7am

An inquiry examining the Ruby Princess saga has delivered its findings, six months after the ship docked. The cruise ship remains Australia’s largest coronavirus cluster. Today, Malcolm Knox, on who was responsible and what the inquiry found.

Guest: Writer for The Monthly Malcolm Knox.

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The federal government has announced that Australia is in “advanced discussions” with a number of companies over acquiring a potential coronavirus vaccine. But how close are scientists to actually making one, and does it matter who gets there first? Today, Rick Morton on the global race for a vaccine.

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This is a story about Australia’s psyche and the way our connection to policing makes us unique. During this pandemic, police have been handed unprecedented new powers, in stark contrast to the response elsewhere in the word. Today, Osman Faruqi on the nexus between police, politicians and the media.

Guest: Editor of 7am, Osman Faruqi.

Background reading:

Policing as part of the national psyche in The Saturday Paper

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Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr and programmer for the Melbourne International Film Festival Kate Jinx work their way through The Saturday Quiz. Bonus points for an ice-cream-based Lenny Bruce story.

Guests: Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr and MIFF programmer Kate Jinx

In the paper: Zoë Coombs Marr and her stand-in stand-up Dave

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At the beginning of the pandemic Prime Minister Scott Morrison was keen to project himself as a unifying leader, coordinating the nation’s response. But as the crisis has stretched on he’s adopted a much more reserved approach – on internal border disputes and aged care. Today, Paul Bongiorno on Morrison’s strategy of inaction and if it will work.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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One of the federal government’s most controversial decisions during the coronavirus pandemic has been allowing workers to access their superannuation accounts. The policy risks dramatically increasing Australia’s generational wealth gap, as young workers drain their retirement savings. Today, Mike Seccombe on how the government is reshaping the fundamental purpose of superannuation. 

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Super funds transformed by Liberal ideology in The Saturday Paper

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Ten days ago, Melbourne entered the strictest shutdown the country has seen so far, and one of the harshest lockdowns currently taking place in the world. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the extraordinary powers a state of disaster bestows on the government, and how we got here.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

What led to Victoria’s extraordinary shutdown in The Saturday Paper

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Two Australians have launched court cases in an attempt to radically overhaul the way our government and big corporations are responding to climate change. Today, lawyer Kieran Pender on the story of climate litigation in Australia and what’s at stake.

Guest: Lawyer and writer for The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender.

Background reading:

Suing for climate change in The Saturday Paper

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As calls for police reform and prison abolition grow across the world, a new campaign in Australia led by formerly incarcerated women is seeking to combat the stigma of criminalisation. Today, Tabitha Lean, one of the organisers of that campaign, on life after prison. 

Guest: Tabitha Lean, a formerly incarcerated Gunditjmara woman.

Background reading:

Speaking out for criminalised women in The Saturday Paper

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Recent Emmy nominee Sarah Snook and the guy from the 7-Eleven ads, Dave Lawson, solve The Saturday Paper’s quiz. What’s the best use for a Logie? What’s your middle name? And if you just repeat the question back to the quizmaster, will they answer it for you?

Guests: Emmy nominee Sarah Snook and actor Dave Lawson

In the paper: The Quiz

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