7am

This election was shaped by two men with very different characters. One of them was defined by certainty and the other by his insecurities. Erik Jensen on how leadership interacts with uncertainty, and what it means for the country.

Guest: Editor-in-chief of Schwartz Media and author of Quarterly Essay 74: The Prosperity Gospel Erik Jensen.

Background reading:

Quarterly Essay: The Prosperity Gospel

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Despite a public commitment to passing their tax reforms as a single package, some in the Liberal Party see benefits in not getting the cuts through parliament. Conversely, some in Labor want to see the cuts pass and have the Coalition deal with the consequences. Paul Bongiorno on double-bluff politics.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

The cost of Coalition tax 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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Australia records higher losses from gambling than any country in the world. Our politics encourages the industry for the sake of tax revenues. James Boyce on how the sector uses faulty research to avoid regulation.

Guest: Writer and historian James Boyce.

Background reading:

The lie of 'responsible' gambling 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 trade war escalates between China and the US, Australia is increasingly wedged. The country faces its biggest strategic challenge in modern history, while around it the global systems of trade are at threat of being torn apart. Mike Seccombe on how the US became the radical actor in this story.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Australia’s China dilemma in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Where once it might have seemed radical, presidential hopefuls and tech entrepreneurs are now talking about breaking up the social media giants. Their power has become too great and they are not able to regulate themselves. Osman Faruqi on the battle between free speech and hate speech at places like Facebook.

Guest: Journalist and deputy editor of ABC Life Osman Faruqi.

Background reading:

Hate speech isn’t freedom of speech in The Monthly

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Before entering parliament, Scott Morrison ran Tourism Australia. He was sacked by the minister, but the details of what happened have never been made public. Karen Middleton on the clearest picture yet of his time in the office.

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

Background reading:

Fresh documents in Morrison's sacking 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 completes his first overseas trip since winning the election, there are worrying signs for the economy and for press freedom. Paul Bongiorno on interest rates, AFP raids and Kristina Keneally’s new responsibilities.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

Morrison goes from royals to rate cuts to raids in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Charlie Teo is Australia’s best-known surgeon. He is also the country’s most controversial specialist. Martin McKenzie-Murray on what defines Teo and the balance he asks us to strike between hope and orthodoxy.

Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray.

Background reading:

The promise of renowned neurosurgeon Charlie Teo in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly 

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

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A law that allows drunkenness as a defence against criminal behaviour is the subject of a campaign for reform. But government is not listening and the legal establishment is not interested in seeing it change. Bri Lee talks about what is called “Mistake of Fact”.

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of sexual assault.

Guest: Author, advocate for consent reform and writer for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee.

Background reading:

Time to reform Queensland consent laws in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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

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Scott Morrison’s cabinet is a careful balance between those who backed him during last year’s leadership spill, and those who backed Peter Dutton. There are well-received appointments and others that are more controversial. Paddy Manning discusses who is where and what it means.

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

Background reading:

Inside the broad church of Scott Morrison 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.