7am

The federal government promised that by the end of March four million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 but as of this week we’ve barely hit a quarter of that target. Today Paul Bongiorno on whether Scott Morrison is doing enough to vaccinate the country. 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.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme was established to provide people living with a disability high quality and tailored support, but leaked documents have revealed the federal government is proposing radical reforms to the scheme. Today, Rick Morton on the battle for the future of the NDIS.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.

In 2015 the Northern Territory government announced a Royal Commission into Youth Detention, but six years on almost every single young person in prison in the NT is Indigenous. Now, the NT government has announced new laws that could see even more young Indigenous people locked up. Today, Sophie Trevitt, on why the Northern Territory is undoing the recommendations of the Royal Commission.Guest: Lawyer and executive officer of Change the Record, Sophie Trevitt.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Australia’s former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel has been on the front line of Australia’s climate wars. This year he was appointed special advisor to the federal government on low emissions technology, but some of Australia’s leading climate scientists have expressed concern about Dr Finkel’s plan, questioning whether it’s ambitious enough. Today, Alan Finkel on his plan for our energy future, and whether the Australian government should be moving faster.Guest: Former Chief Scientist and author of ‘Getting to Zero’, Dr Alan Finkel.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past three years author and farmer Bruce Pascoe has been trying to establish a sustainable practice on his land. Informed by the Indigenous farming techniques he researched for his bestseller Dark Emu, he’s seeking to undo the damaging legacy inflicted through decades of post-colonial practices. Today, he speaks to Ruby Jones. Guest: Author Bruce Pascoe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From thunderstorm asthma to the increasing prevalence of infectious disease, a warming planet is already making us more sick. In the final part of this series, we investigate how climate change puts us more at risk of disease. Today, Climate change will kill you, part three: sickness.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2011 the Queensland town of Grantham was inundated with rain, causing flash flooding. It had a devastating impact on the town’s residents. But events like this are predicted to become more common, as the planet warms leading to more extreme weather events. Today, Climate change will kill you part two: flood.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From bushfires and heat, to floods, and the increasing severity of disease, Australians are already feeling the impacts of a warming planet. In this new series, journalist Paddy Manning investigates the link between climate change and human health, and tells the stories of those who have become some of the first casualties of the climate crisis. Today’s episode is part one: heat.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Paddy Manning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 After suffering through record-breaking bushfires, a pandemic, and floods, big parts of Australia now have a new problem: a plague of mice. Farming communities have been overwhelmed by one of the worst mouse infestations in recent history, threatening crops and livelihoods. Today, the CSIRO’s Steve Henry on the origins of the mouse plague, the impact it’s having, and when it might finally end.Guest: CSIRO researcher Steve HenryBackground reading: The mouse plague in NSW in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many Australians the pandemic has led to some kind of economic hardship, but while workers have suffered some of Australia’s billionaires doubled their wealth during one of the worst global recessions on record. Today, Mike Seccombe on how badly implemented government policy combined with pure luck to make the country’s richest even richer. 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.