7am

What do Walloons, Novak Djokovic and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all have in common? They’re all questions that stump actor Belinda Bromilow and her husband, Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-winning writer Tony McNamara.Guests: Belinda Bromilow and Tony McNamaraBackground reading: Oscar-nominated screenwriter Tony McNamara in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal Opposition is seeking to capitalise on the current economic downturn by arguing that the government’s policies are making things worse. Meanwhile, the prime minister is pinning his hopes on a gas-led recovery. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how Labor fired up, and the political battle over energy policy.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.

Australia’s economy has taken its biggest hit since the Great Depression, but so far government stimulus measures have cushioned most people and businesses from the worst impacts. Those stimulus measures are about to dry up. Today, the upcoming danger zone for Australia’s economy, and how we can avoid it. Guest: CEO of the Grattan Institute Danielle Woods.Background reading: The way out of the Covid-19 recession in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has one of the most concentrated media markets in the world, and that concentration could worsen as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp launches a new service. Today, Mike Seccombe, on how the Australian Associated Press was nearly shut down, and now faces the prospect of being starved out. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Murdoch grab: The other story behind AAP’s sale in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A coronavirus vaccine is the best chance the world has of returning to some kind of normal, but the stalling of one of the most viable candidates last week was a reminder that nothing is guaranteed. Today, Karen Middleton on the Australian government’s plans and the likelihood of a vaccine in 2021. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: Vaccine trials and tribulations in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked briefing from Victoria’s chief health officer has contradicted public statements on contact tracing, and highlighted flaws with the privatised response to coronavirus in the state. Today, Osman Faruqi details the extraordinary call, and what it means for Victoria’s roadmap out of the pandemic. Guest: Journalist and editor of 7am, Osman Faruqi.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Miranda Tapsell describes her partner, James Colley, as a little nerd. His performance on the quiz doesn’t do anything to dispel that. If you don’t need any hints to answer “What technology is used to make telephone calls over the internet?” then a little nerd is exactly what you are.Guests: Miranda Tapsell and James ColleyIn the paper: Top End Wedding actress Miranda Tapsell See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison is waging a war on two fronts this week. He’s locked in a battle with state governments to reopen borders, and he’s increasingly blaming the Victorian government for the severity of the state’s second wave. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the growing political divide across 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.

As coronavirus transforms the country before our eyes, cultural institutions are trying to record what is happening in real time, as part of a movement towards constructing ‘social histories’. But, as Lauren Carroll Harris reports, Australian museums are hampered by a lack of a national vision for how to conduct arts and culture in the country.  Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Lauren Carroll Harris.Background reading:Museums collecting Covid-19 objects in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inheritance taxes are a feature of most advanced economies, including the UK and the US. But in Australia they haven’t been levied for 40 years, and their abolition has contributed to growing inequality in the country. Today, James Boyce on why now is the right time to restart the conversation on death taxes. Guest: Author and contributor to The Saturday Paper James Boyce.Background reading: The case for a death tax in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.