states, to crack down on public association, private gatherings and travel. Today, Mike Seccombe on how Australia is policing a pandemic. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Covid-19 lockdown and poli...

In one share-house, all five housemates have lost work because of the coronavirus shutdown. Today we look at the human cost of unemployment and what the government is doing to help people survive. Guest: Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. See acast...

In a special bonus episode of 7am host Ruby Jones talks to the show’s editor, Osman Faruqi, editor of The Monthly , Nick Feik, and editor of The Saturday Paper , Maddison Connaughton about how they’re adapting to the shutdown, and what role journalism can play in a crisis. Guest: 7am editor, Osman Faruqi. The Monthly editor, Nick Feik. The Saturday Paper editor, Maddison Connaughton. Bonus Reading...

The past week has completely changed the way politics works in Australia, with a right-wing government introducing the most radical economic measures in a generation. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political earthquake that rocked Parliament House. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper , Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on today’s episode, vis...

Professor Peter Doherty won the Nobel prize for his research on how our bodies fight off viruses. Today, we ask him what makes Covid-19 different from other infections, how it damages our bodies, and what we should be doing now to prepare for the next pandemic.  Guest: Professor Peter Doherty. Background reading: The pandemic we had to have in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For...

Australia’s airlines have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, and they’re asking the government for billions of dollars in financial support. The crisis has even sparked debate over whether the industry should be nationalised. Today, Royce Kurmelovs, on whether it’s time the government took back control of the skies. Guest: Freelance journalist Royce Kurmelovs. Background reading: Australia...

As we try and contain the coronavirus outbreak, health authorities, governments and social media platforms are also battling the spread of misinformation about the virus. Today, Mike Seccombe on the question of who we trust in a crisis. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper , Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Fighting the Infodemic in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Month...

As more of Australia goes into coronavirus isolation, advice is being offered on how to manage mental health during a viral pandemic that forces us to separate. We speak to a Melbourne family who were holidaying in Wuhan during the first outbreak and have been in isolation for almost 80 days.   Guest: Features and field producer Elle Marsh. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly See ac...

It’s now been one month since Scott Morrison’s first announcement on the coronavirus pandemic. Since then his response has been criticised as confused and slow. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political decisions made and how they stack up.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Government's crashing failure in face of crisis The Saturday Paper The Monthly For m...

Teams of researchers are working around the clock to try and develop a vaccine against coronavirus. In Australia, a group of scientists at the University of Queensland are on the verge of a breakthrough. Today, Rick Morton on the race to find a vaccine. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusive: Inside the hunt for a vaccine in The Saturday Paper The...

With hundreds of thousands of Australians losing their jobs, the economic cost of coronavirus is becoming clear. On Monday the government passed its stimulus measures through parliament, but there’s questions over whether it will be enough. Today, chief economist at The Australia Institute Richard Denniss on how we can get through the next 18 months.  Guest: Chief economist at The Australia Instit...

Medical experts say that the government’s slow response to the coronavirus outbreak has left Australia exposed, and a lack of resources could make the crisis worse. Today, in part two of our series on COVID-19, Mike Seccombe on the challenge our country and health system is facing. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: What Morrison did wrong on co...

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases grows in Australia, hospitals are gearing up for a spike in admissions. Today, Dr Nenad Macesic on how doctors are handling the pandemic and what the future holds. This is part one of a five-part special. Guest: Contributor to The Monthly , Dr Nenad Macesic. Background reading: Behind the coronavirus masks in The Monthly The Saturday Paper The Monthly F...

Scott Morrison has finally begun to acknowledge the serious economic cost of coronavirus, and speculation is growing about his next big stimulus package. But questions are being asked about whether the government is up to the economic challenge. Today, Paul Bongiorno, on the future of the economy and the Prime Minister. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper , Paul Bongiorno. Background reading:...

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow, many in the community are still unclear about the virus’s symptoms, how they can keep themselves safe and what kind of responses will be the most effective. Today, Rick Morton answers some of our basic questions about coronavirus.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more in...

A year ago, George Pell was sentenced to six years’ jail for the sexual abuse of two Melbourne choirboys. Last week, he appealed against that decision in the High Court and a judgement is still pending. Today, Rick Morton discusses what happened during the final bid for George Pell’s freedom.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: George Pell’s High Court a...

Containing the coronavirus outbreak requires clear, decisive action from the government. But public trust in our leaders is at an all time low and it’s impacting the way we respond. Today, Mike Seccombe on what the coronavirus pandemic is telling us about who we trust. Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Trust deficit threatens COVID-19 response...

Animal-free dairy could be the norm within the next decade, promising affordable, sustainable and cruelty-free milk. But what will the success of alternative milk mean for the thousands of jobs and businesses in the agricultural industry? Lesley Hughes on the future of dairy.  Guest: Professor of biology at Macquarie University, Lesley Hughes. Background reading: The Milk of Human Genius in The Mo...

The economic and social effects of the coronavirus outbreak are accelerating, with new trade and travel bans announced. In Australia the government has finally released the details of a $17.6 billion stimulus package, designed to stave off a recession. Today, Paul Bongiorno on whether the government’s actions will be enough to see us through this crisis. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Pau...

A year on from the Christchurch terrorist attack, Muslims in Australia are still wrestling with a new level of fear. Some have been drawn back to faith, while others are questioning the way the media and politics have stoked division. This is part three in a three-part series. Guest: Poet and writer for The Saturday Paper , Omar Sakr. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more inf...

A secret document prepared by ASIO warns of the threat of far-right terrorism in Australia. In detail never before published, it outlines the risk Australia faces from those who believe in an impending “race war”. This is part two in a three-part series. Guest: Chair in global Islamic politics at Deakin University Greg Barton. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au. Backg...

A year on from the Christchurch massacre, survivors face isolation and economic hardship. We speak to the men and women living through the aftermath of one of the worst white supremacist attacks in history. This is part one of a three-part special on the far right. Guest: Features and field producer Elle Marsh. Background reading: Life after the Christchurch shootings in The Saturday Paper The Sat...

This week Scott Morrison finally told the truth about his attempt to invite Hillsong founder Brian Houston to a White House dinner. At the same time more details have emerged about his office’s involvement in the sports grants scandal. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the bigger questions being asked about trust and the prime minister’s relationship to the truth. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Pa...