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In recent weeks the world’s two superpowers, China and the United States, have been steadily building up their military presence in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he wants to bring Taiwan back under China’s control, a move the United States seems likely to resist at all costs.

Today, Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University Hugh White on how Australia could be drawn into a war over Taiwan, and why it could turn nuclear.

Guest: Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, Hugh White.

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At the last federal election, mining billionaire Clive Palmer spent more than $80 million trying to influence the makeup of Australia’s parliament.

Now his United Australia Party is back with a new leader - Craig Kelly.

Kelly, a former Liberal MP known for his controversial views, says that under his leadership the United Australia Party is stronger and bigger than ever.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on what impact a Palmer-Kelly alliance could have on the next federal election.

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

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Today, Helen Garner, one of Australia’s most acclaimed authors, will be reading her piece from the latest issue of The Monthly. 

It features entries from her diaries, covering her experience during this year’s lockdown in Melbourne.

Guest: Helen Garner, acclaimed Australian novelist and nonfiction writer.

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When the Real Housewives first aired 16 years ago it was written off as “trashy”. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem even called it "a minstrel show for women".

But the show has shrugged off those labels, and become bigger and bigger, exploring themes of consumerism, class, and race, all while being highly entertaining.

Now the franchise is at the centre of serious legal drama, providing both high stakes entertainment and a window into what happens when highly produced reality TV collides with actual reality.

To help explain why this franchise is both increasingly popular and important Real Housewives superfans comedian Gen Fricker and writer Katie Cunningham join The Culture.

Guest: Comedian Gen Fricker, Writer Katie Cunningham

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally confirmed that he will be attending the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November.

Morrison is under pressure, both from voters and Australia’s international allies, to publicly support a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. 

But his coalition partners, the Nationals, are yet to support the policy - and some in the minor party are pushing hard against it. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s war over net zero, and how Barnaby Joyce’s National party is holding the country’s future to ransom.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno

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Over the past week, Victoria’s anti-corruption commission has heard damning evidence about the political culture at the heart of the state’s Labor party. 

The allegations aired so far include claims of branch stacking and misuse of taxpayer funds, and the investigation has already forced the resignation of a number of state government ministers.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what the inquiry is actually about, and what the consequences might be for the Labor party both in Victoria and federally.

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

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From the moment the pandemic began, uncovering the origins of Covid-19 has been a fraught pursuit.

Many different theories - some more viable than others - have flourished, including the hypothesis that Covid-19 was deliberately leaked from a lab in Wuhan. 

The Wuhan lab leak theory has been given new prominence thanks to a controversial book written by Australian journalist and Sky News commentator Sharri Markson.

Today, writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Linda Jaivin, on the credibility of Markson’s claims, and how ideology has impacted our ability to get to the truth of how this pandemic first started.

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Linda Jaivin.

Background reading: Wuhan: What the Markson book tells us in The Saturday Paper

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As vaccination rates across Australia continue to surge, the country is preparing for life after lockdown.

But focusing on the headline, national vaccination rate masks the fact that many vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, have been left behind in the race to get vaccinated.

For the first time leaked government documents have revealed the disproportionate burden Indigenous communities have borne during this pandemic.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how governments let down some of those most at risk from Covid-19, and what that means as we open back up.

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

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When Afghanistan fell back under Taliban control earlier this year, the Australian government announced it would evacuate more than 4000 people. 

Most of them arrived in cities in the middle of Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, unsure about what happens next and how to navigate their lives in a new and unfamiliar country.

But despite being promised safety here, some are concerned they could be sent back to the country they fled. 

Today, 7am producer Anu Hasbold on one refugee’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia, and the uncertainty they now face.

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After a two year break HBO’s ‘Succession’ is finally back for season three. The first two seasons of ‘Succession’ were critically acclaimed, but failed to attract big audiences. 

But the hype has been steadily building as more and more people streamed the show during the pandemic.

To help preview the new season, and talk about how the show became such a phenomenon, writer and critic for The Saturday Paper, Tara Kenny joins The Culture.

Guest: Writer and critic for The Saturday Paper, Tara Kenny

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