7am

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.

Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr and programmer for the Melbourne International Film Festival Kate Jinx work their way through The Saturday Quiz. Bonus points for an ice-cream-based Lenny Bruce story.Guests: Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr and MIFF programmer Kate JinxIn the paper: Zoë Coombs Marr and her stand-in stand-up Dave See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the beginning of the pandemic Prime Minister Scott Morrison was keen to project himself as a unifying leader, coordinating the nation’s response. But as the crisis has stretched on he’s adopted a much more reserved approach – on internal border disputes and aged care. Today, Paul Bongiorno on Morrison’s strategy of inaction and if it will work.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.

One of the federal government’s most controversial decisions during the coronavirus pandemic has been allowing workers to access their superannuation accounts. The policy risks dramatically increasing Australia’s generational wealth gap, as young workers drain their retirement savings. Today, Mike Seccombe on how the government is reshaping the fundamental purpose of superannuation.  Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Super funds transformed by Liberal ideology in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten days ago, Melbourne entered the strictest shutdown the country has seen so far, and one of the harshest lockdowns currently taking place in the world. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the extraordinary powers a state of disaster bestows on the government, and how we got here. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: What led to Victoria’s extraordinary shutdown in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.