7am

Last week, trans teenagers in Queensland and their families had a short moment of joy: the supreme court overturned the state government’s ban on gender affirming care.

The judge found the decision to stop children from accessing puberty blockers was done without proper consultation. He found that the ban had been rushed through without giving medical professionals warning – or a chance to weigh in.

But just six hours after the court’s ruling, the Queensland government shot back: with the health minister issuing a new ban.

So what does that mean for trans children in Queensland?

Today, the mother who took the government to court and won – on the supreme court ruling, the government’s next move, and how the fight for trans healthcare is impacting her teenage daughter and other kids like her.

 

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Guest: The mother of a Queensland teenager 

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Some childcare centres in Australia are so understaffed that children are left alone for hours. Other centres spend less than a dollar a day on feeding them.

Yet the industry receives billions in public subsidies and dodgy centres are allowed to keep operating even after serious breaches. 

What’s emerging is a picture of a broken childcare system – one where regulators aren’t doing their job and no one is held to account. 

Today, NSW Greens MLC Abigail Boyd on what she uncovered about the horrific abuse unfolding in Australian childcare centres – and why we are allowing the pursuit of profit over safety.

 

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Guest: NSW Greens MLC and chair of the Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in NSW Abigail Boyd

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Back in 2023, Australia’s top court made a landmark ruling: it was against the law for the Australian government to indefinitely hold people in immigration detention.

That ruling had massive implications for our country’s border policies. It overturned 20 years of precedent – and it led to the release of people into the community who had been held in immigration detention after having their visas cancelled – but weren’t able to return to their home country.

After that, the Albanese government struck a controversial deal with Nauru, worth $2.5 billion. The tiny island nation would be paid to settle the detainees in exchange for money over a 30-year period. 

This week we learned the deal has now begun – at least one person has now been deported to Nauru.

Today, journalist Denham Sadler, on the former immigration detainees Australia is now deporting – and whether offloading them to Nauru is a breach of our legal obligations. 

This episode was first published in September.

 

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Guest: Journalist, Denham Sadler

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Murray Watt has talked a big game about fixing our environment laws by the end of the year.

But this week, the government’s attempt to do that fell apart – with the crossbench and Coalition senators refusing to back the changes.

At the same time, Labor faced a dramatic revolt in the Senate over its refusal to release a secret report meant to fix the culture of cronyism – and jobs for mates.

Having campaigned on restoring integrity to government, Labor is now facing a Senate demanding it live up to that promise.

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on why it’s so hard to fix our environment laws – and whether the government’s hubris is getting in the way of its promise for greater transparency.

 

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Guest: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton

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Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have met face-to-face for the first time in six years. 

The meeting, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, comes at a time of deep tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Tariffs are soaring, critical minerals are being weaponised and the battle over tech dominance is reshaping global supply chains. 

Trump likes quick wins, while Xi likes playing the longer game – and for Australia the stakes couldn’t be higher, as we rely on China for our prosperity and the US for our security.

Today, host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald, on the fallout from the meeting between the world’s two superpowers, and what it means for Australia.

 

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Guest: Host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming Hamish Macdonald

Photo: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

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Anthony Albanese’s $13 billion critical minerals deal with Donald Trump has been touted as a huge win – one that strengthens our relationship with our most powerful ally – and delivers massive US investment in our national interest.

But while Australia and the US talk it up as a blow to China’s stranglehold on these important commodities, questions remain about the cost: to our communities, to our environment, our health – and the economy.

Today, Professor Susan Park from the University of Sydney, on what’s actually in our critical minerals deal – and how Trump’s quest for rare earths will come at Australia’s expense.

 

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Guest: Professor of Global Governance in International Relations, University of Sydney, Susan Park

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Tech giants have invested billions into AI – and are looking for ways to get a return. 

So when Microsoft offered its customers its new AI function “co-pilot” recently, it told them they’d need to pay a higher price for their subscription – or cancel. AI was now part of the deal, whether they wanted it or not.

Except it wasn't. Now, the ACCC is suing Microsoft – alleging they intentionally misled customers to make them believe they had to pay more. It’s part of a bigger campaign to crack down on big tech’s subscription tactics.

So can the regulator take on a 6 trillion dollar company and win? 

Today, principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall on the ACCC’s David and Goliath battle to make Microsoft pay – and what needs to change to protect customers from tricky price hikes.

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Guest: Principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall

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When Joshua Brown was arrested for allegedly abusing children at childcare centers across Melbourne, it exposed a horrifying reality: patchwork regulation and an understaffed, profit-driven industry is failing children.

Months on, as state and federal governments try to deal with the fallout – and as the Albanese government pumps record investment into the early childhood sector – experts say children still aren’t safe in childcare.

Today, crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch on the tension between rapid business growth – and child safety – at the heart of the childcare sector.

And just a warning this episode discusses allegations of child sex abuse. 

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Guest: Crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch

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The National Anti-Corruption Commission has over 200 employees, an annual budget of $60 million, and has received more than 5,000 referrals.

It also hasn’t made a single major corruption finding in the two years it’s been operating.

And adding to questions around performance and credibility, it was recently revealed that the NACC’s Chief Commissioner, Paul Brereton, has been consulting for the Defence Force while leading the federal watchdog – which has oversight of the ADF.

Today, journalist Nick Feik on the missteps and mismanagement of the NACC, and whether it has any hope of regaining public trust.

 

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 Nick Feik.

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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When Anthony Albanese met with Donald Trump, the two leaders cut a deal on critical minerals worth $13 billion.

And as we settle into a new phase of the relationship with our most important ally – this is Australia’s crucial bargaining chip, as the US tries to break China’s grip on the supply chain of critical minerals.

China’s global domination has been in the works for decades – a grand plan that gives China ready access to materials essential for everything from fighter jets to wind turbines. It also gives Beijing extraordinary leverage over Western economies and defence forces.

Today, columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs Ian Verrender, on China’s long game on critical minerals domination – and the old pile of mining waste in Western Australia which could upend it.

This episode was originally published in July 2025.

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: Columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs, Ian Verrender

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