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As Scott Morrison’s tax cuts make their way through the parliament, there are fresh questions over religious freedoms. Paul Bongiorno on pragmatism and our Pentecostal prime minister.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:Faith and tax cuts as 46th parliament begins 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 government pushes to repeal the medivac legislation, lawyers and doctors contradict the arguments put against it. Martin McKenzie-Murray details the desperate situation of families the bill could have helped.Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray.Background reading: No truth behind Dutton’s medivac rhetoric 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 landmark high court decision has opened up new questions about how the law should define parenthood, especially for single women who conceive with the help of a known sperm donor. Bri Lee on what this means and the societal assumptions that underpin the court’s ruling.Guest: Writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Bri Lee.Background reading:Parental guidance 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 discovery of water ice on the moon has started a new race in space exploration. This time, it is driven by tech start-ups and venture capital. Ceridwen Dovey on the legal framework that governs this race and Australia’s unique role in it.Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly Ceridwen Dovey. For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.Background reading:Mining on the moon 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.

Scott Morrison’s inner circle is a group linked by faith and friendship – and now, the front bench. Some in this group trace their connections back to his preselection and even before. Their ties were confirmed during the leadership spill last year. Karen Middleton on who is close to Morrison and why.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background Reading: Scott Morrison's inner circle 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 Labor loses party discipline over tax cuts, the Coalition enters into an ugly post-mortem of its leadership change. Paul Bongiorno on the jostle for positions before parliament returns next week.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading: Labor's contortions on tax package 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.

Israel Folau is the first Australian athlete to be sanctioned for his religious beliefs. His sacking by Rugby Australia has opened up a fissure in the debate over equality and freedoms. Martin McKenzie-Murray on how faith and sport are bound together in Folau’s life.Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray.Background reading:In God we trust 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 millions protest on the streets of Hong Kong, the democratic freedoms promised in the handover to China are being tested. Louisa Lim on the character of the movement and the changes for which it is asking. Guest: Senior lecturer in journalism at the University of Melbourne and author of The People’s Republic of Amnesia Louisa Lim.Background Reading:Protests erupt over Hong Kong extradition bill 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.

When Rosie Batty's son was murdered, she became a public figure. She felt a great urgency about the contribution she could make – but it took an extraordinary toll. Martin McKenzie-Murray spoke to her about grief and healing.Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray.Background reading: The private toll of public grief 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.

This election was shaped by two men with very different characters. One of them was defined by certainty and the other by his insecurities. Erik Jensen on how leadership interacts with uncertainty, and what it means for the country.Guest: Editor-in-chief of Schwartz Media and author of Quarterly Essay 74: The Prosperity Gospel Erik Jensen.Background reading:Quarterly Essay: The Prosperity GospelThe 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.