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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally confirmed that he will be attending the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November.Morrison is under pressure, both from voters and Australia’s international allies, to publicly support a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. But his coalition partners, the Nationals, are yet to support the policy - and some in the minor party are pushing hard against it. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s war over net zero, and how Barnaby Joyce’s National party is holding the country’s future to ransom.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul BongiornoSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past week, Victoria’s anti-corruption commission has heard damning evidence about the political culture at the heart of the state’s Labor party. The allegations aired so far include claims of branch stacking and misuse of taxpayer funds, and the investigation has already forced the resignation of a number of state government ministers.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what the inquiry is actually about, and what the consequences might be for the Labor party both in Victoria and federally.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.

From the moment the pandemic began, uncovering the origins of Covid-19 has been a fraught pursuit.Many different theories - some more viable than others - have flourished, including the hypothesis that Covid-19 was deliberately leaked from a lab in Wuhan. The Wuhan lab leak theory has been given new prominence thanks to a controversial book written by Australian journalist and Sky News commentator Sharri Markson.Today, writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Linda Jaivin, on the credibility of Markson’s claims, and how ideology has impacted our ability to get to the truth of how this pandemic first started.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Linda Jaivin.Background reading: Wuhan: What the Markson book tells us in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As vaccination rates across Australia continue to surge, the country is preparing for life after lockdown.But focusing on the headline, national vaccination rate masks the fact that many vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, have been left behind in the race to get vaccinated.For the first time leaked government documents have revealed the disproportionate burden Indigenous communities have borne during this pandemic.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how governments let down some of those most at risk from Covid-19, and what that means as we open back up.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Afghanistan fell back under Taliban control earlier this year, the Australian government announced it would evacuate more than 4000 people. Most of them arrived in cities in the middle of Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, unsure about what happens next and how to navigate their lives in a new and unfamiliar country.But despite being promised safety here, some are concerned they could be sent back to the country they fled. Today, 7am producer Anu Hasbold on one refugee’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia, and the uncertainty they now face.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a two year break HBO’s ‘Succession’ is finally back for season three. The first two seasons of ‘Succession’ were critically acclaimed, but failed to attract big audiences. But the hype has been steadily building as more and more people streamed the show during the pandemic.To help preview the new season, and talk about how the show became such a phenomenon, writer and critic for The Saturday Paper, Tara Kenny joins The Culture. Guest: Writer and critic for The Saturday Paper, Tara KennyFollow The Culture on Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four years ago Prime Minister Scott Morrison wielded a lump of coal in the Australian Parliament, demonstrating his commitment to fossil fuels.Now he’s trying to pivot, shifting his government towards a position of supporting net-zero emissions by 2050.But Morrison is facing stiff opposition from his Coalition partners in the National party, who have historically been opposed to taking more serious climate action.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s newfound enthusiasm for net zero, and whether his own ministers will back him.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, after more than 100 days in lockdown, NSW residents were officially allowed back into restaurants, bars, shops and gyms. But for many, the end of lockdown wasn’t about being able to drink beer in a pub again but the chance to see family after months of isolation.Today, 7am producer Kara Jensen-Mackinnon speaks to two sisters finally reunited after lockdown about what opening up means to them.  Guest: Producer at 7am, Kara Jensen-MackinnonStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since coming to power the federal Coalition has chipped away at the public service, increasingly outsourcing key functions of government to private companies.In the past 18 months everything from the vaccine rollout strategy, to advice on manufacturing the vaccine has been contracted out to management consultants.The trend has raised important questions about transparency, and the long-term sustainability of government services.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how private management consultants took over the public service.Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick MortonBackground reading: How private management consultants took over the public service in The Saturday PaperStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, following the announcement of an investigation by the state’s ICAC, has renewed calls for a federal anti-corruption watchdog.In the lead up to the last federal election Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised to implement such a body, but the model he’s put forward has been criticised for being too weak.Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on the calls for a national anti-corruption commission, and why it’s taking so long to set one up.Guest: Contributing editor for The Monthly, Rachel WithersBackground reading: Who’s afraid of a federal ICAC? in The Saturday PaperStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.