7am

While Peter Dutton’s electorate braced for Cyclone Alfred, the opposition leader flew to Sydney to attend a $25,000 dollar-a-head dinner at Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse mansion.

It was a choice that’s been pilloried in the media – and the government.

But as Labor sets about to raise money in similar ways, it raises questions about who has the ear of our leaders – and what Australia’s wealthiest people are getting in return for their donations.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese and the billionaires they court.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: Alan Chau and John Koh / Hancock Prospecting

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Traditionally, the idea of bail meant that someone accused of a crime had the right to be free until their trial. But over nearly fifty years, that has shifted dramatically, with bail now used as a tool for crime prevention.

Jurisdictions across Australia are adopting more punitive bail laws – with Victoria just passing what it calls “the toughest laws in the country”.

The government says it’s about community safety, but legal and human rights experts warn that these changes will put more children in custody, disproportionately affect First Nations people, and potentially increase deaths on remand.

Today, legal academic, Dr Marilyn McMahon, on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what it means for justice.

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Guest: Professor in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon.

Photo: AAP Image / Con Chronis

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Jim Chalmers has handed down the Labor government’s election budget.

Front and centre was a surprise tax cut for all Australians, along with many of the measures we’ve been promised, including a boost to Medicare, energy bill relief, housing support and student debt reductions. 

As the government makes its pitch for re-election, gross public debt is forecast to hit $1 trillion next year, and a decade of deficits loom.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what’s in the budget for you — and how it will sway the government’s chances at re-election.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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The ceasefire in Gaza collapsed a week ago as Israel launched a series of airstrikes.

Since then, more than 600 people have been killed, including children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.Israel says the attacks were aimed at Hamas’s surviving leadership – and just a few days ago, Hamas confirmed its top political leader is dead.

As the war reignites, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing his own political survival.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom on what the end of the ceasefire means for the people of Gaza – and what US President Donald Trump wants out of the next stage of war. 

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Guest:  Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom.

Photo: Majdi Fathi / NurPhoto via Getty Images

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When footage of a CFMEU “health inspector” assaulting a woman was made public last week, it shocked a lot of people. But many union members weren’t surprised.

It’s been six months since the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful unions, was put under federal administration. But now, the lawyer tasked with investigating corruption within the union is openly saying not only has it not improved – it’s worse than he could have imagined.

Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on the union members fighting back – and whether the CFMEU can be saved.

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Guest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray

Photo: AAP Image / James Ross

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Tasmanian writer Robert Dessaix is a man of many talents when it comes to the written form – from travel memoir and fiction to biography and philosophy, he’s done it all. He became a household name for many listeners to ABC Radio following a long stint hosting the beloved show Books and Writing. Now, at 81, Robert is back with a new memoir. This week, Michael is joined by Robert for a conversation about memory, dance, and being a chameleon.

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Kos Samaras spends hundreds of hours listening to what voters really think.

In focus groups and in surveys, his research and political strategy firm, RedBridge Group, gathers the opinions of everyday Australians to paint a picture of the national mood: What is worrying us? What do we think of the prime minister’s mansion, or the opposition leader’s share portfolio? Which politicians can we trust?

But Samaras says this picture gets warped by politicians who live and die by the two-party preferred poll numbers and the 24-hour news cycle, but fail to learn much beyond that.

Today, director at RedBridge, Kos Samaras, on the group of voters who’ll decide the outcome of the upcoming election – and the things they want that no one is offering.

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Guest: Director at RedBridge, Kos Samaras.

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

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Over the past month, a flotilla of Chinese military ships came close to Australian shores unannounced.

They conducted live-fire drills off the coast of Eden, New South Wales – disrupting dozens of flights out of Sydney airport.

The Chinese ships have arrived at a time when Australia’s ability to rely on the United States for defence is questionable, and their presence has sparked concerns that we’re unable to handle our own security in the event of an attack.

Today, Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program, Sam Roggeveen, on why the Chinese military circled Australia – and what we should do about it.

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Guest: Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program Sam Roggeveen

Photo: Australian Defence Force

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Are Catholic priests employed by the Church, or by the hand of God?

This question was at the heart of a five-year legal battle between a survivor of child sexual abuse seeking compensation from the Catholic Church and Bishop Paul Bird of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat.

The High Court’s decision last November – that the Catholic Church does not employ priests and therefore is not liable – came as a surprise to lawyers and as a devastating blow to survivors seeking justice.

Australia now stands alone among common law jurisdictions in taking this stance.

Today, lawyer and advocate representing victims of institutional abuse, Judy Courtin, on the far-reaching consequences of this ruling – and how the courts continue to fail victim-survivors.

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Guest: Lawyer and advocate representing victims of institutional abuse, Judy Courtin.

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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In December last year, a group of crossbenchers dialled into a secret call with the Albanese government.

It was to get a briefing on a government-commissioned report on the national security risks posed by climate change – a report the government has been sitting on since early 2023.

Described by one senator as “frankly terrifying”, the Climate Risk Assessment report has not been shared with the Greens, the Coalition, or even the relevant parliamentary committee on intelligence.

Now, as the federal election looms, crossbenchers warn it’s “recklessly negligent” to keep the report’s findings hidden from Australians.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow, on why the government is keeping national security threats a secret.

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: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow.

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

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