The Briefing

Wednesday Headlines: Peter Dutton wins third leaders' debate, the coalition to announce increased defence spending, details of Pope Francis' funeral revealed, NZ bill to define men and women by their biology, 25 Australian swimmers may have been robbed of Olympic medals and the Queensland twins going viral. 
 
Deep Dive:  
Child sex offenders are among the most reviled criminals in our society—and now, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is vowing to trial a national public register if elected, aiming to give families more access to information and keep kids safe. 

But would it actually work? And what are the risks of making this kind of information public? 

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with Akhim Dev—documentary and podcast maker behind the award-winning Children in the Pictures—who spent years embedded with police investigating online child exploitation to unpack it all. 

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Afternoon Headlines: Third leaders debate to go ahead tonight, NSW police investigate links to organised crime after mother killed and Harvard sues Trump administration

Deep Dive: What’s next for the Catholic Church after the death of Pope Francis? 

He was seen as a Pope for the People and a progressive, but now a new era is emerging as the complicated process for the next leader begins. 

In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by Joel Hodge, the National Head of the School of Theology at ACU, to explain why Pope Francis has such a significant impact on the world and the six contenders to replace him.

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Tuesday Headlines: Pope Francis' cause of death revealed, early voting now open, Australia records deadliest Easter weekend of drownings, new calls for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign, and John Cena is coming down under! 

Deep Dive: While most Aussies still vote red or blue, a small but significant group of independents—dubbed the Teals—are carving out space in Federal politics. 
 
One of them is Zoe Daniel, the former journalist who flipped a safe Liberal seat in 2022 and is now running for re-election.  
 
In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with MP Zoe Daniel about the key issues this election, how independent the Teals really are and their plan to hold the major parties to account.

Further listening from the headlines: 
What happens when the Pope dies? The power games begin is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Top secret war plans sent to journalist by mistake is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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In this special election rewind we are joined by Julia Gillard, the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and our first and only female in the top job. 

In this chat with Jamila Rizvi from 2020, Julia unpacks her famous misogyny speech of 2012, how ultra macho leadership styles are letting us down during the pandemic, and her book Women in Leadership.

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Monday Headlines: Tragedies around the water this Easter, Labour ahead in latest poll, The Pope appears for Easter blessing, Oscar Piastri successful in F1.

Deep Dive: For decades everything from the cut of our jeans to the shade of our hair has been linked to the state of our economy.

Recession indicators in fashion, beauty and grooming are marked by the shift in a rise of sales of more practical and affordable choices.

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Amy Campbell, the features editor of Esquire Australia, to explain which styles are signs of an economic slump and how we see it play out in fashion.  

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Peter Rowsthorn cemented his place as Australian comedy royalty in Kath and Kim, playing the loveable bogan Brett.

From staring in musicals, sitcoms to stand-up and almost swapping it all for a life on the road as a truckie, Peter's career has been anything but boring.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Peter shares why he’s making a long-awaited comeback to the Melbourne Comedy Festival for the first time since the 80's and the joys of ageing with absolutely no grace whatsoever.

Find tickets to his show Pete Rowsthorn is KEEN! Here 

Weekend list with Helen Smith

• TO WATCH: Drop the Movie in cinemas now
• TO WATCH: The Substance Movie 
• TO EAT: Greek or natural yogurt dressing
• TO DO: Free street libraries give and take!

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In this special election rewind we are joined by Scott Morrison, the 30th Prime Minister of Australia, lover of chicken curries and author of Plans For Your Good: A Prime Minister's Testimony of God's Faithfulness

Morrison has had his fair share of controversies over the years - Hawaii, his response to COVID and his many ministries.

In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Morrison opens up about his time as PM, repenting his sins and his impact on Australians.

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Friday Headlines: Opposition Leader clarifies he believed in climate change, Rise in DV over Easter, Great White shark concerns for an Adelaide beach and Trump meets with Italy's PM.

Deep Dive: From big policy promises to viral missteps, election campaigns serve up drama, theatre and the occasional meme-worthy moment. But what’s it really like behind the scenes?

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy is joined by News Corp federal political reporter Madura McCormack, who’s been following the 2025 campaign trail. She shares what it’s like travelling with the press pack, the moments that didn’t make headlines—and what they reveal about the parties vying for your vote.

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Is the great Australian dream of owning a home over? 
 
In this special election edition of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil to unpack Labor’s record on housing, missed targets, and what the government plans to do next to solve a housing and rental crisis that’s been decades in the making.

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Thursday Headlines: Spicy second leaders' debate between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton, Australians trust in the US lowest in 20 years, Swedish teenager in Australia charged with contract killings, tropical Cyclone off WA expected to make landfall over the weekend and lab grown chicken nuggets breakthrough!

Deep Dive: The rate of Australians travelling to the US has dropped to its lowest level since the pandemic, with Donald Trump’s return to the White House sparking a wave of concern among international visitors.

Countries like China, Germany, Portugal and the UK have issued warnings for citizens heading to the country —so why hasn’t and should Australia do the same?

In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Griffith University’s Dr Lee Morgenbesser, who recently cancelled his own trip, about the risks, the politics, and what it means for Australia. 

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