7am

Labor is laying the groundwork for a major overhaul of Australia’s tax system. 

In just over a week, a hand-picked group of people from business, unions and government will gather in Canberra for an economic roundtable.

Already, a range of ideas are being touted for debate: from lowering company tax rates, to rethinking negative gearing, and a carbon tax.

The prime minister is watching carefully to see which ideas gain traction – and which are political poison – before claiming them as part of his own agenda. 

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on Anthony Albanese’s long game – and the way he wants to change the economy to change the country.

 

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 journalist Karen Middleton

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As ceasefire talks with Hamas stall, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene his security cabinet to agree on a new Gaza strategy.

He’s been pushing for a full military takeover of the strip – but that plan is exposing deep divisions inside his own government. The meeting was postponed, senior defence officials warn the operation would be costly and endanger the remaining hostages, and critics say it risks leaving Israel even more isolated internationally.

Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is still weighing South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, and Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death toll has surpassed 61,000.

Today, Israeli-American scholar and professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Omer Bartov, on what constitutes genocide – and why only a new paradigm can save Israelis and Palestinians alike.

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: Israeli-American scholar and professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, Omer Bartov

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When ASIO’s spy chief Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, it was widely seen as a recruitment drive.

He talked about the crucial role of human intelligence in ASIO's work – and sang the praises of the people who make huge sacrifices, in secret, to keep Australians safe.

But while Burgess insisted informants collecting intelligence for ASIO are valued, ABC investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop has revealed a different side to this dangerous work.

Today, the reality of working with ASIO – and what can happen when you leave.

This is part two of a two-part episode. 

 

If you haven’t yet, go back and listen to Part 1: The spiritual leader of Sydney’s pro-ISIS network.

 

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: Investigative reporter for the ABC Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop

Photo: Sissy Reyes, Four Corners 

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At the height of the Islamic State’s power in Syria, hundreds of Australians are thought to have joined their ranks.

But as security agencies cracked down on people leaving the country, Australian ISIS supporters turned their focus here. What followed was a string of attacks and foiled plots.

Now, as ISIS once again gains a foothold in Syria, attacks are expected to rise in Australia.

Today, investigative reporter for the ABC Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on Australia’s ISIS supporters, the spiritual leader who has flown under the radar for years – and the informant who risked his life to blow the whistle.

This is part one of a two-part series.

 

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: Investigative reporter for the ABC Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop

Photo: Sissy Reyes, Four Corners 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly two decades, Australian governments have pledged to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians — in health, education, employment and justice.

But year after year, the data tells a grim story: modest improvements in some areas and deepening crises in others. 

Behind the national figures, and in the shadow of the failed referendum, the Northern Territory is falling even further behind.

Today, Yorta Yorta man and co-host of 7am, Daniel James on the ongoing frustrations of First Nations leaders as they try to lead their communities to a better future. 

 

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: Yorta Yorta man and co-host of 7am, Daniel James

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In spite of pouring rain, government opposition and a failed police ban, 90,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday.

It was the largest pro-Palestinian protest in Australia’s history. 

It was a moment of mass demonstration against 21 months of war in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed.  Despite warning that the march could become dangerous, the protest remained peaceful and marked a powerful expression of a shifting public conscience.

Today, Walkley-award winning journalist and author, David Leser – on why he joined the protest, not in spite of his Holocaust heritage, but because of it. 

 

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: Walkley-award winning journalist and author, David Leser

Photo: AAP/Flavio Brancaleone

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Anthony Albanese has been waiting decades to recognise a Palestinian state. 

Now, as countries like France, Canada and the UK all declare their own intention to do so, the Prime Minister is weighing up how Australia will respond.

It’s a delicate balance – with competing pressures from within his own party, and an opposition denying there’s a starvation crisis in Gaza.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno on the growing political momentum behind the case for statehood and the private phone calls shaping Albanese’s plans.

 

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

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Australia’s plan to ban teenagers from social media has been called “world‑leading”.

The law, which comes into effect December 10, threatens platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook with fines of up to $50 million if they let under-16s open or keep accounts.

But as implementation draws closer, questions remain about how the ban will be enforced, what it means for online privacy, and whether it will reshape the way everyone uses the internet.

Today, digital‑rights advocate Samantha Floreani on the risks of the ban amid a global regulatory arms race.

 

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: Digital‑rights advocate, Samantha Floreani.

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As companies across the world pursue generative AI technology, new forms of manipulation become possible.

At the forefront of this are neurotechnologies, which directly connect to your brain and collect your brain data, and persuasive technologies, which can use that data to influence how you feel.

In countries like China where the tech industry is controlled by the government, the use of these technologies for disinformation and social control has already taken hold.

Today - senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria Impiomabato on the rise of persuasive technologies, and the ways we could be exploited without even knowing.

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: Senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria Impiomabato

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff struck a deal with the AFL to build a brand new stadium in Hobart's historic center, it was a decision made without cabinet, treasury or parliamentary backing.

It's that stadium that's kicked off a messy fight over who will lead Tasmania.

It’s now been over a week since the election that delivered a hung parliament and neither the Liberal leader or Labor leader have managed to form government.

Today, award-winning author Richard Flanagan, on the political crisis in his home state of Tasmania – and why it's a warning for the rest of the country. 

 

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: Award-winning author Richard Flanagan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.