Warmer waters, disease and antibiotics have pushed Tasmania’s salmon farms into crisis.

But it’s not just an environmental disaster – it’s also a political one.

With an election looming, the Albanese government is pouring millions into salmon farming in an attempt to save jobs and votes, even as rotting fish litter the shore. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on what is happening in Tasmanian waters – and how it will impact the upcoming election.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

Photo: Bob Brown Foundation

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In Melbourne-based author Sean Wilson’s new book, You Must Remember This, he tackles the complicated, tragic, and often fraught subject of dementia. On this episode of Read This Sean joins host Michael Williams for a conversation about loss, family, and how to hang on to one’s humanity as illness strips it away.

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It was just before Christmas when Geraldine Brooks sat down for the first in a series of conversations with Anthony Albanese – and his popularity was plummeting.

The prime minister's net approval rating had dropped to minus 17, while Peter Dutton’s had ticked up to zero. Since then, the polls haven’t improved for Albanese.

His critics have painted him as weak and ineffective – a narrative reinforced by the failure of the Voice referendum and a perception of inaction on climate change.

This portrayal is in stark contrast to his background as a passionate activist, who was once arrested at an anti-logging protest.

Today, author and contributor to The Monthly Geraldine Brooks on the public’s perception of Anthony Albanese – and, win or lose, what will be his legacy.

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Guest: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and contributor to The Monthly, Geraldine Brooks.

Background reading: Safe as houses? 

Photo: Ben Clement

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When the country’s peak arts body, Creative Australia, decided to dump Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, it set in motion an existential crisis for the arts. 

The artist in question, Khaled Sabsabi, was removed from the role just days after his appointment – following an article in a News Corp newspaper, a set of opposition questions in the Senate and a phone call from the Arts Minister Tony Burke. 

Now, the boss of Creative Australia faces questions about why he decided to drop Sabasabi – and whether there was ministerial interference.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow, on the controversy at Creative Australia, and what it means for artistic freedom.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow

Photo: Creative Australia

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It was 2020 when the government first discovered that a glitch in its system was wrongfully cutting  welfare recipients off from their payments.

Rather than fixing the error, the department did nothing for three years.

In that time, ten people died. Whether their deaths were the result of suicide or destitution after losing support, Services Australia won’t say.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton with his exclusive story about the ministers who failed to act on behalf of the vulnerable – and instead protected the interests of private companies.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

Photo: Credit: AAP Image / Darren England

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The results in the latest Closing the Gap report are grim.

Only five of the 19 targets are on track, and Indigenous incarceration rates are rising. But is the policy itself part of the problem?

Critics like independent senator Lidia Thorpe argue that Closing the Gap hasn’t delivered change and should be scrapped.

Meanwhile, the government has announced hundreds of millions in new spending, including major investments in remote communities and initiatives to reduce grocery prices in the Northern Territory.

Today, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy on whether Closing the Gap is still working.

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Guest: Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy.

Photo: AAP Image/Amanda Parkinson

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Last year, one of the world’s most powerful families converged in a Nevada court room to fight over the future of their empire.

Rupert Murdoch was attempting to change a decades-old family trust in order to install his chosen son, Lachlan, as heir apparent when he dies.

Exactly what happened in that court room was a tightly guarded secret. But then, in a rare interview with The Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins, James Murdoch gave his account of the case and how it tore his family apart.

Today, Coppins tells us why James spoke out to reveal the bitter details of the battle over the Murdoch empire.

This is part one in a two part interview. 

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Guest: Staff writer at The Atlantic, McKay Coppins 

Photo: Ron Galella / Getty

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One of the cardinal Murdoch family rules is never speak about the family outside the family.

So, when journalist McKay Coppins got in touch with James Murdoch last year, he really wasn’t expecting a reply.

But Coppins was curious – what would happen to the Murdoch empire when Rupert died? And what it would mean for his youngest son, James, who was seemingly an outcast from the family?

What he didn’t yet know was there was a secret high stakes legal battle going on – and James was ready to talk.

This is part two in a two part interview. 

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Guest: Staff writer at The Atlantic, McKay Coppins

Photo: Ron Galella / Getty

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Two time Miles Franklin Award-winning author Alex Miller is 88, but with 17 books under his belt and more writing on the way, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. On this episode of Read This, host Michael Williams sits down with Alex to discuss his latest book The Deal, which revisits the life of Lang Tzu, a character in his critically acclaimed novel The Ancestor Game.

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In news rooms, board rooms and electoral offices around the country, there's one question driving everyone insane: when is Anthony Albanese going to call the election?

Nervous backbenchers are willing him to strike while the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates is fresh in voters’ minds, but the prime minister is being coy about his preferred date.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on when Labor insiders are expecting an election and how Peter Dutton is coping with the government’s week of good news.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: AAP Images

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