The Briefing

In this headlines-free extra episode of the Briefing: How are social media influencers shaking up Australia's fashion industry? Content creators are certainly making a name for themselves in this space - from releasing collections with big-name brands to even creating their own fashion label. And their followers are eating up everything they're putting out. We're joined by LISTNR journalist Loren...

Should I have a baby? That’s the big question Gina Rushton grapples with in her new book, The Parenthood Dilemma. She delves into some of the existential issues: whether it’s responsible to have children while our climate continues to heat up at a rapid rate; as well as the personal: why, when faced with the potential of her own infertility, she found herself questioning how she thought she felt a...

In this headlines-free extra episode of The Briefing: Everyone knows the impact of mental health on our wellbeing, our families, our jobs and our future. So today, we ask 'R U OK'? While we’re more acutely aware of the tell-tale signs and how and why we need to seek help, it can be hard to know how to check in with those around us, or for those struggling to know what to do. Asking if someone’s OK...

Constant exposure to dire forecasts and extreme weather events is taking its toll on climate scientists. It's meant scientists are now trying group therapy to deal with their fear and anxiety. In this episode of our Summer Ahead series Tom Tilley breaks it down with ANU scientist Joe Duggan.   Headlines: Qantas loses over sacking baggage handlers Multimillionaire wants unemployment to rise  US cra...

In this headlines-free extra episode of The Briefing: The ACT has passed laws that decriminalise illicit drugs. This means you’ll get the equivalent of a speeding ticket if found in possession of 1.5 grams of cocaine, meth or 1 gram of heroin. So why has the ACT gone down this path? Will it become a target market for gangland criminals? And what can the ACT learn from countries like Portugal that...

AI is here: already a third of employees are using AI for work, and in two-thirds of those cases, their manager doesn't know. Sectors like media, finance and education will see the biggest changes; with experts saying companies need to come up with an AI strategy as soon as possible. In this episode of The Briefing, Katrina Blowers speaks with Dr Kellie Nuttall from Deloitte about how much AI has...

In this headlines-free extra episode of The Briefing: What exactly are our politicians being gifted for free, and who takes the most? While gifts range from bicycles to sports tickets, and many aren't accepted, each year the accumulated worth runs into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And currently they’re under scrutiny. Just today a survey from Nine newspapers revealed that 70% of Australia...

Chanel Contos shot to fame when she uncovered thousands of horror stories about sexual abuse and coercion in Sydney’s elite private schools. Since then she’s successfully pushed for consent education to become part of the school curriculum. In this episode of The Briefing, Tom Tilley speaks with Chanel about her new book Consent Laid Bare.    Headlines: Labor’s $10b housing fund after deal with th...

In this headlines-free extra episode of the Briefing:  After three weeks of intense pressure, Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has finally succumbed and announced he will resign. Rubiales has dominated news after kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent, after Spain won the FIFA Women’s World Cup last month.  We’re joined by Bonita Mersiades, a former...

At least 2,012 people have died with at least 2000 more injured in the most powerful earthquake Morocco has suffered in 120 years. The 6.8 magnitude quake hit Morocco late on Friday local time, with entire villages levelled. Now the race is on to try and recover survivors from the rubble. Katrina Blowers speaks with Oumaima Azzelzouli, a journalist with Moroccan National Radio who lives in Rabat a...

Welcome to On Topic with the Weekend Briefing, a special series where Jamila Rizvi talks to some of her favourite guests - old and new - about a single, fascinating subject. Over the next two months, you’ll hear from singers, writers, models, actors and change makers on topics as diverse as power and influence, mindset and money, bodies and brains.  Today you’ll hear from Lillian Ahenkan, on influ...

In this headlines-free extra episode of the Briefing:  Tom Tilley's secret passion!! The Rugby World Cup begins in France this weekend – and the Wallabies head into the tournament after losing five lead-up matches.  Coach Eddie Jones has picked a very young, inexperienced side, who he says he will have firing at exactly the right time.  Tom Tilley and Sacha Barbour-Gatt are rugby 'tragics'! Austra...

15,000 people dressed in black attended an illegal rally on Monday in Seoul. This massive protest was triggered after three teacher suicides happened in South Korea in as many months. The first was a young teacher in Seoul who took her own life in July after expressing anxiety over complaints from abusive parents. Teachers are now demanding better protection for themselves amid growing outrage abo...

In this extra, headlines-free episode of The Briefing: the federal government's plans to declare war on feral cats. Today is National Threatened Species Day and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has released a plan to protect another 48 endangered species across Australia, including a program to eradicate feral cats. One part of the plan would see a nationwide night curfew imposed on domestic c...

Anthony Albanese’s personal approval has dropped under the 50 per cent mark for the first time since he was elected Prime Minister. It’s as Labor battles fires on multiple fronts including their Qatar decision; their struggles with the ‘Yes’ campaign; and the Defence Minister’s golf club controversy. In this episode of The Briefing, Tom Tilley speaks with Andrew Leigh, Labor’s assistant minister f...

In this extra, headlines-free episode of The Briefing:  Donald Trump refuses to acknowledge he lost the 2020 election, so would his re-election lead to the demise of democracy?  The United States likes to think of itself as the ultimate democracy, but if Donald Trump wins next year’s presidential election, could the US electorate be endorsing his claims his loss in 2020 was NOT the work of a fair...

We're facing down the prospect of rolling blackouts this summer, with temperatures expected to break records. To find out about just where we’re at with our energy mix, we speak with Professor Samantha Hepburn who is an expert in environmental law research at Deakin University about what we need to do to safeguard our energy supply for the future.   Headlines: A Senate inquiry will be held into bl...

In this extra, headlines-free episode of The Briefing: Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was due to retire in November, but made the stunning announcement this morning he was stepping down today. The news comes after a month of scandals, including facing an investigation by the ACCC that it sold tickets to flights that had already been cancelled.  We’re joined by Flight Centre CEO, Graham Turner, and Helen Bi...

As John Farnham’s anthem becomes the theme song for the Yes campaign we reveal the story behind the song. Turns out it was written by a British musician after he slept in for a protest! Tom Tilley gets the story from Double J presenter Zan Rowe and also speak to political campaign analyst Dee Madigan about the impact it will have on the referendum.   Headlines: No interest rates rises predicted Wi...

Around the country, drivers are forking out an average of $2.05 a litre for petrol, while some unlucky Aussies have had to pay prices as high as $2.38 a litre. In this extra, headlines-free episode of The Briefing, we chat with Chief Investment Officer at The Motley Fool, Scott Phillips, to find out why it’s so expensive, how long we can expect to pay a bomb at the bowser, and tips for making your...

Across Australia paper straws, wooden cutlery and cardboard tubs have replaced plastic in a bid to protect the environment, but new research shows they can contain dangerous chemicals. The chemicals, known as PFAS, are found in many “eco- friendly” straws and takeaway containers because PFAS makes them water resistant. In this episode of The Briefing, Jan Fran speaks with the commercial manager En...

Welcome to On Topic with the Weekend Briefing, a special series where Jamila Rizvi talks to some of her favourite guests - old and new - about a single, fascinating subject. Over the next two months, you’ll hear from singers, writers, models, actors and change makers on topics as diverse as power and influence, mindset and money, bodies and brains.  Today you’ll hear from Milo Hartill on body. Mil...

Skyrocketing ticket prices, massive profits and soaring pay packets. What’s with Qantas? Qantas boss Alan Joyce faced a parliamentary grilling this week, but was unconvincing in his defence of Qantas’ huge profits, not to mention his huge payslip. In this episode of the Briefing, Tom interviews Senator Jane Hume, one of the MPs confronting Mr Joyce to find out why the Albanese government is hellbe...

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, has officially announced that the country will go to the polls on Saturday, October 14th to vote on both the constitutional recognition of First Nations Australians and the creation of a Voice to Parliament.  Now that we know the date we'll be voting, what can we expect for the next six weeks of the Yes and No campaigns, and what do you need to kn...

On today’s episode The Briefing continues our focus on what you might not know about domestic violence. Today’s episode is more about you and what can you do. Antoinette Lattouf sits down with Emily Maguire, CEO of Respect Victoria on how to spot an abusive relationship and help a friend or relative who's in one. *Content Warning* This episode includes details of domestic violence including sexual...