7am

Since the last election, the federal government has deported more than 4,000 non-citizens from Australia.Many of those people have been in Australia almost their entire lives, and have no connection with their country of origin.Now the Morrison government is trying to pass new laws that could see the number of deportations increase dramatically.Today, principal solicitor at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Hannah Dickinson on why Australia is deporting so many long-term residents.Guest: Principal Solicitor and immigration law specialist, Hannah Dickinson.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Class action lawsuits are one of the only ways ordinary people can get justice and compensation if they’ve been mistreated by powerful corporations and institutions. Successful class actions have held companies and even governments to account over stolen wages, emissions fraud, and chemical contamination.But now, their future is under threat. Today, journalist and lawyer Kieran Pender on the new government legislation that could spell the end of class actions in Australia, and what that would mean for access to justice. Guest: Journalist and lawyer, Kieran Pender.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last 48 hours thousands of Ukrainians have fled their homeland and crossed into neighbouring Poland, seeking refuge from war and invasion. But millions more remain trapped in the country as Russian forces continue to advance and occupy towns and cities across Ukraine.Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman on why Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin is risking it all on Ukraine, and whether economic sanctions will be enough.Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All over the world countries are winding back, and in some cases completely removing their pandemic restrictions, and Australia is following suit.Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales have all recently abolished mask mandates, density limits and QR check-ins.But there’s debate over whether these changes are based on public health, political pressure or business lobbying.Today, journalist Hannah Ryan on the global easing of pandemic restrictions despite ongoing concern over the Omicron variant of Covid-19.Guest: Journalist, Hannah Ryan.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has launched a military operation in Ukraine. Today, we cover the latest in Ukraine conflict and the political debate in Australia over our defence strategy.Just months away from a looming federal election Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing one of the biggest challenges of his term - global military conflict.The federal government’s increasingly aggressive stance towards both Russia and China has put the spotlight on Australia’s defence policy, and how prepared we are for a potential war.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how equipped Scott Morrison is to handle escalating tensions in both Ukraine and in the Pacific. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lockdowns and ongoing concern about the pandemic have led to a significant spike in the number of Australians experiencing mental health issues.But when many people try to seek treatment they are faced with a complicated, under-resourced and expensive system.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the real causes of Australia’s spiralling mental health crisis and the recent bungle that made it worse.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Special thanks to The Thought Broadcast podcast for archival audio of Dr Nick O'Connor.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change might be one of the biggest political issues on the agenda for the upcoming federal election, but the party most associated with environmental policy is struggling to cut through.According to the latest opinion polls, the Greens are finding it hard to connect with voters - even though some of the issues they’ve championed for decades are now considered part of the mainstream.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the challenges facing Australia’s third party, and what kind of power they might wield after the election.Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Greens reveal their target seats in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent months senior Australian politicians have talked openly about a potential military conflict with China over Taiwan.The increasingly tense rhetoric follows a series of incursions by China into Taiwanese air and naval space.Now, China’s leaders are closely watching the current crisis in Ukraine, looking for clues as to how the US might react towards Chinese aggression in the Pacific.Today on 7am, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University Hugh White, on the changing power dynamics in our region, and the risks of war between the US and China.Guest: ANU Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies, Hugh White.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For months, Russian troops have been amassing along the Ukrainian border. While in recent days some of those troops have begun withdrawing, officials in the Biden administration are still warning that Russia is on the cusp of invading Ukraine. But Russia has repeatedly rejected that claim, accusing the US of “nonsense and melodrama.” The immediate crisis stems from Ukraine’s desire to join the international security alliance NATO, a move Russian President Vladimir Putin considers an existential threat to Russia’s security. Today, former head of DFAT Michael Costello, on the real origins of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine, and what the US and its allies are getting wrong. This is the first in a two-part series from 7am examining rising geopolitical tensions between the world’s superpowers.Guest: Former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael Costello.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the government trailing in the opinion polls, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has attempted to improve his image - first, by inviting Channel 9 cameras into his home, and then by accusing the Labor opposition of being soft on crime and too close to China.But will these last ditch efforts work, or do they just appear desperate?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on how Scott Morrison is attempting to claw back ground as the election inches closer.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.