The Briefing

Wednesday Headlines: 

• Australia’s big four banks pass on interest rate rise 
• Donald Trump calls out Australia in scathing post
• Potential jail time for displaying banned Islamic symbols in NSW
• Pauline Hanson fails to properly declare Gina Rinehart flights
• Matildas book spot in Asian Cup final

Deep Dive: Mass layoffs are sweeping through the tech sector, with one of Australia's biggest success stories cutting hundreds of local jobs in the name of efficiency.  
 
Across the industry, artificial intelligence is being pointed to as part of the explanation - raising questions about whether AI is genuinely reshaping work or simply becoming the most convenient scapegoat in corporate history.  
 
In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with AFR senior columnist James Thomson about “AI washing,” what the new wave of tech layoffs signal and whether Australia’s economy is ready for what’s next. 

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As widely expected, the RBA has again increased the official cash rate. Experts are predicting there could be another two increases on the way this year, with the RBA flagging that inflation is still a concern. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by financial expert Jessica Brady, who explains the fallout from an increase in interest rates and why the government now needs to look at other economic measures to try and control inflation. 

Headlines: 

• A number of world leaders have condemned escalating violence in Lebanon
• The family of the men accused of the deadly Bondi Beach massacre say they’re living in constant fear and have faced death threats and harassment
• Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia have started training with Brisbane Roar FC

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Tuesday Headlines:

• Consumer watchdog to grill petrol companies over price hikes
• Australians blaming the federal government for cost of living pain
• Sydney Swans apologise for removing references to Jewish community in Bondi speech
• Whistleblowers claim Meta and TikTok push harmful content to remain competitive
• Melbourne trial of tap and go payments on public transport begins

Deep Dive:

Should we be paying grandparents to look after kids, instead of childcare centres?  

That’s what some parents and politicians think should be happening in the wake of distressing revelations of abuse within the industry.   

But taking kids out of the system isn’t necessarily the best way to protect them.  

In today’s deep dive, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, to break down what the major parties are offering and what the future of childcare should look like.

 

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Australia is facing growing concern over its fuel security, with experts warning the country remains dangerously dependent on overseas supplies. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by defence analyst, John Blackburn, who’s been sounding the alarm for more than a decade, warning governments from both sides of politics that Australia’s fuel supply chain leaves the nation vulnerable in a global crisis...like the one we’re currently unfolding in the Middle East. 

Headlines: 

• Donald Trump has warned it would be “very bad for the future of NATO” if allies fail to help protect the Strait of Hormuz
• Australia’s media watchdog has cracked down on ARN, the radio network behind The Kyle and Jackie O Show
• Controversy at the Oscars

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The 98th Academy Awards are underway. Hosted by TV presenter and comedian Conan O’Brien in Hollywood, they honour the best films from 2025.  

In this special Oscars coverage from The Briefing team, we unpack the latest from the red carpet, the big winners and how the internet is reacting in real time. 

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Monday Headlines:

• Four more Iranian soccer players give up asylum in Australia
• Gov expects inflation to rise, while facing pressure to send warship to Middle East
• New leader has little impact on Coalition’s polling
• Vape catches fire on Virgin Australia flight
• Queen Mary and King Frederik tour Uluru

Further listening from the headlines: 
Is it unethical for us to read the lips of famous people?

Deep Dive:
Porn sites like Pornhub, RedTube and YouPorn have gone dark for Australians, not because they were banned, but in protest of our new age-verification rules. 

The government says it’s about protecting kids from “lawful but awful” content, but it could mean handing over your ID, credit card, or even your face just to access parts of the internet. 

In today’s deep dive, Chris Spyrou chats with Dr. Giselle Woodley from the School of Arts and Humanities at ECU about how teens are reacting to the new rules and how it’s not just them that could be pushed to very dark corners of the web as they come into effect. 

 

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Getting ahead in the workplace is something many Australians aspire to - but for a lot of women, the hurdles can be higher and more complex.  

So, what does it really take to succeed at work? How do you ask for a pay rise or a promotion? And why do so many of us still hesitate to put ourselves forward for leadership roles?  

In this bonus episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Helen McCabe, who left one of Australian media’s most coveted roles as editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly to launch her own business, Future Women - a platform dedicated to helping women grow their careers and leadership skills. 

Read about Helen in the The Nighty On Leadership here https://thenightly.com.au/on/leadership

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Matt Okine’s resume reads like that of a classic overachiever. He’s a comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and radio host, with Logie and ARIA award nominations and a critically acclaimed TV show to his name.

But after doing just about everything in Australian media, he’s returning to where it all started - stand-up, for the first time in six years, with his new tour No. 10 Hope St, which touches on everything from family to failure and full-body ringworm.

In this chat with Sacha Barbour Gatt, Matt debates dogs versus cats, reflects on going bald, and gets really candid about losing his mum when he was just 12. 

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• Listener Kate TO WATCH: Beetlejuice 
• TO EAT: Bingsu dessert
• TO WATCH: Taskmaster UK series
• TO BUY: Mode Mischief 

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After a 17-year legal battle, Australian fashion designer Katie Perry has finally won her David vs Goliath fight with international popstar, Katy Perry. 

In this episode, Katie recounts the moment it all began in 2009 -- celebrating the launch of her clothing label before opening a shocking cease-and-desist letter that threatened to shut down her business.  

What followed was years of legal fights, emotional setbacks, and a roller-coaster court battle that stretched all the way to the High Court. 

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Friday Headlines:

• Australian officials told to leave Israel and the UAE
• Australian towns run out of fuel amid Middle East crisis
• Families of Chinese backpackers killed in Queensland floods to travel to Australia
• Grace Tame says she has no more speaking engagements, blames ‘smear campaign’ 
• How much Super you need to retire 'comfortably' revealed
• The Pussycat Dolls are reuniting

Further listening from the headlines: 
Will petrol hit $3 a litre?
BONUS: Inside the life of the 'difficult' Grace Tame

Deep Dive: Last week we brought you an inside look at all the drama surrounding the shock axing of the Kyle and Jackie O show.  

After 25 years on air, it seemed the pair were no more ...   

But in the week and a half since we covered the story, a LOT has changed.  

In today’s deep dive, Sacha Barbour Gatt welcomes industry insider Craig Bruce back to The Briefing to discuss all the latest developments on the Kyle and Jackie O saga, and answer the question: is this just a massive publicity stunt? 

Last week's deep dive: 'Inside the Kyle & Jackie no show' 

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