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As minister for defence, Brendan Nelson controversially spent $6.6 billion on Boeing fighter jets. Now he is running the company’s Australian division. In this episode, Mike Seccombe looks at the links between our government and the global weapons trade.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Close ties between government and military industries in The Saturday Paper 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.

In a terrible summer, the bushfire season still has months to run. The volunteers fighting the fires are exhausted and under-resourced. Rick Morton on whether we can meet the next bushfire crisis without radical changes. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: The long, hot summer in The Saturday Paper 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.

As fires continue on both sides of the continent, and the government succeeds in putting off commitments at the UN climate talks, Scott Morrison has gone on holidays. Paul Bongiorno on what the year looks like from this end of the calendar.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:PM travels as country burns 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.

Anthony Albanese says ending Australian coal exports won’t halt climate change. He says we need to cut emissions, but Adani should get on with it and start digging in the Galilee Basin. Karen Middleton on how Labor is resetting its coal rhetoric.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading:Labor changes message on coal in The Saturday Paper 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.

Helen Garner has been keeping a diary for as long as she has been a writer. She published extracts from last year’s in the latest issue of The Monthly magazine. This is a selection from them.Guest: Author Helen Garner.Background reading:Diaries (2018-19) 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 Hillsong Church booms internationally, its local arm is still dealing with the fallout from the royal commission into child sexual abuse. Rick Morton on the man who fought the church – and its senior pastor’s father.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Sexual abuse survivor rebukes Hillsong head 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.

Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, former members of the Stasi are still working to control the conversation about the regime they once served. Anna Funder on how understanding what happened in East Germany can help us comprehend the age of surveillance in which we now live.Guest: Author Anna Funder.Background reading:Stasiland now 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 fires burn across the east coast and Sydney suffers catastrophic air pollution, the Coalition government is arguing to do less on climate change. Scott Morrison all but avoids mentioning it. Paul Bongiorno on the reality that’s filling people’s lungs and making their eyes sting.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:PM's clouded judgement on climate 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.

Seven years ago, David Savage was injured while working for the Australian government in Afghanistan. He has fought since to have his compensation settled and to have what actually happened to him acknowledged. Karen Middleton on one man’s long fight for the truth.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: AusAID bomb victim’s treatment ‘a disgrace’ in The Saturday Paper 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.

Following an inquiry into digital platforms, the government finds itself wedged between News Corp and the tech giants. Both sides are lobbying heavily. Rick Morton on the battle to regulate the internet — or not.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Australia and digital data in The Saturday Paper The Saturday Paper The 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.