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Aug 6, 2023 • 18min

David Pocock on voting for ‘not great’ policy and how he wants to fix it

David Pocock admits that sometimes he's had to vote for policy he doesn’t fully agree with.The first-term senator came into parliament with the best intentions to avert the climate crisis, but has sometimes found himself having to work to make legislation he thinks is bad, a little bit better.Now, he’s trying to put forward a solution he does actually believe in: a private senator’s bill that would force politicians to consider the impact on the health and wellbeing of future generations when they make decisions on climate.Today, independent senator David Pocock on his new bill and whether he’s always lived up to his own duty of care for future generations.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Independent senator for the ACT, David PocockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aug 3, 2023 • 17min

Albanese vs the ‘Noalition’: It’s about to get spicy

Parliament is back – and it ain’t pretty!The government is pushing ahead with its contentious housing bill and finds itself, once again, sparring with the Greens.Meanwhile, the Coalition has a new strategy for encouraging a ‘No’ vote in the Voice referendum.So will the combative nature of this parliament stop Labor from being productive in government and could they lose key bills in the senate? Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what lies ahead for the second half of the year in Canberra. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aug 2, 2023 • 16min

Scott Morrison reckons he’s blameless for robo-debt

The royal commission into robo-debt found Scott Morrison to have allowed cabinet to be misled. Commissioner Cathrine Holmes also found he provided untrue evidence to the commission and that he pressured departmental officials over the scheme.It took a few weeks, but the former prime minister this week addressed those findings head-on: denying it all.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper and host of 7am’s special Inside Robo-debt series, Rick Morton on Scott Morrison’s return to Parliament and how much longer he’s likely to have a seat there.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick MortonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aug 1, 2023 • 16min

Does Peter Dutton have a secret on Nauru?

Australia’s offshore processing facility on Nauru now sits empty. The detention centre has been a feature of Nauru’s identity for over a decade, but now we’re learning extraordinary details about how millions of Australian taxpayer dollars were spent in questionable deals to keep the facility running.Last week, the focus turned to the then-Home Affairs minister, Peter Dutton, who awarded a lucrative contract to a businessman who had been accused of bribing Nauruan government officials. Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray, on what impact Australia has really had on Nauru and whether we’ve spent a fortune to make a tiny island nation worse off.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 31, 2023 • 17min

Cooking with gas is about to become a hate crime

Australians love to heat their homes and cook their meals with gas, but its future in our households has a limit. Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has taken a big step in phasing out gas by banning it in new homes from January 1, 2024.But the announcement provoked anger and outrage among conservative commentators, and some members of the public, who insist gas is best.So, does Australia have any hope of reaching net zero if our kitchen stoves have become politicised? Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how gas in the home became a new front in the culture wars.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 30, 2023 • 16min

Taxing big business to fix the housing crisis

Australian housing is in crisis – the country doesn’t have enough affordable homes for the growing number of people who need them.This week, the Albanese government will begin its second attempt to pass its key housing policy.The bill is being reintroduced to parliament unchanged, but will need the Greens’ support. All signs point to a political stalemate.Today, contributing editor of The Politics and The Monthly online Rachel Withers, on an idea to fix the housing crisis that’s gaining traction and why it could break through the paralysis in Canberra.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributing editor of The Politics, Rachel Withers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 29, 2023 • 14min

The Weekend Read: Don Watson on cancelling a war hero

Today, author Don Watson will be reading his piece from the June issue of The Monthly, reflecting on WW2 ace pilot Sir Douglas Bader.Bader was a remarkable Royal Air Force pilot in the second world war. Brazen and courageous, he managed to escape death countless times, scored dozens of victories, and was even redeployed as a pilot after having both legs amputated.However, in the words of Don Watson, Sir Douglas Bader was also a bit of a ‘stinker’, and an ‘unreconstructed racist’. Yes, it turns out Bader is a classic 20th century hero, who is ripe for a classic 21st century cancellation. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Author Don WatsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 27, 2023 • 18min

Elon Musk and the letter X: A love story

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has a new pet project. He is reinventing, and possibly destroying, the site formerly known as Twitter.Now known simply as X, the iconic blue bird logo is no more. But Musk’s rebrand isn’t purely for aesthetics. It's the beginning of the billionaire’s vision to create a ubiquitous ‘everything app’ of the future. Could this ambitious plan to centralise communication, shopping, banking and social media be brazen enough to work? Or will x.com be an expensive mistake? Today, Reuters financial journalist and long-time watcher of Elon Musk’s business empire, Antony Currie, on Elon’s plan to disrupt the global financial system. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Financial journalist and editor at Reuters Breakingviews, Antony Currie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 26, 2023 • 16min

Green groups getting cosy with government

Environmental groups such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Australian Conservation Foundation are some of the biggest recipients of donations from Australians who want to make a difference for the planet.But increasingly the biggest groups are working with the government and corporate Australia – instead of resisting them.What does that shift mean? Will it help or hinder the fight against climate change? And what does it mean for the future of environmentalism?Today, writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo on why the environmental movement is divided – at a time when we need it most.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Abbatangelo and former leader of the Australian Greens, Christine Milne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 25, 2023 • 17min

Who axed a sexual consent campaign for students?

Who would axe a campaign to promote consent on university campuses?We know that sexual assault of students is an enormous problem, and a national campaign designed by experts is exactly the kind of thing you’d expect to be part of the solution.Well, not if you’re one of the university vice-chancellors who put a stop to it.Today, journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kristine Ziwica reveals why a vocal minority killed a new push to make universities safer – to the surprise of experts involved.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist Kristine ZiwicaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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