7am

As 2021 comes to an end, most of us are winding down. But in Canberra, the contest is just beginning. 

With an election on the horizon, both the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese have started pitching for votes. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno on what we’ll see as both leaders fight for their political future. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Every year, in the lead up to Christmas, thousands and thousands of native flying insects, known as Christmas beetles, would emerge from the soil and attach themselves to trees, street lights and crawl into homes across Australia.

Or at least that’s what used to happen.

In recent years Christmas beetles have disappeared, concerning scientists who are worried climate change is to blame.

Today, producer for 7am Kara Jensen-Mackinnon on what happened to Australia’s Christmas beetles.

Guest: Producer for 7am, Kara Jensen-Mackinnon.

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A new report released by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner has revealed a toxic workplace culture in Parliament House, with nearly half of the women working there experiencing sexual harassment and bullying.

But almost immediately after the report was released, a number of fresh allegations and scandals emerged in Parliament, demonstrating how deep the problem is.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton on what the Jenkins Report tells us about Australia’s political culture, and why it’s taking so long to change.

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

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Traditionally the Liberal Party’s biggest threat at federal elections is the Labor Party. But this time they’re facing an insurgency in their heartland.

A number of high profile and well resourced independent candidates are challenging Liberal MPs in some of the party’s safest seats. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on what is motivating this wave of independents, and how they could end up shaping the future of Australian politics. 

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

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For the past three years one of the most secretive court cases in Australia has been taking place in Canberra.

The former attorney-general for the ACT, Bernard Collaery, has been charged with conspiracy, but the details of the case have been hidden from journalists and the public.

Today, senior lawyer for the Human Rights Law Centre, Kieran Pender, on the trial of Bernard Collaery, and why the government is trying so hard to keep it as secret as possible.

Guest: Senior lawyer for the Human Rights Law Centre, Kieran Pender.

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This week the art world lost an icon and a visionary. The fashion designer, Virgil Abloh, passed away at the age of 41, two years after being diagnosed with cancer.

From his beginnings in Chicago, to his collaborations with Kanye West and becoming the first black person in history to be appointed artistic director at Louis Vuitton, Virgil transformed fashion, music and art.

To help unpack just how significant a figure Virgil Abloh was, and to discuss his legacy, we’re joined by Mitch Parker, a fashion writer and editor, current style contributor for GQ and the former managing editor at ID.

Guest: Mitch Parker, fashion writer and editor, current style contributor for GQ and the former managing editor at ID.

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This week, two of the nation's most high profile politicians have announced that they will be quitting politics.

The departure of the Health Minister Greg Hunt and former Attorney-General Christian Porter only adds to the pressure that the Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under right now - pressure created by the internal division plaguing the Coalition.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison has lost control of his own party, and what that means in the leadup to the next election.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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In the lead up to the last federal election Scott Morrison promised he would introduce new laws to protect religious freedoms. 

Now the federal government has finally introduced a religious discrimination bill to parliament.

And there are concerns that they could make it easier for individuals to discriminate against marginalised communities, like the queer community, without consequence.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, on what the religious discrimination bill actually entails, and why Scott Morrison is so desperate to pass it. 

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

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For months scientists have been warning us that if global vaccination rates didn’t lift - new, potentially more dangerous strains of Covid-19 could emerge.

Now it looks like their fears might have been realised with the emergence of the new Omicron variant. 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the threat posed by the Omicron variant, and how vaccine hoarding by rich nations is helping prolong the pandemic. 

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

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Powershop was one of Australia’s fastest growing energy companies. It’s investment in renewables and political advocacy for climate change action made it one of the most popular electricity providers in the country.

But in a shock announcement to its customers, Powershop announced it had been sold to one of the world’s biggest polluters.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the sale of Powershop, and what it tells us about the future of green energy in Australia. 

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

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