In recent weeks, Australian researchers began receiving a questionnaire.

Sent by the US government, it asked things like “can you confirm that this is no DEI?” and “Can you confirm this is not a climate or environmental justice project?”

The questions were seeking to determine whether Australian research, co-funded by the United States, was complying with Donald Trump’s promise to cut funding from projects that support a “woke” agenda.

The move has been labelled as “foreign interference” and raises questions about the independence and sustainability of Australian research.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on why Australian research needs a new backer – and what the government should be doing about it.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

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Tanzanian-born, London-based author Abdulrazak Gurnah was midway through writing his latest novel, Theft, when he received a call letting him know he’d won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. After more than a year of events and literary obligations, he finally returned to Theft, with more enthusiasm than ever. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down with Abdulrazak to discuss his writing, the phenomenon of tourism and his latest book.

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In his press conference announcing the May 3 federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians have a choice, warning Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will cut “your job, your wages, your child’s education and… your Medicare”. 

In response,  Dutton asked voters to consider if they are better off now than they were before Labor came to power.

In this special election edition of 7am, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis traces the battlelines of the upcoming election and tells us which leader is most ready for the fight ahead.

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: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis

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While Peter Dutton’s electorate braced for Cyclone Alfred, the opposition leader flew to Sydney to attend a $25,000 dollar-a-head dinner at Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse mansion.

It was a choice that’s been pilloried in the media – and the government.

But as Labor sets about to raise money in similar ways, it raises questions about who has the ear of our leaders – and what Australia’s wealthiest people are getting in return for their donations.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese and the billionaires they court.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

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Traditionally, the idea of bail meant that someone accused of a crime had the right to be free until their trial. But over nearly fifty years, that has shifted dramatically, with bail now used as a tool for crime prevention.

Jurisdictions across Australia are adopting more punitive bail laws – with Victoria just passing what it calls “the toughest laws in the country”.

The government says it’s about community safety, but legal and human rights experts warn that these changes will put more children in custody, disproportionately affect First Nations people, and potentially increase deaths on remand.

Today, legal academic, Dr Marilyn McMahon, on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what it means for justice.

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Guest: Professor in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon.

Photo: AAP Image / Con Chronis

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Jim Chalmers has handed down the Labor government’s election budget.

Front and centre was a surprise tax cut for all Australians, along with many of the measures we’ve been promised, including a boost to Medicare, energy bill relief, housing support and student debt reductions. 

As the government makes its pitch for re-election, gross public debt is forecast to hit $1 trillion next year, and a decade of deficits loom.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what’s in the budget for you — and how it will sway the government’s chances at re-election.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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The ceasefire in Gaza collapsed a week ago as Israel launched a series of airstrikes.

Since then, more than 600 people have been killed, including children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.Israel says the attacks were aimed at Hamas’s surviving leadership – and just a few days ago, Hamas confirmed its top political leader is dead.

As the war reignites, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing his own political survival.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom on what the end of the ceasefire means for the people of Gaza – and what US President Donald Trump wants out of the next stage of war. 

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:  Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom.

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When footage of a CFMEU “health inspector” assaulting a woman was made public last week, it shocked a lot of people. But many union members weren’t surprised.

It’s been six months since the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful unions, was put under federal administration. But now, the lawyer tasked with investigating corruption within the union is openly saying not only has it not improved – it’s worse than he could have imagined.

Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on the union members fighting back – and whether the CFMEU can be saved.

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Guest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray

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Tasmanian writer Robert Dessaix is a man of many talents when it comes to the written form – from travel memoir and fiction to biography and philosophy, he’s done it all. He became a household name for many listeners to ABC Radio following a long stint hosting the beloved show Books and Writing. Now, at 81, Robert is back with a new memoir. This week, Michael is joined by Robert for a conversation about memory, dance, and being a chameleon.

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Kos Samaras spends hundreds of hours listening to what voters really think.

In focus groups and in surveys, his research and political strategy firm, RedBridge Group, gathers the opinions of everyday Australians to paint a picture of the national mood: What is worrying us? What do we think of the prime minister’s mansion, or the opposition leader’s share portfolio? Which politicians can we trust?

But Samaras says this picture gets warped by politicians who live and die by the two-party preferred poll numbers and the 24-hour news cycle, but fail to learn much beyond that.

Today, director at RedBridge, Kos Samaras, on the group of voters who’ll decide the outcome of the upcoming election – and the things they want that no one is offering.

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: Director at RedBridge, Kos Samaras.

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