7am

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is attempting to pull off a delicate balancing act: between appearing constructive, and holding the government to account. But what does the public actually want from their opposition during this crisis? Today, The Saturday Paper’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton on the Opposition’s tactics in a pandemic.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.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 country may be in the midst of a health and economic crisis, but that didn’t stop former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull going on a media blitz this week to promote his new book. In the memoir Turnbull is brutally honest about what he thinks of the current prime minister and senior cabinet ministers. Today, Paul Bongiorno on Malcolm Turnbull’s return to centre stage.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.

With two hospitals shut down and thousands of residents quarantined, the Tasmanian Covid-19 supercluster has brought the state’s health system to its knees. New evidence has emerged of a severe shortage of protective equipment and the encouragement of dubious practices. Today, Rick Morton on the failures that lead to Tasmania’s deadly outbreak. Guest: Senior Reporter at The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Background reading:Tasmanian hospitals caught in coronavirus storm 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 have been fined by police under Covid-19 public health orders. New analysis shows that a disproportionate number of them have been issued in areas largely populated by Indigenous Australians and those from migrant backgrounds. Today, Osman Faruqi on policing and racial bias in a pandemic.Guest: 7am editor Osman Faruqi.Background reading:Compliance fines under the microscope 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 number of coronavirus infections in Australia stabilises, talk has turned to how and when this crisis might end. With some countries gunning for a full elimination of the virus, and others allowing a controlled spread, what solution makes the most sense for Australia? Today, Mike Seccombe on the coronavirus end game.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:How this crisis will end 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.

There are over 1 million migrant workers in Australia who aren’t eligible for any financial support from the government as they try to navigate their way through this crisis. Some have been here for years, and they’re now stranded in a country that won’t help them and unable to get home as borders remain shut. Today, we speak to one migrant worker negotiating this new reality. Guest: 7am producer Ruby Schwartz.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.

With the global economy facing its biggest downturn since the Great Depression, the Treasury and the IMF are at odds on the extent of the damage in Australia. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the competing economic forecasts for the country, and the way forward. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:IMF forecasts dire economic outcomes 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.

Federal and state governments have quietly been winding back environmental regulations while most of the world is focused on the coronavirus pandemic. Today, Mike Seccombe on Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s plan to prop up coal-fired power generators, and the push to undermine environmental protections during this crisis. Guest: The Saturday Paper’s National Correspondent Mike Seccombe.Background reading:Angus Taylor’s energy projects push 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 global economic downturn is straining our financial system, and it’s hitting our superannuation funds. But is the way we’ve structured our $2 trillion super industry making things worse? Today, Richard Dennis on the secrets of our superannuation and how we could take back control.Guest: Chief economist at the Australia Institute Richard Denniss.Background reading:Super heroes or super villains? 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.

Australia’s strict quarantine measures have dramatically slowed the spread of Covid-19, but confusion between different levels of government has exposed the system’s flaws. Today, Karen Middleton on the other holes in Australia’s quarantine. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading:The other holes in Australia’s quarantine 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.