7am

Two long-forgotten High Court cases warned the government that robo-debt might be illegal. But they persisted with the welfare scheme anyway. Rick Morton on what they knew - and when they knew it.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Robo-debt shonky from the start in The Saturday Paper

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The Brittany Higgins case has dominated the week in Canberra. This is the story of how the prime minister has responded to her alleged assault, and how he has tried to manage the coverage that followed.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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As Labor prepares for a possible early election, Tanya Plibersek says the party is ready to confront the government over shortcomings in its handling of the pandemic. But some in the party believe it may be too late to turn around the polls.

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

Background reading: Tanya Plibersek on post-Covid politics in The Saturday Paper.

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A damning report has found Crown Resorts unfit to hold a casino licence in NSW. But what does that mean for James Packer’s operations in other states? Rick Morton on Packer’s winning streak - and how it ended.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Crown’s casinos and the Bergin report in The Saturday Paper

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The early era of space exploration was dominated by romantic ideas of universal connectedness. But the increasingly privatised nature of the space industry has obscured that vision. Today, Ceridwen Dovey on the new space industry entrepreneurs, and why we should be worried about what they’re planning.  

Guest: Writer for The Monthly Ceridwen Dovey.

Background reading: Pale blue dot in The Monthly

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Victoria has been plunged back into lockdown after a new strain of Covid-19 escaped from hotel quarantine into the community. In recent weeks leaks have occurred across the country, leading to lockdowns in Brisbane and Perth. Today, Rachel Withers on whether our key defence against the virus is working as well as it should.

Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly Rachel Withers.

Background reading: Covid-19 leaks from hotel quarantine in The Saturday Paper

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The Prime Minister is trying to calibrate his climate policy to better fit into a post-Trump world, but he faces a conservative revolt on his own backbench. On the other side, Australia faces trade sanctions if it doesn’t implement serious emissions reduction targets. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s climate standoff. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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Eddie McGuire’s resignation as the President of Collingwood is the culmination of a decades-long story of racism at the club. But the story isn’t just about Collingwood, the AFL or even sport. Today, Daniel James on how racism in sport can’t be divorced from racism across our society.

Guest: Yorta Yorta writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Daniel James.

Background reading: Collingwood and racism in the AFL in The Saturday Paper

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The Coalition’s surprise win at the last federal election is largely attributed to a relentless campaign targeting Labor’s key economic policies, led by Liberal MP Tim Wilson. Now Wilson has launched a new campaign to reshape the four trillion dollar superannuation industry. Today, Rick Morton on the Liberal vision for our retirement savings, and how it would impact all of us.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Inside Tim Wilson’s campaign against super in The Saturday Paper

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While Australians grapple with shocking allegations of war crimes levelled against our armed forces, the federal government is moving ahead with a $500 million redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial. Today, Mark McKenna, on what our preoccupation with war tells us about who we are. 

Further listening: Brendan Nelson’s gravy sandwich

Guest: Historian and writer for The Monthly Mark McKenna.

Background reading: Australia’s haunted house in The Monthly

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