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What does standing by while bad things happen do to us?

That’s the question Father Rod Bower has been asking himself.

For almost 10 years, Father Rod, wrote messages in support of refugees, climate action and same-sex marriage on the sign out the front of his Gosford Church.

But, according to him, years of political point scoring on these issues has done more than just delay action – it’s injured us all.

Today, Archdeacon Rod Bower on Australia’s moral injury and how we can begin to heal.

Guest: Archdeacon Rod Bower.

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University students don’t read detailed feedback, so what’s the point in paying academics to give it?

That’s the position of some of the management at one of Australia’s most prestigious universities.

Now, staff are striking and battlelines are being drawn in one of the biggest industrial disputes in the history of the university sector.

So is there an end in sight to the crisis in universities? What does it mean for students? And can universities reconcile the tension between pursuing cuts and pursuing excellence?

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton on the battle for the soul of a university. 

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

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The new Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, has been keen to say he wants Australians to get to know him better.

He’s acknowledged making some mistakes in the past, including walking out of the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generation.

But now, an exclusive report by Karen Middleton has revealed that last year, Peter Dutton intervened to cancel an Australian Defence Force plan to give military bases dual English and Indigenous names.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton on Peter Dutton’s decisions as Defence Minister and what they tell us about his approach to change.

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

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Right now, the UK government is deliberating on whether to sign-off on the extradition of Australian Julian Assange to the US. 

If that happens, Assange — who was charged with espionage offenses in relation to material published on Wikileaks — faces charges that could result in a 175-year sentence.

But the Australian election has given Assange’s family and supporters renewed hope. So, will a change in government change the fate of the wikileaks founder?

Today, journalist Amy Fallon, on the extradition of Julian Assange and the test it sets for our political leaders.

Guest: Journalist, Amy Fallon.

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As the new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attempts to set the agenda and tone of the next parliament, Labor’s challenges are crystallising. 

Climate policy is shaping up as a key battleground, with Labor confronted by a Greens dominated senate, and an Opposition that won’t back Labor’s targets.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Albanese’s agenda and why he’s demanding discipline from the Labor party room.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Barnaby Joyce has been rolled as leader of the National Party and replaced by David Littleproud.

Joyce says he’s not sad about it, but unlike Scott Morrison he did try to hang on to his party’s leadership after the election.

So what state has Joyce left the Nationals in? Will his successor be any different? And is there a chance that Joyce could make yet another political comeback?

Today, contributing editor to The Monthly, Rachel Withers on Barnaby Joyce’s fate and the future of the Nationals. 

Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Rachel Withers.

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This week China tried to sign up 10 pacific nations to a new regional security pact.

Pacific leaders walked away from the deal – but just for now, and Chinese diplomats are hopeful they’ll get the deal done eventually.

If it happens, it would be another huge shift away from Australia by Pacific leaders.

So what is China offering? How did Australia lose the trust of our neighbours? And if China’s influence grows in the South Pacific what does it mean for us?

Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman, on the race to make deals in the South Pacific.

Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.

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For four years, one Tamil family, with their two small children have been living in community detention.

The parents, Priya and Nades, have maintained for years that they just want to return to their home in Queensland, Biloela and now they finally can.

How did they learn they would be able to return? And what does the decision say about the future of immigration policy in Australia?

Today, journalist Rebekah Holt, who spent election night with the Nadesalingam family, on the moment the family realised they could finally go back to Biloela.

Guest: Journalist, Rebekah Holt.

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The stunning victories of six new teal independents, in seats the Liberal Party thought were unloseable, has redrawn the political map in Australia.

Throughout the campaign, critics of these Independents suggested they had powerful backers who were co-ordinating things behind the scenes.

According to the Liberal Party, chief among them was Simon Holmes à Court, the founder of climate lobby group Climate 200.

But the Independents themselves maintained they were not coordinating, and the funding from Climate 200 came with no strings attached.

Today, Simon Holmes à Court, on how the Independents really won their seats.

Guest: Founder of Climate 200, Simon Holmes à Court.

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After Saturday’s election result, the Coalition have begun a post-mortem on what went wrong as incoming Liberal leader Peter Dutton vows the party won’t become ‘Labor-lite’. 

And, in his first week as Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has wasted no time in sending signals about the kind of government he intends to lead.

But as votes are still being counted in an election that has reshaped the political map. What do the results mean for the future of Australian politics? What will the greatest challenges for the new parliament be? And where will the battle lines be drawn?

Today, to analyse all the latest events, we’re joined by chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, election analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue and columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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