7am

For a long time, we’ve known Australia’s mental health system is overwhelmed and under-resourced. 

As a result, those who need help can end up trapped in the criminal justice system. 

These outcomes aren’t new; they can be traced back to colonisation. 

Today, author of a new Quarterly Essay on the mental health system Sarah Krasnostein on how Australia’s history of incarceration and shame informs the current crisis. 

Guest: Writer and criminal lawyer, Sarah Krasnostein.

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The federal government frames itself as the responsible economic manager. But many of the claims it makes about the economy do not stack up. The government uses economics to say it has no choice on some policies - when the opposite is often true.

Guest: Economist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Richard Denniss.

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Today, writer Richard Cooke will be reading his story from the latest edition of The Monthly.

It’s called ‘Market of the apes: NFTs and digital art’, and in it, he explores how the art market has been transformed by NFTs, and how artificial intelligence might transform art itself.

Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Richard Cooke.

Background reading: Market of the apes: NFTs and digital art in The Monthly.

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As an election inches closer, both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese are seeking to define their public images. 

For Albanese, that’s involved an appearance on 60 minutes, and after a near death experience, a so-called glow-up. 

For the prime minister, it’s about turning negatives into positives, and attacking his opponent. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the battle lines being drawn, and just how personal this contest is likely to get.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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In November 2019, a 19-year-old Walpiri man, Kumanjayi Walker, was killed by Northern Territory police constable Zachary Rolfe. 

It happened during an attempted arrest in the remote community of Yuendumu. Rolfe shot Walker three times. Walker died shortly after.

Rolfe was charged with murder. His trial has been playing out in the Darwin Supreme Court, and last week a verdict was handed down. Rolfe was found not guilty. 

Today, writer and contributor to The Monthly Anna Krien on the acquittal of Zachary Rolfe, and what this case reveals about the state of policing in Australia. 

Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly Anna Krien.

Background: The trial of Zachary Rolfe on 7am.

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Almost two weeks on from the catastrophic flooding on the east coast of Australia, residents have begun the slow process of rebuilding their lives. But they’ve been left with a lingering question: where was the help? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the dramatic rescues conducted by ordinary people, and why they were necessary in the first place. 

Editorial note: Since this episode was published, questions have been raised about the rescue described in Upper Main Arm Valley. We have been able to verify some but not all aspects of the story to a satisfactory level.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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Over the past year, there’s been pressure on the Morrison government to step up and take significant action on women’s safety, as rates of sexual violence have increased.

And in the wake of Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame’s campaigning - the federal government has released a draft plan that seeks to end violence against women and children. 

However, survivors and experts are disappointed with the draft and the lack of transparency that went into its formulation - and have demanded it be withdrawn and amended. 

Today, journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica on the shortcomings of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and what it means for women over the next decade. 

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica.

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When Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie entered politics - via a housing commission, the army and eventually Clive Palmer - her speeches on Sharia law, and her op-shop outfits, marked her out for ridicule. 

Since then Jacqui Lambie has had a remarkable turnaround. Wielding her influence in the senate to advocate for veterans, those on low incomes, and to argue against corruption.  

She’s become known as one of the most fierce, and outspoken conviction politicians in the country.

Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Chloe Hooper spent months talking to Jacqui Lambie, finding out how the public persona matches the private Jacqui. 

Today, Chloe Hooper on the real Jacqui Lambie.

Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Chloe Hooper.

Background reading: Goddamn bloody adult: Jacqui Lambie in The Monthly.

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This week, the federal government has faced anger, outrage, and criticism over its response to the catastrophic floods in Queensland and NSW.  

And Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing another, related, problem: disquiet within his own ranks about his leadership. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how precarious the Prime Minister’s position might be. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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All across the country, waitlists for public housing are on the rise.

In NSW alone, there are more than 50,000 families in need of affordable housing. Some families will be waiting for five to 10 years to be housed.

In the meantime, state governments are selling off public housing estates to developers - doing nothing to reduce these ballooning waitlists.

Today, Rick Morton on how governments and developers are exacerbating the housing crisis in Australia - and what it means for people who need a place to live.

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

This episode features excerpts from the 1981 documentary ‘Waterloo’ directed by Tom Zubrycki.

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