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Infighting within the Coalition has been exposed as candidates emerge and then quit in the race for the seat of Eden-Monaro. The by-election is reopening divisions across the Liberal and National Parties. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the first real test for Scott Morrison’s popularity. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:The 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 Prime Minister has made reopening schools a priority of his response to coronavirus, and part of his argument is that school closures are leaving the most disadvantaged students behind. Today, Jane Caro on how the political debate over coronavirus is reframing the inequality in education funding. Guest: Author and writer for The Saturday Paper Jane Caro.Background reading:How schools have become political pawns 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.

Thousands of Australians had their homes and lives destroyed by last summer’s bushfires, and now the pandemic is shattering their plans to rebuild. As the royal commission examining our Black Summer begins, experts say the climate crisis will leave even more people vulnerable. Today, Rick Morton on what happens when a pandemic follows a natural disaster.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Black Summer bushfire inquiries begin 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.

The government’s economic relief package was broken into three phases, but serious questions are being asked about whether the timing and order of each announcement may have actually led to job losses. Today, Mike Seccombe on the flaws in our rescue package.   Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:JobKeeper: The inner workings of the bailout 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.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed many Australians to shortages of food and essential items for the first time. Empty shelves across the country have revealed deep vulnerabilities in our food supply system. Today, Margaret Simons on why our supermarkets weren’t prepared for this crisis. Guest: Academic and journalist for The Saturday Paper Margaret Simons.Background reading:The real reason our shelves were empty in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifteen years ago Schwartz Media launched The Monthly, a magazine dedicated to current affairs, politics, arts and culture. Today, to celebrate the magazine’s birthday, we hear from its publisher, Morry Schwartz, and its current editor, Nick Feik, on The Monthly’s journey and what it contributes to Australia’s media landscape.Guest: Publisher of The Monthly, Morry Schwartz, and editor of The Monthly, Nick Feik.Background reading:The 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.

Australia’s relationship with China has become more strained than ever, as Scott Morrison pushes for an international inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak. The Chinese government has expressed concern that such an inquiry would be political and has threatened retaliation. Today, Paul Bongiorno on a new low in Chinese–Australian relations. 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.

Scott Morrison’s relationship to the founder of the Hillsong church has focused attention on the evangelical Christian movement in Australia. But what does being a pentecostal look like in an age of climate change and coronavirus? Today, Lech Blaine on the appeal of evangelical Christianity and how it influences the most powerful politician in the country.Guest: Freelance journalist Lech Blaine.Background reading:Hillsong’s strange tides 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 we learn more details about the economic fallout from the pandemic, it’s clear young people will bear the brunt of the downturn. Already younger workers are bearing a disproportionate burden of job losses. Today, Mike Seccombe on how the pandemic is fuelling generational inequality. Guest: National Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:The generation Covid-19 will scar 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.

Remote Aboriginal communities across Australia reacted swiftly and effectively to the Covid-19 outbreak. Their response reflects the disproportionate burden these communities often carry when it comes to infectious disease. Today, Amy McQuire on the pandemic and self-determination.Guest: Darumbal/South Sea Islander journalist Amy McQuire.Background reading:Aboriginal community health’s success with Covid-19 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.