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The Catholic Church has historically been one of the most powerful institutions in Australia, influencing both sides of politics.But now the Church is in steep decline with dwindling congregations and fewer and fewer donations. In response to its current crisis, a once-in-a-century meeting is being organised to discuss the future of Catholicism in Australia.This plenary is pitting church reformists against conservatives, with Cardinal George Pell making a surprise return to the country to try and influence the debate.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the influence the Catholic Church has on Australia, and the battle for its future.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's two largest states, NSW and Victoria, now have clear roadmaps out of the pandemic and towards a future where we live with COVID-19.Those pathways, as well as the national plan, are heavily influenced by modelling conducted by the Doherty Institute, which estimates case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths as the country reopens.But the Doherty Institute isn’t the only organisation modelling our future. There are other, highly influential, bodies projecting their own numbers that contradict the national plan.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the models deciding our future and who we should trust. Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Background reading: Covid figures: Splits emerge in government health models 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.

Throughout the pandemic health experts and human rights advocates have been warning about the risk of a Covid-19 outbreak in the prison system. Now it’s happened.Hundreds of prisoners in NSW have contracted Covid-19 in recents weeks, with the worst of the outbreak centred at Parklea, a private correctional center.Family members of those inside Parklea are now speaking out about their concerns over the level of care and treatment Covid positive patients are receiving.Today, Denham Sadler on what happens when you test positive for Covid-19 inside prison, and how this outbreak could have been prevented.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Denham SadlerStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October last year Simon Rice found himself in an unusual situation. As a law professor at the University of Sydney, he’d gone to observe a rally on campus with his students. But then police moved in, and Simon was physically restrained, arrested and fined. When he tried to challenge the fine, he discovered a serious lack of accountability at the heart of the New South Wales Police Force.Today, contributor for The Saturday Paper Professor Simon Rice on the loophole that lets police avoid scrutiny, and their creeping authoritarian role.Guest: Professor of Law at the University of Sydney, Simon Rice.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.

Have you ever wondered how long you would last if you were dropped into the wilderness with just a hunting knife, a shovel, and a sleeping bag? A day? A week? That’s the premise of a show called ‘Alone’. Think ‘Survivor’, but on steroids.Contestants are isolated with nothing but a camera for company. They take on grizzly bears and hunt wildlife. And the last person standing wins a cash prize. It’s like a real life ‘Hunger Games’, complete with the discomfort of watching people struggle against the elements for our entertainment.This week on The Culture, Osman Faruqi is joined by The Saturday Paper’s TV critic Sarah Krasnostein to talk about why we’re so obsessed with ‘Alone’, and what that says about what we’re all grappling with as a society right now.Plus, Sarah shares what she’s been watching, reading and listening too.Guest: Sarah Krasnostein, TV critic for The Saturday Paper.Follow The Culture on InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of Everybody Knows, Ruby Jones unpacks what she’s learnt about the rise and fall of MeToo in Australia, and why holding perpetrators accountable still feels so hard.To help answer that question, Ruby speaks to two people who have thought deeply about the problems in the music industry.The first is Dorothy Carvello. She worked for major labels in the US, and is now blowing the whistle on decades of abuse in the industry.The second is Deena Lynch, also known as Jaguar Jonze. She’s an Australian musician who went public about being sexually assaulted a few months ago.Together, the three of them explore what the cost is of speaking out, and whether it's worth it. And what real, genuine, accountability might look like in the music industry and beyond.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison has hailed Australia’s military alliance and new submarine deal with the United Kingdom and United States as a landmark achievement.But it’s already led to a global diplomatic standoff, pitting Australia against a number of European countries as well as further deepening tensions with China.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the fallout from Australia’s nuclear submarine deal and why the President of France won’t return Scott Morrison’s phone calls.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.

Australia is now steadily marching towards the magic number of 80 percent of the population aged 16 and above being fully vaccinated: the number that should see lockdowns and most restrictions end. But given how few countries have reached that target so far, even with a significant head start, how likely are we to actually get vaccination coverage that high?Today, journalist with the Australian Associated Press Hannah Ryan on whether Australia can reach 80 percent, and what might happen even if we get there.Guest: Journalist with the Australian Associated Press, Hannah Ryan.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.

Over the past few weeks an internal brawl over who will represent the Labor party in the western Sydney seat of Fowler at the next federal election has been playing out in public.The move to parachute in a high profile Labor frontbencher, who doesn’t live in the seat, has exposed the rifts and rivalries within the party.But it's also raised a bigger question.. Is Labor doing enough to make sure its candidates actually represent their voters?Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what is really driving the battle for Fowler, and what it says about the Labor party.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen MiddletonBackground reading: Inside Kristina Keneally’s preselection battle 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.

Australia has entered into a new trilateral military alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States, called AUKUS.The partnership was sealed with the announcement that Australia would, for the first time, construct and operate a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. The new deal has been criticised by former Prime Minister Paul Keating and national security experts. It’s also led to increasing tension between Australia and a number of other countries.Today, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor to The Saturday Paper Hugh White on why this new submarine deal puts Australia at risk, and what we should be doing instead.Guest: Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor for The Saturday Paper Hugh White.Background reading: From the submarine to the ridiculous 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.