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What happens when you have a democratically elected leader who takes it upon themselves to prosecute their political opponents – as US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to do?

The Philippines is a far more corrupt system, but its former president Rodrigo Duterte is someone who did exactly that.

One such opponent was Leila de Lima – lawyer, politician and human rights activist who opposed Duterte’s death squads and corruption. As a result, she was falsely tarred as a drug lord and locked up for nearly seven years.

Today, Walkley Award-winning journalist Margaret Simons on Leila de Lima and why the Philippines is the canary in the coalmine for democracy.

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Guest: Reporter Margaret Simons 

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Anthony Albanese was triumphant on Friday, as he talked up the government’s passing of dozens of bills through the parliament.

But there was one key piece of environmental legislation that didn’t make it. Albanese personally stopped the bill, right at the last moment and without warning Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

The decision by the prime minister puts mining interests – and the hope of votes in Western Australia – ahead of a deal that sources say he’d already approved.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why Albanese stopped the legislation, and whether it’s the Greens who’ll end up winning.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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In Anthony Albanese’s political universe, personal relationships are everything.

High on the list for Albanese is his bond with Peter V'landys, the chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission and chief executive of Racing NSW.

That relationship has been central to the government’s decision to again delay reforms of gambling advertising, which V’Landys strongly opposes.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis with the inside story of why the government still hasn’t acted on gambling reform.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis

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The Robodobt scheme is considered by many to be one of the Australian government’s worst scandals. Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper and Walkley Award-winning journalist Rick Morton followed the case closely and he documents the crisis and its devastating effects in his new book. On this episode of Read This, we bring you Michael and Rick’s conversation about Mean Streak from Canberra Writers’ Festival.

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Two years ago, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labelled 6 News, a streaming news channel founded by then 14-year-old Leonardo Puglisi, a “fantastic initiative”.

Now, under Labor’s very own legislation, currently working its way through parliament, every child under 16 – like Leo was then – will be banned from using almost every social media platform.

The government is defending the proposed ban, arguing it will protect vulnerable children from social media giants that utilise “psychological manipulation” to expose them to dangerous content. 

But critics say the ban will be inconsistent and ineffective, pointing out it doesn’t specify which platforms will be restricted or explain how tech companies will enforce the ban.

Today, election reporter for 6 News Maggie Perry on how the social media ban will work, and the harm it could have on young people like herself.

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Guest: Election reporter for 6 News, Maggie Perry.

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On Nauru, there are close to 100 asylum seekers who have been released from detention but are currently living hand-to-mouth.

They are forbidden to work on the island, and are surviving on a stipend of $230 a fortnight – which they say is not even enough for three meals a day.

The Australian government has mostly succeeded in keeping offshore processing off the front pages, but as boat arrivals continue, Nauru remains central to the Australian government’s immigration response.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Denham Sadler on surviving on Nauru and whether Australia’s policy of offshore detention will ever end.

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Denham Sadler.

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Crypto is skyrocketing, ever since Donald Trump won the US election.

Trump is set to lead the most pro-crypto administration ever, promising a crypto advisory council and appointing a prominent pro-crypto hedge fund manager as his pick for Treasury secretary. 

His campaign received considerable donations from the crypto industry, who hope he’ll come good on his promise to create a national bitcoin stockpile.

Today, managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett on why Trump backs crypto and what it means for the global economy.

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Guest: Managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett

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The night Donald Trump claimed victory, he celebrated with his closest friends. 

Among them was Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart.

Rinehart, who describes herself as a “long standing member of the Trump support group ‘the Trumpettes’”, is not only cultivating her ties among America’s right-wing political elite. She also remains a highly influential figure in Australian politics. 

And with the Australian election just months away, Rinehart’s friendship with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is more pertinent than ever.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on Gina Rinhehart, her money, and how she uses it to shape the country. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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The call for Treaty in this country stems as far back as European settlement. 

Now, the Victorian government has started negotiations in what will be the first time a state or federal government in Australia has sat down with Aboriginal people on equal footing to reach Treaty.

But in the wake of the failed referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the Victorian opposition has withdrawn support for the process, raising concerns Victoria’s Treaty process could be derailed after already coming so far.

Today, Yorta-Yorta journalist and broadcaster Daniel James on what this moment means for Treaty, Truth and self-determination.

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Guest: Yorta-Yorta journalist and broadcaster, Daniel James.

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Rachel Kushner always seemed destined to become a writer. At just five years old, her unconventional parents had her working in a feminist bookstore. Now, several decades and three award-winning novels later, she is back with a new book that follows a spy-for-hire who infiltrates a commune of eco-activists in rural France. On this episode of Read This, Rachel joins host Michael Williams for a conversation about Creation Lake, which was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize.

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