Last week, Mike Cannon-Brookes succeeded in staging what amounts to an internal coup at Australia’s largest climate polluter, AGL.

Having failed in his attempt to take over the company, the tech billionaire used its annual general meeting to get four new directors onto its board. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on what’s next for Cannon-Brookes and the dirty company he wants to clean up.

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Guest: National correspondent at The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: Inside Mike Cannon-Brookes’s AGL coup.

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Some of the most sensitive data to be obtained by hackers in Australian history has been published.

A Russian network of hackers has put online private medical data including names, records of pregnancy terminations, HIV status, and treatment for drug and alcohol problems.

The data was obtained in an attack on Medibank, and the vulnerability of the health insurer has now convinced the Australian government to unleash new capabilities against hackers around the world.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the powers our intelligence agencies have been building up for years and how they plan on using them.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

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Australia was one of the first western nations to recognise the communist government of China, almost 50 years ago.

But more recently, China appeared to freeze out Australia diplomatically, and for six long years Chinese President Xi Jinping did not meet an Australian prime minister.

This week, that changed. But how did the meeting come about? What was said? And can we restore diplomacy while continuing to speak vocally when criticism of the Chinese government is needed?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how Anthony Albanese sat down with Xi Jinping in Bali.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Dr Charlie Teo is known for his incredible brain surgeries, taking on operations that other doctors won’t touch.

But several families have come forward, who allege they were misled about the risks and that Teo’s operations left their loved ones worse off than before.

Teo denies any wrongdoing, and says he treats his patients like he would want to be treated. 

But there’s another player in this story that hasn’t been subject to scrutiny: the news media.

Today, contributor to The Monthly, Martin McKenzie-Murray, on Dr Charlie Teo and how the media built the image of a maverick miracle worker.

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Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Martin McKenzie-Murray.

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It was the governor-general’s pet project, a foundation that promised to nurture the future leaders of Australia.

But the elite foundation never came to be – the new government has axed it.

So why did the governor-general put his name to it? Why did Scott Morrison decide to fund it before it was viable? And who was advocating for it?

Today, Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on the Australian Future Leaders Foundation and who was courted to support it.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.

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As the world gathers at COP27 to decide on the next steps in our response to the climate crisis, the biggest point of contention is one idea: climate justice.

It’s an idea that could force the richest nations – such as Australia – to pay for the damages and loss that climate catastrophe is causing in poorer countries.

But could it really happen? Is it viable? And would Australia ever sign up to the idea of climate reparations?

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how the countries facing devastation from our emissions are demanding justice.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Australia is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on eight nuclear-powered submarines.

It’s estimated to be one of the biggest spends in the history of the Australian government.

So why are we buying them? Are they the best use of taxpayer money? And will they even be able to do the job they’re meant to do?

Today, former director of war studies at the Australian Army Research Centre and adjunct professor at UNSW Canberra Albert Palazzo, on whether new submarines can actually keep us safe.

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Guest: Former director of war studies at the Australian Army Research Centre, Albert Palazzo.

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Today, author and farmer Sam Vincent, with his piece from the latest edition of The Monthly. 

It explores how native Australian ingredients have gone from novelty to gourmet; now featured in some of the most acclaimed fine dining establishments in Australia.

But what does the rise of culinary nationalism mean for the way we think about Australian food?

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Guest: Author and farmer, Sam Vincent

Background Reading: Native foods in the Plate Southern Land

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The Labor government’s workplace reform package, which it promises will increase wages, has passed the lower house. But it may struggle to pass the senate.

There’s frustration mounting between crossbenchers, unions and government ministers – and that’s threatening to derail the most important reform package this government has put forward.

But instead of the dispute paralysing the whole of Canberra, something else is happening…

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace on a new season for politics. 

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace.

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Elon Musk says he plans to turn Twitter into his ideal version of a public square, and use it to advance the evolution of human communication.

But his vision of that public square also involves people paying to be prominent – and the public are not allowed to parody Musk, unless they clearly state they’re making a joke.

So what does the chaotic week at Twitter tell us about the world’s richest man, his ideas about speech and how far he’ll go to influence the way we communicate?

Today, author Elle Hardy, on Elon Musk’s attempt to engineer the truth.

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Guest: Journalist and author of Beyond Belief, Elle Hardy.

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