The Briefing

110 people have been confirmed dead in a Kenyan forest, believed to have starved themselves after following the teachings of a cult called The Good News International Church. The church taught that the end of the world was coming and its followers should starve themselves before that time and then they would go to heaven. Children were to die first, then the unmarried, then mothers and the elderly...

Is that it? Housing market data shows the downturn in prices is over, for now. One of Australia’s leading property market analysts, Tim Lawless from CoreLogic, explains what this means for first home buyers.    Headlines: The Coronation celebrations continue Federal Budget update Eight people killed in another US mass shooting   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast   Facebook: TheBr...

While you may not have heard Michael Lucas’ voice before, you’ve almost certainly heard his words. Michael is an award winning screenwriter who has been at the helm of some of Australia’s most loved TV shows, from Offspring, to Wentworth and The Newsreader.  In this chat with Jamila Rizv, Michael deep dives into what draws him to telling certain kinds of stories and how his own life experiences sh...

It’s a big weekend for the royalists around the world with the coronation of King Charles III to take place in London.  It’s been 70 years since the last coronation – that of Elizabeth II in 1953.  More than 2000 guests are invited including our PM Anthony Albanese. He’s taking with him around 20 upstanding Australians with him including comedian Adam Hills, who joins us from London.   Headlines:...

Singer Katy Perry has lost her long running legal fight with Australian clothing designer Katie Perry. Our Federal court has ruled the pop-star infringed in the trademark of the local brand, which was established in 2007 before the singer’s rise to international fame. We speak with clothing designer Katie Perry about why the case went on so long, and how she feels now she finally has a verdict.   ...

This year’s Met Gala theme is ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty' which sparked backlash due to the late fashion designer's views on women's bodies and the #MeToo movement. We find out about why he was controversial and also dive into the rising issue of cancel culture in major fashion houses with brand consultant and editor Alison Izzo.   Headlines: Interest rates lift again Qantas appoints first...

Thousands of households are refinancing their mortgages. In February alone $20billion worth of loans were remortgaged. With the fixed rate cliff just around the corner, even more Australians will be looking for a better deal. In this episode we speak with RateCity’s Sally Tindall on what to do if you’re looking at refinancing and what traps to avoid.   Headlines: Tributes flow for Masterchef’s Joc...

This strange saga has a few twists and turns which have culminated in Disney taking Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis to court. It's the latest move in a year-long battle that started when Disney publicly criticised Florida’s ‘don’t say gay' laws. In retaliation, DeSantis stripped Disney of its 56-year-long self-governing status and even threatened to open a prison near its theme park.   We find out...

When Melissa Leong tastes her food, everyone pays attention. As the first female MasterChef judge her elegant and evocative descriptions make you feel part of the experience. When it comes to food, there isn’t much Melissa hasn’t done and in 2022 she was nominated for a Gold Logie.  In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Melissa touches on her experience of fame as a self-described introvert and what it...

Did the TV show Succession predict it? The Murdoch's have fired Tucker Carlson and retreated from two giant legal fights with Dominion & Crikey. In this episode we speak with Paddy Manning, author of The Successor on just how rotten things are in the state of Fox News.   Headlines: Tucker Carlson speaks out after Fox sacking US talkshow icon Jerry Springer dies at 79 Credit cards to be banned...

Two Australian states have experienced a huge increase in the number of license suspensions. It’s a result of AI detection software that is now being rolled out across the country. We speak with Listnr's investigative journalist Joey Watson on whether this is just good policy? Or is there more at play?    Headlines: Annual inflation rate falls to 7% A new migration strategy to be outlined Zelensky...

The luxury goods industry is worth $5.3 billion, but it turns out despite the cost of living crisis, young people are driving demand with a third of luxury items purchased by Australians under the age of 30. We speak with IBISWorld report author Kayla Wheeler, and fashion lecturer Alison Izzo about the new obsession with quiet luxury among young people.   Headlines: - Biden announces re-election b...

With Australia’s megachurch in turmoil, Tom Tilley has been working on an documentary investigation that reveals how far the problems go back and the real reasons its founder Brian Houston lost control of his church. In this extended interview with Katrina Blowers, Tom explains how the investigation began and what he learned along the way. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  Faceb...

A long-awaited review into the RBA has been handed down, with the government supporting the 51 recommendations in principle. Among them, the board that sets interest rates will be split off from the people who govern the overall running of the bank. We speak with Jonathan Kearns who spent three decades at the RBA and was one of the people consulted by the review panel.     Headlines: - Tributes po...

Jess Hill is an investigative journalist who has dedicated the last six years of her life to exploring, explaining and making sense of family violence, domestic abuse and sexual assault. This week she returns to SBS television with a documentary series called Asking For It featuring Grace Tame, Saxon Mullins and other survivors and experts who candidly share their experiences. In this chat with Ja...

We take six well known cosmetics to an independent laboratory for testing. The results show that two of the brands contain PFAS, which are dangerous synthetic ‘forever chemicals.’   Find out which brands and how they respond to the results in this special report from Clair Weaver, Investigations Editor at Listnr.  Complaints about PFAS in cosmetics should go to the ACCC ( Problem with a product or...

It’s been one year since Sydney artist Scott Marsh caused a storm on social media after posting controversial comments about vaccines. The Aussie artist is here to tell us about his experience of having pericarditis after getting the vaccine and how the fallout from that post affected his life. We’re also speaking to infectious diseases expert Paul Griffin for the facts on vaccine injury.   Headli...

An Australian-first study has been launched looking at the online hate directed at female athletes. At the Tokyo games, 87% of online abuse towards athletes was directed at females. Female athletes say it's not an option to not use social media, because they are paid less and rely on it for income. So, what is it like being on the receiving end of daily online abuse? We talk with Olympic swimmer C...

The controversial Bold Glamour filter on TikTok has now been used almost 40 million times. The AI filter gives users the perfect bone structure, full lips and flawless skin. It’s so realistic in fact, that some users say it should come with a warning as it’s setting unrealistic expectations of how we should look. On this episode of the Briefing we speak to cosmetic surgery consultant Dr Rand Youne...

In 2007, due to road fatalities among young drivers, the learner period more than doubled from 50 hours to 120 hours in NSW and Victoria, but new research suggests these changes have done nothing to change road tolls. For almost 25 years, teenagers in New South Wales have been logging their driving hours, but with little evidence on the benefits, until now. So should they be scrapped and what is n...

Kate Jenkins has changed Australian workplaces forever during her seven-year term as Sex Discrimination Commissioner. During her time in the role Kate delivered the landmark Respect@Work report, which made a series of recommendations that laws be changed around workplace sexual harassment.  In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Kate reflects the last seven years in the role as she reaches to the final w...

The LNP is divided on the First Nations Voice. The shadow Attorney General Julian Leeser has stepped down from the Shadow Cabinet over the issue, while Tasmania’s Bridget Archer has also made it clear she supports the Voice.  In this episode of The Briefing we speak with Jacqui Munro – member for the NSW legislative council, a Liberal who is for the Voice about how she came to that position, what...

From disrupting local council meetings, to denying the Holocaust - there’s a new movement of conspiracy theorists called My Place, who are taking some of the most dangerous beliefs on the internet and confronting councils around Australia. In this episode, we speak to ABC journalist, Emily Baker, about her recent interview with the group’s leader.   Headlines: - Prince Harry to attend coronation ...

Leadership author, columnist and company director Kirstin Ferguson says ”I truly believe we are all leaders; whether we lead our families, our business or our country.” In her new book, Head and Heart, she argues despite history handing privileged men more formal leadership positions, all of us – from a checkout operator at Woolies to the Prime Minister of a country – can effectively step up to th...

The latest World Obesity Federation Report found 51 per cent of the world, or more than 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight within the next 12 years, with rates rising fastest among children. In today’s Briefing, we explore what it means for the next generations of Australians; what the contributing factors are; and why crash dieting is one of the worst ways to tackle the crisis.   Headl...