7am

The ongoing crisis in aged care has become one of the defining elements of Australia’s second wave. There are currently over 1500 active cases linked to aged care in Victoria, nearly half of the state’s total number of active cases, and hundreds have died. Today, Rick Morton on the new details that explain what went so wrong, and what the government could have done to save lives. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Federal government holds back vital Covid-19 spread data in The Saturday PaperExclusive: The phone call that denied elderly patients access to hospital in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the federal government tries to hand power over environmental regulations to state governments, parallels have been drawn to the battles fought between activists and big business during the Howard years. Today, former Greens leader Bob Brown on how the legacy of John Howard’s environmental policies is shaping the current fight. Guest: Former Senator and contributor for The Saturday Paper Bob Brown.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our hospitals face pressure from coronavirus outbreaks, we’re relying on nurses more than ever. But at the same time, the pandemic means many nursing students may not be able to graduate. Today, Santilla Chingaipe on the looming shortfall in our health workforce. Guest: Journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Santilla Chingaipe.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coronavirus is ushering in a new era of international relations of a kind we haven’t seen since 9/11 and the War on Terror. National intelligence agencies and the way they conduct spycraft are a key part of that change. Today, former intelligence officer Andrew Davies on the world of spies during and after the pandemic. Guest: Contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs Andrew Davies.Background reading:Australian Foreign Affairs: Mission ImpossibleSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-hyphenates – actors, writers, musicians – Briggs and Tim Minchin take on The Saturday Paper’s quiz. It’s a battle of brains rather than brawn, but have they been keeping up their fitness in lockdown?Guests: Briggs and Tim Minchin See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a number of inquiries interrogate how prepared state and federal government’s were for the coronavirus pandemic the Prime Minister has evaded criticism by changing the conversation. The announcement of a coronavirus vaccine made headlines, but how realistic is it? Today, Paul Bongiorno on Scott Morrison’s attempt at distraction. 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 Australian government is currently holding over fifteen hundred people in immigration detention centres across the country. Some are convicted criminals with a foreign nationality, some are visa overstayers and at least 500 are asylum seekers. Today, Karen Middleton on the fate of one those detainees, and the secrecy surrounding our immigration detention system. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inquiry examining the Ruby Princess saga has delivered its findings, six months after the ship docked. The cruise ship remains Australia’s largest coronavirus cluster. Today, Malcolm Knox, on who was responsible and what the inquiry found. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Malcolm Knox.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government has announced that Australia is in “advanced discussions” with a number of companies over acquiring a potential coronavirus vaccine. But how close are scientists to actually making one, and does it matter who gets there first? Today, Rick Morton on the global race for a vaccine.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a story about Australia’s psyche and the way our connection to policing makes us unique. During this pandemic, police have been handed unprecedented new powers, in stark contrast to the response elsewhere in the word. Today, Osman Faruqi on the nexus between police, politicians and the media. Guest: Editor of 7am, Osman Faruqi.Background reading: Policing as part of the national psyche in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.