7am

We don’t know what exactly happened or what ASIO was investigating; those details are secret. What we do know is that early last year the spy agency broke the law while conducting an operation. Karen Middleton on the complex legislation that guides ASIO officers, and the risks it poses for compliance.

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

Background reading: 

ASIO officers broke law on warrant in The Saturday Paper. 

The Saturday Paper 

The Monthly

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

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New work from the Productivity Commission shows the federal government spends twice as much on income support for people affected by mental illness as it does on treatment. Rick Morton on the human realities of living in poverty while being mentally unwell.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading: 

Mental health cost of welfare in The Saturday Paper. 

The Saturday Paper 

The Monthly

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

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Recently, Scott Morrison described his plans for a ban on environmental groups lobbying businesses. The speech he gave has been called a defining moment in his prime ministership. Mike Seccombe on why this is important and what it says about Morrison’s “ordinary bloke” mask.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Activism and secondary boycotts in The Saturday Paper. 

The Saturday Paper 

The Monthly

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

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Lech Blaine grew up in country Queensland. After the 2019 federal election, he spent several weeks driving around the state, trying to understand what makes it different. He found people with a strong desire to be treated with respect amid a picture more contradictory than it seems.

Guest: Writer for The Monthly Lech Blaine. 

Background reading: 

“How Good is Queensland?” in The Monthly. 

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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As Labor responds to an internal review of its election defeat, some in the party feel they have already lost the next election. While the party struggles with uncertainty, the Coalition struggles with the task of governing. Paul Bongiorno on the difficulties of winning and losing.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading: 

Post-election blues all round in The Saturday Paper.

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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There is a widening gap in Australia between the life expectancy of the rich and the poor. On some figures it is as much as 10 years. Mike Seccombe on the death toll of inequality.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: 

The fatal cost of Australia’s rising inequality in The Saturday Paper. 

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Ross Garnaut wrote the blueprint for Australia’s response to climate change. As the politics fell apart, he became interested in the economic opportunities of a zero-carbon future. He says Australia has more to gain than any other developed country. 

Guest: Economist and author of Superpower Ross Garnaut.

Background reading:

Superpower by Ross Garnaut, published by Black Inc. 

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Anthony Albanese was shaped by the circumstances of his childhood: a single mother, a council house, a love of the Labor Party. The question now is if his working-class background can help the ALP reconnect to its working-class base. James Button on making sense of the leader of the Opposition.

Guest: Journalist and former speechwriter James Button. 

Background reading:

Picking up the pieces in The Monthly. 

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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The Morrison government is committed to a budget surplus above all else. But as Paul Keating points out, this commitment can be a kind of sickness. Paul Bongiorno on what happens when politics refuses to acknowledge circumstances.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

The Coalition's surplus focus in The Saturday Paper.

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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After the Morrison government announced another inquiry into the family courts, to be co-chaired by Pauline Hanson, advocates in the sector expressed concern it was a distraction. One of them was Rosie Batty.

Guest: Anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty.

Background reading:

Family law needs reform, not inquiry in The Saturday Paper. 

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.