7am

The Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attacks led to an apology from the New Zealand government. But in Australia, there’s been an unwillingness to grapple with how the shooter was steeped in a culture of far-right extremism. Today, Shakira Hussein on Australia’s responsibility for the Christchurch massacre.

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Shakira Hussein.

Background reading: Christchurch massacre: an Australian crime in The Saturday Paper

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 The Liberal party has historically been handbrake on serious climate action, but in NSW one minister is pushing through ambitious environmental policy. Today, Mike Seccombe talks to Matt Kean, the Liberal minister forcing action on climate change and uniting the Nationals and the Greens.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: The Liberal minister forcing action on climate change in The Saturday Paper

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Scandal after scandal has battered the authority of the government and diminished the trust the public has in our democratic institutions. Today, former leader of the federal Liberal Party John Hewson on how rorts, mates and marketing took over politics, and how we can take it back.

Guest: Former Liberal Party leader and contributor to The Saturday Paper John Hewson.

Background reading: How rorts, mates and marketing took over politics in The Saturday Paper

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The two guests joining John on this season’s penultimate episode are show business royalty. Mitchell Butel is an actor, singer and the artistic director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia, and Nancye Hayes AM is currently starring in Mitchell’s production of the play Ripcord to socially-distanced packed houses. Nancye was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014 for significant service to the performing arts, particularly musical theatre - and the Hayes theatre in Sydney is named in her honour. Together they go a long way towards answering every single question, including: Which American jazz singer was nicknamed ‘Lady Day’, what a katana is, and whether or not Dunedin is North or South of Hobart.

Guests: Nancye Hayes AM and Mitchell Butel

In the paper: Stage doyenne Nancye Hayes in The Saturday Paper

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Just as parliament was wrapping up for the year, the government introduced radical and controversial proposed changes to worker’s rights. The new legislation looks set to dominate the political agenda in the new year. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the political battlelines are being drawn.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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The passage of the medevac legislation last year allowed sick refugees in offshore detention to travel to Australia. The legislation was bitterly opposed by the federal government. Now those refugees say they’re being punished as a result. Today, Karen Middleton on what happens when a government is forced to implement a law it opposed.

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

Background reading: Medevac refugees: we face special punishment in The Saturday Paper

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After years of careful manoeuvring, the Coalition government is laying the groundwork to make radical changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The revised system could make it harder for people to get the support they need. Today, Rick Morton on the Coalition’s bid to reshape the NDIS.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Exclusive: The seven-year plot to undermine the NDIS in The Saturday Paper

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This year we’ve seen relations between Australia and China plummet. But the story of Australia’s increasing friction with China goes back much further than the recent storm over a tweet. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on how serious the current situation is, and whether there’s a solution to the tension.

Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman.

Background reading: China–Australia ties worsen over Zhao tweet in The Saturday Paper

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New Zealand’s rapid response to Covid-19 and the political success of Jacinda Ardern has seen the world start to pay more attention to our neighbour’s political culture. Today, Laura Tingle on what Australia can learn from New Zealand.

Guest: Contributor to the Quarterly Essay Laura Tingle.

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Artists Amrita Hepi and Jason Phu do extremely well at the quiz, even though the one question in Arita’s expert category nearly trips her up. We never find out what Jason’s expert category might be, but he does know what colour Mickey Mouse’s shoes are and which part of the body tinnitus affects. He also thinks Nicholas Nickelby sounds like the name of an annoying person.

Guests: Artist and dancer Amrita Hepi and artist Jason Phu

In the paper:

The perpetual motion of choreographer Amrita Hepi in The Saturday Paper

Cartoon in The Saturday Paper

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