7am

The Prime Minister has declared Christian Porter “innocent” and said any inquiry into the allegations of sexual assault would undermine the rule of law. Today, Rachel Withers on what exactly the rule of law means, and whether it’s a sufficient enough justification to stop an inquiry from going ahead.   Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. Background reading: The rule of law(y...

Growing concern about far-right extremists in Australia has led to the creation of a new federal inquiry, but the inquiry has revealed that one police force is out of step with our national security agencies. Today, Osman Faruqi on the emboldened far-right in Australia, and whether enough is being done to counter them. Guest: Editor of 7am , Osman Faruqi. Background reading: Victoria Police and ex...

Australia’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout is already behind schedule, but while the headlines have focused on issues with supply and delivery, there are much deeper problems. Today, Mike Seccombe on the challenges to the federal government’s vaccination plan, and what’s at stake if we don’t get it right.   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Exper...

Last week, the most significant report to examine aged care in Australia was released. The Saturday Paper ’s senior reporter Rick Morton has been covering every step of the journey to get here. Today, he tells us why this could be the moment we change a broken system. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudi...

For the past three years author and farmer Bruce Pascoe has been trying to establish a sustainable practice on his land. Informed by the Indigenous farming techniques he researched for his bestseller Dark Emu, he’s seeking to undo the damaging legacy inflicted through decades of post-colonial practices. Today, he speaks to Ruby Jones.   Guest: Author Bruce Pascoe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy...

The Attorney-General has so far refused to resign, denying the rape allegation levelled against him. He’s been supported by senior ministers and the Prime Minister. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how Scott Morrison fought alongside Christian Porter to keep him in his job, and what happens next.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform...

The federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has identified himself as the cabinet minister accused of a sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1988. He strongly denied the allegations and refused to resign or step aside. Also on today’s show, Judith Brett on the crisis facing Australia’s university sector, and Australian of the Year Grace Tame’s powerful speech at the National Press Club.  ...

A cabinet minister in the federal government has been accused of rape, but he hasn’t been publicly identified and the Prime Minister has so far refused to initiate an inquiry into the allegations. Today, Karen Middleton on the sexual assault crisis that has rocked the country.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

Across Australia more than one hundred asylum seekers are being detained in hotel rooms. They have no access to fresh air and limited space to exercise. This is the story of two friends - one who the government released, and the other who is still arbitrarily detained. Guest: Features and field reporter Elle Marsh. Background reading: Fight to free refugees in hotel detention in The Saturday Paper...

Following a series of fatal car accidents, Queensland has announced a major crackdown on youth crime. According to youth advocate Siyavash Doostkhah, policy is being dictated by the police union, emboldened by the tabloid media and both sides of politics.    Guest: Youth Affairs Network of Queensland director Siyavash Doostkhah. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnyst...

This week, Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party to sit on the crossbench. But the Morrison government is so mired in scandal, it went largely unnoticed. It’s a huge risk for the Coalition - and any action on climate change.  Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: For some people living with disabilities, the pandemic triggered feelings of being different and even dispensable. Micheline Lee on living through coronavirus, and what it revealed about Australia’s priorities.   Guest: Writer for The Monthly Micheline Lee. Background reading: Nightclubs, pandemics and our real selves in The Monthly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out infor...

Australian property prices have just hit a record high – despite predictions the market would crash during the pandemic. So what happened? What will it take for prices to go down?   Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: Inequality and the housing bubble in The Saturday Paper. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio...

Eighteen months ago, Dhanya Mani spoke to the press about being assaulted while working as a Liberal Party staffer. This week, she reflected on how little has changed - and how culpable the prime minister is for that.   Guest: Lawyer and founder of Changing Our Headline Dhanya Mani. Background reading: ‘ I was a staffer, and so was my perpetrator’ in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for pr...

Two long-forgotten High Court cases warned the government that robo-debt might be illegal. But they persisted with the welfare scheme anyway. Rick Morton on what they knew - and when they knew it.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Robo-debt shonky from the start in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnys...

The Brittany Higgins case has dominated the week in Canberra. This is the story of how the prime minister has responded to her alleged assault, and how he has tried to manage the coverage that followed.   Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Labor prepares for a possible early election, Tanya Plibersek says the party is ready to confront the government over shortcomings in its handling of the pandemic. But some in the party believe it may be too late to turn around the polls.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Tanya Plibersek on post-Covid politics in The Saturday Pape...

A damning report has found Crown Resorts unfit to hold a casino licence in NSW. But what does that mean for James Packer’s operations in other states? Rick Morton on Packer’s winning streak - and how it ended.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Crown’s casinos and the Bergin report in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf...

The early era of space exploration was dominated by romantic ideas of universal connectedness. But the increasingly privatised nature of the space industry has obscured that vision. Today, Ceridwen Dovey on the new space industry entrepreneurs, and why we should be worried about what they’re planning.     Guest: Writer for The Monthly Ceridwen Dovey. Background reading: Pale blue dot in The Monthl...

Victoria has been plunged back into lockdown after a new strain of Covid-19 escaped from hotel quarantine into the community. In recent weeks leaks have occurred across the country, leading to lockdowns in Brisbane and Perth. Today, Rachel Withers on whether our key defence against the virus is working as well as it should.   Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers. Background re...

The Prime Minister is trying to calibrate his climate policy to better fit into a post-Trump world, but he faces a conservative revolt on his own backbench. On the other side, Australia faces trade sanctions if it doesn’t implement serious emissions reduction targets. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s climate standoff.    Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com...

Eddie McGuire’s resignation as the President of Collingwood is the culmination of a decades-long story of racism at the club. But the story isn’t just about Collingwood, the AFL or even sport. Today, Daniel James on how racism in sport can’t be divorced from racism across our society.   Guest: Yorta Yorta writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Daniel James. Background reading: Collingwood an...

The Coalition’s surprise win at the last federal election is largely attributed to a relentless campaign targeting Labor’s key economic policies, led by Liberal MP Tim Wilson. Now Wilson has launched a new campaign to reshape the four trillion dollar superannuation industry. Today, Rick Morton on the Liberal vision for our retirement savings, and how it would impact all of us. Guest: Senior report...

While Australians grapple with shocking allegations of war crimes levelled against our armed forces, the federal government is moving ahead with a $500 million redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial. Today, Mark McKenna, on what our preoccupation with war tells us about who we are.  Further listening: Brendan Nelson’s gravy sandwich Guest: Historian and writer for The Monthly Mark McKenna. B...

Myanmar’s democratically elected leader, Aung Sun Suu Kyi, was arrested last week as part of a military coup. The country is now back under complete army control. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on what led to the coup, and what happens next in Myanmar. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.