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Yesterday afternoon, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted rates for the third time in three months – raising the cash rate by a full 50 basis points to 1.35%.

The rise will lift interest rates to their highest levels in years and put more pressure on household budgets, but it’s something the RBA says is necessary to bring down inflation.

However, the RBA’s decision comes just as questions are being asked about how the institution is working, and whether it’s acted too slowly in the past.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why the Reserve Bank is so secretive, and the push to change it.

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

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Last week, environmental activists Blockade Australia shut down traffic in Sydney, causing hours of chaos in the city.

But it was the police response to the blockade that could have the longest legacy, with Human Rights Watch calling the police crackdown and the use of new anti-protest laws “an alarming new trend”.

So what did the police do to crackdown on these protestors and what do their actions tell us about the new era of anti-protest laws?

Today, journalist Wendy Bacon on the ways police are targeting protestors before they’ve even begun to protest. 

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Guest: Journalist, Wendy Bacon.

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The decision of the US supreme court to overturn Roe v Wade, and the winding back of abortion rights in America has led to reflection on rights and access to reproductive healthcare.

Here in Australia, the Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said it was a reminder to Australians to “remain vigilant because hard-fought-for wins before our parliaments can be taken away easily.”

So are women treated equally in Australia’s healthcare system and what still needs to be fought for?

Today, writer and professor of public health at UNSW Gemma Carey, on the gender gap in our healthcare system.

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Guest: Writer and professor of public health at UNSW Gemma Carey

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Europe and he’s there because of the war in Ukraine.

Four Asia-Pacific nations, including Australia, have been given a seat at the table at the latest NATO summit because NATO is keen to engage partners around the world.

But it’s also an opportunity for Albanese – to reset relationships with NATO members like the United States, France, Spain and the UK.

So has he been successful?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace on Albanese’s attempts at a reset.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Chris Wallace.

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Trans athletes have effectively been banned from elite swimming, because of a decision last week by the international governing body of the sport, FINA.

The decision and the document released by FINA could have an impact not just on swimmers, but on how other sports around the world handle participation and inclusion.

So, what does it say? How have the people it affects most – trans athletes – reacted? And what does the decision mean for other athletes starting their sporting journey?

Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray and former women’s rugby player Caroline Layt.

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

Elite athlete and journalist, Caroline Layt

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The case that established the legal protection for people in the United States to choose to have an abortion has been overturned.

The majority of Americans support the right to choose, but trigger bans in several states across the country have made it immediately illegal to perform an abortion.

So how did a small minority of religious conservatives overturn the rights of millions to choose? 

Today, author of Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity is Taking Over the World Elle Hardy on how the Christian right plotted for years to overturn Roe v Wade and why they are not done yet.

Guest: Author of Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity is Taking Over the World, Elle Hardy.

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When you become prime minister, a lot changes – but there’s only a few people who know exactly what that's like.

One of them is Kevin Rudd, and according to the former prime minister, one of the most drastic changes is the way you’re treated by News Corp.

So what kind of conversations does a prime minister have with the Murdoch press? And what’s at stake if you don’t play the game required of you?

Today, former prime minister Kevin Rudd on the way News Corp brings new governments to heel.

Guest: Former prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.

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This winter flu, colds and Covid are all pushing hospitals to breaking point.

Across the country, hospital staff are overworked and frustrated. And tomorrow nurses and midwives across NSW will stop work over pay and conditions.

So what is happening to the care of patients as hospitals fill up? And can we stave off a major crisis?

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton on a devastating winter for our healthcare system.

Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

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Australia has a new emissions reduction target.

Last week, Anthony Albanese promised the United Nations Australia will cut emissions by 43 per cent of our 2005 levels by 2030.

But the Prime Minister wants to turn that target into law by passing it through parliament. Whether he can will come down to the historic new senate crossbench, which was finalised this week.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the battle lines in Australia’s new senate.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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The Liberal Party is now in the political wilderness.

As well as a devastating federal election loss, the party is only in government in New South Wales and Tasmania.

The immediate reaction to the recent federal election focused on Scott Morrison’s personal approval and a series of scandals in the last term of government. 

But is there a bigger decline happening? Is something irreparably broken inside what was once Australia’s most electorally successful political party?

Today, senior correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on if we are seeing the beginning of the end of Australia's Liberal Party.

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

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