7am

A year ago, the High Court handed down a decision that was a blow to survivors of child sexual abuse everywhere.

In a case brought by a man who was abused as a little boy, the Catholic Church’s Diocese of Ballarat argued that they couldn’t be sued for the actions of one of their priests, because priests are employed by God – not by the Church.

The ruling in the Church’s favour left thousands of survivors devastated – but the Court said it was now up to parliaments to act.

Recently, the ACT government went first, legislating to overrule the High Court decision, in a major win for victim-survivors.

Today, lawyer and advocate Judy Courtin on when the other states will follow – and how the Catholic Church will fight back.

 

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Guest: Lawyer and advocate Judy Courtin

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

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A letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reopened the fight over gambling reform. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is calling for a free vote in parliament on a ban on gambling advertising, saying it has significant support across the chamber.

Inside Labor, many MPs say they want change – but are too afraid to speak publicly. 

It follows a Four Corners investigation that showed how online betting is harming Australians – and how the systems meant to protect them are failing.

The government says it is acting, but two-and-a-half years on from a cross-party inquiry led by the late Peta Murphy, it has yet to implement any of its recommendations.

Today, ABC investigative reporter Steve Cannane on what his Four Corners reporting uncovered, and how Labor MPs are being kept quiet. 

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: ABC Investigative reporter, Steve Cannane

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

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As the year winds to an end, kids with autism and developmental delay face an uncertain future.

Back in August, the government revealed plans to kick them off the NDIS – announcing a new scheme called Thriving Kids, set to kick off next year.

The health minister, Mark Butler, said it would give kids better support – and go some way towards curbing the billions being spent on the NDIS.

But months on, the government still hasn’t reached a deal with the states on how the scheme will be funded – despite threatening to withhold their hospital funding until they agree.

Today, journalist Rick Morton on the fight over the future of Thriving Kids – and what the government is really doing to the NDIS.

 

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Guest: Journalist Rick Morton 

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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The world’s richest man just got the world’s biggest pay rise, with Tesla shareholders approving a $1 trillion package for Elon Musk over the next decade.

As he accepted the deal, Musk danced on stage with Tesla’s humanoid robots – and thanked his supporters – saying he “super appreciated it”.

But as the company’s stock is known to plummet when Musk intervenes in politics – questions remain about the damage his recent manoeuvrings will do to Tesla’s future. 

Today, power and tech reporter at The Guardian US Nick Robins-Early on what Musk has been up to since he left the White House – and how a trillion dollar pay packet will shape his next moves.

 

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: Power and tech reporter at The Guardian US, Nick Robins-Early 

Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File

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Tomorrow marks fifty years since the infamous moment when a clearly nervous spokesperson for the Governor General stood on the steps of Parliament House and announced that Gough Whitlam had been dismissed.

But what happened on Remembrance Day in 1975 wasn’t just an unprecedented political crisis — it was a warning. One that exposed the fragility of our constitution and the lingering power of a system designed to serve the monarchy, ahead of the people. 

Since then, nothing has changed to stop it all from happening again.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on what the dismissal revealed about Australia’s democratic foundations – and why he says we need to become a Republic to stop history repeating.

 

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: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno

Photo: PR HANDOUT

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This week, more than a dozen people were arrested while protesting at a defence conference in Sydney.

The demonstrators from Palestine Action Group were protesting the presence of Israeli defence contractors, who were exhibiting at the event.

The riot squad, along with dogs and mounted police officers clashed with protesters and used pepper spray several times on the crowd.

Clashes like this one have become routine in Australia – with a change in police tactics, as officers increasingly use pepper spray and rubber bullets. 

Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on the use of these so-called “non-lethal” weapons, and how protesting in Australia has become more dangerous. 

This episode was originally published in October.

 

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: Journalist and author, Ariel Bogle

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

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Back in 2021, the Coalition was united in their support for net zero, with then-prime minister Scott Morrison describing the plan as “100 per cent supported by the government”.

Now, just four years later, the Nationals have walked away from it – and the Liberal Party is set to follow. Despite personally supporting net zero, Sussan Ley will scrap it in an attempt to hold on to the leadership.

But with the party’s right winning the battle on climate policy, they’re also set to win the war within the Liberal Party. Bets are now on about when, not if, Ley will lose her job.

Today, contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on the Coalition’s civil war over climate policy, and how it lets Labor off the hook.

 

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: Contributing editor of The New Daily, Amy Remeikis 

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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The killing in the city of El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region is so brutal and widespread that bloodstains on the ground can be seen from space.

For a year and a half, a militia group called the RSF has been attacking the city – and last, week it fell, resulting in the mass slaughter of civilians.

In the past two years, 12 million people in Sudan have fled their homes – and more than 150,000 people have died, making this the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

The violence is sponsored and enabled by the United Arab Emirates, a key Western ally, raising questions about the West’s inaction and complicity. 

Today, Sudanese political analyst and founder of the think tank Confluence Advisory Kholood Khair on what has unfolded in El Fasher – and what comes next for Sudan.

 

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Guest: Sudanese political analyst and founder of the think tank Confluence Advisory, Kholood Khair 

Photo: Vantor via AP

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Last week, Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to “immediately” resume US nuclear weapons testing.

The order breaks with more than three decades of protocol for the United States – justified, according to the president, by the actions of China and Russia.

And as these nuclear-armed powers expand and modernise their arsenals, countries closer to Australia are openly debating whether to follow.

Today, professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor, on what Trump’s announcement means for the nuclear arms race, and what happens if our neighbours go nuclear.

 

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: Professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor

Photo: Provided by U.S. Energy Department

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Recently, the creators of ChatGPT have made a surprising announcement: erotica is coming to the world’s most popular AI platform. 

It’s the latest step in a transformation of the internet —  where artificial intelligence is shaping not just what we read or search, but how we think, feel and even form relationships.

Today, associate editor for Crikey Cam Wilson, on OpenAI’s bold new direction, the mental health risks behind the decision — and what happens when the world’s most powerful chatbot starts getting personal. 

 

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: Associate editor for Crikey, Cam Wilson 

Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.