Radio National Breakfast

West Australian Premier Roger Cook and his deputy Rita Saffioti are in Canberra this week for talks with the federal government over the future of WA's GST carve-out which sees the state keep at least 75 cents for every dollar of GST revenue.

It's a deal that has drawn strong criticisms from economists like Saul Eslake who has previously dubbed the deal "the worst public policy decision of the 21st century"

• Guest: Saul Eslake, Independent economist and principal of Corinna Economic Advisory 
• Producer: Grace Stranger

A parliamentary inquiry into triple zero outages has heard from Optus executives and the representatives from the regulator, ACMA, about an outage in September linked to three deaths.  

The peak national consumer advocacy organisation for communications says the Senate hearing yesterday has "raised significant concerns" about the competence of the regulator ACMA, as well as pointing to a corporate culture at Optus that "shirks public accountability and transparency." 

• Guest: Carol Bennett, CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
• Producer: Isadora Bogle

Optus waited almost a day before it told the public that its triple-0 outage was linked to three death,  but in that time-frame, the telco held several crisis management meetings.

The timeline was outlined yesterday in a Senate inquiry hearing into the telco's handling of September's triple-zero outage.

Optus CEO Stephen Rue told the inquiry he was "deeply sorry" about the outage, but does not plan to leave his position. 

• Guest: Melissa McIntosh, Shadow Minister for Communications
• Producer: Isadora Bogle 

Just how many Australians will pause for the race that claims to stop the nation?

Most Victorians are off work today for the 165th edition, an event the Victorian Racing Club says is enjoying increasing attention and sponsorship support. But on-track crowds and broadcast ratings are in longer-term decline, as community concern around animal welfare and gambling harm grows.

• Guest: Simon Lee, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Enigma
• Producer: Jason Whittaker

The French government is considering suspending access to Chinese fast-fashion outlet Shein's online platform over the sale of sex dolls with child-like features on its website.

From redefining air quality science, to advancing quantum cybersecurity, Australia's leading science achievements were celebrated at The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science last night.  

Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo was awarded the Prize for New Innovators and has been recognised for his work creating new and accessible medical technology. 

• Guest: Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo, recipient of PM Science Prize for New Innovators 
• Producer:  Eddy Diamond 

Four suspects have been arrested and charged over the daylight robbery of crown jewels worth about $102 million from the Louvre museum in Paris last month. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau says the thieves were petty local criminals, not part of organised crime, all living around Seine-Saint-Denis, north of Paris

Guest: Noah Charney, professor of art history at the University of Ljublyana 

Producer: Anne Barker

US President Donald Trump wants his nation to restart the testing of nuclear weapons.

The US has not conducted an explosive nuclear weapons test in 33 years, which has prompted security experts to call on the president to clarify what the new tests might include. 

• Guest: Ankit Panda, Stanton senior fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment on International Peace
• Producer: Eddy Diamond 

At least 20 people have died and hundreds are injured after a powerful earthquake struck northern Afghanistan.

The US Geological Survey says the quake hit at a depth of 28 kilometres, near Mazar-e Sharif, which has a population of more than half a million.

Rescue teams are working to find survivors, but authorities say the death toll is likely to rise.

• Guest: Ali Latifi, Asia Editor at the New Humanitarian news outlet in Afghanistan
• Producer: Anne Barker

The former chief lawyer for the Israeli military is in police custody after admitting she leaked a damaging video appearing to show soldiers abusing a Palestinian man in jail.

Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi quit her role as Military Advocate General late last week, after revealing she had authorised CCTV footage of the alleged assault in the notorious Sde Teiman jail be handed to Israel's Channel 12.

The victim of the abuse required major surgery... and five reservists are facing charges. 

• Guest: Jeremy Sharom, legal affairs reporter for The Times of Israel 
• Producer: Eleni Psaltis