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In basements and bars across the country crowds gather to cheer on people wearing tight, spandex outfits as they toss and pummel each other all over a ring.In today’s episode we visit Deathmatch Downunder: one of the most spectacular, violent and progressive professional wrestling events in the country.It’s popular, it’s growing and it’s the perfect combination of sports and entertainment. But where did it come from and what makes it so compelling? Guest: Contributor to The Monthly and author of ‘Everything Harder Than Everyone Else’, Jenny ValentishSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For most of the past year the Coalition government has faced sustained criticism over its treatment of women.Now a former Liberal MP has added fuel to the fire, lashing a culture of sexism and bullying in the Liberal party, and accusing a cabinet minister of sexual harassment. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the latest allegations levelled against the Morrison government and why there seems to be no consequences.And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of sexual harassment. 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.

For most of the past 18 months, Australia has been hailed as a world leader in terms of its handling of the pandemic.But now, some of our biggest cities have been plunged back into lockdowns, restrictions and border closures, while Europe and the United States reopen.Last week the federal government outlined a plan to get us back to some kind of normality but it’s been criticised for being pretty light on the details.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on whether Australia wasted its good luck, and when we might finally reopen.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Exclusive: Morrison ignored chief health officers’ advice in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scathing new report has found that in the lead-up to the last election the federal government spent more than half a billion dollars on infrastructure projects heavily targeted to seats held by the Coalition, or seats they were trying to win.The funding was specifically for car parks, but it raised serious questions about how government funding decisions are made, and the politicisation of the public sector.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what happens when hundreds of millions of dollars and 47 car parks meet a federal election. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but now it’s on the cusp of being declared “in danger” by UNESCO.But scientists have been warning for decades that rising sea temperatures could kill off the Reef, though their concerns were largely ignored by the government.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the scientist who predicted the end of the reef, and why the Australian government doesn’t want to listen to him.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Professor of Marine Studies at the University of Queensland, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a recent landmark judgement, the federal court has found that the government owes children a duty of care in preventing harm from the impacts of climate change.The case, which centred around the proposed expansion of a NSW coal mine, could have far reaching legal implications in Australia.Today, writer for The Monthly Kieran Pender on the case that saw a group of teenagers take on the Minister for the Environment. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Kieran Pender.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Richard Flanagan, Booker prize winner and author of The Living Sea of Waking Dreams, reads his essay from the latest issue of The Monthly. It’s called ‘To be free’ and it explores why he writes, and, in his words “the need to write against the dogmas of conformity”. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Flanagan.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Less than eight percent of Australians are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, previously only available for people over 60, could now be accessed by anyone, regardless of their age. The announcement led to significant pushback, particularly from the Queensland government, who are still advising younger Australians to avoid AstraZeneca.Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on what's behind the government decision making on vaccine eligibility. Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s meat processing industry is one of many that relies heavily on migrant workers, to do jobs that Australian residents often aren’t willing to do. Many of those migrant workers come from China, with the promise that hard work will lead to permanent residency in Australia. But for some that promise is never delivered on.Today, writer for The Monthly André Dao on how Australia’s immigration system exploits the hopes and hard labour of migrant workers.  Guest: Writers for The Monthly André Dao, Michael Green and Sherry Huang.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the past few days over 10 million Australians have been plunged back into lockdowns, as fresh outbreaks of Covid-19 spread across major cities.The emergence of these new clusters has highlighted how vulnerable Australia still is during this phase of the pandemic, largely as a result of our low vaccination numbers.The current crisis forced the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to announce a radical overhaul to the vaccine rollout on Monday night.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how Australia ended up on the verge of a national lockdown and whether the federal government’s new plan goes far enough.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.