7am

She was the first person ever to become an astronaut wearing the Australian flag – and now Australian of the year Katherine Bennell-Pegg could finally be taking that flag into space.

The federal government has sent an offer to the European Space Agency to send Bennell-Pegg on a 2028 space mission.

If accepted, it will be the first time an astronaut has travelled to space under the Australian flag.

But there’s a $100 million dollar catch.

Today, co-director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne University, Dr Rebecca Allen on whether the hefty price tag is worth it – and why she thinks Australia needs to become a player in the space game.

 

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Guest: Co-Director of the Space Technology Institute at Swinburne Uni, Dr Rebecca Allen

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When John Howard introduced the GST in the year 2000, Australians were largely unimpressed.

More than 25 years later, some experts – including a former treasurer – say it’s time for an update.

A new report from the independent think tank the Grattan Institute proposes broadening the Goods and Services Tax and raising its rate to 15 per cent – to avoid what it says is a looming budget disaster.

Today Grattan Institute CEO Dr Aruna Sathanapally on why she argues we should raise the GST – even during a cost-of-living crisis – and how to package the changes so poorer Australians could actually end up better off.

 

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Guest: Grattan Institute CEO Dr Aruna Sathanapally

Photo: AAP Image/Dan Peled

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Once upon a time, Australians were told Pine Gap was a space research facility. Today, we know it's one of America's most important overseas intelligence bases – although much of what happens there remains secret.

Now, Pine Gap is facing renewed scrutiny as defence experts say intelligence gathered at the base is likely being used to support US strikes on Iran, and an Alice Springs court recently received evidence alleging it assisted Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The Greens and Independent MP Andrew Wilkie are demanding answers, but the Albanese government has refused to say how intel from Pine Gap is being used.

In 2024, investigative journalist Peter Cronau uncovered a major expansion at the base, including three enormous new satellite dishes believed to be part of an American missile-detection system.

Today, editor of Declassified Australia Peter Cronau on what Pine Gap actually does, why its capabilities are expanding, and whether its role in American wars could put Australia in danger.

This episode first aired in June 2024.

 

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Guest: Editor of Declassified Australia, Peter Cronau

Photo: Google Earth

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It’s been a week of shock and grief. 

The attack on Helen Haines has left her family and the community she represents confronting a trauma that has reverberated across the country and whose consequences will endure long after the headlines have moved on. 

In Canberra, there have been calls for restraint, for care with words and for an end to the cruelty that has become so familiar in our public life. Those calls ask politicians and the media to recognise the weight of our words and our collective responsibility for the tone we accept in public debate. 

Today, ABC Melbourne’s Raf Epstein on a devastating week, the habits we’ve come to accept, and whether this moment will change anything once the political contest resumes. 

 

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Guest: ABC Melbourne host Raf Epstein

Photo: AAP Image/James Ross

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In an Ebola treatment centre in eastern Congo, young children are being cared for by people in protective suits – isolated from the love and comfort of their families, who can only watch on from a window. 

For paediatrician Rupa Narra, it was unlike anything she’d experienced in 16 years working in global health. Some of her patients were too young to understand why their parents couldn’t hold them in what would be their final hours. 

And as health workers confront the outbreak, the international support they once relied on has been stripped away.

Today, Médecins Sans Frontières doctor, Rupa Narra, on the children caught up in the Ebola crisis and what happens when the world retreats from helping contain it. 

 

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Guest: Médecins Sans Frontières doctor, Rupa Narra

Photo:msf.org.au

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You can see it in the drawn faces of the politicians lining up to speak about Helen Haines this week – Canberra has been shaken to its core.

ASIO and the Australian Federal Police have been liaising with parliamentarians – some of whom say they no longer feel safe after the alleged attack, which left the beloved Victorian independent fighting for her life.

But some of the same politicians offering their condolences have been responsible for the increasingly ugly, even violent, rhetoric on the floor of parliament – their words contributing to the very environment that’s made them feel unsafe.

Today, Independent MP Allegra Spender on her own experience, the hypocrisy in parliament, and why she’s calling for change – regardless of what the driver’s motivations are found to be.

 

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Guest: Independent MP Allegra Spender

Photo: AAP Image/James Ross

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In France, thousands of arrests have been made and partial curfews imposed across the country, after a weekend of protests that spiralled into violence and looting.  

The protest movement, which began four weeks ago with students demanding better conditions at high schools, culminated in half a million people protesting the rising cost of living on the weekend.  

In some areas, shops were looted, and buildings torched. 

Protests have also broken out in other parts of Europe – including Spain, Belgium and Italy. 

The French President Emmanuel Macron, has now demanded a full security review and “new operational methods” to end the rioting. 

Today, writer Sarah Wilson from Paris, on how the protests turned violent, and what it all means for the future of politics in France, and across Europe. 

 

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Guest: Writer Sarah Wilson

Photo: Oualid Abdellaoui / JNA PRESS

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Yesterday afternoon Independent MP Helen Haines was returning to her electorate office in the regional Victorian town of Wangaratta, when she was struck by a white Toyota LandCruiser. 

Witnesses described seeing the car make a u-turn, and then ram Haines against a vehicle, before reversing and hitting her a second time.

A local barbershop owner ran to the driver’s side of the vehicle, removed a knife from the man’s pocket, and wrestled him to the ground. 

The alleged attacker, who has now been identified as 43 year old Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, was then arrested by police at the scene. 

Helen Haines was taken to hospital in a critical condition, and has lost her leg in the attack. 

The AFP and Victorian police are investigating, and identifying potential charges, with the AFP saying it appears to be an “isolated incident”, with no known threats connected to the matter.

Meanwhile the head of ASIO is warning that elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation have continued to create a "permissive environment of violence"

Today in a special episode, columnist and broadcaster Waleed Aly on our changing attitudes to political violence, and why this moment should be a turning point for politics and for all Australians

 

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Guest: Columnist and broadcaster Waleed Aly

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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The Greens are in crisis mode after one of their senators was accused of inappropriate conduct towards women. 

On Monday the party held an emergency meeting after an explosive statement from Jordon Steele-John, denying the allegations and accusing the new party leader of lying.

An internal Greens investigation is underway. 

But what could be more politically damaging than the claims against Senator Steele-John, is the Greens alleged coverup of misconduct claims against him.

Today, journalist Rachel Withers on the investigation, the secret dossier to contain the crisis, and what the events of the last week tell us about the Greens. 

 

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Guest: Journalist Rachel Withers

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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On February 9, thousands of people gathered at Sydney Town Hall to protest the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

They wanted to march to state parliament, but police were blocking their way.

The scenes that followed were shocking: 10 officers and dozens of protesters – some in their 70s and 80s – were injured in the violent clashes that unfolded.

Now, after hundreds of complaints of police brutality, the law enforcement watchdog is today opening its investigation into what officers did, how the operation was planned and who gave the orders.

Today, Managing Partner at Marque Lawyers, Michael Bradley, on who should be held accountable for the violence at Town Hall – and why NSW Police fought to keep the investigation behind closed doors.

 

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: Managing partner at Marque Lawyers, Michael Bradley

Photo: AAP Image/Flavio Brancaleone

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.