At 6 O’Clock in the morning on Thursday the 24th of February, Vladimir Putin addressed the world – he said he would begin a special military operation.

It was the moment war broke out, and soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, sending troops into mainland Europe.

Listening back to those first moments of war, it puts new context on just how surprising the next few months would be: the world’s response, the failures of the Russian military and the defence of Kyiv.

Today, we’re featuring this episode from February with columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether Scott Morrison was prepared.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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We’re seeing a fitting end to a tumultuous year – parliament was urgently recalled to thrash out an energy deal, and a former prime minister grilled in front of a royal commission. 

This week’s showdowns were stark reminders of just how much our politics has transformed since January.

But have the major parties learnt the right lessons from 2022? Who has listened to voters? And who’s at risk of losing touch?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how Adam Bandt, Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese ended their year and what that tells us about the political battles ahead of us in 2023.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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It’s happening again.

Ahead of these holidays, infections of Covid are spiking, and people are going home sick in droves.

At the same time we’re also seeing major announcements from the federal government on changes to Covid policy, which signal the beginning of treating the virus like other respiratory illnesses.

Today, Nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty on what we can still learn from Covid and what it’s teaching us about the future of global pandemics.

You can read his essay on this stage of the pandemic exclusively in The Saturday Paper this weekend.

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Guest: Nobel laureate Professor Peter Doherty

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The founder of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston is on trial.

He faces charges of concealing historic child sexual abuse by his father, Frank Houston – who was also a Pentecostal pastor.

Houston has returned to Australia and is fighting the charges in a Sydney court, with his defence team arguing that he didn’t conceal the crime from police.

Today, author and contributor to The Saturday Paper Elle Hardy, on Brian Houston’s long-awaited day in court.

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Guest: Author and contributor to The Saturday Paper Elle Hardy.

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When our politicians are making decisions, they’re often lobbied.

These lobbyists arrange meetings, and make the case why the company they represent would do a good job, why a certain policy would be a good one or a bad one. In short, they represent vested interests.

There are supposed to be rules to disclose this activity to the public. But what happens when the rules don’t apply? What happens when the people who are talking to our politicians simply deny that they are lobbyists?

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on former minister Stuart Robert and when personal relationships cross into the public interest.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

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Up to 15 months in jail, with a minimum non-parole period of 8 months – that’s the sentence that a climate protester was handed recently in NSW.

It caused widespread alarm from human rights and civil liberties groups, and it heralds a new era in sentencing as anti-protest laws are passed around the country.

But will this sentence change the tactics of the climate action movement? Or will it open the door to re-examine these new protest laws?

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Royce Kurmelovs on the jailing of Deanna “Violet” Coco and how governments are trying to outlaw disruption.

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Guest: Contributor for The Saturday Paper, Royce Kurmelovs

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There’s one last thing Anthony Albanese has to do before the end of the political year.

Energy prices are still out of control, and they’re only set to get worse.

That’s in part because of global pressures, but also because ageing coal-fired power stations are going offline, without enough cheap electricity ready to replace their output.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the race to cap electricity prices before we see more damage to the economy.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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The trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins – an accusation he strenuously denies – will not see a court room again, and a verdict will never be reached.

It leaves both parties in limbo, and already there is rampant speculation that civil lawsuits could be filed.

But the end of the prosecution raises concerning questions about our justice system, the media and who is put at risk when an allegation of sexual assault reaches the inside of a courtroom.

Today, contributing editor of The Monthly Rachel Withers on an unacceptable risk to those seeking justice.

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Guest: Contributing editor of The Monthly, Rachel Withers.

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Australia has a new, stronger emissions reduction target.

But we are also one of the world’s biggest exporters of fossil fuels, and there’s no plan from the government to reduce that.

That’s because Australian coal and gas exports that are burned overseas aren't counted in our emissions.

But could that change? And will Environment minister Tanya Plibersek begin to consider those emissions and the damage they cause to our climate when new projects are approved?

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Tom Morton on whether Australia is ready to take responsibility for the coal and gas we sell.

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Guest: Contributor The Saturday Paper, Tom Morton.

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The Liberal Party is trying to resurrect its popularity after a devastating loss this year, under the leadership of Scott Morrison.

But can changing the personalities at the top of the party make a difference? Or is there something deeper behind the decline in its fortunes? 

A study published yesterday indicates that only one in four voters under the age of 40 voted for the Coalition – and that seems unlikely to change.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on how this generation of younger voters is changing the assumptions we’ve had about the electorate and why all the major parties need to adapt.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

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