The Briefing

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the 2026 Australian of the Year and the first person to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s own space program.

She’s an engineer, a space leader, and one of just a handful of people on the planet to complete astronaut training with the European Space Agency selected from more than 22,000 applicants.

In this chat with Helen Smith, Katherine unpacks what it really takes to become an astronaut, the invisible ways space technology shapes our everyday lives, and whether we’ve truly made progress for women in STEM.

Find Katherine on Insta @aussieastrokatherine

Weekend list with Dan Mullins

• Listener Zoey TO WATCH: Australian Survivor
• TO WATCH: Project Hail Mary 
• TO DO: Walk 🚶🏼‍♂️
• TO WATCH: The Magic Faraway Tree

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There’s a new TikTok wellness trend doing the rounds: so-called 'Trimester Zero'.

But experts warn online fertility advice can be exploitative and is creating unnecessary pressure and anxiety among people trying to conceive.

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr Rachel Rodgers, fertility specialist at IVF Australia, to discuss the growing focus on health before pregnancy - and sort fact from fiction.

Headlines: 

• PM responds to Trump condemning Australia's lack of support for US in war 

• Calls to cut fuel excise amid skyrocketing costs

• Cyclone Narelle smashes WA coast
• Kyle Sandilands has his day in court over $100 million contract

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Friday Headlines:

• Trump says it’s up to Iran to make ceasefire deal
• Fuel crisis continues with more than 650 stations running dry
• Tropical Cyclone Narelle heads to north west WA
• IOC bans trans athletes from women's Olympic events
• Former Venezuelan president appears in court in New York

Deep Dive: The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton is one of those stories that’s been loved across generations and now, it’s getting a fresh life on the big screen.  

The new film tackles our addiction to technology and follows a modern family who swap screens for the outdoors, only to discover a magical world that helps them reconnect with each other and themselves.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Jessica Gunning, who plays Dame Washalot and who you might also recognise from Baby Reindeer. She joined us while in Australia ahead of the film’s premiere to unpack why nostalgia continues to resonate, and whether the Faraway Tree series reminds us of the wonder we lose when we’re always looking down at our devices. 

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Deep Dive: Meta and YouTube have been found liable in a landmark social media addiction trial – that's being called the ‘Big Tobacco’ moment for Big Tech.

A Los Angeles jury has delivered the victory for a young woman who filed a lawsuit against the big tech giants, claiming their platforms contributed to her childhood social media addiction with negligence being a substantial factor  .

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Seven’s Sarah Greenhalgh, who’s reported extensively on social media, to talk about the decision expected to have wide-reaching implications, potentially shaping the outcome of hundreds of similar cases currently moving through US courts. 

Headlines: 

• Qantas to swap larger planes with smaller one to save on fuel
• National Cabinet to meet next week to discuss fuel crisis 
• Trump prepares to ‘unleash hell’ on 'uncooperative' Iran 
• Israel making further advances into Lebanon 
• NAB slashes almost 500 jobs 

 

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Thursday Headlines: 

• Iran rejects US peace plan
• Meta and YouTube found liable in social media addiction trial
• National cabinet is set to convene next week to discuss Australia’s fuel supply 
• Super El Nino on the way later this year
• Ahmed al Ahmed keys to the city

Deep Dive: The Installation of the 106th, and first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, took place at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday March 25 (UK time), the Feast of the Annunciation. 

Historically known as an enthronement, the Installation marks the symbolic start of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s public ministry in the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion. 

The Canterbury Cathedral released a statement saying: “Rooted in centuries of tradition, the service will look forward with the hope of Jesus Christ - and celebrate the diversity of the Church of England, the nation and the Anglican Communion today”. 

In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling talks to cultural historian Associate Professor Cindy McCreery about this historic moment for the Church.

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Deep Dive: Australia could see its food production halved within months in a nightmare scenario, brought about by the continuing war in Iran. What will it mean for putting food on your table? 

Farmers are warning they’re already unable to purchase enough fertiliser and diesel to plant their winter crops. It’s a perfect storm.

The federal government this week announced a new trade deal with the European Union, worth $10billion. Farmers say it was a dud deal. 

With the war in Iran now showing no signs of easing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Hamish McIntyre, President of the National Farmers Federation to take us through what will it mean for Australians and their weekly grocery bills?

Headlines: 

• US sends 15-point plan to Iran to stop the war
• Commonwealth not planning on fuel rationing 
• ABC staff walk off the job over pay dispute
• Inflation slightly lower than expected
• Narelle gearing up for record-breaking move

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Wednesday Headlines: 

• Fuel shortages ramp up as diesel standards lowered
• Most Aussies want the Iran war to end and Pakistan tipped to lead peace talks
• ABC programs pulled as staff walk off the job
• Married at First Sight expert Mel Schilling has died at the age of 54
• The Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special is out

Deep Dive: It’s been more than a thousand days since a landmark inquiry recommended a full ban on gambling advertising in Australia, yet despite the scale of harm and billions lost each year, the federal government has failed to act. 

Evidence from the probe revealed an inescapable and predatory system, with aggressive tactics normalising gambling for young Australians and targeting those most at risk. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with Independent MP Kate Chaney about why reform has stalled, the influence of powerful lobbying groups, and her push to force change in Parliament. 

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The world was stunned but not surprised when US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran over the weekend – open the Strait of Hormuz or Trump will order the US military to begin an unprecedented campaign on the gulf state. Trump’s now extended that deadline for a further five days, claiming Iran is keen to reach an agreement with the US. Iran denies it's in talks. 

In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr Malcolm Davis, a Senior Analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Defence Strategy Program to discuss the standoff between the US and Iran. What are the latest developments and what they mean...and are we paying the price of Trump's war games? If Trump gets this strategy wrong, what it could mean for the rest of the world.

Headlines: 

• Australia signs trade deal worth $10b per year.
• War continues as Trump extends 48-hour ultimatum.
• Consumer confidence crashes in wake of war.
• Tehran-aligned terror group claims responsibility for London ambulance attack.
• Bill Cosby ordered to pay $US19m for historical sexual assault.

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Tuesday Headlines: 

• Trump postpones strikes on Iran’s power plants, says talks scheduled for today
• Multiple crises headed for Australia as Iran war continues
• Australia to sign free trade deal with EU
• ABC staff to strike for the first time in 20 years
• Less eggs and higher prices hit Easter choccies

Further listening from the headlines: 
China & the secret chocolate factory

Deep Dive: One Nation had its biggest showing in a state election in decades - with one in five South Australians backing it at the ballot box over the weekend. 

The polls flagged it was coming, but the scale of support has forced a harder look at what's really driving voters away from the major parties, and it's not just Pauline Hanson’s anti-immigration politics. 

In this episode, Chris Spyrou speaks with Sean Kelly, a former advisor to Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, to unpack the forces behind One Nation's resurgence, what the major parties can actually do about it, and whether this result is unique to South Australia. 

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In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns who speaks candidly about the challenges facing Australians and the challenges politicians face in an ever-changing political landscape.  Think housing affordability and availability, the Middle East, Donald Trump, One Nation, immigration and much more....

Mr Minns talks about problems facing all Australians opening up about his greatest achievements and his greatest learnings.

This is an extended sit-down interview and Mr Minns announces a new bond rental scheme for the very first time.

Headlines: 

• Iran not backing down to Trump’s ultimatum.
• Cyclone Narelle moves west as tropical low.
• Kyle Sandilands sues ARN for breach of contract.

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