Radio National Breakfast

As Australia's social media ban for under-16s comes into effect, we hear from one of the leading advocates for the ban, and the federal Coalition. 

A warning, this episode includes references to suicide and self-harm.

We feature an interview with Mia Bannister. She lost her son, Ollie, to suicide when he was 14 years old after sustained online bullying and an eating disorder, which she says was fuelled by social media algorithms.

Today, Mia will stand beside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the launch of the social media ban.

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.

Dozens of homes have been destroyed in bushfires across Tasmania and New South Wales in recent days, with one firefighter killed during prevention work on the NSW Mid North Coast

It's a harsh start to the bushfire season as thousands of volunteers prepare for the weeks ahead.

Elliott Simpson is one of those volunteers. He's a member of the Green Point Rural Fire Brigade on the New South Wales mid-coast and at just 21 years old he's attended more than 160 call-outs - from Cyclone Alfred to the Taree flood recovery efforts.

Guest: Elliott Simpson, NSW RFS Young Volunteer of the Year

Thousands of Australians live with epilepsy, but the cause of the neurological disorder has not been well understood.

In the 1990s, Laureate Professor Sam Berkovic and his collaborators made a discovery that finally gave answers to some families living with the disease.

Guest: Laureate Professor Sam Berkovic, esteemed Australian neurologist, Director of the Epilepsy Research Centre at Austin Health, incoming president of the Australian Academy of Science.

Australia's energy market operator has extended its forecast for the end of coal power in the eastern states by 11 years, with electricity consumption expected to nearly double by 2050, driven by electrification of transport, expansion of data centres and industry shifting from gas to electricity.

The revised forecasts are part of AEMO's draft electricity road map released today and confirms the challenges that lie ahead for Australia's clean energy ambitions with agencies like the Climate Change Authority warning that renewables rollout is lagging behind the pace needed to meet the governments 82% target by 2030.

• Guest: Daniel Westerman, CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator
• Producer: Brooke Young

The federal government's social media ban begins today, with age verification introduced on various popular platforms.

The opposition supported the move when it passed through parliament, but more recently has voiced concerns over the ban's implementation and the impact on regional communities.

A warning: this interview includes references to suicide and self-harm.

Mia Bannister lost her son, Ollie, to suicide when he was 14 years old after sustained online bullying and an eating disorder, which she says was fuelled by social media algorithms.

Today, Mia will stand beside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the launch of the social media ban.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14  or the  Butterfly Foundation's national helpline on 1800 33 4673.

Federal government ministers have been meeting their US counterparts in Washington DC this week.

Discussions have centred around ways to improve the AUKUS security and submarine pact, and continue expanding the US military footprint in Australia.

Bed blocks in NSW hospitals have surged by 50 per cent as stranded patients wait for Commonwealth aged care and disability support packages.

That's according to new data from the NSW Government. It comes as state and territory leaders remain locked in a bitter dispute with the federal government over hospital funding.

The White House has caused a stir in Europe this week following the release of its new National Security Strategy.

The document, which outlines the Trump administration's foreign policy agenda, starkly criticises Europe and does not cast Russia as a threat to the US. 

Two months out from the Winter Olympics in Italy, Australia has a double act worth keeping an eye on.

Matt Graham and Jakara Anthony have claimed gold in their FIS World Cup moguls events, this time at an event in Finland.