7am

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has recently introduced legislation that would expand the surveillance powers available to Australia’s domestic spy agency. Lawyers and civil-rights groups are arguing the proposed laws are too broad, and could contravene a range of human rights. Today, Karen Middleton on the attempt to expand ASIO’s powers in the midst of a pandemic.

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

Background reading:

Dutton pushing for new ASIO powers in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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As the federal government struggles to rebuild Australia’s battered economy, the threat of a trade war with China risks hampering our recovery. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the twin challenges of rebuilding the economy, and managing our relationship with our largest trading partner.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

Chokehold on the economy in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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ABC staff are revealing the pressure they are under as the public broadcaster absorbs budget cuts amounting to more than 100 million dollars a year. Today, Mike Seccombe on the role the ABC plays during a national crisis and the future of the national broadcaster.

Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Hundreds facing the sack with ABC cuts in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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The Ruby Princess is responsible for more than 10 per cent of Australia’s cases of Covid-19. The decision to allow the ship’s passengers to disembark is now being investigated by a number of state and federal inquiries. Today, Karen Middleton on what happened in the lead-up to Australia’s biggest coronavirus cluster.

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

Background reading:

What happened with the Ruby Princess in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Three months since becoming leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt has begun articulating a plan for the party that embraces “green” capitalism, and sees their future in partnership with Labor. Today, Margaret Simons on what we need to know about Adam Bandt.

Guest: Author and journalist Margaret Simons.

Background reading:

Adam Bandt, the personable hardliner in The Monthly

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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An aged care facility in NSW is the site of one of Australia’s biggest clusters of Covid-19. Now, with 16 dead, the centre’s owners have been threatened with sanctions and the loss of their licence. Today, Rick Morton on what went wrong at Newmarch House. 

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

The Newmarch House Covid-19 cluster in The Saturday Paper

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

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Infighting within the Coalition has been exposed as candidates emerge and then quit in the race for the seat of Eden-Monaro. The by-election is reopening divisions across the Liberal and National Parties. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the first real test for Scott Morrison’s popularity.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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The Prime Minister has made reopening schools a priority of his response to coronavirus, and part of his argument is that school closures are leaving the most disadvantaged students behind. Today, Jane Caro on how the political debate over coronavirus is reframing the inequality in education funding.

Guest: Author and writer for The Saturday Paper Jane Caro.

Background reading:

How schools have become political pawns in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Thousands of Australians had their homes and lives destroyed by last summer’s bushfires, and now the pandemic is shattering their plans to rebuild. As the royal commission examining our Black Summer begins, experts say the climate crisis will leave even more people vulnerable. Today, Rick Morton on what happens when a pandemic follows a natural disaster.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

Black Summer bushfire inquiries begin in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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The government’s economic relief package was broken into three phases, but serious questions are being asked about whether the timing and order of each announcement may have actually led to job losses. Today, Mike Seccombe on the flaws in our rescue package.  

Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

JobKeeper: The inner workings of the bailout in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.