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Nearly a year ago George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. His death sparked a resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement.Over the last three weeks the world watched and waited as one of the most significant trials in recent history took place and on Wednesday his murderer was found guilty.Today, US journalist Mary McGuire, on the trial of Derek Chauvin, the verdict, and the future of the movement against police violence.Guest: Journalist Mary McGuire.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World leaders are preparing to meet for a historic global climate change summit, to try and limit the catastrophic impacts of global warming. After decades of inaction and a lack of leadership, countries like the United States and China are finally working together to try and develop real solutions.But Australia has already been singled out as a roadblock to taking serious climate action.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on the global shift towards tackling climate change, and how Australia could hold everything back.  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.

Scientists researching Covid-19 have discovered that the physical impacts of the virus on the body go far beyond what we might have originally thought. The results could have profound impacts for how we respond to and treat Covid-19. Today, Rick Morton on our growing knowledge of how the virus changes our bodies, and our brains.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal and state governments are locked in a high stakes battle over the future of Australia’s vaccine rollout, while hundreds of millions of people around the world have now received their vaccines. Many countries are now starting to prepare for the resumption of international travel.But in Australia the slow rate of vaccination has led to state premiers becoming more vocal in their criticisms of the federal plan. On Monday Scott Morrison held an emergency meeting of the national cabinet to develop a new vaccine strategy.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton on where Australia’s rollout went wrong, and the plan state governments are pushing for.  Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: Ramping up the vaccine rollout in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent wave of allegations in federal parliament have highlighted that the law that’s supposed to protect women from harassment doesn’t actually apply to politicians. Today, Chris Wallace on the surprisingly dramatic history of Australia’s sex discrimination act, and the moves to update it for this current moment. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months after the chief executive of Australia Post, Christine Holgate, was forced out of her job, she’s now broken her silence. Holgate claims that she was bullied, and has revealed the real reason she believes she was targeted. Today, Paul Bongiorno on what really happened at Australia Post. 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.

Activist and academic Gary Foley discusses the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the need for white Australia to confront its history. The podcast explores the events leading up to the commission, the findings emphasizing racism, the inequities in recommendations implementation, and the need for self-determination and land rights.

Both the United States and the UK have recently announced policies to increase their tax rates, and spend the revenue on new social policies, as part of their economic response to the pandemic. But Australia is bucking the trend. Today, Mike Seccombe on what Australia’s economic recovery plan is, and who stands to benefit. 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.

Australia no longer has an official vaccination target, and one reason for the delay is our reliance on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has been associated with health risks. Today, Dr Melanie Cheng, on weighing up the risks of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and what it all means for Australia’s rollout.Guest: Health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are growing fears that homelessness could soon rise in Australia. One of the most at risk groups in the country is older women, who face both age and gender discrimination. Today, Kristine Ziwica on the homelessness crisis Australia should have seen coming.Guest: Journalist for The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.