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Clive Palmer spent $84 million of his own money on the last federal election – and didn’t win a single seat. But his campaign still played a key role in helping elect Scott Morrison. In this episode, Mike Seccombe speaks to Palmer’s candidates and explains why our donations system needs reform.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:Inside Palmer’s campaign to thwart Labor 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.

Australian author Heather Morris has made millions selling books about the Holocaust. But the people she writes about are in many ways unrecognisable, to their families and the historical record. Investigative journalist Christine Kenneally on the dangers of falsifying history.Guest: Author and investigative journalist Christine Kenneally. Background reading: The fabulist of Auschwitz in The Monthly The Saturday PaperThe Monthly 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.

Barnaby Joyce lost his leadership tilt but has reopened a schism in the Coalition on climate policy. Paul Bongiorno on what Joyce promised - and the challenges he has created for Scott Morrison.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 federal government is refusing to adopt stronger climate-change policies, but it turns out that might not matter. In this episode, Mike Seccombe reveals the de facto target set by all states and territories – to reach net zero emissions by 2050.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:States defy Commonwealth on emissions 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 coronavirus shuts borders and creates global panic, there is a risk it will reach a point where it cannot be contained. Rick Morton explains where the virus originated and looks at the scientific breakthroughs behind the attempt to combat it.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Anatomy of an epidemic 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.

Bettina Arndt has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, in recognition of her work for “gender equity”. Feminist academic Eva Cox considered giving back her AO in protest – and says it’s more evidence the system needs to change.Guest: Author and academic Eva Cox.Background reading: Bettina Arndt and the Australia Day honours 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.

Don Watson on why Scott Morrison is not really a politician, and how the collapse in difference between the major parties has created a vacuum of meaning.Guest: Author and speechwriter Don Watson.Background reading:Leaders and dung beetles 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 Scott Morrison pivots to the coronavirus evacuation and deploys the military to the fire zone, questions are being asked about the management of both responses. In this episode, Paul Bongiorno assesses the prime minister’s attempt to reset his agenda. 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 Red Cross has collected more than $115 million since Australia’s bushfire crisis began. But where is that money going? The organisation has been criticised for not getting money to victims quickly enough. In this episode, Rick Morton explains why current and former Red Cross staff are speaking out. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Background reading:Red Cross employees speak out in The Saturday PaperThe MonthlyThe Saturday PaperFor 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 government deals with the Bridget McKenzie scandal, questions are being asked about other larger grant programs. In this episode, Karen Middleton explains the flaws in the system and explores other programs that haven’t gained real attention.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: Sports grants story exposes broken system in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper 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.