7am

This week, the Victorian government began cutting down sacred Djab Wurrung trees to make way for a highway expansion between Melbourne and Adelaide. After years of protest, police moved in to dismantle an embassy on the site. Today, Djab Wurrung woman and Greens senator Lidia Thorpe on the fight to save her peoples’ heritage.

Guest: Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe.

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As an investigation into Australia Post’s leadership gets underway, a deeper crisis at the organisation is threatening to jeopardise the way it operates. Today, Rick Morton on what went wrong at Australia Post. 

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton

Background reading: What went wrong inside Australia Post? in The Saturday Paper

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The controversial Adani coalmine in Queensland has already been approved by both state and federal governments, but a new legal challenge by two teenagers could be one last roll of the dice to stop it from going ahead. Today, Anna Krien on the cracks opening up in the federal government’s backing of Adani.

Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Anna Krien.

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Australia’s relationship with Indonesia has a significant impact on our culture, economy and national security. But despite our proximity, it’s often been a relationship defined by tension as well as indifference. Today, Karen Middleton on Australia’s regional blind spot, and why it’s time we started engaging more closely with South-East Asia.

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

Background reading: Australian Foreign Affairs - Friends, Allies and Enemies

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As political battles over the government’s stimulus measures and proposed industrial relations reforms loom, Scott Morrison has been taking aim at the federal opposition.

Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the prime minister is drawing influence from his political predecessors. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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After enduring one of the world’s longest lockdowns, Melbourne is slowly reopening and hairdressers are some of the first businesses allowed to welcome customers back. Today, Rick Morton on the return of hairdressers, and the intimate role they play in our lives.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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In recent weeks refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia have received letters from the federal government stripping them of financial support and threatening them with deportation. Today, Rick Morton on the newest frontline in the government’s war on refugees. 

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Exclusive: War on refugees moves to final phase onshore in The Saturday Paper

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A week after her secret relationship with a politician being investigated over corruption was first revealed, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is still facing questions over what she knew. Today, MIke Seccombe on what the Premier’s connection to a disgraced MP means for her political future.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: ‘Poor Gladys’ rings hollow after premier’s ICAC grilling in The Saturday Paper

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After more than 100 days of strict lockdown, Victorians finally have a new path out of restrictions. It signals a more gradual easing than the government originally hoped, after outbreaks amongst frontline workers led to a spike in case numbers Today, Osman Faruqi on the story behind the slower path out of lockdown and where the risk now lies.

Guest: Editor of 7am Osman Faruqi.

Background reading: Where Victoria’s second-wave cases are still occurring in The Saturday Paper

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All the way from their home in Los Angeles, actors Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall provide more information than is entirely necessary as they stumble across the answers to this week’s quiz. We get an insight into safe work practices on film sets in the time of Covid-19, and a special bonus question about Cats.

Guests: Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall

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