The Australian Federal Police investigate some of  the country's most serious crimes - terrorism, corruption, drugs, and human trafficking. 

But a new report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that the one thing the AFP is not good at investigating is itself.

It's found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks.

Today, journalist Karen Middleton on allegations inside the AFP, and what it tells us about the culture of the agency. 

 

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Guest: Journalist Karen Middleton

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When UNESCO voted to put the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in north-west Australia on the World Heritage List, they recognised the ancient rock art as a “masterpiece of human creative genius”.

It was a reflection of the work of the Murujuga traditional owners who fought for the carvings to be recognised on the world stage.

But what went on behind the scenes shows the limits of a heritage listing when it comes to stopping gas companies, the governments that profit from the burning of fossil fuels, or the effects of climate change  heritage listing does to stop gas companies, the government that profits from them, or the effects of climate change.  

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on UNESCO, Woodside, and the future of the Murujuga. 

 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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This is the second episode in a two part series. If you haven’t yet, start by listening to Part 1: How the Epstein conspiracy turned MAGA against Trump.

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein have a well documented history together. What started off as a friendship eventually turned sour, with Trump claiming he never really liked him.

But even though there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes, the association is now doing damage. Not because they were friends, but because Trump promised answers to his base about Epstein’s connections – and now has failed to give them. 

In this episode, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on what it will mean for Trump’s grip on power if even a small number of his supporters lose faith in him. 

 

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early

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As Donald Trump tries to hose down criticisms over his mishandling of the Epstein files, some of his most ardent supporters are now turning against him.

For years Donald Trump fueled conspiracy theories related to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. For Trump’s MAGA base, his re-election meant finally uncovering the truth about the powerful associates on “Epstein’s list” .

Now, Trump says the  investigation is over, the Epstein list is a “hoax” cooked up by the Democrats, and any supporters who believe there’s more to see are “weaklings”.

Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on how the Epstein backlash is upending MAGA — and what it means for Trump’s grip on power.

This is part one of a two part interview.

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early

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Australia is caught in a perilous balancing act. 

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Premier Xi Jinping to stabilise ties with China; as leaks from Washington revealed the steep demands of our AUKUS agreement with the United States. 

In the shadow of rising tensions over Taiwan, the question of where Australia stands, and who we stand with, has never been more complicated.

Today, host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald, on how the Albanese government is navigating our fraught alliances – and whether we could be headed for war.

 

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Guest: Host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald

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The Federal Court has dismissed a landmark class action brought by Uncles Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai – two Torres Strait Islander men who said Canberra owed them a duty of care to safeguard their homelands from rising seas.

Justice Michael Wigney accepted the islands are being “ravaged by human-induced climate change,” yet ruled the law offers “no real or effective” path to relief – and the Commonwealth argued Torres Strait Islanders can “protect themselves” by moving.

The Uncles insist losing is not an option and vow to keep fighting.

 Today, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo on how a court recognised the crisis but left the Torres Strait to face it alone – and what the government’s defence reveals about its climate stance.

 

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Guest: Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Ben Abbatangelo.

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It’s been a year since the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal to the role of Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia.

Last week, alongside the Prime Minister, Ms Segal released her plan.

It recommends media organisations should be monitored and funding should be withheld from universities and cultural institutions if they don’t stop antisemitism.

But critics say what she’s proposing could backfire.

Today, human rights lawyer and executive officer at the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz, on the rise in antisemitism and what should be done to stop it.

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Guest: Human rights lawyer and executive officer at the Jewish Council of Australia Sarah Schwartz

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Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Xi Jinping this week is a crucial opportunity to strengthen relations with our biggest trading partner.

But it comes at a time when Australia is trying to break China’s grip on the supply chain of critical minerals.

China’s global domination has been in the works for decades – a grand plan that gives China ready access to materials essential for everything from fighter jets to wind turbines. It also gives Beijing extraordinary leverage over Western economies and defence forces.

Today, columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs Ian Verrender, on China’s long game on critical minerals domination – and the old pile of mining waste in Western Australia which could upend it.

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Guest: Columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs Ian Verrender

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The Liberal Party knows it needs to change. But the battle over how is already tearing the party apart. Sussan Ley has declared herself a “zealot” for getting more women into parliament. 

But she faces stiff resistance from the conservative wing of the party, including from some of its older statesmen which see quotas as undemocratic and an attack on the idea of ‘merit’, 

But gender imbalance is not the only problem they’re facing. Liberal insiders say unless the party finds a way to broaden its appeal it will continue to suffer “a spiral of disaster that feeds on itself” which will render itself incapable of ever returning to government.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on why the Liberal party can’t agree on how to save itself. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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Spotify has transformed how the world listens to music. But as it’s grown, the company behind it, and its founder Daniel Ek, have been reshaping more than just the music industry.

Ek has become a key figure in the global defence industry, investing more than a billion dollars into military technology based on artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Spotify itself has embraced AI in ways that many artists say undermine their work.

Today, author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist Liz Pelly, on how Spotify’s pursuit for power and profit is changing music, and what listeners can do to take back control.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

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Guest: Author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist Liz Pelly

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