7am

When former inmate Daniel Vansetten heard about the idea of a national newspaper, produced for prisoners and by prisoners, he jumped at the opportunity to be involved.

He says the incarceration system in Australia can be an information black hole and About Time intends to rectify that.

The free paper is available to approximately 21,000 prisoners in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT.

It’s tailored to prison life, and with the ambition to shift information in and out of prisons, hopes to create a community among incarcerated peoples.

Today, contributor to About Time Daniel Vansetten and the paper’s managing director Rosie Heselev on giving prisoners a voice and the empathy they hope it will inspire.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Contributor to About Time Daniel Vansetten and managing director of About Time Rosie Heselev.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States presidential campaign so far has largely been based on fashioning public perceptions: with the Democrats painting Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, and Republicans calling Kamala Harris a radical Marxist who will destroy America.

And with the election just around the corner, their first and possibly only debate was a chance to tell Americans about their visions for the country.

So with most polls showing both candidates at a dead heat, did we learn anything about what they’re actually offering voters? 

Today, senior researcher at The Australia Institute Dr Emma Shortis, on who came out on top of the US presidential debate, and whether it was enough to make a difference.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Senior researcher at The Australia Institute, Dr Emma Shortis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton’s first major promise when he became opposition leader was to build nuclear power plants.

It was a curious idea with no cost attached and and without much community support, according to polling. 

Now, the Labor government has signalled it wants the next election to be fought on the viability of these plants, with the release of a new attack ad focusing on how expensive nuclear power would be.

Beyond the cost, questions remain about the legality and safety of nuclear power in Australia.

Today, emeritus professor and former head of the School of Science at Griffith University Ian Lowe fact checks Peter Dutton’s nuclear promise.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Emeritus professor and former head of the School of Science at Griffith University Ian Lowe 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politics was changed at the last election in a way the major parties are still grappling with.

Now, the record crossbench it delivered looks set to grow even more, with a hung parliament looking ever more likely.

In the lead up to the next election, Labor is courting the teals, knowing the relationship could be crucial to forming government and keeping Coalition MPs out of inner-city seats.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow, on Labor’s plan and the fight that could derail it. 

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Albanese government’s long-promised National Anti-Corruption Commission was met with high hopes that it would weed out corruption within our institutions and restore faith in politics.

But when it came to its first big test – investigating the robodebt scandal – it took the commission a year to decide it would do nothing.

Now, there are concerns that the NACC is failing to live up to its obligations and has been marred by silence and secrecy.

Today, special correspondent in Canberra for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on what the National Anti-Corruption Commission has achieved one year on and whether it’s enough.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerald Murnane doesn’t have readers, he has acolytes. The New Yorker described him as “the reclusive giant of Australian letters”. He’s written 10 novels, several collections of short stories and essays, and a memoir about horse racing. Together these books represent one of the most formidable and singular bodies of work in literature. On this episode of Read This, Michael drives out to the Goroke golf course to chat with Gerald on his home turf.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Shorten has wanted to be the prime minister since he was a teenager. 

Yesterday he finally gave up that ambition, announcing his resignation from politics. 

Shorten spent almost two decades in parliament – rising to be opposition leader and contesting two elections, but never winning.

As an architect of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, his legacy is significant. But his political failures have also shaped the country in enduring ways.

Today, Schwartz Media’s editor-in-chief Erik Jensen on how Bill Shorten’s career has changed Australia.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Schwartz Media’s editor-in-chief, Erik Jensen

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a Senate committee last year, the NRL and Football Australia acknowledged the link between head injuries in contact sports and the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

But a core member of the NRL’s concussion research group is also one of the most outspoken critics of the link between repeated head injury and CTE, calling it an “invented disease … conjured out of thin air”.

His views corroborate the Australian NRL’s multimillion-dollar research program into former elite-level rugby league players, which to date has concluded there is no link between concussion and depression or other cognitive problems.

So how does the NRL justify advancing a position that most scientists don’t agree with? 

Today, journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Wendy Carlisle, on the brain epidemic killing ex-athletes and why the science is still being contested.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Wendy Carlisle.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although Australians voted resoundingly against an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Thomas Mayo – one of the Voice’s key campaigners – has not given up hope.

He says while the “Yes” campaign lost the referendum, what they gained was resilience and a new generation of Indigenous leaders ready to take up the fight.

He’s also written a new book, Always Was Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues – outlining a vision for what comes next. 

Today, Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander activist Thomas Mayo.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Today, Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander activist, Thomas Mayo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The census is meant to reflect the country back to us – to give vital data on who makes up Australia. 

But this week it’s become a political landmine for the federal government, who first cancelled questions on sexual orientation and gender identity, only to partially reverse that decision amid tense backlash. 

But the question of data isn’t just academic. This debate is coming at a time when the Victorian coroner has specifically asked for more data on the transgender community following a number of young trans women taking their own lives.

Today, writer and co-editor of Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia Sam Elkin, on the government’s decision to exclude trans people from the census and why counting them could save lives.

And just a warning, today’s episode discusses suicide. Please take care while listening.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: Writer and co-editor of Nothing to Hide: Voices of Trans and Gender Diverse Australia Sam Elkin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.