7am

With the Queensland state election looming, the Prime Minister has hit the campaign trail. But just as he arrived it was revealed that the LNP Opposition leader had been referred to the election watchdog for alleged impropriety. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the growing political scandals around the country.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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A reliance on imports has left Australia with dwindling supplies of some essential medicines and now experts are warning that manufacturing capabilities at home need to be boosted. Today, Margaret Simons on Australia’s pharmaceutical vulnerability. 

Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Margaret Simons.

Background reading: Why Australia runs out of vital medicines in The Saturday Paper

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Over the past few weeks an inquiry into Crown Resorts, Australia’s largest gambling company, has laid bare a culture of risk taking and threats. It’s also embroiled one of the company’s biggest shareholders. Today, Mike Seccombe on James Packer’s extraordinary evidence, and what’s at stake for Crown.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: James Packer’s testimony at the Crown inquiry in The Saturday Paper

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Experts have accused the government of failing to properly fund the aged care sector in this year’s federal budget. Advocacy groups are also concerned about the lack of support for young people, women, the unemployed and migrants. Today, Rick Morton on the groups left behind by the Morrison government’s recovery plan. 

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Budget 2020 does little for the vulnerable in The Saturday Paper

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For decades, students in Footscray in Melbourne’s West, have been taught in Vietnamese alongside English, in line with the suburb’s long-standing heritage. But now, the program is under threat. Today, André Dao on why we value some languages more than others, and what it says about where Australia sees its place in the world. 

The audio of Professor Alan Crookshank in this story is from the Earshot series “Tongue Tied and Fluent.”

Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Andre Dao.

Background reading: A minor language in The Monthly

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Actors Shari Sebbens and Gemma Bird Matheson take on the quiz this week. Gemma can tell you how many minutes there are in half a day, and Shari knows the name of Tara June Winch’s 2020 Miles Franklin award-winning novel. But neither of them have any idea where the inventor of the Rubik's Cube was born.

Guests: Shari Sebbens and Gemma Bird Matheson

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In his budget reply speech last night Opposition leader Anthony Albanese outlined his response to the economic crisis and criticised the federal government for spending in the wrong places. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the political battlelines between the major parties are being drawn.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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Lidia Thorpe entered the Senate this week, becoming the first Aboriginal Senator representing Victoria. Today, she talks to Ruby Jones about rebuilding after the pandemic, and what we can learn from the communities that she represents. 

Over the next few weeks 7am will be interviewing prominent Australians who have written about their vision for the country in The Saturday Paper. 

Guest: Senator for Victoria, Lidia Thorpe.

Background reading: After the virus: Fighting for our future in The Saturday Paper

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Josh Frydenberg’s second budget is a world away from the surplus he was predicting last year. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, debt is on track to hit $1 trillion and the Treasurer is talking up a jobs-led recovery. Today, Karen Middleton on a budget of big numbers and heroic assumptions. 

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

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The future of Australia’s universities hangs in the balance, with radical reforms to funding and student fees due to be voted this week. The government has been negotiating furiously behind closed doors to pass its legislation through the Senate. Today, Rick Morton, on the surprising stance taken by Senator Jacqui Lambie.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: Jacqui Lambie’s stand on education in The Saturday Paper

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