7am

The communications watchdog has opened a formal investigation into Optus after a 13-hour failure blocked about 600 triple-zero calls – now linked to three deaths.

The government is furious, calling it “completely unacceptable”, and warning of “significant consequences”.

But is it actually their fault too?

Today, journalist and contributor to Crikey, Michael Sainsbury, on what went wrong and how the government’s choices led to this disaster. 

You can read Michael’s reporting at https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/23/optus-000-outage-labor-blame/

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Guest: Journalist and contributor to Crikey, Michael Sainsbury

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

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The Albanese government has been on an unprecedented campaign of diplomatic activism in the Pacific Islands – all to keep China’s military at a distance.

At the same time, AUKUS is remaking our defence strategy, with eight nuclear-powered submarines, expanded facilities for US forces, and plans for a new east-coast submarine base.

For some watching on, those two approaches are at odds – the diplomacy aims to prevent a Chinese foothold, while AUKUS gives them the exact reason why they need one.

Today, the director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute, Sam Roggeveen, on the contradiction at the heart of Australia’s Pacific policy – and whether there’s a safer way to defend our region.

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Guest: Director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute, Sam Roggeveen.

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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Almost a month after two police officers were shot and killed in regional Victoria, the accused gunman – Dezi Freeman – is still at large.

Victoria Police have deployed thousands of officers, searched more than a hundred properties, and offered the biggest reward in Victorian history – with no result.

People have also been combing Freeman’s Facebook history, which plots a journey from nature photos and family updates, to calling police “Gestapo cowards” and who deserve “Nuremberg 2”.

Today, reporter for Crikey Cam Wilson on what Dezi Freeman’s years of posts reveal and whether there’s a pattern we can recognise before it boils over into violence.

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Guest: Associate editor for Crikey, Cam Wilson

Photo: PR HANDOUT

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in New York for the UN General Assembly, where Australia has formally recognised the State of Palestine – a step that more than 150 UN member states have now taken.

The move is part of what Australian calls "a co-ordinated international effort to build new momentum for a two-state solution".

But with no active peace process, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to fight calls for Palestinian statehood, and the US attempting to scuttle the process – how much difference will recognition make?

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno on whether Australia and others can shift the positions of Washington and Israel.

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Guest: Press gallery veteran, Paul Bongiorno

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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The Coalition is again in crisis.

The latest Newspoll puts its primary vote at 27 per cent – its worst on record.

And with one frontbencher sacked over immigration comments and others threatening to quit over climate policy, the party seems more divided than ever.

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on the ideological battle lines tearing the party apart.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist, Karen Middleton

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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Having released the National Climate Risk Assessment – a report full of apocalyptic climate warnings – earlier this week, the government has now announced its 2035 emissions reduction target.

It’s a range, not a single number: 62–70 per cent below 2005 levels. The government says it’s achievable and ambitious, backed by more renewables and industry support.

Critics say it adds little beyond what the states are already on track to deliver, the modelling leans on technology that doesn't exist yet, and it avoids difficult choices – such as stopping new coal and gas projects.

Today, contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on how ambitious this target really is, whether it can keep global warming to 1.5 degrees.

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Guest: Contributing editor of The New Daily, Amy Remeikis

Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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The UN Commission of Inquiry has delivered its starkest assessment yet – finding that Israel has been and is committing genocide in Gaza.

Israel has rejected the report, saying it’s acting in self-defence and takes steps to protect civilians.

Meanwhile, Israel has begun a major ground offensive in Gaza City after weeks of bombardment.

And abroad, Israel’s strike in the Qatari capital of Doha has rattled Qatar's mediator role and put hopes of a ceasefire further in doubt.

Today, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for HuffPost Akbar Shahid Ahmed, on the next stage of Israel’s war. 

 

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Guest:  Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for HuffPost, Akbar Shahid Ahmed

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In the days since the assassination of prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, the White House ordered flags flown at half-staff and memorials were organised in Washington, DC and Arizona.

But what followed wasn’t just mourning. The Trump administration is urging people to report anyone who criticised or mocked Kirk’s death, and has pledged to use federal power to uproot and dismantle left-leaning groups it says foment political violence.

Today, host of the independent media podcast Lamestream, Osman Faruqi, on how Kirk’s death is being used to crack down on the administration’s enemies – and to justify a further slide towards authoritarianism.

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Guest: Journalist and host of the Lamestream podcast, Osman Faruqi

Photo: PA/Alamy

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Last week, the federal environment minister approved Woodside’s plans to keep its North West Shelf project producing gas out to 2070.

Both the government and Woodside claim that gas is a necessary transition fuel as the world decarbonises – but how convincing are their arguments?

Today, investigative journalist and author of the Quarterly Essay Woodside vs the Planet, Marian Wilkinson, on how one company captured the country – and convinced us that we need the gas industry.

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Guest: Investigative journalist and author of the Quarterly Essay Woodside vs the Planet, Marian Wilkinson

Photo: AAP Image/Supplied by Woodside Energy

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In opposition, Anthony Albanese said Scott Morrison was running "A shadow government that preferred to operate in darkness."

Now in power, the Albanese government is planning to water down Australia's transparency laws and make secrets easier to keep.

The proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information act would limit who can make requests, and make it easier for officials to refuse them.

Today, former Senator and transparency advocate Rex Patrick, on the culture of secrecy plaguing Australian governments.

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Guest: Former Senator for South Australia, Rex Patrick

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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