The Briefing

It’s the government rort ripping off millions of Australians that could be the next Robodebt disaster. We explain how a broken government payment system is seeing job and support payments cut off or cancelled, in many cases unlawfully. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by anti-poverty campaigner Kristin O’Connell, who explains how some of our most vulnerable are being unfairly targeted by a broken system that is allegedly being exploited by some operators, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. 

Headlines: ANZ has shocked customers with a surprise rate hike, Anita Cobby's killer claims he was wrongfully convicted, and more bombshell allegations from a new tell all book about Prince Andrew. 

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Thursday Headlines: Lawyers for sex offender Gareth Ward argue against his expulsion from NSW Parliament, Donald Trump says JD Vance is the next likely Republican candidate for 2028, the trial of Outback Wrangler TV star Matt Wright is underway, WhatsApp's deleted over 6.8 million accounts linked to scams, and we're in the 'Golden Age’ of swimming, better than Thorpe and O’Neill.

Deep Dive: Videos of influencers and streamers gambling are becoming increasingly popular online, with the content largely targeting young people.  

In videos shared to social media sites, streaming and video platforms influencers with thousands to millions of followers are filming themselves placing bets on online casinos and in real life at the pokies.  

With Australia already home to the world’s biggest gamblers, and losers, the growing trend's got experts worried that it could draw in a whole new generation of problem gamblers.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with University of Sydney influencer and gambling researcher, Dr Mark Johnson, on how creators are bending the rules, and the lack of laws to stop them. 

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The government’s excise freeze on draught beer is being hailed as a win for pubs, but how much is it really saving us?  

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Mick Gibb, CEO of the Nighttime Industries Association, who unpacks how this move has created a two-tier tax system that penalises small bars, live music venues, and cocktail lovers. 

Headlines: A Sydney man has become the first in Australia to be charged with supplying nitazine, previously unseen Epstein letters and photographs have been published by The New York Times, and Sean “Diddy” Combs is seeking a presidential pardon.

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Wednesday Headlines: OceanGate Titan sub disaster was a 'preventable tragedy', DOJ orders investigation into Obama administrations Russian political interference probe, The Great Barrier Reef has recorded the largest mass bleaching event on record, Kmart denies sourcing products from factories linked to forced labour, and a Danish zoo is asking for unwanted animals to feed its predators.

Deep Dive: ‘Go woke go broke’ is no longer true according to new research that found companies can embrace progressive values and pursue profit at the same time.  

The study examines campaigns like Gillette's take on “toxic masculinity” and Nike’s ad featuring Colin Kapernick, analysing the intersection of political agendas and what happens when brands tackle social issues, like racism, inclusion and diversity.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Dr Peter Underwood from Auckland Law School to unpack what woke capitalism is and how companies can find a middle ground in the market.  

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Our ASIO boss has warned Australia is under a growing threat from foreign espionage with spying from a number of nations now at unprecedented levels. Days after that warning, Federal Police have arrested a Chinese National accused of allegedly spying on a local Buddhist group.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by intelligence expert Chris Taylor to unpack why we’re seeing an increase in foreign threats and why we all need to think twice about the information we share, especially online.  

Headlines: Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has secured a $10 billion contract to build the Australian Navy’s new fleet of warships, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to announce plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, and Donald Trump has weighed into the Sydney Sweeney ad controversy.

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Tuesday Headlines: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley admits "there is hunger and starvation in Gaza", New evidence released from Erin Patterson murder case, Thousands of murder, rape and assault cases to be re-examined due to DNA lab bungle, Property boom prompts surge in Australian millionaires to global high, Tesla awards chief executive Elon Musk $44 billion worth of shares.

Deep Dive: You might have heard of donating blood and plasma, but what about donating your poo? 

Well it turns out your stool could help save lives in more ways than one. 

Right now in Australia poo donations are being used for fecal microbiota transplants, to help cure painful, debilitating and sometimes deadly diseases. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with Kevin Young, an FMT recipient, about how the procedure saved his life, and Lifeblood’s Elizabeth Connolly on how it might be used in future.

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The Victorian government has announced a new plan to legislate working from home. But is the Australian first proposal just a quick grab for votes in the upcoming state election or could this give workers new rights? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by employment lawyer Graeme Watson, who unpacks the legal ramifications of this controversial new move and your legal rights as an employee. 

Headlines: The Prime Minister has requested a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, new AFP Commissioner announced, and Prince Harry has denied explosive new claims he gave his Uncle a bloody nose after a fight.

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Monday Headlines: 100-thousand people march along the Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday, Home and Away's Lynne McGranger takes out Gold Logie, Emergency crews launch desperate search for passengers on board missing plane, Australian Defence Force increases staff levels through social media and gaming, and Robert Irwin and Nigella Lawson faces of new Tourism Australia campaign.

Deep Dive: The Australian gas sector makes billions off our natural resources each year, yet over half is being given away and exported for free, with little to no benefit for the everyday Aussie.  

It’s been described as a loophole by some, “the great gas scam” by others, with taxpayers estimated to be missing out on $13 billion because of it.  

And we're not just missing out on money, it’s also costing us cash, with the gas sector and untapped exports contributing to surging gas and electricity prices too.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with independent senator David Pocock on what’s behind the costly problem, and what it’ll take to fix it.

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Bonus episode: Who is Sharon Graham? Tara Cassidy speaks to those closest to the grandmother, who was now one of the police’s main murder suspects. Tara unravels the different sides Sharon presented to people and starts to see some patterns in her behaviour, especially around money and men. 

Today our bonus episode is episode 2 of Tara's podcast Crime in Focus: Killer Charm.

You'll hear how a murder investigation opens after a man falls into a woodchipper in suspicious circumstances. And what has a suburban grandmother in a bizarre love quadrangle got to do with it?

To keep listening, you can get the full series of Crime in Focus: Killer Charm for free on Apple, Spotify, LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts. 

All people convicted of murder related to this case have lodged their intentions to appeal the outcomes. At the point of publishing this podcast those appeals have not progressed further. 

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Maz Jobrani is the Iranian-born American comedian who accidently created a fantasy scenario for immigration body ICE.

The stand-up comedic and actor found himself swapping his political science degree for telling occasionally deportation-prone jokes and it paid off. He’s been in Hollywood blockbusters, has Netflix specials and was a guest on James Corden, Jay Leno and The Late Show with Steven Colbert.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Maz reveals how he finds comedy in global geopolitical chaos, and whether recently being named a top 20 ‘Great Immigrant’ is code for ‘watch your back, immigration body ICE is coming for you’.

He’s currently on tour here in Australia, find dates here!

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• TO READ: Boogie Wonderland, a memoir by Kate Halfpenny 
• TO EAT: No bake banana bread cookie dough balls
• TO TRY: Somatic therapy by a registered practitioner
• TO TRY: Facebook hair model groups e.g. Hair Models Sydney NSW *No In-Home Salons!

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