7am

Mojtaba is 29 years old. He’s lived in Australia for nearly a decade, but last year he was placed into immigration detention. Since then he hasn’t been able to see his wife and young son and may never again. Today, journalist Abdul Hekmat on how Mojtaba’s life has been shaped by Australia’s immigration policies, and the way our system continues to punish the most vulnerable.  Guest: Journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Abdul Hekmat.Background reading: Hazara asylum seeker faces exile from his son in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A huge, global effort to try and find a vaccine for coronavirus is showing growing signs of success. A number of possible candidates are moving into the final stages of testing, and some are even hitting production lines. Today, Rick Morton on when Australians might see a coronavirus vaccine.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Progress on Covid-19 vaccines in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent scandals and allegations of workplace bullying have put the spotlight on the treatment of women in Parliament. Today, Karen Middleton on the unique power dynamic between politicians and the people who work for them. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: Exclusive: Government refuses to release staff bullying report in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is under assault, with two former Prime Ministers, from opposite sides of politics, uniting in their criticism of the media company. Today, Mike Seccombe on whether the world’s biggest media empire might actually be under threat.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.

In this episode, writer, actor, activist, and recently one of Who magazine’s sexiest people of 2020, Nakkiah Lui and her tv editor husband, Gabe Dowrick, tell us how many teeth an adult human should have, figure out which European nation owns the Dodecanese islands, and discuss the number of presidents of the United States who have died in office.Guests: Nakkiah Lui and Gabe DowrickBackground reading: Playwright Nakkiah Lui on radicalism and family in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Biden’s victory in the United States has already had ramifications for Australian politics, particularly on the issue of climate change. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political shockwaves rolling across the Pacific.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 world is struggling to contain the fallout of the coronavirus, but has the pandemic exposed something more fundamentally broken about our economic system? Today, Yanis Varoufakis on where things went wrong, and how to envisage a fairer world. Guest: Economist and former finance minister for Greece, Yanis Varoufakis.Background reading: After the virus: How to design a post-capitalist world in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After one of the most tumultuous periods in recent US history, voters have chosen Joe Biden to try and reunite a divided country. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on Joe Biden’s life, his upcoming presidency, and what it means for important issues like climate change. Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report collating the experiences of hundreds of frontline workers has revealed how criminal and judicial systems are failing victims of family violence. Today, Rick Morton on how we’re still letting down survivors, and what needs to change. This episode contains descriptions of family violence. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Policing family violence in NSW in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has managed to effectively suppress Covid-19, but with more international arrivals experts predict that outbreaks will continue. Today, Amy Coopes on the measures that will keep Australia safe from here on.Guest: Health journalist and writer for The Saturday Paper Amy Coopes.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.