7am

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down what is expected to be the government’s last budget before the next federal election. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what’s in the budget, and what it says about the government’s political priorities.

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

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Last month police arrested two people accused of possessing extremist material.

The arrests came at the same time as Australia’s security agencies were warning of an increase in far-right extremist activity.

But now Australian officials have introduced new terminology to talk about the threats we face and are carefully avoiding the term "right-wing".

Today, researcher at the Lowy Institute Lydia Khalil on what’s behind this change and why the language we use to describe a threat matters. 

Guest: Researcher and contributor to The Saturday Paper Lydia Khalil.

Background reading: Extremism and clear terminology in The Saturday Paper

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The relationship between Australia and China has already reached an all time low, but now senior political figures are starting to talk publicly about war.

In the past week both the new defence minister, Peter Dutton, and senior public servant Mike Pezzullo, have discussed the possibility of an armed conflict with China.

Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University Hugh White on how likely a hot war with China really is, and why our government seems to be talking up the possibility.

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

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Next Tuesday, the federal government will drop its highly anticipated budget, laying out its priorities for the next 12 months.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, as Australia reckons with the global economic fallout from the virus, and plots an uncertain future. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what the Treasurer is planning, and what it might tell us about who should pay for Australia’s pandemic recovery. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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Right now thousands of Australian citizens are trapped in India unable to get home, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate the country. 

They are stuck because the Australian government took the unprecedented step of barring all Australians in India from returning.

The legality of the move, which the government says is about protecting Australia from the virus, has been questioned by experts.

Today, Indian-Australian economist Gabriela D’Souza on the situation in India right now, and what the federal government’s new travel ban says about how we treat our own.

Guest: Indian-Australian economist Gabriela D’Souza.

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From Crocodile Dundee to Marvel blockbusters… Australia’s film industry is being rejuvenated by an influx of international productions.

The pandemic has forced major film and TV productions to relocate to Australia, bringing with them big name celebrities and jobs.

But there are concerns that the production boom here could be more of a bubble, with the main beneficiaries being big overseas studios, rather than local creatives.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on who really benefits from the current film and TV gold rush, and the importance of telling Australian stories.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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Australia’s restaurant industry has been devastated by lockdowns and the loss of international tourism. 

Some of the hardest hit businesses are those in Chinatowns across major cities. 

Even before travel bans and lockdowns, many suffered the brunt of anti-Asian racism.

Today, writer and food critic Jess Ho on what it could mean if we lose one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world.

Guest: Writer Jess Ho.

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The 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame, was recognised for her advocacy against sexual abuse. Since her appointment she’s been outspoken in her criticism of the Morrison government. The government has now launched an urgent review of the Australia Day Council. It denies the review is linked to Grace Tame’s appointment, but it could result in the government having more decision making power over the position.

Guest: Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.

Background reading: Exclusive: Government review follows Tame appointment in The Saturday Paper

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Author and activist Bri Lee regularly runs workshops on consent and sex in schools.

In the upcoming issue of The Monthly Bri writes about those workshops in the context of a growing national conversation about sexual harassment and assault.

In this special weekend episode of 7am Bri reads her article, 'Ill-informed consent'.

Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Bri Lee.

Background reading: Ill-informed consent in The Monthly

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As Prime Minister Scott Morrison has made no secret of his deep, evangelical Christian faith. 

At a recent appearance at the Australian Christian Churches conference he referred to social media as evil, and said he believed he was doing God’s work as Prime Minister. 

Those comments have ignited debate over the role of faith in political leadership. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on the Prime Minister's Pentacostal faith and how it fits with some of his policy decisions. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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