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The first major election since a wave of green and teal changed the federal map is set for this Saturday.

The Victorian election is about a lot of things, including being a referendum on Dan Andrews and his premiership.

But the election could also tell us more about how the electoral forces in Australia are shifting, and how alternatives to the major parties are rising.

Today, election analyst and host of The Tally Room podcast Ben Raue on tomorrow’s election, the fate of Dan Andrews and the redrawing of the electoral map.

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Guest: Host of The Tally Room podcast, Ben Raue.

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The World Cup is the most watched sporting event on earth.

Some predict that this year’s matches in Qatar could be watched by 5 billion during the month-long tournament.

But the grand spectacle of the World Cup is stained with allegations that migrant workers have died to make it happen. So what does it take for the world to look away? And what happens when sport and politics can’t be separated?

Today, journalist Kieran Pender on how the world game found itself defending human rights abuses.

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Guest: Journalist, Kieran Pender

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The world has come to new agreements on climate action.

At COP27 in Egypt, measures to tackle damage and loss in countries affected by climate change have been decided upon.

But there was also disappointment, largely around the failure to make more ambitious commitments to reduce emissions.

The summit also marked a turning point for Australia — a chance for a new government to bring its new targets to the international stage. 

Today, fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former diplomatic adviser during the Paris Agreement negotiations Thom Woodroofe on Australia’s role at COP27, and the next challenge: meeting our commitments.

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Guest: Fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former diplomatic adviser during the Paris Agreement negotiations, Thom Woodroofe.

Background reading: What it’s like to negotiate a climate agreement.

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Last week, Mike Cannon-Brookes succeeded in staging what amounts to an internal coup at Australia’s largest climate polluter, AGL.

Having failed in his attempt to take over the company, the tech billionaire used its annual general meeting to get four new directors onto its board. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on what’s next for Cannon-Brookes and the dirty company he wants to clean up.

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Guest: National correspondent at The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: Inside Mike Cannon-Brookes’s AGL coup.

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Some of the most sensitive data to be obtained by hackers in Australian history has been published.

A Russian network of hackers has put online private medical data including names, records of pregnancy terminations, HIV status, and treatment for drug and alcohol problems.

The data was obtained in an attack on Medibank, and the vulnerability of the health insurer has now convinced the Australian government to unleash new capabilities against hackers around the world.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the powers our intelligence agencies have been building up for years and how they plan on using them.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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Australia was one of the first western nations to recognise the communist government of China, almost 50 years ago.

But more recently, China appeared to freeze out Australia diplomatically, and for six long years Chinese President Xi Jinping did not meet an Australian prime minister.

This week, that changed. But how did the meeting come about? What was said? And can we restore diplomacy while continuing to speak vocally when criticism of the Chinese government is needed?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how Anthony Albanese sat down with Xi Jinping in Bali.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Dr Charlie Teo is known for his incredible brain surgeries, taking on operations that other doctors won’t touch.

But several families have come forward, who allege they were misled about the risks and that Teo’s operations left their loved ones worse off than before.

Teo denies any wrongdoing, and says he treats his patients like he would want to be treated. 

But there’s another player in this story that hasn’t been subject to scrutiny: the news media.

Today, contributor to The Monthly, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on Dr Charlie Teo and how the media built the image of a maverick miracle worker.

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Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Martin McKenzie-Murray.

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It was the governor-general’s pet project, a foundation that promised to nurture the future leaders of Australia.

But the elite foundation never came to be – the new government has axed it.

So why did the governor-general put his name to it? Why did Scott Morrison decide to fund it before it was viable? And who was advocating for it?

Today, Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on the Australian Future Leaders Foundation and who was courted to support it.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.

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As the world gathers at COP27 to decide on the next steps in our response to the climate crisis, the biggest point of contention is one idea: climate justice.

It’s an idea that could force the richest nations – such as Australia – to pay for the damages and loss that climate catastrophe is causing in poorer countries.

But could it really happen? Is it viable? And would Australia ever sign up to the idea of climate reparations?

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how the countries facing devastation from our emissions are demanding justice.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Australia is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on eight nuclear-powered submarines.

It’s estimated to be one of the biggest spends in the history of the Australian government.

So why are we buying them? Are they the best use of taxpayer money? And will they even be able to do the job they’re meant to do?

Today, former director of war studies at the Australian Army Research Centre and adjunct professor at UNSW Canberra Albert Palazzo, on whether new submarines can actually keep us safe.

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Guest: Former director of war studies at the Australian Army Research Centre, Albert Palazzo.

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