7am

Climate change might be one of the biggest political issues on the agenda for the upcoming federal election, but the party most associated with environmental policy is struggling to cut through.

According to the latest opinion polls, the Greens are finding it hard to connect with voters - even though some of the issues they’ve championed for decades are now considered part of the mainstream.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the challenges facing Australia’s third party, and what kind of power they might wield after the election.

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

Background reading: Greens reveal their target seats in The Saturday Paper.

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In recent months senior Australian politicians have talked openly about a potential military conflict with China over Taiwan.

The increasingly tense rhetoric follows a series of incursions by China into Taiwanese air and naval space.

Now, China’s leaders are closely watching the current crisis in Ukraine, looking for clues as to how the US might react towards Chinese aggression in the Pacific.

Today on 7am, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University Hugh White, on the changing power dynamics in our region, and the risks of war between the US and China.

Guest: ANU Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies, Hugh White.

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For months, Russian troops have been amassing along the Ukrainian border. 

While in recent days some of those troops have begun withdrawing, officials in the Biden administration are still warning that Russia is on the cusp of invading Ukraine. 

But Russia has repeatedly rejected that claim, accusing the US of “nonsense and melodrama.” 

The immediate crisis stems from Ukraine’s desire to join the international security alliance NATO, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin considers an existential threat to Russia’s security. 

Today, former head of DFAT Michael Costello, on the real origins of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine, and what the US and its allies are getting wrong. 

This is the first in a two-part series from 7am examining rising geopolitical tensions between the world’s superpowers.

Guest: Former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael Costello.

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With the government trailing in the opinion polls, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has attempted to improve his image - first, by inviting Channel 9 cameras into his home, and then by accusing the Labor opposition of being soft on crime and too close to China.

But will these last ditch efforts work, or do they just appear desperate?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how Scott Morrison is attempting to claw back ground as the election inches closer.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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In 2019 a Northern Territory police constable, Zachary Rolfe, shot a 19-year-old Walpiri man, Kumanjayi Walker, in a remote community in the Northern Territory. 

Last week, the murder trial for that shooting began. If a guilty verdict is reached, it would be the first time a police officer in Australia ever convicted on a murder charge involving an Aboriginal person in custody.

Today, journalist Hannah Ryan on the charges against Zachary Rolfe and what it’s like covering this historic trial from Northern Territory.

Guest: Journalist Hannah Ryan.

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Companies like Uber and Airtasker have transformed the so-called ‘gig economy’ by hiring thousands of workers as independent contractors, rather than employees.

But this practice has a downside - workers aren’t guaranteed basic rights like a minimum wage, superannuation or leave.

It’s a model that is spreading across the Australian economy, removing more and more workers from traditional safety-nets.

Recently, two workers pushed back against this model of employment and took their case all the way to the High Court. The court’s decision could fundamentally change the nature of employee-employer relationships for everyone in Australia.

Today, journalist Kieran Pender on the landmark high court decision, and the future of work in Australia. 

Guest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender.

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More than three years ago, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison made an election promise to pass new laws protecting people of faith from discrimination.

While the promise is now in tatters, the political debate around the bill has exposed enormous divisions in the Liberal party and raised important questions about how we treat some of the nation’s most vulnerable children. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on the revolt over the Religious Discrimination Bill, and the political faultlines the bill has exposed. 

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

Background reading: How the religious freedom bill fell apart in The Saturday Paper.

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Australia has long been considered an international pariah on climate policy. Governments on both sides have regularly been criticised for failing to act fast enough.

But one Australian, a former climate advisor to US President Joe Biden, thinks that we’re uniquely positioned to become one of the most successful zero emission economies in the world.

Today, inventor and scientist Saul Griffith, author of ‘The Big Switch’, on his plan to transition Australia into a clean energy future.

Guest: Author of The Big Switch, Saul Griffith.

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Joe Rogan hosts one of the world’s most popular podcasts, regularly listened to by over 10 million people. But after interviewing a notorious anti-vaccination doctor on his show, Rogan and Spotify, the company that paid $100 million to exclusively host his podcast, are being targeted by high profile musicians like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

The episode has sparked important conversations about free speech, censorship, the role of capitalism in art and the ethics of streaming giants.

Today Dr Matt Beard, an expert in philosophy and ethics, joins The Culture to unpack all these questions and more.

Guest: Dr Matt Beard, Director of the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship at the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.

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On Tuesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison formally apologised to all those who have experienced sexual harassment, assault or bullying while working in federal parliament. 

During his speech he directly addressed former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, whose advocacy initiated the review that led to Morrison’s apology.

The very next day, Brittany Higgins, alongside former Australian of the Year Grace Tame delivered an explosive address to the National Press Club - questioning just how seriously we should take the Prime Minister’s words - and whether they will translate into action. 

Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on why Scott Morrison’s apology might be too little, too late. 

Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers.

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