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Last weekend thousands of people marched across Australia to protest against lockdowns.Officially the rallies were called “Marches for Freedom”... but attendees represented a wide cross-section of the community, from anti-vaxxers, to conspiracy theorists, and the far-right.But the sheer size of the protests suggests that the anti-lockdown movement might also be crossing over into the political mainstream.Today, journalist and disinformation researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy institute Ariel Bogle on the different groups behind these marches, why they’re growing, and the Australian politicians trying to capitalise on lockdown discontent.Guest: Journalist and disinformation researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy institute, Ariel Bogle.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 a slow-moving weather event has led to record high temperatures across North America.This kind of event is known as a heat dome, and it’s breaking existing models that try to predict the weather.Today, journalist for The Saturday Paper Max Opray on why this particular heat even is alarming climate scientists, and what it means for the next Australian summer.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper, Max Opray.Background reading: Welcome to the heat dome in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there’s a state government the Prime Minister has spent the most time talking up over the past year it’s the one led by Gladys Berejiklian. Scott Morrison has regularly praised the NSW Premier for her government’s so-called ‘gold standard’ approach to contact tracing, and unwillingness to enter lockdown.But behind the surface there are growing tensions between key Liberal party figures in NSW and the federal government. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how factionalism and mishandled pandemic are weakening Scott Morrison’s influence in his home state.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.

In Australia, DNA testing has been routinely used for decades in deciding who can and can’t enter the country.The tests can be used to unify families, but they can also tear them apart.The story of one couple trying to make a new home in Australia has raised new questions about how exactly the tests work, and if they discriminate against people from certain racial backgrounds.Today, writer Oscar Schwartz on the faulty science that is keeping families separated.Guest: Writer for The Monthly Oscar Schwartz.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britney Spears is one of the biggest music stories in the world right now, but it’s not because of her music.It's to do with the saga of her controversial 13 year long conservatorship.In 2019 the Free Britney hashtag and movement went viral. More recently we’ve seen a series of documentaries covering the issue, and the story has grown and grown.Then, a few weeks ago, after years of silence, we saw Britney finally speak out publicly. She confirmed years worth of speculation regarding her conservatorship, and perhaps most importantly, the role her father Jamie Spears has played in all of it.So could the 13 year battle to free Britney finally be coming to an end?Guest: Editor of Music Junkee, Jules LeFevreSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being postponed last year, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games officially begin tonight in the middle of Japan’s third wave of Covid-19 and amidst a pandemic that is still raging across the world.Tens of thousands of athletes and officials have poured into Tokyo, but stadiums will be empty, with fans prohibited from taking part.But, with athletes pulling out and more and more participants testing positive for Covid-19, are the games worth it?Today, journalist Kieran Pender on what it’s like to have front row seats to the biggest experiment in the world right now.Guest: Journalist Kieran Pender.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout this pandemic one group in particular have been at the forefront of key policy debates: young people.From whether schools should close, to how likely children are to get sick from Covid-19, the conversation has been filled with uncertainty and doubt.But as we’ve learnt more about the virus, a new fault-line has emerged: the question of how and when to vaccinate young people.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on the growing debate over whether we should be accelerating our plans to vaccinate younger Australians.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen MiddletonStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four years ago the mining giant Adani was struggling to fund its massive coal project in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.Public pressure and a political backlash had stalled the company’s plans to build the biggest coal mine in the country.So Adani turned to the Chinese government to try and secure its financing. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on how a group of Australians stopped China from backing Adani, and what the story says about our approach to fossil fuels.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 rapidly spreading Delta variant has forced nearly half of Australia’s population back into lockdown, and it’s not clear when the restrictions might end.The slow uptake of vaccinations has been pointed to as a key factor behind the latest outbreaks, and how fast they spread.But why is vaccine uptake so slow in Australia?Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how shifting medical advice, poor communication and careless journalism created a perfect storm for this latest wave of Covid-19. Guest: 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.

The Tarkine rainforest, in Tasmania's north west, is Australia's largest temperate rainforest and home to some of the country’s most endangered species. So far it’s natural wilderness has remained largely untouched.But now a mining company has started clearing the Tarkine, to build a new dam. And the project could cause irreparable damage to the natural environment. Today, former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown on the fight to save the Tarkine, and why the Morrison Government is so hesitant to intervene. Guest: Former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.