7am

As the first two decades of the 21st century come to an end, Australia is going to be forced to confront its place as a middle power and embrace an electorate that is markedly different to the parliament. George Megalogenis on what’s likely to happen in the 2020s.Guest: Author and journalist George Megalogenis.Background reading:The middle of nowhere 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.

Andrew Bolt has led a campaign against Bruce Pascoe and his book Dark Emu. But after reading the explorer journals on which the book is based, Rick Morton was unable to find any errors. This is the story of a culture war and a columnist who won’t say if he’s read the book he’s condemning.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Bolt, Pascoe and the culture war 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 fallout from the Westpac scandal continues, attempts are already underway to limit corporate responsibility. Michael West on why the story broke and what happens next.Guest: Founder of michaelwest.com.au and contributor to The Saturday Paper Michael West.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.

Scott Morrison has put himself in a difficult position, calling the NSW police commissioner to check on an investigation into his own minister. Paul Bongiorno on the questions that need to be answered.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:Taylor twist as Morrison phones a 'friend' 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.

According to author Jeff Sparrow, a new fascism is emerging from the internet – one that is rooted in meme culture, but that harnesses mass shootings as a political tool. This is the story of how the Christchurch massacre came to represent a new frontier in the far right.Guest: Author of Fascists Among Us, Jeff Sparrow.Background reading:Under fire from the new fascism in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Julian Assange fights against extradition to the United States, an unlikely group of politicians is working to have him returned to Australia. Rick Morton on the question of law that underpins his case.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading:Saving Julian Assange 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.

A speaking tour of Europe has revealed the strategy behind Peter Ridd’s rejection of reef science: he believes that if people doubt the reef is dying, they will doubt climate change more broadly. Max Opray on the Australian physicist whose sacking became a cause célèbre. Guest: Morning editor at Schwartz Media Max Opray.Background reading:Peter Ridd and the climate sceptics 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.

Xi Jinping’s ambitions for China are paranoid and expansionist. His mindset mirrors that of the guerrilla fighters in the Chinese Civil War. Peter Hartcher on how understanding this history helps in understanding Australia’s relationship with China now. Guest: Author of Quarterly Essay 76: Red Flag Peter Hartcher.Background reading:Quarterly Essay: Red FlagThe 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 Morrison government has halted its robo-debt program, finally confronting issues with the troubled scheme. Separately, the government has affirmed its reliance on Chinese trade – irrespective of human rights concerns. Paul Bongiorno on the week in politics.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:Dogged by dollar dilemmas 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 Scott Morrison’s co-design process gets underway, ruling out the key aspirations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, there are signs that a new political fight is about to begin. Rick Morton on what’s next for the Voice to Parliament.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.Background reading:Co-designing the Voice to Parliament in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlySee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.