Saturday Magazine

Macca and Paul are back again in the hosting seats this week as they discuss the news, views, and reviews of the week that was.

The post Sat, 18th, April, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Paul appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Dr Brad Tucker is an internationally recognised astrophysicist and cosmologist at the Australian National University (ANU). Based at the Mt. Stromlo Observatory, he is a leading Australian authority on space, frequently providing expert commentary for major media outlets on topics ranging from supernova explosions to the Artemis Moon missions.

Brad is leading programs using NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope and TESS to understand why and how stars blow up. He’s also building a network of ultraviolet telescopes in the upper atmosphere, and is involved in a search to find Planet 9, as well as issues surrounding the mining of asteroids.

Brad frequently gives talks to school groups and the public about astronomy and has regular segments on various radio and TV stations. He has also developed a series of Astronomy coins with the Royal Australian Mint, consulted on science fiction movies, and has been featured in TV specials.

He is currently in the process of writing his first popular book and developing an online astronomy course.

Brad’s areas of interest include asteroids, comets, black holes, meteor, space junk, supernova, and big bangs.

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Dr Brad Tucker, Astrophysicist & Cosmologist, ANU, Artemis II-What it means for Space Exploration? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our second-last guest this week is Award-winning musical comedian Gillian Cosgriff, joining Macca and Paul live on air to talk about her current  show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Gillian Cosgriff’s here to talk about life. Not just her life. Not just your life. Life as a concept. And time. As a concept. We’re living in an age of relentless productivity, where every second should be optimised. We’re also outsourcing our questions to technology more than ever. But you know who has lived experience of being alive? Other people!

With original songs, existential questions and the kind of clever, lyrical joy only Gillian can deliver, Life, Oh Life is musical comedy for anyone who’s interested in life advice from people who have actually lived.

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/life-oh-life/

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Gillian Cosgriff, Comedian and former winner of Most Outstanding Show at the MICF, ‘Life, Oh Life’ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest on the line is Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute, as she discusses with Macca and Paul about the Sorrento Writer’s Festival and the panel she is on with Paul Kelly and Niki Savva with Natasha Mitchell, as they discuss ‘Dear Prime Minister, ‘Where are all the big ideas?’

Amy Remeikis  is the Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute and a contributing editor for The New Daily. Amy is renowned for her incisive political commentary and extensive experience as a journalist, author and former political reporter for Guardian Australia. Amy regularly appears in national media and is celebrated for her powerful writing on gender, politics and social justice. Her work continues to influence public debate and policy discussions across Australia. She is the author of On Reckoning. Where It All Went Wrong is her second book.

To secure tickets: http://Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute, Dear Prime Minister: Where are all the BIG ideas? Sorrento Writers Festival

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute, Dear Prime Minister: Where are all the BIG ideas? Sorrento Writers Festival appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest to join Macca and Paul on air, is Laura Koefoed, Senior Journalist with QNews; as they discuss Meta deleting the accounts of marginalized groups, including BIPOC, Sex Workers and LGBTQIA+ performers.

Laura Koefoed is a Senior Journalist based in Sydney, covering a range of topics and issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. She is passionate about writing on politics, social justice, current affairs, and entertainment, particularly where they intersect with queer culture, feminism, gender diversity, and tackling systemic oppression.

“In January, QNews reported on a wave of Meta account removals targeting LGBTQIA+ performers, BIPOC creators, sex workers, and pole dancing communities — all falsely accused of “human exploitation” or “human trafficking.”

At the time, those impacted described the experience as shocking, isolating, and inexplicable.

This has been happening to BIPOC creators, sex workers, sexual health organisations, and queer folk for years. And, it’s only getting worse.

More and more bans

Since that initial reporting, more accounts have been removed, restricted, or permanently disabled — similarly, without warning, explanation, or any avenue for appeal.

Sydney-based performer Basjia, who previously lost her main account and her platform The Pyramid, has since faced further account suspensions across multiple professional profiles.

Queer artists, nightlife promoters and dancers continue to come forward to QNews, or share their stories online.

“I and many other pole dancers, queer artists, and nightlife promoters have experienced the hardship that Meta has been causing,” performer Cleo Rapture told QNews”.

https://qnews.com.au/metas-censorship-of-marginalised-communities-is-finally-getting-noticed/

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Laura Koefoed, Senior Journalist with QNews, ‘Meta’s Censorship of Marginalized Groups’ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is a regular contributor and guest on Saturday Magazine, Bruce Wolpe, Snr Fellow, US Studies Centre.

Misha also remained in the studio to discuss issues in the US with Bruce.

Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre. Bruce is a regular contributor on US politics across media platforms in Australia. In recent years, Bruce has worked with the Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM’s chief of staff. From 1998-2009, Bruce was a senior executive at Fairfax Media in Sydney.

Bruce is author of Trump’s Australia, an examination of Donald Trump’s possible return to the presidency and the issues presented to Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2023), The Committee, a study of President Obama’s legislative agenda in Congress (University of Michigan Press, 2018, 2d Edition September 2021) and Lobbying Congress: How The System Works (Congressional Quarterly Books, 1990, 1996).

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Snr Fellow, US Studies Centre, Latest from Washington, Is Trump in Trouble? Melania’s Press Conference. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our first guest for the week is long time friend of the show, Misha Ketchell, Editor of the Conversation. Misha joined Macca and Paul live in the studio.

Misha and the team discuss reaction to the recently announced gambling reforms; are we at risk of recession?; Ben Roberts-Smith behind bars

Misha is the Editor of The Conversation Australia and New Zealand. He has been an editor and journalist for more than 25 years. He was the founding editor of The Big Issue Australia and editor of Crikey, The Reader and The Melbourne Weekly. He was also a reporter and feature writer at The Age and also worked at the ABC where he was a TV producer on Media Watch and The 7:30 Report and an editor on The Drum.

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Misha Ketchell, Editor, The Conversation, Gambling Reforms; Ben Roberts-Smith; Behind Bars appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul Horwell are in the hosting seats this week as they discuss the week that was in the news, views and reviews. Paul gives an update on what’s happening at the Victorian Pride Centre.

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Paul Horwell. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Iain Sinclair, about his new production ‘West Gate’ (from MTC).

Award-winning director Iain Sinclair (A View from the Bridge) returns to Melbourne Theatre Company to helm this haunting and compassionate new work by Dennis McIntosh – a powerful retelling of a defining moment in Australian history.

Screen veterans Steve Bastoni (Police Rescue, The Matrix Reloaded) and Daniela Farinacci (Lantana), as well as Darcy Kent (New Gold Mountain) and Rohan Nichol (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith) lead a powerhouse cast in this searing retelling of a foundational Melbourne story.

On 15 October 1970, dozens of workers were mid-construction on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge when it collapsed in what is still Australia’s deadliest industrial accident. Thirty-five men were killed as countless more workers and families were left forever changed.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026; Iain Sinclair Director, West Gate (Melbourne Theatre Company), New Play About the Tragedy appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Virginia Haussegger AM is a passionate women’s advocate, and communication specialist with  unique expertise in leading powerful conversations. She is also an award-winning television journalist, writer and commentator, whose extensive media career spans 30 years.

Virginia will be one of the guest panelists at the Sorrento Writers Festival session:

Virginia has reported from around the globe, including Washington, New York and the Middle East, for leading current affair programs on Channel 9, the Seven Network and the ABC. She has anchored primetime national news programs and presented as state host in five capital cities, including 15 years as nightly anchor of the ABC’s flagship TV News in Canberra.

Virginia has been widely published across Australian media including The Canberra Times; the Sydney Morning Herald; The Age; The Guardian; Australian Foreign Affairs; HQ Magazine; The Museum. She is Deputy Chair of the media think-tank PIJI, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative.

A highly sought-after Speaker, Virginia hosts BroadTalk, a podcast about Women, Power and the Wayward World, in which prominent women speak intimately about the events that have shaped and influenced their leadership.

https://sorrentowritersfestival.com.au/artfuel/program/666/show/the-revolution-continues-still-fighting-for-rights-in-australia

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Virginia Haussegger, Journalist, Author, Speaker, ‘The Revolution Continues’ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.