7am

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...

James Button spoke to scores of people about climate change and what it means to them. He found deep anxiety – but also a contradiction between how people thought and how they acted. Today, what a conversation about ecological catastrophe could look like. Guest:  Author and contributor to The Monthly James Button.  Background reading:  The Climate Interviews in The Monthly   The Saturday Paper   T...

The Labor Party has committed to zero emissions by 2050, but hasn’t said how it will get there. And, its coal commitments contradict that target. Mike Seccombe looks at how Labor lost its nerve on climate policy, and what that means for Australia’s climate future. Guest: The Saturday Paper’s national correspondent, Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Political warfare over climate action in The Sat...

The murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children has once again put Australia’s failure to grapple with domestic violence on the national agenda. There are steps we could take to better protect people, but governments are failing to act. Bri Lee on the changes we need to make to keep women and children safe.  Guest: Author and writer for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee. Background reading: Queensland...

Description: A consortium of powerful religious doctors has made it impossible to choose a surgical abortion in one of NSW’s largest regional towns – even in the public hospital there. Justine Landis-Hanley on how faith and fear can control access to reproductive rights. Guest: Freelance journalist Justine Landis-Hanley. Background reading: The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more information on to...

Coronavirus has provided Scott Morrison with an opportunity to re-establish his leadership credentials, but will it work? Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the prime minister is making the most of this crisis.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.  Background reading:   Scott Morrison's quest for immunity in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper   The Monthly   For more information o...

The panic generated by coronavirus has reignited an older, deeper panic about Chinese migrants. Ruby Schwartz on how a medical emergency has unearthed Australia’s fear of the other – and how this fear cycles through different targets. Guest: 7am producer Ruby Schwartz. Background reading: COVID-19: Racism, economics and the aftermath in The Saturday Paper Christmas Island and the rise of mandatory...