7am

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.

Despite a public commitment to passing their tax reforms as a single package, some in the Liberal Party see benefits in not getting the cuts through parliament. Conversely, some in Labor want to see the cuts pass and have the Coalition deal with the consequences. Paul Bongiorno on double-bluff politics.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Background reading:The cost of Coalition tax cuts in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe Monthly 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.

Australia records higher losses from gambling than any country in the world. Our politics encourages the industry for the sake of tax revenues. James Boyce on how the sector uses faulty research to avoid regulation.Guest: Writer and historian James Boyce.Background reading:The lie of 'responsible' gambling 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 the trade war escalates between China and the US, Australia is increasingly wedged. The country faces its biggest strategic challenge in modern history, while around it the global systems of trade are at threat of being torn apart. Mike Seccombe on how the US became the radical actor in this story.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Background reading:Australia’s China dilemma 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.

Where once it might have seemed radical, presidential hopefuls and tech entrepreneurs are now talking about breaking up the social media giants. Their power has become too great and they are not able to regulate themselves. Osman Faruqi on the battle between free speech and hate speech at places like Facebook.Guest: Journalist and deputy editor of ABC Life Osman Faruqi.Background reading:Hate speech isn’t freedom of speech 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.

Before entering parliament, Scott Morrison ran Tourism Australia. He was sacked by the minister, but the details of what happened have never been made public. Karen Middleton on the clearest picture yet of his time in the office.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading:Fresh documents in Morrison's sacking in The Saturday PaperThe Saturday PaperThe MonthlyFor more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.auSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.