The Briefing

The end is nigh for TikTok, which is set to be banned in the US on the 19th of January. 

After US congress passed the laws that would effectively ban the app last year – unless someone buys it from its China-based parent company, ByteDance – American’s reacting with dismay and humour – with some users already jumping ship to a new Chinese social media platform ‘Red Note’. But will it actually happen, or will Trump, Musk or Zuckerberg step in and stop it in the final hours? And if it goes ahead, what will using TikTok look like for the rest of us going forward?

In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Cam Wilson, writer of Australian daily tech newsletter The Sizzle, and Associate Editor of Crikey, to unpack how this ban would work and if it will change anything for Australian users.

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australian man captured while fighting in Ukraine reportedly killed, Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal ‘on the brink,' Donald Trump would have been convicted in election case if he didn’t win, Sam Kerr appears in court over alleged racial harassment charge, Princess Kate says she’s in remission, Aus Open update.

Deep Dive: Are we ready to ‘build Australia’s future’, or are we looking to get the country ‘back on track’?

That's the big question – and pitch – both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and leader of the Coalition Peter Dutton have launched this week as we enter the first stage of campaigning for our upcoming federal election.

Both campaign slogans are short but come with layered meaning – about the state of the country, and what each major party thinks the average Australian is looking for when they go to cast their vote. But which one has more cut through – and is anyone even listening anymore?

On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull to get his verdict on which campaign slogan sounds like a winner, and what they say about how the major parties sees us, and if we’re headed towards a minority government. 

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump spent the past week threatening to buy Greenland, annex Canada, re-name the Gulf of Mexico and take over the Panama Canal, potentially by force.

Trump returns to the Oval Office as US President for the second time next week, and he talks a big game about expanding US territory - but are these empty threats, or could he actually do it?

On this episode of the Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Bension Siebert discuss the possibilities.

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Kyrgios hints at retirement, Federal MP calls for mandatory sentences for antisemitic vandals,  JD Vance walks back Trump’s promise to pardon Jan 6 rioters and Climate activists vandalise Charles Darwin’s grave.

Deep Dive: How do you know if you’re really buying an organic product?

Insiders have accused producers of falsely labelling products, prompting a new bill that was introduced by the Coalition last year - a big deal for an industry worth $2.3 billion in Australia.

How can we really know the journey a product is taking before it arrives on the shelf at the supermarket? If the labelling isn’t accurate, should we just give up on buying organic all together? In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Erin Turner, chief executive of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, to explain how the government can better regulate the sector and how it could change what’s on our shelves.

In a statement, Peak industry body, Australian Organic Limited told The Briefing:

"Australian Organic Limited welcomes the new bill as a way to ensure the word ‘organic’ can only be displayed on products sold by the thousands of certified organic operators who adhere to a strict set of principles and pass regular auditing checks to display a certification mark on their labels."

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least 24 people have been killed and more than 10,000 properties destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. 

Australia’s bushfire season puts the country on edge every year – especially across our regions - but could major cities here also be at risk? 

In this episode of The Briefing Bension Siebert speaks to Craig Lapsley, Victoria’s former Fire Services Commissioner, to break down what he's observed and what we can learn from LA’s deadly fires.

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: LA fires still not contained, Penny Wong and Kevin Rudd invited to Trump’s Inauguration, Peter Dutton launches election campaign and Australian Open kicks off. 

Deep Dive: Should artificial intelligence be deciding who gets to be born?

A group of Australian researchers is asking that question, amid revelations the technology is being used in fertility clinics in Australia.

How does it work, and should we be embracing it, or seriously concerned?

On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with one of the paper’s authors, Professor of Bioethics at Monash University Professor Catherine Mills, to discuss the the pros and cons of AI in IVF. 

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eddie Dilleen went from living on welfare with his mum to building a $90 million property portfolio, and he’s still in his 30s.

He bought his first home when he was just 18 after from working at McDonalds and now he owns over 100 properties across Australia. So how did he do it?

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Eddie explains why he thinks young people aren’t priced out of the market and reveals the serious sacrifices he made along the way.

Weekend List

• TO WATCH: Carry On on Netflix
• TO READ: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
• TO DO: Spring clean
• TO DO: Sharpen pencils

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We love a debate down under, and every summer for the last few years, Aussies have been going head-to-head over one topic: CoolCabanas.

The humble beach tent has been spotted on sands across the country since 2015, but it’s now sparked a furious debate about Australian beach etiquette.

So, while it’s all just a bit of fun, it begs the question: why did something that’s designed to protect us from the sun become so controversial?

On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with the CEO of CoolCabanas Mark Fraser and TikTokker Guncle Diaries to get their take on the debate and get their verdict on whether Aussie beaches should be cabana free.

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The latest on the LA fires, new data shows Aussies wages up, Birkenstock sues copycats, and Bluey Lego will hit shelves by the end of this year!

Deep dive: The new year often comes with a range of emotions - you might be feeling relaxed and revitalised or you might be feeling a little anxious and overwhelmed at the year that lies ahead.  

But how can we balance the bad with genuine optimism?  
 
As part of The Briefing’s series on starting 2025 right, we’re exploring how to cultivate hope and resilience this year. 

In this episode, Chris Spyrou chats with Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, author, neuroscience expert, and host of the hit podcast Do You Fucking Mind, to talk through some practical strategies for finding joy and staying positive this year.

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five people have been killed and more than 30,000 people are under evacuation orders as the Los Angeles wildfires continue to rage.

More than 1000 buildings, including many on Sunset Boulevard, and the homes of celebrities, have been destroyed by the out-of-control fires.

The wildfires in the middle of winter have shocked residents and prompted warnings amid the escalating climate crisis that there is now no such thing as a “fire season” in the state - the danger is all year round. 

On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Australian ex-pat Jaxson McLennan from his home near a fire-front in Pasadena. 

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @listnrnewsroom
Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom
Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.