The Briefing

This week, a chilling case in Melbourne has put the issue of child sex abuse into the national spotlight. A childcare worker has been charged with allegedly abusing young children in his care, leading to 1200 families being urged to have their young children tested for STIs. 

IN 2022, LiSTNR released the critically acclaimed podcast documentary series The Children in the Pictures, which exposed the silent epidemic of online child sex abuse.  

In light of recent events, we’re revisiting this crucial topic by bringing you episode 8, in which host Akhim Dev speaks with leading police and experts in the field. They give important insights and strategies we can take to better protect our children in an increasingly vulnerable world. 

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Mitch Wallis is big on three words - 'I’m not ok.'

The founder of mental health charity Heart On My Sleeve went viral after having a raw very public breakdown and he’s been on a mission ever since.

Since that moment, he’s studied psychology, started a global movement and written a book on how we can have better conversations around mental health.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Mitch explains the impact graphic content on social media has on us and why it took him years to finally sit down with a psychologist.

Weekend list with Helen Smith and Chris Spyrou: 

• TO WATCH: Trainwreck doco series on Netflix
• TO TRY: Elevated matcha latte 
• TO WATCH (in a cinema): Jurassic World Rebirth 
• TO LISTEN: Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor 

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Afternoon Headlines: Government pushes new federal laws to protect children in childcare, Liverpool stars supercar had been recalled before death and Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom confirm separation.  

Deep Dive: US President Donald Trump’s controversial “big, beautiful bill” passed the US Congress overnight.

The bill adds trillions of dollars to the nation’s already crippling debt and sees major cuts to health care, with the US President saying the major win gives him even more power.

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by US political expert Professor Brendon O’Connor to unpack the landmark bill and what the implications are for the already fragile US economy and the Trump administration. 

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Friday Headlines: Tributes flow for Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota, alleged Melbourne child abuser may have had more contact with kids, Australia's Privacy Watchdog warns of ‘vishing’ scam post Qantas cyber-attack, BBC senior staff told to 'step back' from duties following Glastonbury, and just 8% of Briefers will be taking party in Dry July!

Deep Dive: The eleventh iteration of Superman hits cinemas next week and is tipped to dominate the box office. 

Meanwhile, Pixar’s Elio flopped with the worst opening in the studio’s history, Lilo & Stitch’s live-action remake broke records, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 has just been announced.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with screenwriter and producer Michael Lucas about why Hollywood keeps revisiting the same stories and why we keep showing up. 

Further listening from headlines: 
Glastonbury: Free speech or crime?
Qantas hack explained

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Afternoon Headlines: Parents say Alleged childcare sex offender Joshua Dale Brown might have worked across more dates in centres than authorities initially identified, NSW man dies from 'rabies-like' virus after bat bite and Eileen Bond ex-wife of controversial businessmen Alan Bond dies

Deep Dive: It’s the trial that gripped the world, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, one of music’s most powerful men facing life behind bars after facing a number of sex trafficking and prostitution charges. 

Today the jury handed down its verdict finding Diddy not guilty of the most serious allegations and guilty on two prostitution charges. 

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Music Industry expert, Associate Professor Catherine Strong from RMIT University, to unpack the downfall of Diddy.  

If you or anyone you know needs help you can call 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 and Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114

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Thursday Headlines: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs not guilty of sex trafficking, Kanye West banned from entering Australia, ‘Bomb cyclone’ leaving, rain and flooding incoming, a Queensland council forced to pause demolishing a homeless camp, and 3.2 million Aussies expected to take part in Dry July.

Deep Dive: From nuclear threats to climate change and AI, the world has never been closer to ‘Doomsday’. 
 
Each year a group of experts from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the world’s Doomsday Clock, letting us know our risk of existential threat. 
 
In 2025, the globe’s just 89 seconds to midnight – the closest we’ve ever been to catastrophe. 
 
In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with the President and CEO of the Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists, the publication behind the Doomsday Clock, about what’s got us here and the tools we have to fix it. 

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Afternoon headlines: Second man charged after Melbourne childcare worker accused of 70 offences, third person arrested in relation to the alleged murder of teenager, Phoebe Bishop and US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk feud reignites

Deep Dive: Qantas has been hit with a major cyber-attack, possibly exposing the private data of an estimated 6 million Australians.

The airline has confirmed hackers have stolen some customer’s names, birth dates email addresses and frequent flyer numbers.

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Cyber Security expert Professor Matthew Warren, who explains how serious this latest corporate breach is and what to do if your personal information has been stolen. 

If you have any concerns, take advantage of the dedicated support line Qantas has set up for customers: 1800 971 541 or +61 2 8028 0534, which is available 24/7.

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Wednesday Headlines: Victorian government to strengthen state's Working with Children Checks after Joshua Cook charged with 70 offences, NSW residents evacuated and warned to stay indoors as wild weather continues, Elon wins ‘free speech’ fight against Australia's eSafety Commissioner, a blistering heatwave is fuelling wildfires across parts of Europe, and 130,000 Western Australians have been busted in a new road safety camera trial.

Further listening from headlines: 
Calls for increased childcare safeguards

Deep Dive: Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan and Irish rap group Kneecap are under criminal investigation over their performances at Glastonbury. It comes after Bob Vylan frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster led chants of “Death, death to the IDF”, referring to the Israeli Defense Force and Kneecap followed with an incendiary performance, leading the crowd in chants of “fuck [British Prime Minister] Keir Starmer.”  

The BBC has expressed regret for not cutting its live stream of Bob Vylan’s set, describing the remarks as containing “utterly unacceptable” antisemitic sentiments. The US announced it was revoking visas for the band.  

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Dr Murray Lee, professor of criminology from the University of Sydney, to explore the boundaries of artistic expression and the legal implications of political speech on stage.

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Afternoon Headlines: Five million could be hit with intense weather system hitting the coast of NSW, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to meet with US President Donald Trump and two major sunscreen brands under fire for ‘greenwashing’

Deep Dive: There are calls for greater childcare regulations after new allegations against a 26-year man Victorian man. 

He’s been charged with 70 sexual offences including rape relating to his work at an early learning centre. He also worked at 19 other childcare centres. More than 1200 families have been urged to test their children for infectious diseases. 

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Bravehearts Founder and child safety advocate, Hetty Johnston AM, to explain the urgent need for change in our childcare safety regulations.   

This episode contains descriptions of child sex abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or harassment, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT. org.au.

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Tuesday Headlines: Police are investigating Bop Vylan and Kneecap over Glastonbury performances, Sydney under ‘prepare now’ orders as east coast low hits, House prices reach record highs, grow twice as fast as wages, AI could boost the Australian economy by $115bn within five years, and Albo reacts to ‘Daddy’ Trump on Ten's new News program.

Deed Dive: It's tax time but before you lodge your return, it’s important to know what you can claim, what you can’t and some of the new areas the ATO are keeping on their radar. 

So, what is the best way to get the most out of you tax return and should you be using an account or is MyGov enough?

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by accountant and business advisor Emma Bowdler from The Women's Accountant to discuss.

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