7am

Australia likes to present itself as a defender of human rights. But right now, on the world stage, that reputation is being seriously questioned.  Dozens of countries have called on Australia to stop locking up children, some as young as ten, and to confront the fact that Indigenous kids make up the overwhelming majority of those behind bars.  For a nation that claims moral leadership on human rights, the scrutiny now facing Australia is deeply shameful and impossible to ignore. The tough-on-crime agendas of several state and territory governments risk undermining Australia’s reputation when it comes to the way we treat our own children. Today, CEO of Change the Record, Jade Lane, and CEO of the Human Rights Law Centre, Caitlin Reiger, on Australia’s standing on the world stage, and why so many Australian children call prison home.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: CEO of Change the Record, Jade Lane and CEO of the Human Rights Law Centre, Caitlin Reiger Photo: ABC IndigenousSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Koutsoukis, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, breaks down why gambling advertising reform keeps stalling. He traces the powerful personal ties between Anthony Albanese and Peter V'Landys and how they shaped policy access. The conversation covers committee recommendations, political compromises, industry pushback, and the high-stakes choices facing the prime minister.

Sean Kelly, political columnist and former Labor adviser, offers sharp analysis of conservative politics and party realignments. He explores the Liberal Party's internal rifts and contrasting directions. He looks at the Nationals’ identity crisis and One Nation’s rise. He also questions whether compulsory voting can mask deeper democratic stresses.

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Colin Boyce, Nationals MP for Central Queensland who represents a vast rural electorate, explains why he is challenging his party leadership. He discusses the Coalition split, the timing of a controversial announcement, the symbolic intent of his challenge, and the political threat posed by One Nation. Short, direct, and focused on party survival and unity.

Rana Mitter, Harvard Kennedy School scholar on US‑Asia relations, provides analysis of Xi Jinping’s sweeping military purge. He explores the sacking of top generals, why family ties failed to shield elites, and what the shakeup means for China’s military posture and Taiwan. Short, sharp breakdowns of anti‑corruption reach, parade messaging and Xi’s tightening grip on power.

Jason DeRusha, Minneapolis journalist and WCCO radio host, gives on-the-ground reporting about recent ICE operations. He recounts deadly incidents and rising protests. He explains the scale of federal deployments and argues the crackdown feels like political retribution. He describes tactics that have sown fear and why the surge may be winding down.

Ketan Joshi, senior research associate at the Australia Institute who covers energy, climate and tech policy, discusses the clash between big tech AI demand and Australia’s renewable export ambitions. He traces Sun Cable’s pivot from exporting solar to powering domestic data centres. The conversation covers booming electricity needs for AI, emissions risks if renewables lag, and policy choices for balancing power, climate and social value.

Kalina Morgan-Whyman, CEO of Elizabeth Morgan House and granddaughter of its founder, leads culturally safe refuge work for First Nations women. She discusses the complexity of cases, intergenerational trauma, systemic misidentification of victims, fragile funding for crisis services, and the need for healing-focused long-term support.

Mon Schafter, Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, digs into a 1970s psychiatric study on transgender kids and its long shadow. Short, sharp storytelling traces the study’s methods, how survivors were treated, and the surprising ways that outdated research is still cited in courts and policy debates today.