7am

Twenty years after Timor-Leste’s vote for independence led to bloody retaliation from Indonesia, the country’s relationship with Australia remains fraught. John Martinkus on what happened after the ballot and what is happening now. 

Guest: Foreign correspondent John Martinkus.

Background reading: 

Remembering Timor-Leste’s independence 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 Scott Morrison announces plans to expand the cashless welfare program and drug test dole recipients, questions are raised over the effectiveness of his approach. Rick Morton on what happens when you treat poverty as a moral problem.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

Newstart: the human cost of Morrison’s plan in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Spiro Boursinos was the impresario behind the rave music phenomenon Earthcore. When he died last year, he left behind a legacy of paranoia, intimidation and financial mismanagement. Martin McKenzie-Murray on tracing the threads of his strange, short life.

Guest: Writer and author Martin McKenzie-Murray.

Background reading:

All tomorrow’s parties in The Monthly

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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While some backbenchers doubt that Gladys Liu can stay in parliament, Scott Morrison has given her his full support. At the same time, he is in the difficult position of attempting to capitalise on ICAC while voting against an integrity commission. Paul Bongiorno on the foreign influence scandals engulfing Canberra. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

The politics of integrity in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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When Annabel Crabb decided to find out what happens to men’s work habits when they have children, she discovered a huge store of gendered norms and inequality. The lives of most new fathers change very little when they have a child. But there is policy that could change this – and in some places it already has.

Guest: Writer and broadcaster Annabel Crabb.

Background reading:

Men at Work in Quarterly Essay

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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As ICAC exposes apparent corruption in New South Wales, focus is drawn on the government’s integrity commission, which, among other things, could not make findings of corruption. Meanwhile, a Greens bill for an anti-corruption body has passed the senate but looks set to be blocked in the lower house. Mike Seccombe on anti-corruption legislation and how politicians avoid scrutiny.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

ICAC and the federal watchdog 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 fresh momentum behind the Adani mine in central Queensland, as the state government pushes through approvals and native title is extinguished. What happens next could define Australia’s relationship to climate change both here and globally. Anna Krien visited the Adani blockade and spoke to the people fighting there.

Guest: Writer and journalist Anna Krien.

Background reading:

Inside the Adani blockade 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 Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System has heard evidence of dysfunction, inflexibility and underfunding. It has also heard personal accounts of what it is like to care for someone with a mental illness. Thornton McCamish on the people who are trying to stop the revolving door.

Guest: Author and writer for The Monthly Thornton McCamish.

Background reading:

Spiralling admissions 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 has been flatfooted by public outrage over its plan to deport a family from Biloela. Attempts to recapture the narrative have seen clumsy, anti-asylum seeker stories placed in The Australian. Paul Bongiorno on the political panic that has accompanied compassion for a Tamil family whose town spoke up.

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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Josh Frydenberg’s appeal for companies to address wage stagnation underscores the lack of government policy in the area. It also highlights how the Australian market preferences dividends over innovation. Mike Seccombe on the distorting realities in the pay debate.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading

Stalemate on stagnant wage growth in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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