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A case currently before the High Court, involving one academic’s controversial views on climate, could have significant ramifications for freedom of speech in Australia.Physicist Peter Ridd was fired after he publicly criticised his colleague’s research on the Great Barrier Reef, but what started as an employment dispute has become a test case on climate denial and cancel culture.Today, writer for The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender on Peter Ridd’s day in court and what the outcome could mean for academic freedom. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender.Background reading: Peter Ridd’s High Court case in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Australia grapples with new outbreaks of Covid-19, questions about the origins of the virus have been re-emerging.US President Joe Biden recently urged intelligence agencies to investigate where the virus came from, and who was responsible.And at the G7 summit, world leaders formally discussed the controversial Wuhan lab-leak theory: the idea that the virus didn’t emerge naturally, but came out of a laboratory. So why is a previously discredited theory gaining traction right now? And should we take that theory seriously? Today, former China correspondent and contributor to The Saturday Paper Linda Jaivin on what we know about the origins of Covid-19 and why conspiracies are flourishing.Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Linda Jaivin.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After two years on the backbench, Barnaby Joyce is back as leader of the Nationals and as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister.His return to power caught Scott Morrison off guard, and has put the spotlight on the tense relationship between the two Coalition parties.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what triggered Barnaby Joyce’s return and what it means for the future of Australian politics.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.

Behrouz Boochani spent six years detained on Manus Island, a victim of Australia’s Pacific Solution.Last year he was granted refugee status in New Zealand, and since then has used his freedom to advocate on behalf of the hundreds of other asylum seekers detained by Australia.One group of detainees, the Murugappan family from Biloela, were recently moved from Christmas Island into community detention in Perth. But has their case shifted attention from those still trapped by Australia’s immigration system?Today writer and former detainee, Behrouz Boochani on the refugees we aren’t speaking about, and the reasons why.  Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Behrouz Boochani.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tens of thousands of athletes and officials are about to descend on Tokyo as the city prepares to host the 32nd Olympic games. But with Covid-19 cases surging in Japan, health experts and the majority of the Japanese public are opposed to the event being held at all. So, why are the Olympic Games going ahead? Today, sports writer Kieran Pender on the institution, and the vested interests, behind this pandemic Olympics.  Guest: Sports writer Kieran Pender.Complete our listener survey to go into the draw for a chance to win one of ten limited-edition 7am tote bags. Competition closes at 11.59pm on July 2, 2021. Visit: 7ampodcast.com.au/surveySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YouTuber Friendlyjordies has built up a significant audience in recent years through his pointed and acerbic political videos. But he’s also attracted controversy, with the deputy Premier of NSW suing him for defamation. Now, one of the comedian’s producers has been arrested by a controversial police unit established to explicitly focus on ideological extremists. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the friendlyjordies saga, and why a state government seems intent on turning him into a martyr. 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.

Recent breakthroughs in science and medicine have demonstrated that we may be much closer to being able to artificially grow and replace human organs than ever before. But, those developments are also challenging long established ethical guidelines around the use of embryos, or embryo-like cells.Today, science writer and contributor to The Monthly Elizabeth Finkel on the latest scientific breakthroughs, and the argument that our ethics need to evolve alongside our knowledge of the world. Guest: Science writer and contributor to The Monthly Elizabeth Finke.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Underground Railroad, a new series on Amazon Prime, is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. It's directed by Barry Jenkins, who also directed the 2016 Best Picture winner Moonlight and the follow up, If Beale Street Could Talk. The show is one of the most gripping, powerful and visceral series out this year, and it’s an opportunity to explore what prestige television looks like in 2021, and how it can help us confront our history and grapple with the present.Guest: Award-winning writer, filmmaker and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Santilla ChingaipeSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the leaders of the world’s wealthiest democracies gathered to discuss climate change, and pledged further action, the Australian government chose to reiterate its commitment to fossil fuels.With Prime Minister Scott Morrison out of the country the Nationals leader Michael McCormack used the spotlight to take a swipe at renewable energy advocates and talk up coal.Today, contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers on how the Coalition is increasingly out of step with both the international community and voters at home.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.

The QAnon conspiracy theory, focused on a belief in the existence of a Satanic child sexual abuse ring, has been collecting followers worldwide. Here in Australia one of its adherents is a man called Tim Stewart, who also happens to be a long-time friend of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Now, questions are being asked about Tim Stewart’s influence on the Prime Minister. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Richard Cooke on what drives people to Q-Anon, and the threat it poses in Australia.  Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Richard Cooke.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.