7am

Australia’s economy is at a crossroads; but the current dependence on coal is really a continuation of issues we have always faced. Historian Judith Brett traces it as far back as our reliance on sheep and wool. Guest: Author of Quarterly Essay 78: The Coal Curse Judith Brett.Background reading:Quarterly Essay – The Coal CurseThe 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 ABC absorbs hundreds of job cuts, the government has commissioned another report into its operations – closely mirroring the concerns of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. The review is due in time for the next federal budget. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Exclusive: New govt report targets ABC 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.

As allegations mount against former High Court justice Dyson Heydon, Bri Lee has written about the way misogyny and harassment are embedded in the legal profession. She says that may be changing.  Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Bri Lee.Background reading:Sexual harassment in the legal profession 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.

As Donald Trump comes to the end of his first term, it is clear he has benefitted hugely from America’s divisions - in fact, he is the perfect expression of them. Whatever happens next, those divisions will remain.  Guest: Writer for The Monthly Don Watson.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.

The harassment allegations against Dyson Heydon have reminded some in Canberra of the royal commission that traded on his “stainless reputation”. A key target of that inquiry is now pushing for one into Robodebt.  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.

As the Black Lives Matter movement reignites calls for action on Indigenous disadvantage and incarceration, politicians and the media in Australia have turned it into a culture war that deliberately ignores the goals of protestors. Guest: Editor of 7am Osman Faruqi.Background reading:Deflecting from the real issues of Black Lives Matter 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.

Justin Hemmes is one of four businessmen who were consulted by the federal treasurer on the JobKeeper program. At the same time, he is defending a multi-million dollar wages case in the federal court. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Inside Hemmes’ $100m wage case 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.

After almost a decade in detention, there is only one family left on Nauru. Mustafa and Salah have been acknowledged as refugees, but their resettlement has been rejected by the US. This is the story of their wait. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Hannah Ryan.Background reading:The last refugee family on Nauru 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.

As the final pages of the royal commission into child sexual abuse have been unredacted, it’s become clear what George Pell knew and when. But for all the commission's findings, no priest has ever been convicted for failing to report child abuse.  Guest: Writer for The Monthly Anne Manne.Background reading:The last word on George Pell 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.

The end of Adem Somyurek’s parliamentary career is the end of an important chapter in Labor’s factional history. The scandal has now involved the federal party, and poses a big question: who leaked? 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.