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Dec 5, 2022 • 17min

This generation is an existential threat to the Liberal Party

The Liberal Party is trying to resurrect its popularity after a devastating loss this year, under the leadership of Scott Morrison.But can changing the personalities at the top of the party make a difference? Or is there something deeper behind the decline in its fortunes? A study published yesterday indicates that only one in four voters under the age of 40 voted for the Coalition – and that seems unlikely to change.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on how this generation of younger voters is changing the assumptions we’ve had about the electorate and why all the major parties need to adapt.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dec 4, 2022 • 15min

‘We exist 365 days a year’

In 1992, the UN General Assembly agreed that 3 December every year would be International Day of People with Disability.It marked an early attempt to treat disability as a human rights and access issue – something that was becoming a movement across the world at the time. Here in Australia, It was the same year that Australia passed the Disability Discrimination Act.But thirty years later, how much progress has been made? And has society really stopped viewing disability through the lenses of medicine or charity?Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, writer and critic Olivia Muscat on what the day means to her, and how it could be done better.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper writer and critic Olivia Muscat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dec 1, 2022 • 17min

Scott Morrison makes history (for all the wrong reasons)

A prime minister will never again be able to secretly appoint themselves to act in multiple ministries.The practice will be made unlawful, with new rules to make appointments public – even Scott Morrison agrees with that.He said as much, when he rose in front of the parliament to explain his actions. But the speech he delivered was hardly an admission of guilt.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what Scott Morrison did when faced with the chance to explain himself.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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Nov 30, 2022 • 17min

When bureaucrats try to understand human behaviour

There are people inside government departments who want to use insights into human behaviour to influence us.At its best, it can help design systems to get the best outcomes for people. But at its worst, it can ‘nudge’ people into accepting bad outcomes; from not appealing decisions to not getting the services they’re entitled to.Today, senior reporter at The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on the job ad for someone to look into human behaviour and its strange links to the origins of the Robo-debt disaster.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter at The Saturday Paper Rick MortonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 29, 2022 • 18min

The biggest protests in China since Tiananmen

This week, streets across China filled with angry protestors.Some held blank pieces of paper instead of signs, to protest censorship, others chanted ‘Down with Xi Jinping’.They’re the most significant protests China has seen for 30 years, according to analysts. But how have they happened under the surveillance regime of the state? And what do they mean for the future of the Chinese Communist Party and for Xi Jinping and the China he’s trying to shape?Today, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Melbourne, Louisa Lim on the protests igniting across China, despite the shadow of Tiananmen. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Journalist Louisa Lim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 28, 2022 • 15min

How much Christianity do we need in our military?

If you don’t believe in God, then heaven help you in the ADF.Those are the words of Senator David Shoebridge, who has argued that our military is putting too much faith in religious chaplains to provide support for service members.The military employs 158 full-time chaplains, 150 of whom are ordained Christian ministers.But as the military becomes more diverse and more secular, who are these chaplains serving?Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Amy Fallon on the role of religion in the ADF and what happens when it’s challenged.  Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Amy Fallon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 27, 2022 • 16min

David Pocock’s vote: The most valuable thing in Canberra

The wages and workplaces of Australians could be about to change.The government’s new industrial relations packages promises to make pay more transparent and strengthen the hand of workers in negotiations.But whether this passes, comes down to the decision of one man: David Pocock. His vote has become the most valuable commodity in Canberra.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, takes us inside how David Pocock made his decision to back Industrial Relations reform.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 24, 2022 • 17min

A referendum on Dan Andrews: Inside the Victorian election

The first major election since a wave of green and teal changed the federal map is set for this Saturday.The Victorian election is about a lot of things, including being a referendum on Dan Andrews and his premiership.But the election could also tell us more about how the electoral forces in Australia are shifting, and how alternatives to the major parties are rising.Today, election analyst and host of The Tally Room podcast Ben Raue on tomorrow’s election, the fate of Dan Andrews and the redrawing of the electoral map.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Host of The Tally Room podcast, Ben Raue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 23, 2022 • 19min

Migrant workers died to bring us this World Cup

The World Cup is the most watched sporting event on earth.Some predict that this year’s matches in Qatar could be watched by 5 billion during the month-long tournament.But the grand spectacle of the World Cup is stained with allegations that migrant workers have died to make it happen. So what does it take for the world to look away? And what happens when sport and politics can’t be separated?Today, journalist Kieran Pender on how the world game found itself defending human rights abuses.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist, Kieran PenderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 22, 2022 • 15min

Did Australia live up to expectations at COP27?

The world has come to new agreements on climate action.At COP27 in Egypt, measures to tackle damage and loss in countries affected by climate change have been decided upon.But there was also disappointment, largely around the failure to make more ambitious commitments to reduce emissions.The summit also marked a turning point for Australia — a chance for a new government to bring its new targets to the international stage. Today, fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former diplomatic adviser during the Paris Agreement negotiations Thom Woodroofe on Australia’s role at COP27, and the next challenge: meeting our commitments.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Fellow of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former diplomatic adviser during the Paris Agreement negotiations, Thom Woodroofe.Background reading: What it’s like to negotiate a climate agreement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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