7am

When the robodebt royal commission’s final report landed, it was scathing. It condemned the entire scheme, the individuals who rolled it out and the government culture that enabled it.

The commissioner went to significant lengths to refer six people to the then very fresh National Anti-Corruption Commission.

But last week, the NACC decided to drop the investigation, essentially saying it had nothing to add.

So, what’s the motivation behind this shift? Why not take a swing at the architects of such a discredited and damaging scheme?

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on why no one is being held to account for the scheme and the impact on victims.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

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Over 90 years ago, a Swiss astrophysicist theorised there was an unseen, unobservable force that sits behind the universe we know.

He called it ‘dark matter’, and today we’re not much closer to understanding it than he was.

But that could be about to change, as a group of Australian researchers are part of our most promising effort yet to uncover the nature of this unseen force

Today, Atticus Bastow will read his piece, ‘The search for dark matter’ from The Saturday Paper.

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Guest: The 7am podcast’s technical producer, Atticus Bastow

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There’s an issue exposing fault lines within our political parties and pitting their traditional supporters against each other, fracturing the electorate.

That issue is the new ban on vapes, which is set to pass parliament at the end of the month.

The Albanese government’s proposed ban is putting pressure on the Coalition, which has already been losing ground with professional women tired of catching their kids with a vape, while the Greens fear they will alienate their younger voters if they oppose the bill.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on the politics of the new vaping ban – and why it will be hard to police. 

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

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There’s been a slow but steady reckoning on sexual harassment and discrimination in workplaces across Australia.

That reckoning should have already come to the most high-profile workplace in the country – Parliament House. But several years on from the Jenkins report, has the culture really changed?

Today, chief political correspondent The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow, on the challenges of policing parliamentarians and why alcohol is so ingrained in political culture.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow

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There are two things to know about the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The first is that it makes an immense difference to many lives across Australia. The second is that it’s wildly expensive and is projected to cost even more in the future.

So, how to reconcile those two realities? It’s what the government is trying to solve with a new piece of legislation that’s been shrouded in secrecy for months – but some in the sector say this legislation could hand government authorities more powers to pursue debts.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the holes in the NDIS legislation.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

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Many Australians have an idea of New Caledonia. It’s just two hours away by plane and is sold to travellers with images of luxurious hotel complexes and pristine beaches.

But riots in the capital, a state of emergency and the intervention of the French military have been reminders that the future of New Caledonia is a fraught political question sitting on our doorstep.

So, what provoked the unrest? How are we involved? And why are the French still trying to hold on to a Pacific nation?

Today, journalist Nic Maclellan, on the tension in the Pacific he’s covered for decades, and Kanak independence activist Jimmy Naouna, on his hopes for the future of New Caledonia.

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Guest: Journalist, Nic Maclellan; Spokesperson for New Caledonian pro-independence alliance, the FLNKS, Jimmy Naouna.

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Donald Trump’s conviction in a New York courthouse has led to furious reactions from his supporters and allies.

A presidential candidate has never been convicted of a felony during their campaign and that historic first is just the latest uncertainty thrown into an already fractious election campaign.

So, could things combust? Has the risk of political violence just gone up?

Today, senior researcher at The Australia Institute Dr Emma Shortis, on the mind-boggling logistics and the risk of violence and disorder in the fallout from the verdict. 

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

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Some non-Australian citizens facing deportation for convictions of serious crimes like domestic violence and child sexual abuse are managing to hang onto their visas and stay in the country.

It’s sparked fierce debate in Canberra this week, as both sides of parliament attempt to answer one question – who is to blame?

So, why are non-citizens in Australia being allowed to stay after they have served their time? Why are tribunals finding they shouldn’t be deported? And is the system working?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on why it all boils down to a document called direction 99.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Nine years ago, the Liberal Party said it was aiming for gender parity by 2025. Since then, the number of Liberal women in parliaments across the country has actually fallen.

And it’s costing the party seats in the federal parliament, with professional women abandoning the party in droves – often in favour of the teal independents.

Now, with another election approaching, the Liberals have a fresh batch of candidates. Some of them look and speak like teals, but will it be enough to win back sceptical voters?

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on whether the Liberal Party’s problem is its candidates or its brand.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis

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As many as 2000 people have been buried under rubble and dirt after a landslide in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands this week.

Video released days later showing locals digging with their hands is a reminder of how difficult disaster response is in a country that’s just four kilometres from the top of Australia.

The PNG highlands are an inaccessible and dangerous part of the world. Now, after a natural disaster, conditions are even worse.

Today, senior lecturer at the Centre for Advancing Journalism Jo Chandler, on what she fears may happen next.

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Guest: Senior lecturer at the Centre for Advancing Journalism Jo Chandler and CARE’s Papua New Guinea country director, Justine McMahon

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