Former NSW Fire & Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins explains the real causes of bushfires, and why climate change is making them worse. Plus, the protests in Hong Kong have taken an ugly turn, with reports the rule of law is on the "brink of collapse".

The real causes of bushfires

Hack brings you the stories that matter to young people. Every weekday host Dave Marchese and the triple j Hack team cover the latest news, politics and culture from all around Australia.

News

Daily News

25: that’s the shocking number of women who’ve died violently in Australia already this year, according to a tracking project by Counting Dead Women. 

And the official HECS/HELP debt indexation figure has been released today after the latest inflation data, and anyone with a debt will have a 4.7% increase on June 1. 

Plus, the battle between Elon Musk, X and the eSafety Commissioner is still going on, with a war of words now coming from all sides of politics. 

Also, around 1,000 activists are setting sail on the unauthorised Freedom Flotilla to take aid to Gaza and Suyra McEwan is one of three Aussies joining the trip.

Guests:
Georgia Roberts, reporter, ABC
Michelle Rowland, Federal Communications Minister
Suyra McEwen, volunteer, Freedom Flotilla

25 women’s lives: the number that’s shocked Australia

Are you pro or anti baby? It's not about whether you want kids: it's about whether you think it's okay for a mum to bring along a baby to a comedy performance. After a mum was asked to remove her baby from Arj Barker's standup set, the debate's fired up.

And new analysis looking at 45,000 rentals compared the asking prices with things like minimum wage and income support, and found none are affordable for someone on Youth Allowance.

Plus, Avani Dias (former Hack host and ABC's South Asia correspondent) had her visa cancelled after the Indian government blocked her reporting in the country.

Guests: 
Anthony Locascio, comedian
Amy Hetherington, comedian
Avani Dias, journalist, ABC

But can I bring a baby?

Elon Musk's X has refused to take down videos of the Sydney church stabbing after formal requests from the eSafety Commissioner. X reckons the request is a threat to free speech and a “free and open internet”.

And, would you quit your job to work in the mines? More young women are looking at the mining industry to help ease cost of living pressures.

Plus, they were once banned from being taught, but now there are more people taking up Indigenous Australian language classes.

Guests: 
Stan Karanasios, associate professor, UQ Business School
John Rolfe, professor and resource economist, CQ University

Elon Musk is taking on the Australian government (again)

It's the Friday Shakeup and it's been a big news week. After a massacre in a Sydney shopping centre and an alleged terrorist act in a church two days later, a lot of people are feeling news fatigue. How do you cope?

And Caitlin Clark just signed the biggest rookie contract in the WNBA. The problem is it's about $85 million short of her male counterparts in the NBA. 

Plus, should the order you and your siblings were born in determine who you date? 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by podcasters Marty Smiley and Sarah-Jane Adams.

The Shakeup: avoiding the news, birth order dating and Caitlin Clark

Last year, Nathan Murphy won an AFL premiership with Collingwood. This year, he's medically retiring at only 24 years old. He's suffered 10 head knocks over his career and is stepping back on the advice of doctors due to ongoing concussion issues.

And non-binary trainee doctors are experiencing harassment twice as much as their male and female colleagues. Could this lead to worse outcomes for both doctors and patients?

Plus, HECS debts are predicted to rise by up to 4.8% and MP Monique Ryan has had enough. 

Guests
Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong
Nathan Murphy, retiring AFL player

The real causes of bushfires

Download our free app to listen on your phone