There are strict rules around how drug company representatives can interact with doctors to ensure they aren’t influencing how medications are prescribed.
But when it comes to expensive medical devices inserted in our bodies during surgery – all sorts of screws, pacemakers and implants – those same rules don’t apply.
Medical device sales reps are scrubbed up and working in the operating theatre, even advising surgeons on which products to use.
Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on whether the pursuit of profit risks driving clinical decisions.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

How sales reps infiltrated operating theatres

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The members of this federal Labor government have been pretty disciplined on not publicly criticising party policy.
So it raised a few eyebrows when MPs from inner-city seats took aim at the government’s Future Gas Strategy.
The plan pumps up gas as a vital part of the energy transition through to 2050 and beyond, which is at odds with moves to get households off gas as quickly as possible.
Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on what’s behind the gas plan and why a little “sanctioned dissent” might be part of a broader electoral strategy.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

Gas beyond 2050: A Labor revolt or sanctioned dissent?

Julian Assange’s lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, describes the long, meandering court process Assange has faced as “punishment by process”.
Just this week, in a decision that may have saved Assange from being immediately extradited to the United States, the British High Court ruled it will hear one more appeal against his extradition – but not until later this year.
The only other literal get-out-of-jail card for Assange is if the US drops the charges against him.
Today, Assange’s lawyer Jennifer Robinson, on why she’s back in Australia lobbying the government and whether they can secure a deal before the US election in November. 

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Guest: Lawyer for Julian Assange, Jennifer Robinson.

Jennifer Robinson on UK courts giving Assange one last appeal

When observing the Al Roj refugee camp in Northern Syria on Google Maps, you can see it’s only a few hundred metres away from an airport tarmac.
But for the 40 Australian citizens stranded at the camp – with no water, electricity or any real plan for the future – getting on a plane home could still be years away.
Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on why the government seems to have abandoned its plans to bring them home.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis

Albanese abandons plans to bring home 'ISIS brides'

If you’ve bought salmon at the supermarket, there’s a strong chance it came from Tasmania.
The island state is home to a billion-dollar salmon farming industry and much of it is located at Macquarie Harbour. That harbour is where Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan grew up.
But it’s also home to a 60-million-year-old creature whose fate appears to be the first Australian species to be wiped off the face of the earth during this federal government.
Today, writer and contributor to The Monthly Richard Flanagan on how corporate greed, political inaction and our demand for supermarket salmon are all choking the Maugean Skate. 

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Guest: Booker Prize-winning author and contributor to The Monthly Richard Flanagan

Richard Flanagan on Labor's first extinction

This week, Jim Chalmers delivered what could be the most politically significant budget of his career – with the future of a Labor government and the country’s cost of living crisis on the line.
Today, he joins 7am to discuss his vision for Australia’s economy and whether the government has done enough to end the living crisis.

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Guest: Treasurer of Australia, Dr Jim Chalmers

How sales reps infiltrated operating theatres

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