PM

The nation's capital and the Australian Capital Territory in a weeklong lockdown, a year since the last COVID case there. The virus spreads in regional New South Wales, and as police seek more powers six weeks into the lockdown, on the ground, we'll hear how families are running out of money. And is getting COVID enough to grant you a vaccine passport? It's happening in the UK, but experts warn against seeking out 'natural immunity'.

The New South Wales Premier hints of limited freedoms for vaccinated Sydney-siders as early as next month, but only if they're in low-risk areas. Why is the Commonwealth Bank funnelling $10 billion back to its investors, while thousands of over-charged customers wait for compensation? And two Canadians facing charges in China get bad news this week, observers say it's hostage diplomacy related to a case in Canada against an executive of tech giant Huawei.

The Mayor of the Sydney council area worst hit by COVID hits back, after the health minister blames certain communities for non-compliance. The response to the urgent call-to-action to slow dangerous global warming, the Prime Minister is still not signing up for stricter cuts to emissions, we'll speak with one of the authors of the new UN climate report. And police in Western Australia are set to use a mobile a phone app to translate officer's directions into Indigenous languages.

The latest United Nations report finds time is running out to avoid catastrophic outcomes from human-caused climate change.

Despite the virus outbreak still raging in New South Wales, the Premier's still flagging that some restrictions can ease in less than three weeks. 

And the Taliban take Kunduz, that's five regional centres in Afghanistan to fall in just days, pre-eminent Afghanistan expert William Maley joins us.

Getting back to zero new cases is now just an 'aspiration' for the New South Wales government. Meanwhile, with hundreds of new cases reported in NSW no end in sight to the lockdown, we discuss the widespread impact on mental health. The Reserve Bank warns we're in the throes of a sharp economic downturn, we'll speak with a plumber who's struggling to get his invoices paid. And expats reeling after the government toughens rules on leaving the country.

Victoria's sixth lockdown of the pandemic, there's only a handful of new cases reported, but the Premier's desperate to avoid a wider outbreak; A record high number of new cases for this outbreak In New South Wales, there’s an expanded lockdown as the virus moves north and increasingly urgent calls to get vaccinated; And will more private companies join Australia's SPC in making COVID-19 vaccines compulsory for staff?

How did a 27-year-old Sydney man, being checked on every day, die at home of COVID? Around 80% of people aged 70 and over have had one dose of a COVID vaccine, but some are still reluctant, we'll hear why; And it’s a year since the massive chemical blast that shattered the port of Beirut and still there's no accountability, only obstruction, dismay, and memories.

Young adults identified as the 'peak spreaders' in research informing the Federal Government's vaccination strategy; A vaccination incentive offered to Queensland grandparents, only those who've had two doses should care for their grandchildren; And a fake video of the Australian Federal Police Commissioner has raised alarm over the spread of disinformation online.

Queensland is on a knife’s edge with a burgeoning COVID outbreak, it’s extended its lockdown in the south-east, but will it be able to stop the Delta variant? A GP in Sydney's culturally rich southwest says the COVID case numbers show the outbreak is being managed and tell a different story to anecdotal claims of widespread lockdown breaches; And the property market booming during a pandemic, renters grow uncomfortable as their homes are opened for public viewings.

An appeal for people to be unafraid to seek early treatment, after some Sydney residents suffer at home with COVID; The ethical challenges around COVID and the vaccines, a bioethicist on what information people need to be told and the greater good; And COVID and the Tokyo Games. We'll meet German Cyclist Simon Geschke who's tested positive.