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After a 10-year legal battle, the “palace letters” were finally released last week. In full, they show how Gough Whitlam’s relationship with the governor-general broke down - and how involved the Queen was through this collapse. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.auSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the middle of last month, Australia had its last chance to contain the coronavirus pandemic. One strain of the virus was all but defeated in the community. But then a second strain broke out. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As climate models predict even worse outcomes for the planet, some scientists believe the way to change what is happening is for people to “feel” the emotion of it. There is still time to halt the crisis, but we are at a fork in the road. Guest: Climate scientist and writer Joëlle Gergis.Background readingWitnessing the unthinkable in The MonthlyThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the pandemic worsens in Victoria, Scott Morrison has been careful to distance himself from bad news. He chooses when to be the face of the response, and when to leave it to the state premiers. Guest: Contributing editor (politics) for The Monthly Paddy Manning.For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel van Roo spent 18 months trying to convince his doctors he was sick. They continued to test only for STIs - he says because he was gay. By the time he was diagnosed with cancer, it was terminal. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Exclusive: Doctors ignore terminal cancer in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Victoria one week into its second shutdown, and NSW on high alert, there are new fears about what a second wave could mean for Australia’s coronavirus recovery. Already, the federal government is sounding dire warnings.  Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading:The impact of Victoria’s second shutdown in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sentencing of Ramzi Aouad to life without parole came at a tense moment in racialised policing. There are now people asking if the evidence was fair – and if the politics around “Middle Eastern crime” played a part. This is part two of a two-part episode.Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Mahmood Fazal.Background reading: The man inside and the inside man in The MonthlyThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ramzi Aouad went to prison for life, it was on the basis of evidence from one man - a violent enforcer who had been offered financial incentives for his testimony. The conviction was part of a signal moment in racialised policing. This is part one of a two-part episode.  Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Mahmood Fazal.Background reading:The man inside and the inside man in The MonthlyThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Victoria enters a second lockdown, Scott Morrison has offered an apolitical response to the Labor state. The economic impact of the closure will affect the entire country. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Covid-19, the government has been increasingly using legislative powers to bypass the parliament. So-called ‘Henry VIII’ clauses mean some of these laws cannot be amended or overturned.  Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading:Morrison ruling by ‘Henry VIII’ clauses in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.