7am

Emily Barclay and Tom Ward like going to amusement parks. But Emily is too scared to go on any of the roller-coasters, so Tom has to do so on her behalf. Their approach to the quiz is much the same. Tom goes hurtling towards answers he clearly doesn’t know, while Emily chimes in from a safe distance. The daffodil is the national flower of which British country? What nationality was Hans Christian Andersen? And in what year were white Australian women given the right to vote?Guests: Emily Barclay and Tom Ward See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protests have broken out across the US in response to Donald Trump’s attempts to cling to power. But as counting continues in key states, Joe Biden’s position is becoming stronger. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what a potential Biden presidency could look like, and whether Trump will succeed in hijacking the result. Guest: Reporter for 7am Oscar Schwartz.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a full night of counting votes, the outcome of the US Presidential election still remains in doubt, with Donald Trump holding on to key states that delivered him victory in 2016. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what drove voters to each candidate, and what the results mean for a nation already exhausted by division.  Guest: Reporter for 7am, Oscar Schwartz.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As voters in the US head to the polls, President Trump has warned that a close or uncertain result could spark chaos. Behind the scenes both parties have been locked in a battle over voting rights. Today, Rick Morton on the fight against voter suppression, and why, no matter who wins, the US is facing a fractured future.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Trump 2020: This is how you steal an election in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After losing last year’s election the Labor party turned to Anthony Albanese to rebuild. But what does he actually stand for? Today, Richard Cooke on how Albanese compares to leaders like Jacinda Ardern, and whether he can find his party a path out of the wilderness.Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Cooke.Background reading: The disappearing man in The MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years Australia has seen an acceleration in law and order style electioneering, and it’s led to a record high incarceration rate. Now, as a global conversation about justice reform continues, there are growing calls to change our approach. Today, Mike Seccombe, on who gets jailed in Australia and what needs to change.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Failures of the criminal justice system in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure has started to mount on the federal government following a string of scandals involving senior public officials. Labor and crossbench senators used Senate hearings this week to forensically examine government departments, bureaucrats and ministers. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the government’s attempts to use Covid-19 to deflect criticism.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.

This week, the Victorian government began cutting down sacred Djab Wurrung trees to make way for a highway expansion between Melbourne and Adelaide. After years of protest, police moved in to dismantle an embassy on the site. Today, Djab Wurrung woman and Greens senator Lidia Thorpe on the fight to save her peoples’ heritage.Guest: Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an investigation into Australia Post’s leadership gets underway, a deeper crisis at the organisation is threatening to jeopardise the way it operates. Today, Rick Morton on what went wrong at Australia Post. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick MortonBackground reading: What went wrong inside Australia Post? in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversial Adani coalmine in Queensland has already been approved by both state and federal governments, but a new legal challenge by two teenagers could be one last roll of the dice to stop it from going ahead. Today, Anna Krien on the cracks opening up in the federal government’s backing of Adani.Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Anna Krien.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.