7am

In November 2019, a 19-year-old Walpiri man, Kumanjayi Walker, was killed by Northern Territory police constable Zachary Rolfe. It happened during an attempted arrest in the remote community of Yuendumu. Rolfe shot Walker three times. Walker died shortly after.Rolfe was charged with murder. His trial has been playing out in the Darwin Supreme Court, and last week a verdict was handed down. Rolfe was found not guilty. Today, writer and contributor to The Monthly Anna Krien on the acquittal of Zachary Rolfe, and what this case reveals about the state of policing in Australia. Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly Anna Krien.Background: The trial of Zachary Rolfe on 7am.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost two weeks on from the catastrophic flooding on the east coast of Australia, residents have begun the slow process of rebuilding their lives. But they’ve been left with a lingering question: where was the help? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the dramatic rescues conducted by ordinary people, and why they were necessary in the first place. Editorial note: Since this episode was published, questions have been raised about the rescue described in Upper Main Arm Valley. We have been able to verify some but not all aspects of the story to a satisfactory level.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year, there’s been pressure on the Morrison government to step up and take significant action on women’s safety, as rates of sexual violence have increased.And in the wake of Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame’s campaigning - the federal government has released a draft plan that seeks to end violence against women and children. However, survivors and experts are disappointed with the draft and the lack of transparency that went into its formulation - and have demanded it be withdrawn and amended. Today, journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica on the shortcomings of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and what it means for women over the next decade. Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie entered politics - via a housing commission, the army and eventually Clive Palmer - her speeches on Sharia law, and her op-shop outfits, marked her out for ridicule. Since then Jacqui Lambie has had a remarkable turnaround. Wielding her influence in the senate to advocate for veterans, those on low incomes, and to argue against corruption.  She’s become known as one of the most fierce, and outspoken conviction politicians in the country.Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Chloe Hooper spent months talking to Jacqui Lambie, finding out how the public persona matches the private Jacqui. Today, Chloe Hooper on the real Jacqui Lambie.Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Chloe Hooper.Background reading: Goddamn bloody adult: Jacqui Lambie in The Monthly.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the federal government has faced anger, outrage, and criticism over its response to the catastrophic floods in Queensland and NSW.  And Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing another, related, problem: disquiet within his own ranks about his leadership. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how precarious the Prime Minister’s position might be. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All across the country, waitlists for public housing are on the rise.In NSW alone, there are more than 50,000 families in need of affordable housing. Some families will be waiting for five to 10 years to be housed.In the meantime, state governments are selling off public housing estates to developers - doing nothing to reduce these ballooning waitlists.Today, Rick Morton on how governments and developers are exacerbating the housing crisis in Australia - and what it means for people who need a place to live.Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.This episode features excerpts from the 1981 documentary ‘Waterloo’ directed by Tom Zubrycki.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, much of Ukraine is in the cross hairs of war. Russian troops continue to descend on the country, and shelling is intensifying near the capital Kyiv, and in other cities including Kharkiv and Mariupol.But as the war on the ground in Ukraine escalates, there is another battle playing out: a coordinated series of fake videos and social disinformation - produced by Russia as justification for the invasion.Today, Ukrainian media scholar Eugenia Kuznetsova on what’s real and what’s fake - and how disinformation could affect the outcome of the war.Guest: Ukrainian media scholar, Eugenia KuznetsovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Australia, energy companies are beginning to realise they need to rely less on fossil fuels, and redirect their strategy to renewables and green energy. To do that - they’re working with state governments, who have their own climate goals and investment plans. But there’s one big barrier to this transition: the federal government. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the Morrison government’s interventions in the energy market, and why it’s lost the trust of the sector. Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Revealed: Energy companies turn on Angus TaylorStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, house prices in Australia have been accelerating - surpassing expectations, and defying every prediction of a crash. The pandemic has done nothing to slow down that trajectory, with prices continuing to go up, despite economic uncertainty and slow population growth. The result of it all is more people permanently locked out of the housing market, facing steep rent hikes and homelessness.Today, contributor to The Monthly magazine Russell Marks on why Australia’s housing market continues to confound expectations - and what might actually make a difference. Guest: Contributor to The Monthly, Russell Marks.Background reading: House of the rising sun in The Monthly.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, record breaking floods in Queensland and New South Wales have left thousands of homes decimated, with tens of thousands of residents forced to evacuate, and a number of people dead.Meanwhile, overseas, Russian forces have been intensifying their attacks on Ukraine - with key cities beginning to fall to Russian troops. So how is the Prime Minister Scott Morrison - who also received a Covid-19 diagnosis this week - dealing with these challenges? Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s performance and plummeting popularity.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.