Independent MP Zali Steggall has used her time in parliament to advocate for stronger climate targets, and criticised both Labor and Coalition governments for not acting fast enough. 

Now she’s calling for an urgent change to our climate targets in Australia, to raise them and to include every sector in the economy.

Today, Member for Warringah Zali Steggall on what climate action she wants to see next, and why the government isn’t aiming high enough. 

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Guest: Independent Member for Warringah, Zali Steggall

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In Australia, if you’re on welfare your payment can be suspended by a for-profit, private company – even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

With tens of thousands of jobseekerspeople being affected by suspensions every week, anti-poverty experts are urging the government to act, warning thatit’s putting already vulnerable people are already at risk and are urging the government to act.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on why private companies have the power to put welfare recipients on a suspension.

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Guest: Senior reporterColumnist for The Saturday Paper, Rick MortonPaul Bongiorno.

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Thomas Mayo, one of the most prominent “Yes” campaigners for the referendum, is still reeling from its defeat. 

But after observing a week of silence, along with other Indigenous leaders, he’s had time to reflect on the campaign’s loss and on his own regrets.

So, does he think Australia is better or worse off for having had the vote? And does he want another referendum? 

Today, author and contributor to The Saturday Paper Thomas Mayo on what went wrong, who’s to blame and what comes next. 

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Guest: Spokesperson for the “Yes” campaign and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Thomas Mayo

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For many Australians, facing the reality of this country is a task that has proved enduringly difficult, both at a public and a political level. For investigative journalist David Marr, finding the right way to tell the stories that allow us to see the truth of our history is a personal quest and one that has led to his latest book. This week, Michael talks with David about shame – both personal and national – and why his family agreed that he had to write Killing for Country.

Reading list:

Patrick White: A Life, David Marr, 1991

My Country: Stories, Essays & Speeches, David Marr, 2018

Killing for Country, David Marr, 2023

Septology, Jon Fosse, 2022

The Hummingbird Effect, Kate Mildenhall, 2023

You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Or if you want to listen to them as audiobooks, you can head to the Read This reading room on Apple Books.

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Guest: David Marr

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After the Voice to Parliament was rejected, attention turned to Canberra this week to ask what’s next.

But for those who held out any hope our politicians had a plan prepared to address Indigenous disadvantage, they were sorely mistaken.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Daniel James, on whether there’s a path to treaty and what the debate will now look like in a new chapter of Indigenous affairs. 

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Daniel James

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Australia’s record on climate action places us well behind other countries. 

But, at a global summit in New York last month, you’d be forgiven for thinking Australia was a climate leader, after being praised for partnering with a small pacific nation facing the worst consequences of climate change.

So, how do our climate representatives manage to sell Australia as an environmental leader, while opening up new fossil fuel projects back home?

Today, director of The Australia Institute climate and energy program and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Polly Hemming, on how Australia’s style of climate negotiating is distracting the world from our climate truths. 

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Guest: Director of the Australia Institute's Climate & Energy program and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Polly Hemming.

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The US Supreme Court has become extraordinarily politicised. 

Judge appointments are watched like a spectator sport and decisions like the overturning of Roe v Wade blur the lines between the judicial and the political. 

There’s a growing concern that a movement against the High Court of Australia is borrowing tactics from the United States. 

Today, lawyer and author of Courting Power Isabelle Reinecke, on the threat of the anti-court movement on Australia’s justice system and why the High Court needs to be protected. 

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Guest: Author of ‘Courting Power’, Isabelle Reinecke

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The international community could soon bear witness to the ground invasion of Gaza, one of the most densely populated residential areas in the world.

That is how Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Israel appears to have decided to retaliate after the recent attack by Hamas.

It marked the greatest loss of life in a single day in Israel’s history.

Since then, Israel has laid a “complete siege” on Gaza, shutting off delivery of food, fuel and medicines.

Today, world editor of The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman on what’s happening in Gaza and why this new war could reshape the Middle East.

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Guest: World editor of The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman

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The “No” campaign’s victory was anything but assured 12 months ago. It’s victory came from the elevation of key spokespeople and talking points, cooked up by a group most Australians have never heard of: the CIS.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on the secretive groups that crafted negative messaging and elevated key leaders in the successful “No” campaign.  

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Australians have resoundingly voted against the Voice to Parliament referendum in every state. First Nations Australians won’t be recognised in the constitution, and they won’t have a Voice. 

It means the Uluru Statement from the Heart has been rejected and the path of Voice, Treaty, Truth is over. 

Today, contributor to The Monthly and The Saturday Paper, Daniel James, on what this result says about our country and how we’ll move forward after voting No. 

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Daniel James

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