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The NDIS was meant to provide better care to people living with disabilities. But a stalemate over funding responsibilities has forced 500 families to forfeit their children into state care. Rick Morton on the unintended consequences of a flawed system.Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Exclusive: 500 children forfeited to state in NDIS standoff in The Saturday Paper.The 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.

Australia’s relationship with international investment, especially from China, has been remade in the past six years. What was once a question of business has become one of national security. David Uren on how ASIO helped transform the Foreign Investment Review Board.Guest: Journalist and author David Uren.Background reading:Our Sphere of Influence in Australian Foreign AffairThe 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 Liberal Party is sliding further on climate change, claiming it will meet targets but without policy to do so. At the same time, the Labor Party is fighting an internal push to abandon its climate platform. Paul Bongiorno on the politics of doing less.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading: 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.

Each year, The Monthly assembles a panel of critics and artists to nominate 10 standout pieces of Australian culture from the past 12 months. These works are named as the winners of The Monthly Awards. We spoke to the magazine’s editor, Nick Feik, and critic Alison Croggon, who was one of the judges.Guest: Editor of The Monthly Nick Feik and critic Alison Croggon.Background reading:The Monthly Awards 2019 in The MonthlyThe 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.

The latest IPCC report says current farming practices are unsustainable. But there are solutions, if farmers want to change. Matthew Evans on how the way we grow food could change the world.Guest: Farmer, chef and former restaurant critic Matthew Evans.Background reading:The need for sustainable farming 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.

The aged-care sector is on the brink of collapse. The major providers have been propped up by a government bailout, but without reform they cannot keep operating. Rick Morton on how a string of nursing homes became too big to fail.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Exclusive: Aged-care sector at risk of collapse 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.

Scott Morrison shares a rhetorical lineage with Robert Menzies and a suburban one with John Howard. Like Menzies, he has no clear policy agenda. But, as Judith Brett points out - what worked in the post-war boom might not work now.Guest: Author and emeritus professor of politics at La Trobe University Judith Brett.Background reading:John Howard’s heir 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 tried to shift Australia’s focus to the drought, and the cash rate fell below 1 per cent, Donald Trump’s paranoia followed the prime minister home. Paul Bongiorno on the week Alexander Downer became a Clinton spy and the phone call that might haunt The Lodge.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.

Penny Wong is the intellectual leader of the Labor Party. Her politics is shaped by her experiences of difference and her belief in compassion. Her biographer, Margaret Simons, on what drives the most guarded woman in politics.Guest: Associate professor of journalism at Monash University and author of Penny Wong: Passion and Principle Margaret Simons.Background reading: Penny Wong: Passion and Principle by Margaret Simons, published by Black Inc.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 Murray–Darling Basin is being ruined by cronyism and incompetence. Entire towns are running out of water. But a new crop is exploiting the system even further: almonds. Mike Seccombe on how a tree nut boom is drinking the river dry.Guest: The Saturday Paper’s national correspondent, Mike Seccombe.Background reading: NSW farmers’ class action on water 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.