7am

For the past three years one of the most secretive court cases in Australia has been taking place in Canberra.The former attorney-general for the ACT, Bernard Collaery, has been charged with conspiracy, but the details of the case have been hidden from journalists and the public. Today, senior lawyer for the Human Rights Law Centre, Kieran Pender, on the trial of Bernard Collaery, and why the government is trying so hard to keep it as secret as possible.Guest: Senior lawyer for the Human Rights Law Centre, Kieran Pender.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the art world lost an icon and a visionary. The fashion designer, Virgil Abloh, passed away at the age of 41, two years after being diagnosed with cancer.From his beginnings in Chicago, to his collaborations with Kanye West and becoming the first black person in history to be appointed artistic director at Louis Vuitton, Virgil transformed fashion, music and art.To help unpack just how significant a figure Virgil Abloh was, and to discuss his legacy, we’re joined by Mitch Parker, a fashion writer and editor, current style contributor for GQ and the former managing editor at ID. Guest: Mitch Parker, fashion writer and editor, current style contributor for GQ and the former managing editor at ID.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, two of the nation's most high profile politicians have announced that they will be quitting politics.The departure of the Health Minister Greg Hunt and former Attorney-General Christian Porter only adds to the pressure that the Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under right now - pressure created by the internal division plaguing the Coalition.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison has lost control of his own party, and what that means in the leadup to the next election.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the lead up to the last federal election Scott Morrison promised he would introduce new laws to protect religious freedoms. Now the federal government has finally introduced a religious discrimination bill to parliament.And there are concerns that they could make it easier for individuals to discriminate against marginalised communities, like the queer community, without consequence.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, on what the religious discrimination bill actually entails, and why Scott Morrison is so desperate to pass it. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For months scientists have been warning us that if global vaccination rates didn’t lift - new, potentially more dangerous strains of Covid-19 could emerge.Now it looks like their fears might have been realised with the emergence of the new Omicron variant. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the threat posed by the Omicron variant, and how vaccine hoarding by rich nations is helping prolong the pandemic. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Powershop was one of Australia’s fastest growing energy companies. It’s investment in renewables and political advocacy for climate change action made it one of the most popular electricity providers in the country.But in a shock announcement to its customers, Powershop announced it had been sold to one of the world’s biggest polluters.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the sale of Powershop, and what it tells us about the future of green energy in Australia. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, Peng Shuai, one of China’s most successful tennis stars posted a statement on social media, detailing allegations of sexual harassment levelled against a powerful Chinese politician. Half an hour later, the post, and her entire, feed disappeared. Then she did too. Today, Linda Jaivin, on what happened to one of China’s biggest sports stars.Guest: Writer and author of The Shortest History of China, Linda Jaivin.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most interesting seasons of ‘The Bachelorette’ has just wrapped up. After a sustained drop in ratings, the show’s producers announced a big shift in the core mechanics of the show - Brooke Blurton was announced as this year’s Bachelorette making her both the first Indigenous and queer woman in the role, and for the first time, contestants would be a mix of men and women.So did it work in injecting some new energy into what has become a pretty predictable and tired format? And are there lessons for the rest of Australia’s reality TV ecosystem, which has basically been unchanged for the past decade?Joining The Culture this week is Patrick Lenton, the deputy arts editor at The Conversation and the co-author of ‘The Bachelorette’ recap newsletter ‘All the heterosexual nonsense I was forced to endure’. He helps us review this season of ‘The Bachelorette’, and discuss the future of reality TV in Australia. Guest: Patrick Lenton, writer and Arts and Culture Deputy Editor at The Conversation.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the parliamentary year enters its final fortnight, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing a political crisis.The Coalition government has fractured on a number of issues this week, most significantly in response to a bill introduced by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on why the Coalition is in chaos, and the political ramifications it will have for Scott Morrison.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Australia wraps up its hotel quarantine program, one group of people will remain confined in hotel rooms indefinitely: people seeking asylum.For the past year the Australian government has been forcibly detaining asylum seekers in an inner-city Melbourne hotel.They have no access to fresh air and limited space to exercise.Then Covid-19 hit. The virus spread rapidly through the building, infecting many who are immunocompromised and unvaccinated.The outbreak has raised serious questions regarding the safety and treatment of those inside.Today, 7am producer Elle Marsh on who is responsible for protecting the detainees, and why the government should have seen this outbreak coming.Guest: Producer for 7am, Elle Marsh.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.