7am

Countries have a legal obligation to tackle climate change, according to a landmark finding from the world’s highest court.

Last week, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion that said climate change is an “urgent and existential threat” to humanity and countries have a “duty to cooperate” on addressing it.

For the Pacific Island students who brought their case to the ICJ, the ruling marks the end of a six year fight. They hope it also marks the start of a new chapter where others can apply the ruling to hold polluting governments to account.

Today, reporter Cheyne Anderson on what we owe smaller nation states, and the implications for Australia.

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Guest: Reporter Cheyne Anderson

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When parliament returned this week, the seating chart said it all. With 123 Labor members in the parliament – the government is taking up much of the room. 

But it was the Nationals taking the oxygen with their growing calls to abandon net zero. Their position is at odds with science, economics and many within the joint party room.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is trying to keep the Coalition on life support as their popularity sinks to its lowest level in 40 years for the coalition is at the lowest it's been in 40 years.

Today, contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, on the mess and mayhem of the first week back in parliament.

 

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Guest: contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis

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When an Israeli airstrike hit the gate of Syria’s Defence Ministry in central Damascus, the blast echoed far beyond the capital.

It was a warning shot in a growing fight over who controls Syria’s fractured south.

With sectarian tensions reigniting between Druze militias, Bedouin fighters and government troops, the country’s uneasy calm is close to breaking.

Today, Damascus‑based journalist Heidi Pett, on the latest in this conflict – and how it could redraw the map of Syria.

 

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Guest: Damascus-based journalist, Heidi Pett.

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The Australian Federal Police investigate some of  the country's most serious crimes - terrorism, corruption, drugs, and human trafficking. 

But a new report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that the one thing the AFP is not good at investigating is itself.

It's found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks.

Today, journalist Karen Middleton on allegations inside the AFP, and what it tells us about the culture of the agency. 

 

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Guest: Journalist Karen Middleton

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When UNESCO voted to put the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in north-west Australia on the World Heritage List, they recognised the ancient rock art as a “masterpiece of human creative genius”.

It was a reflection of the work of the Murujuga traditional owners who fought for the carvings to be recognised on the world stage.

But what went on behind the scenes shows the limits of a heritage listing when it comes to stopping gas companies, the governments that profit from the burning of fossil fuels, or the effects of climate change  heritage listing does to stop gas companies, the government that profits from them, or the effects of climate change.  

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on UNESCO, Woodside, and the future of the Murujuga. 

 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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This is the second episode in a two part series. If you haven’t yet, start by listening to Part 1: How the Epstein conspiracy turned MAGA against Trump.

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein have a well documented history together. What started off as a friendship eventually turned sour, with Trump claiming he never really liked him.

But even though there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any of Epstein’s crimes, the association is now doing damage. Not because they were friends, but because Trump promised answers to his base about Epstein’s connections – and now has failed to give them. 

In this episode, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on what it will mean for Trump’s grip on power if even a small number of his supporters lose faith in him. 

 

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early

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As Donald Trump tries to hose down criticisms over his mishandling of the Epstein files, some of his most ardent supporters are now turning against him.

For years Donald Trump fueled conspiracy theories related to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. For Trump’s MAGA base, his re-election meant finally uncovering the truth about the powerful associates on “Epstein’s list” .

Now, Trump says the  investigation is over, the Epstein list is a “hoax” cooked up by the Democrats, and any supporters who believe there’s more to see are “weaklings”.

Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on how the Epstein backlash is upending MAGA — and what it means for Trump’s grip on power.

This is part one of a two part interview.

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early

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Australia is caught in a perilous balancing act. 

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Premier Xi Jinping to stabilise ties with China; as leaks from Washington revealed the steep demands of our AUKUS agreement with the United States. 

In the shadow of rising tensions over Taiwan, the question of where Australia stands, and who we stand with, has never been more complicated.

Today, host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald, on how the Albanese government is navigating our fraught alliances – and whether we could be headed for war.

 

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Guest: Host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald

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The Federal Court has dismissed a landmark class action brought by Uncles Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai – two Torres Strait Islander men who said Canberra owed them a duty of care to safeguard their homelands from rising seas.

Justice Michael Wigney accepted the islands are being “ravaged by human-induced climate change,” yet ruled the law offers “no real or effective” path to relief – and the Commonwealth argued Torres Strait Islanders can “protect themselves” by moving.

The Uncles insist losing is not an option and vow to keep fighting.

 Today, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo on how a court recognised the crisis but left the Torres Strait to face it alone – and what the government’s defence reveals about its climate stance.

 

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Guest: Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Ben Abbatangelo.

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It’s been a year since the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal to the role of Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia.

Last week, alongside the Prime Minister, Ms Segal released her plan.

It recommends media organisations should be monitored and funding should be withheld from universities and cultural institutions if they don’t stop antisemitism.

But critics say what she’s proposing could backfire.

Today, human rights lawyer and executive officer at the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz, on the rise in antisemitism and what should be done to stop 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: Human rights lawyer and executive officer at the Jewish Council of Australia Sarah Schwartz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.