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A former intelligence officer in Canberra, known as Witness J, was charged, sentenced, and jailed in complete secrecy in 2018.It was only after he brought his own legal complaint, and journalists noticed some security guards in the courthouse, that anything about his case was made public. Now, as fragments of the proceedings against the man known as Alan Johns filter out, we’re learning what happens when our spy agencies go to court.Today, Chief Political Correspondent at The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, on the case of Alan Johns.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: chief political correspondent at The Saturday Paper, Karen MiddletonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new government has inherited a problem that no one wants to talk about: the deep inequality of funding between public and private and independent schools.That discrepancy is most evident when it comes to the way that students with disabilities are funded.Today, senior reporter at The Saturday Paper Rick Morton reveals the $600 million funding shortfall for students with a disability in the public system.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our food supply is facing violent shocks — pandemic, war, and floods. And the threat to food security is unprecedented. Underpinning the problem is the catastrophe of climate change, which will impact not only us but our neighbours too — creating implications for national security. Today, Esther Linder on a looming food crisis that Australia isn’t prepared for, and what it means for the way we eat.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper, Esther Linder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, journalist and author Bronwyn Adcock will be reading her piece from the latest issue. It follows the fate of Encep ‘Hambali’ Nurjaman - a man arrested as a central figure in the Bali Bombings nearly 20 years ago - and interrogates his fraught path to justice in the War on Terror, through CIA black spots and Guantanamo Bay, torture and rendition, and bureaucratic obfuscation. Guest: Journalist and author, Bronwyn AdcockBackground reading: The Trial in The Monthly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor's first fortnight in power has been marked by a significant win — a successful agreement to pass a bill that would see a 43 per cent emissions reduction target become law.That agreement was made entirely without the opposition, with Peter Dutton effectively removing his party from negotiations at the beginning of the week.So what is the Coalition’s strategy, when it comes to climate, or to just being in opposition?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what Dutton is telling his party room, and the divisions already becoming apparent in the Coalition. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than ten years, the Greens and the Labor Party have been blaming each other for holding back progress on climate action. Now, things have shifted — Labor’s new emissions reduction target will almost certainly become legislation, after the Greens announced that they’ll support it. But that support has only come after fierce negotiations and several concessions from the Albanese government.Today, national correspondent at The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the high-stakes political games that are going to decide our climate future.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a homelessness crisis escalates around the country, there’s one jurisdiction where the situation is particularly stark. In the wealthiest state in Australia, more than 120 people have died on the streets in the past two years. And while the causes of homelessness are complex, there’s no doubt Western Australia’s tenancy laws are making things worse: especially when it comes to “no grounds” rental evictions. Today, writer and campaigner Jesse Noakes on the deadly consequences of evictions, and the new push to protect renters. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist, Jesse Noakes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An investigation into factional misconduct in Victoria has created debate about how the Labor Party is structured and how it can be reformed.The stakes are incredibly high for the party: not only is some of the conduct illegal and undemocratic, but it also risks losses in seats where independents are likely to run on integrity.Today, Labor speechwriter and contributor to The Saturday Paper Dennis Glover on the party within a party. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Labor speechwriter and contributor to The Saturday Paper Dennis Glover.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Australia faces a new wave of Covid-19 variants, experts say the country has a chance to plot a different course with the virus.That involves acknowledging that it is not going away - that it will be here for a long time, and that masks and ventilation will be needed to manage it.Today, lead researcher at the Kirby Institute Raina MacIntyre on hope, denial and Covid-19.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Lead researcher at the Kirby Institute Raina MacIntyre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After five years of inaction, the Albanese government has made implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart a key item of business. Anthony Albanese has described it as a hand held out to the country.But there are still questions over whether a referendum will succeed. Senator Patrick Dodson is telling colleagues they should put it up regardless - if the vote is lost, the country will have to live with it.Today, columnist from The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the first week of a new parliament. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.