7am

As face masks become compulsory, doctors and public health officials are working to find consensus on their efficacy. But in the rush to contain coronavirus, there is no time to wait for perfect science.

Guest: Health journalist Amy Coopes.

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As the government reveals the extent of the budget deficit, Scott Morrison has become increasingly short in answering questions. He no longer meets with his virtual party room, and some MPs say he doesn’t like being asked to explain what’s happening.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

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The decision to pull subsidies from childcare has caused alarm in the sector - especially because it is the first place the government cut support. Now questions are being asked about the men-only committee that made the decision.

Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Gina Rushton.

Background reading:

Childcare centres at financial risk in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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After a 10-year legal battle, the “palace letters” were finally released last week. In full, they show how Gough Whitlam’s relationship with the governor-general broke down - and how involved the Queen was through this collapse.

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

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In the middle of last month, Australia had its last chance to contain the coronavirus pandemic. One strain of the virus was all but defeated in the community. But then a second strain broke out.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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As climate models predict even worse outcomes for the planet, some scientists believe the way to change what is happening is for people to “feel” the emotion of it. There is still time to halt the crisis, but we are at a fork in the road.

Guest: Climate scientist and writer Joëlle Gergis.

Background reading

Witnessing the unthinkable in The Monthly

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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As the pandemic worsens in Victoria, Scott Morrison has been careful to distance himself from bad news. He chooses when to be the face of the response, and when to leave it to the state premiers.

Guest: Contributing editor (politics) for The Monthly Paddy Manning.

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Daniel van Roo spent 18 months trying to convince his doctors he was sick. They continued to test only for STIs - he says because he was gay. By the time he was diagnosed with cancer, it was terminal.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

Exclusive: Doctors ignore terminal cancer in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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With Victoria one week into its second shutdown, and NSW on high alert, there are new fears about what a second wave could mean for Australia’s coronavirus recovery. Already, the federal government is sounding dire warnings. 

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

Background reading:

The impact of Victoria’s second shutdown in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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The sentencing of Ramzi Aouad to life without parole came at a tense moment in racialised policing. There are now people asking if the evidence was fair – and if the politics around “Middle Eastern crime” played a part. This is part two of a two-part episode.

Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Mahmood Fazal.

Background reading:

The man inside and the inside man in The Monthly

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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