Nevena and John are joined live on air by Dr Monique Ryan MP. Member for Kooyong; as they discuss lowering the voting age to 16.

Dr. Ryan an Australian politician and former paediatric neurologist. Monique is currently the  Independent for the Division of Kooyong, Victoria, having won the seat at the 2022 federal election, retaining it in the 2025 Federal Election.

“Independent MP for Kooyong Monique Ryan has pledged to introduce a bill to parliament aimed at lowering the minimum voting age in Australia”.

“Advocates say young Australians deserve to have a say about policy, after the United Kingdom joined countries including Germany, Brazil and Scotland (for local elections) in lowering the voting age to 16”.

“In the UK, the move would see an additional 1.6 million young people allowed to cast their ballots in the next election, in the biggest electoral reform in more than half a century”.

–https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-18/push-for-australia-to-lower-voting-age-to-16/105545700

“A $2 billion deal with American pharmaceutical giant Moderna — to set up manufacturing facilities in Australia — was hailed as a breakthrough by the Morrison government.

The agreement exempted Moderna’s mRNA vaccines from assessment by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and committed the government to buying locally produced Moderna vaccines for at least a decade”.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/calls-for-transparency-on-moderna-deal/105696126

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Dr Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong; Lowering the Voting Age to 16 and Transparency over Moderna. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Madeleine are joined live on air by Rachel Payne, MP, South-Eastern Metro, Legalise Cannabis as they discuss policy, updates; some of the issues covered were medicinal cannabis usage, legalize trading, policy and why big tobacco companies are trying to takeover the legal cannabis trade.

Prior to entering Parliament, Rachel was the executive of EROS Association and held leadership, project management, policy and research roles with the Family Court of Australia and Centrelink. Rachel holds postgraduate qualifications in public policy and an undergraduate degree in sociology and politics. She is also an acclaimed performer, travelling internationally to perform as Freckles Blue in Paris and London. Rachel has extensive experience in advocacy and campaigning, including successfully campaigning to end financial discrimination against small business, gaining the support of the Ombudsman.

Rachel put her hand up to run for Parliament for Legalise Cannabis Victoria as she believes it is time for law reform in this space. She is keen to initiate the conversation more broadly around the role of cannabis as the future for environmental ingenuity and creation.

Rachel has a keen interest in political processes and practices, is an advocate for women’s rights and equality, inclusivity, and progressive social and community development. She is also passionate about solutions to homelessness, particularly in regard to young people, and has lived experience after instability in home-life meant Rachel was independent from 16 years of age. She is a fierce advocate for cannabis law reform and is actively involved in the LGBTIQ community.

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Rachel Payne, Legalise Cannabis MP, South-Eastern Metropolitan Region; Politics Update. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

John and Nevena talk to Leo Puglisi about the Upcoming Under 16s Social Media ban

Puglisi began his media career in 2019, founding what was then initially known as HMV Local News but rebranded in 2020 as 6 News. Puglisi first came to attention in 2020 when he covered the secretive demolition of a bell tower at Hawthorn West Primary School in Hawthorn, Victoria

He has been the subject of a number of conspiracy theories, including that he was a “front” for the Morrison Government and that he was being funded by Rupert Murdoch. In 2025, Puglisi was nominated Victoria Young Australian of the Year.

https://www.6newsau.com/

@leo_puglisi6

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Leo Puglisi, Founder, 6 News Australia; Founding 6 News Australia and Under 16’s Social Media Ban. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Trigger warning: this segment may be disturbing to some listeners as it discusses the shooting of Victoria Police members at Porepunkah and the suspected gunman Dezi Freeman (Philby)

Nevena and John talk to  Mahmood Fazal,  a Walkley Award–winning journalist focusing on crime, violence, imprisonment and terrorism, about his most recent Four Corners about; Sovereign Citizen’s Law Court

He is currently working at Four Corners and was previously as an investigative reporter for ABC RN’s Background Briefing.

Before joining the ABC, he worked for VICE as a senior staff writer and host of the series, Violent Times.

Mahmood is the writer of the Audible Original podcast No Gangsters In Paradise. His reporting has appeared in The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-27/sovereign-citizen-movement-potential-violence-risk-four-corners/105701810

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-18/sovereign-citizen-movement-law-court-four-corners/105655100

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Mahmood Fazal, Walkley Award–Winning Journalist Focus on Crime, Violence, Imprisonment, Terrorism; Sovereign Citizen’s Law Court appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and John are joined in on air by Georgie Purcell, Animal Justice Party MP-Vic. Hotline for Grindr Bashings, Support for Treaty, Pet Burial Law Changes, Tasmania banning Greyhound Racing.

Georgie Purcell is a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council, representing the Northern Victoria Region for the Animal Justice Party, elected in 2022 at just 30 y/o.

She has shared her experiences of online abuse, slut-shaming and misogyny, using her platform to advocate for safer political spaces, particularly for women and queer-identifying people.

Georgie is also a bi+ woman and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, frequently championing issues of visibility and intersectionality.

https://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/supporting-lgbtiqa-people

The post Saturday, 30th August, 2025: Georgie Purcell, Animal Justice Party MP-Vic. Hotline for Grindr Bashings, Support for Treaty, Pet Burial Law Changes. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Fiona Newton, – host of Chicks Talking Footy, talks to Nevena and John about former AFL player Mitch Brown Coming Out as Bi – A First for AFL

Former West Coast defender Mitch Brown has become the first openly bisexual man in AFL history.

Brown, who played 94 games for the Eagles between 2007 and 2016, said the weight of hiding his sexuality played a part in his decision to retire at 28 after being delisted by the Eagles.

Speaking to the Daily Aus, Brown described the AFL’s culture as a “hyper-masculine”, something that made questioning sexuality impossible.

“I remember two people having a conversation around how they would feel having a shower next to a gay man, and one of the players said, ‘I’d rather be in a cage full of lions than have a shower next to a gay man’,” Brown said.

“There’s been so many times in my life that I’ve seen things or heard things and not said anything, in fear of people thinking that I was gay or bisexual.”

The 36-year-old believes there are currently gay and bisexual players playing in the AFL and he says his message to them is: “I see you and you are not alone.”

Brown said he hopes his story helps create the “safety, comfort, and space” for others to come forward.

“The reactions that I hope for are the ones I won’t hear. They’re the ones of those young men around Australia going, ‘I feel seen, I feel a little bit safer, and I have a role model — albeit just ordinary old Mitch — a role model I can now look to’,” he said.

In a further statement on his personal Instagram account after his announcement, Brown wrote: “Very weird feeling knowing this is out in the world, but I feel confident in who I am and have amazing support around me. If this helps even one person, it will have been worth it. The world needs more positive male role models, and I hope I can step up and be one”.

In the wake of Rankine’s suspension, Brown said the focus should be on systemic change rather than the length of suspensions.

Brown was clearly taking notice of the reaction, as he subsequently published some messages of his own, taking shots at clubs that had yet to make any public comments.

A number of AFL clubs – the GWS Giants, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs and Brown’s former side West Coast pledged messages of support on social media that same day.

Hawthorn reposted a message from the AFL on Wednesday, while Carlton and St Kilda published messages of support online on Thursday.

Perhaps in reaction to Brown’s call-outs, Melbourne, Essendon, and the Tigers belatedly posted social media messages of support on Friday, with the Swans following suit on Saturday afternoon.

“It is wonderful to see so much conversation after an incredibly significant moment for our industry and Australia’s LGTBQIA+ community,” the Swans statement on Saturday read

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-blasts-section-of-afl-clubs-for-a-lack-of-support/news-story/ef6be7e6938bc2193f3cc7a636ec7003

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Broden John Kelly is half of the three current performing members of Aunty Donna, a host of the Aunty Donna Podcast and a main cast member in Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun. Outside Aunty Donna, Broden is known for being in a Coles MasterCard ad and for being a Ginger.

Aunty Donna is an Australian surrealist comedy group formed in Melbourne in 2011. The group currently consists of performers and writers Mark Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane, alongside writer and director Sam Lingham, director Max Miller and composer Thomas Zahariou (formerly Armstrong).

Broden poses the question that Australian TV Comedy needs a shake up. John and Nevena discuss this issue with him.

@brodenkellyismyname

@thefootywithbrodenkelly

@satmag_joy

 @joy949

@nevenaspirovska

@jameswfroberts_poet

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This week Nevena is hosting with Paul on the panel; Nevena’s co-host is famed Australian Journalist, Writer and Satirist John Safran.

John is a famous Australian radio personality, satirist, documentary maker and author, known for combining humour with religious, political and ethnic issues. First gaining fame appearing in Race Around the World,1997, John has gone on to produce a series of documentaries, television shows and host radio programs.

He currently works as a journalist and author. He released his latest book, Squat, in October 2024.

‘This house is freaking me out. It’s bad for me. But I’m finishing this.’

‘Discovering Kanye West is praising Adolf Hitler, John Safran heads to America to find out what’s up. Kanye proves elusive, one thing tumbles into another, and John packs his duffle bags and moves in, squatting at one of Kanye’s mansions in the rolling hills of Los Angeles.

Will the neighbours get wise and snitch to the cops? Are the creatures in the woods behind the mansion a worry? Will Kanye return? More paranoid each day, John becomes convinced the house itself is turning against him.

Alone with his thoughts in Kanye’s haunt, John finds himself asking where he fits into the world as a Jew. Dangerous and hilarious, Squat examines just how precarious identity and belonging can be’

https://www.penguin.com.au/books/squat-9781760890179

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Our last guest for this week is Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival, as the guide to the Melbourne Fringe has now officially been released

Simon Abrahams leads Melbourne Fringe, one of Australia’s largest open-access arts festivals. With experience producing large-scale arts programs, Simon focuses on risk-taking, audience development and supporting independent artists. Under his leadership, the festival has grown participation and championed diverse voices across theatre, music, visual art and performance.

Previously, Simon sat on the and the City of Melbourne’s Night Time Economy Activation Taskforce, the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Council for Volunteering (2017-19), the Helpmann Awards’ Theatre and Children’s Panels and the Green Room Awards’ Contemporary and Experimental Arts Panel.

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In 2013-14, Simon held the position of Head of Programming at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, where he conceived, curated and programmed over 250 events annually.  He directed The Show Of The Year (with Casey Bennetto), created 20 Questions (with Ian Pidd and Martyn Coutts) and was a regular on-stage host, facilitator, and panellist. He completed a research project with the Australia Council for the Arts investigating theatre for young people in Belgium, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands in 2014.​

Simon was awarded a Margaret Lawrence Bequest Scholarship to attend the Senior Managers’ Program at the Melbourne Business School in 2009, and is an alumnus of both the Australia Council for the Arts’ Emerging Leaders’ Development Program (2012) and Arts Leaders Program (2016-18), as well as the European Festivals Association’s Atelier for Festival Managers (2016). He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma of Arts (Cultural Studies) from Melbourne University, and a Diploma of Creative Arts (Theatre Studies) from the Victorian College of the Arts.

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Simon’s work has been awarded with a special 2020 Green Room Award for “Making the Impossible Possible” (Melbourne Fringe), a 2015 Melbourne Award (Melbourne Fringe), the 2011 Governor of Victoria Export Award for arts and entertainment (Polyglot), three AbaF Awards and the 2014 CHASS Future Leaders Award. In 2019, Simon was named as

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival-Programme Launch appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul speak to  Julie Williams a dedicated Gay Games participant since 1994, attending eight consecutive editions and earning her first medal in Guadalajara in 2023. With prior experience as a site inspector for the 2022 bid and as a former FGG board member, she brings valuable insight to the GGXIII 2030 site selection team. A strong advocate for inclusion and equity, Julie co-founded Melbourne Rainbow Golfers and has long contributed to LGBTIQ+ sports and cultural initiatives.

Julie is involved with Perth’s bid to host the Federation of Gay Games XIII in 2030. Working with local sporting and community organisations, Julie helps showcase Perth’s venues,

Julie is a  dedicated Gay Games participant since 1994, attending eight consecutive editions and earning her first medal in Guadalajara in 2023. With prior experience as a site inspector for the 2022 bid and as a former FGG board member, she brings valuable insight to the GGXIII 2030 site selection team. A strong advocate for inclusion and equity, Julie co-founded Melbourne Rainbow Golfers and has long contributed to LGBTIQ+ sports and cultural initiatives.

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Julie Williams, Site Inspector / Representative, Federation of Gay Games (Perth 2030 Bid) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.