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Hundreds of climate activists, aboard rafts and kayaks, have paddled out into the Port of Newcastle for a so-called “protestival”, to disrupt the world’s largest coal port.

The activists behind the protest, Rising Tide, are defying a police-sought court order that tried to have the protest stopped due to safety concerns.

It means the demonstration will run in the presence of a police force that has a full suite of powers.

Today, producer for 7am Cheyne Anderson on how challenges like this are becoming more common, set against a backdrop of a nation-wide crackdown on the right to protest.

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Guest: Producer for 7am Cheyne Anderson.

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There’s a group of people who felt completely abandoned during our most recent public health crisis: those who suffered Covid-19 vaccine injuries. 

It is a rare event, but it happens.

During the pandemic those who experienced side effects from Covid-19 vaccinations say they felt deserted by their friends, health services and ultimately, the government, which they believe failed to deliver its promised compensation scheme.

Today, reporter for the ABC’s Background Briefing Maddison Connaughton on the shortcomings of the Covid-19 vaccination compensation scheme – and what it means for public trust during a future pandemic.

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Guest: Reporter for the ABC’s Background Briefing, Maddison Connaughton.

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Just a few days after the US presidential election, Prospect Park, located in the middle of Brooklyn, burst into flames. 

For Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks, who has long called America home, an autumn bushfire in the dense urban heart of Brooklyn was a scary sign of what’s to come under Donald Trump’s second term as US president.

Today, Geraldine Brooks on Trump’s America – and what it means for a burning planet. 

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Guest: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Geraldine Brooks

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Alan Jones was at his luxury Circular Quay apartment yesterday morning when Child Abuse Squad detectives arrived to arrest him.

For nine months, police had been conducting a top secret investigation. Now, they’ve charged Jones with 24 offences, involving eight victims.

Among the charges are 11 of aggravated indecent assault where the victim was under the authority of the offender. 

His arrest is the latest chapter in the downfall of one of Australia's most controversial figures, a man described by one of his alleged victims as being “more powerful than the prime minister”. 

Today, investigative reporter and author of Jones Town: The Power and Myth of Alan Jones Chris Masters on the downfall of one of Australia’s most powerful men and what it tells us about the nature of power in this country. 

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Guest: Investigative reporter and author of Jones Town: The Power and Myth of Alan Jones Chris Masters

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In deciding not to probe robodebt, the National Anti-Corruption Commission seemingly failed its first big test.

But the NACC has been given a second chance to reconsider an investigation into the unlawful scheme and six people referred for possible corruption by a royal commission.

Former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson was approached to review the decision, but the offer was withdrawn over concerns it might offend a former Coalition minister who is among the people referred.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the dumping of the proposed robodebt investigation and what it means for the future of the NACC.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

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Santilla Chingaipe has always been a storyteller. The Zambian-born filmmaker, historian and author spent her career exploring settler colonialism, slavery, and contemporary migration in Australia and she has just released her first book of non-fiction. On this episode of Read This, host Michael Williams is joined in the studio by Santilla to discuss Black Convicts, which offers a fresh understanding of the ways in which empire, slavery, race and memory have shaped this nation.

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Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, does not appear to like Donald Trump – and the feeling is mutual.

Speculation about Rudd's ability to work with the incoming Trump administration has flared, as Rudd’s historical criticisms of Donald Trump have caught the eye of some in the US president-elect’s inner-circle.

This week, speculation peaked when a senior adviser to Trump reposted Rudd’s congratulatory statement to the president-elect on social media with a GIF of an hourglass.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on whether the incoming US administration will seek retribution, and if the Albanese government will stand up to them.

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

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When US President-elect Donald Trump claimed victory last week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to congratulate him.

Trump and Netanyahu have a close relationship and Netanyahu’s far-right national security minister has said he’s sure Trump would see “eye-to-eye” with Israel.

Meanwhile, president-elect Trump claims he will end the war in the Middle East, but has not revealed how he plans to do so.

Until December, Dana Stroul was the most senior civilian at the Pentagon focused on the Middle East. Today, Stroul tells us what a second Trump term means for the region and whether we could see an end to the war in Gaza.

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Guest: Dana Stroul, Director of Research, Washington Institute and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East at the Pentagon.

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The Albanese government has been accused of pork-barrelling after an analysis of $1.35 billion in grants found almost 90 per cent of seats that Labor held or gained at the election received a grant.

Labor has defended the grants, saying they were campaign commitments that had to be met.

Today, independent MP Helen Haines on pork-barrelling by the major parties and how the Albanese government rates on accountability and integrity as we head to a federal election.

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Guest: Independent MP Helen Haines 

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The re-election of Donald Trump is likely to have alarming consequences for the climate. He was, after all, elected on a promise to “drill, baby, drill”.

Trump is already preparing to pull out of the Paris Agreement, again. But this time he could also withdraw from the underlying convention, making it much harder for any successor to change course. 

Climate diplomat Thom Woodroofe was there when the Paris Agreement was signed – and when Trump rescinded the first time around. 

Now, as COP29 kicks off in Azerbaijan, Woodroofe says Trump’s disregard of climate responsibilities makes it even more crucial that Australia takes a leading role in international climate negotiation. 

Today, senior international fellow with the Smart Energy Council Thom Woodroofe, on Donald Trump and whether global action on climate is a lost cause without the United States.

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Guest: Senior international fellow with the Smart Energy Council Thom Woodroofe

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