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Scott Morrison began the week praying in front of 21,000 people. He closed it promising a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Paul Bongiorno on what could be the making of a legacy moment. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading: Scott Morrison, prayers and Hillsong 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.

In the 1960s, Anne Hamilton-Byrne set up Australia’s most notorious cult, The Family. Last month, she died. Martin McKenzie-Murray spoke to one of the survivors, Ben Shenton, about living outside the cult and reckoning with her death.Guest: Chief correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray.Background reading:She’s with Lucifer now – her master 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.

Scott Morrison’s tax cuts are based on an American theory of economics trialled in the 1970s. But the evidence since suggests trickle-down economics does not work. Mike Seccombe on why the Coalition perseveres with its reforms.Background reading:Reagan "voodoo" at the budget's heart in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. 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 the government produces new legislation to temporarily ban foreign fighters from returning to Australia, there is growing concern over whether existing citizenship legislation might be unconstitutional. Karen Middleton on why a High Court challenge is unlikely.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading:The point of no returns 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 pendulum that is used to predict outcomes in elections is broken. There is no longer a “national mood” or “national conversation”. Richard Denniss on what this means and how it might change the role of money in politics, too.Guest: Chief economist at The Australia Institute and writer for The Monthly and The Saturday Paper Richard Denniss.Background reading:Money, votes and the 'pendulum' 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 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.