7am

As Scott Morrison completes his first overseas trip since winning the election, there are worrying signs for the economy and for press freedom. Paul Bongiorno on interest rates, AFP raids and Kristina Keneally’s new responsibilities. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. Background reading: Morrison goes from royals to rate cuts to raids in  The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper...

Charlie Teo is Australia’s best-known surgeon. He is also the country’s most controversial specialist. Martin McKenzie-Murray on what defines Teo and the balance he asks us to strike between hope and orthodoxy. Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray. Background reading: The promise of renowned neurosurgeon Charlie Teo in  The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The...

A law that allows drunkenness as a defence against criminal behaviour is the subject of a campaign for reform. But government is not listening and the legal establishment is not interested in seeing it change. Bri Lee talks about what is called “Mistake of Fact”. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of sexual assault. Guest: Author, advocate for consent reform and writer for The Saturday Pa...

Scott Morrison’s cabinet is a careful balance between those who backed him during last year’s leadership spill, and those who backed Peter Dutton. There are well-received appointments and others that are more controversial. Paddy Manning discusses who is where and what it means. Guest: Contributing editor (politics) for The Monthly Paddy Manning. Background reading: Inside the broad church of Scot...

Anthony Albanese has been elected unopposed to lead the Labor Party. He sat down with his biographer, Karen Middleton, to talk about what just happened and what guides his thinking on key policies. Guest: The Saturday Paper ’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton. Background reading: Starting again: the Albanese interview in  The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The Monthly For more info...

After the first sitting of Morrison’s joint party room, we have a clearer understanding of what the next parliament will be like. It’s one in which both the prime minister and the Opposition leader are already campaigning for the next election. Paul Bongiorno on the week just gone and the 10 seats Scott Morrison wants to win. Guest: The Saturday Paper columnist Paul Bongiorno. Background reading:...

After years of negotiation, the Uluru Statement from the Heart represents the clearest ever consensus for recognition of Indigenous Australians in our politics. It was rejected by government, but there is now money in the budget for a referendum. Stephen Fitzpatrick on what is next for the Uluru statement. Guest: Journalist and former Indigenous affairs editor at The Australian Stephen Fitzpatrick...

Sprent Dabwido is a former president of Nauru who signed the deal with Australia to establish a detention centre there. Days before he died, he told Martin McKenzie-Murray about his regrets and the ways in which that deal has destroyed democracy on the island. Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray. Background reading:  Nauru on the edge in  The Saturday Paper The...

The ParentsNext welfare program was designed to help disadvantaged parents back into work. In practice, it has been onerous and unforgiving for the mostly single women who have been forced onto it. Clementine Ford reports on the mothers’ resistance that is trying to change the program.  Guest: Writer and author Clementine Ford. Background reading: ParentsNext program not helping single and sole mo...

Scott Morrison’s surprise win last weekend was the status quo election no one saw coming. The vote was actually a repeat of 2010, and the country has been stuck on that divide ever since. George Megalogenis on how Australia was fractured and what to do next. Guest: Author and journalist George Megalogenis. Background reading: The shock of the new normal in  The Monthly The Saturday Paper The Month...

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper . Hear from the country's best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.