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Scott Morrison has hailed Australia’s military alliance and new submarine deal with the United Kingdom and United States as a landmark achievement.

But it’s already led to a global diplomatic standoff, pitting Australia against a number of European countries as well as further deepening tensions with China.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the fallout from Australia’s nuclear submarine deal and why the President of France won’t return Scott Morrison’s phone calls.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Australia is now steadily marching towards the magic number of 80 percent of the population aged 16 and above being fully vaccinated: the number that should see lockdowns and most restrictions end. 

But given how few countries have reached that target so far, even with a significant head start, how likely are we to actually get vaccination coverage that high?

Today, journalist with the Australian Associated Press Hannah Ryan on whether Australia can reach 80 percent, and what might happen even if we get there.

Guest: Journalist with the Australian Associated Press, Hannah Ryan.

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Over the past few weeks an internal brawl over who will represent the Labor party in the western Sydney seat of Fowler at the next federal election has been playing out in public.

The move to parachute in a high profile Labor frontbencher, who doesn’t live in the seat, has exposed the rifts and rivalries within the party.

But it's also raised a bigger question.. Is Labor doing enough to make sure its candidates actually represent their voters?

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what is really driving the battle for Fowler, and what it says about the Labor party.

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

Background reading: Inside Kristina Keneally’s preselection battle in The Saturday Paper

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Australia has entered into a new trilateral military alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States, called AUKUS.

The partnership was sealed with the announcement that Australia would, for the first time, construct and operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. 

The new deal has been criticised by former Prime Minister Paul Keating and national security experts. It’s also led to increasing tension between Australia and a number of other countries.

Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor to The Saturday Paper Hugh White on why this new submarine deal puts Australia at risk, and what we should be doing instead.

Guest: Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor for The Saturday Paper Hugh White.

Background reading: From the submarine to the ridiculous in The Saturday Paper

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A major new study has found that the therapeutic use of the illicit drug MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy, could cure people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The landmark findings could radically change the way PTSD is treated.

Now an Australian psychologist is finally embarking on Australia’s first ever clinical trial using the drug. 

Today, James Bradley on the healing power of MDMA - and why Australia has been so slow to explore its possibilities. 

Guest: Writer for The Monthly, James Bradley

Background reading: The agony and ecstasy in The Monthly

Editor's Note: Since this episode was published, a complaint has been referred to Health Canada over MAPS's research, alleging inappropriate conduct towards patients, undocumented side effects and flaws in how data was used.

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Sally Rooney’s third novel, ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’, was one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year. Now that it’s out, it’s smashing sales records.

Her new book covers similar ground to her earlier work, but this time, more than ever, Rooney turns inward and grapples with what it means to be a successful writer in the current moment.

So why has Rooney’s work struck such a chord with millions of readers? And does ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ live up to the hype?

Guest: Writer and book critic, Madeleine Gray

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In episode four of Everybody Knows Ruby Jones speaks to three women who have worked at Sony Music Australia, who all have something in common: they all experienced bullying and intimidation from the same man at the company.

Two of those women have lodged complaints to Sony about this man as part of Sony's internal investigation into workplace culture. But the longer the investigation has gone on, the more they’ve wondered: is anyone listening?

This is episode four of Everybody Knows: The complaints.

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After a slow and delayed start, vaccination rates across Australia are finally gaining momentum, with NSW and Victoria hitting 80 percent and 70 percent single dose targets this week.

The targets were reached despite a confusing rollout, riddled with mixed messages from the federal government.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether the Morrison government has the trust and credibility to maintain the goodwill of the Australian public throughout the rest of the pandemic.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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From this week residents in NSW, who have been locked down for nearly three months, will finally be able to leave their homes.

But the new freedoms are contingent on one important factor: their vaccination status.

It’s the first time the easing of restrictions has been linked to vaccine status, but it’s likely to become the new normal across Australia.

Today, journalist with the AAP Hannah Ryan on the plan to provide freedoms only to fully vaccinated, and what that means for the next phase of the pandemic.

Guest: Journalist with the Australian Associated Press and contributor to The Saturday Paper Hannah Ryan.

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The anniversary of 9/11 this week, along with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, has seen politicians, military leaders and the public reflect on the past two decades.

But what has really been learned from these events that shaped world history?

Today, The Saturday Paper’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton on the aftermath of 9/11 and its impact on foreign policy 20 years later.

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

Background reading: After the war on terror in The Saturday Paper

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