The Briefing

An investigation into the ankle monitoring of accused criminals on bail has exposed a shocking flaw in the system. A private company who was supposed to monitor the alleged offenders in our community stopped operations without notifying authorities.

Now, at least two state governments are abolishing ankle monitoring altogether, with a flawed system with concerning loopholes set to take over. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by News Corp journalist Josh Hanrahan who broke the story to explain how this could happen and what comes next with bail monitoring and the implications for community safety.  

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Tuesday Headlines: Kathleen Folbigg speaks out after ‘slap in the face’ wrongful conviction payout, mourners gather for funeral of media workers murdered by Israeli military, woman charged with foreign interference has hundreds of thousands in unexplained wealth, new road tax for EV users, and Harry and Meghan have penned a new multi-year TV deal with Netflix!

Deep Dive: Vitamins and supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry here in Australia and are routinely added to food products like breakfast cereals, energy drinks and protein bars.   

Over the last year reports of B6 blood toxicity are on the rise, which can have life-altering implications, with experts finding some energy drinks have six times the recommended daily intake of B6 in them.   

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Dr Terri-Lynne South, a GP and dietician from the Royal Australian college of GPS, to explain if we need to be taking supplements.   

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PM Anthony Albanese has announced Australia will formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. The move involves a number of conditions, including not allowing terror group Hamas to play any role in future governance. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by political expert Josh Roose from Deakin University to unpack what this historic move means for Australia, our alliance with the US and lasting peace in the Middle East. 

Headlines: Five Al Jazeera employees have been killed in a targeted Israeli air strike in Gaza, The Guardian says the Labor Government has hired Deloitte to design a plan for universal childcare, and a meteor shower in Victoria. 

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Deep Dive: French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens over bizarre allegations that the First Lady is a man who has stolen an identity and committed crimes including fraud and forgery. 

The legal action comes after the conspiracy exploded on social media worldwide. 

So where did these claims come from and why are they getting traction? And why is Candace, who was refused entry to Australia last year, staking her entire career on this case?  

In this two-part special, Tara Cassidy and Helen Smith break down the complex saga, assess the claims and explain the back story you need to know before you make up your mind who to believe. 

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Monday Headlines: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has labelled Australia “shameful” over Gaza, the Reserve Bank is set to hand down their latest cash rate decision tomorrow, greyhound racing is set to finish up in Tasmania by 2029, we’re in for a soggy rest of winter and spring according to the weather bureau, and Instagram has a controversial new map feature that allows users to share their location with followers.

Deep Dive: French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens over bizarre allegations that the First Lady is a man who has stolen an identity and committed crimes including fraud and forgery. 

The legal action comes after the conspiracy exploded on social media worldwide. 

So where did these claims come from and why are they getting traction? And why is Candace, who was refused entry to Australia last year, staking her entire career on this case?  

In this two-part special, Tara Cassidy and Helen Smith break down the complex saga, assess the claims and explain the back story you need to know before you make up your mind who to believe. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music reality TV promises to turn ordinary singers into national icons — but what’s the secret formula behind these shows? 

In this bonus episode of The Briefing, former judges Ian “Dicko” Dickson and Mark Holden reveal the controversies, iconic moments, and impact that reality TV had on Australia’s music industry.   

Plus former contestants reveal the hidden side of overnight fame.   

You can listen to all episodes of The Moment It Changed: Touchdown for free on Apple, Spotify, LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts. 

This episode contains a mention of suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

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Alex Lee is a face you'll recognise from TV, whether it's from The Feed, Saturday Night Rove, Celebrity Mastermind, Spicks and Specks, The Checkout, Win the Week or What the FAQ.
And as the journalist-turned-comedian points out, not ALL of those shows got axed.

Alex recounts how shock jock and alleged sexual predator Alan Jones once tried to sue her over a comedy skit she made making fun of him. That would have been pretty darn stressful but she says that pales into comparison to the stresses of becoming a mum and feeling like the internet is constantly trying to guilt you into buying junk for your small human.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Alex also unpacks how mum-fluencers inspired her podcast Baby Shoes, part comedy, part therapy, and all-too-relatable for exhausted parents trying not to lose the plot.

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• TO COOK: Homemade Dubai chocolate (dates + dark chocolate + pistachio spread)
• TO TRY: Holme Beauty
• TO TRY: Stardust period tracker app
• TO WATCH: The Australian Wars

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Lured from a Canberra supermarket into the grip of a dangerous cult, Liz Cameron’s life spiralled into captivity, starvation, and a desperate fight to survive. In this episode, Liz reveals to Natarsha Belling how she was brainwashed, how her family staged a daring intervention, and why she’s speaking out to warn others about the hidden dangers of coercive control.

Headlines: Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for a full military occupation of Gaza City, convicted rapist Gareth Ward has resigned from NSW Parliament, and previously inadmissible evidence in the Erin Patterson triple murder trial has now been revealed.

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Here's the evidence the jury in the mushroom triple murder trial wasn't allowed to hear.

In this special update to The Briefing's coverage of this case, Tara Cassidy reveals allegations that murderer Erin Patterson had tried to poison and kill her estranged ex-husband Simon multiple times before.

Until today, this information was under a strict non-publication order by the Victorian Supreme Court. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Kathleen Folbigg calls for inquiry into ‘insulting’ $2m wrongful conviction payout, Netenyahu plans full occupation of Gaza, 6yo girl discharged from Sydney hospital twice before dying of influenza, men outearn women in 98% of jobs, and a millionaire donates $100m to Aus vet school!

Deep Dive: When you’re socializing in a group, are you the life of the party, a participant but exhausted from the effort – or are you the outsider looking in? 

Until now, our personality traits have broadly been divided into two groups: extroverts and introverts.  But there’s a third, neglected group with hidden talents: the otroverts. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by psychiatrist Dr Rami Kaminski, author of The Gift of Not Belonging – and himself an otrovert.  

Follow The Briefing: 
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.