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The spread of monkeypox is testing public health officials worldwide. It’s a virus that is challenging both our ability to get vaccines and medicines to the people who need them most - and the ability of health authorities to send the right message.So what is the right health message? And how do we empower communities, after they have been through two years of a Covid-19 pandemic?Today, science journalist Bianca Nogrady on the origins and challenges of the Monkeypox outbreak.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Science journalist Bianca Nogrady.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the rolling scandal that has dominated the week in politics, and permanently marked Scott Morrison’s legacy.This week it emerged that while in power the former prime minister secretly swore himself into five different ministries: Health, Finance, Resources, Treasury, and Home Affairs.The public didn’t know, his former government colleagues didn’t know, and in most cases, the very ministers in those portfolios didn’t know.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the perplexing question of why Scott Morrison kept secretly giving himself more ministerial powers.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s wealthiest postcodes and the millionaires who pay no tax have been revealed in the latest data drop from the Tax Office.It gives us new insight into who has wealth in Australia, how they keep a hold on that wealth and whether the taxation system is fair.Today, author and professor Chris Wallace on who the real burdens are on our economy.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Author and professor Chris Wallace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right-wing groups in the US are holding armed rallies against the FBI, with one field office of the bureau attacked by a gunman.A raid last week by agents on Donald Trump’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, opened the floodgates of anger after classified government documents were found on the premises. Trump has now called for calm, but maintains the FBI’s raid was part of a witch-hunt and that he has done nothing wrong.Today, world editor at The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman on what the FBI were looking for when they raided Trump’s home.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.Background reading: FBI raid of Trump’s Florida home sparks Republican furySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It started with a job: $500,000 to be a trade envoy in New York.Now, an entire state government has become embroiled in a scandal over job appointments and how they get made.As Australia prepares to implement a federal anti-corruption body, in New South Wales – the state that first put in place an independent anti-corruption commission – we're learning a lot about why we need more transparency in politics.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on the job offer that threatens to engulf the entire NSW government.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been one year since the Taliban swifty took control of Afghanistan as the US pulled out after 20 years of war. In the days following the takeover, foreign countries rushed to evacuate diplomatic staff from Kabul. Thousands of Afghans were also airlifted out, but many, even those who worked directly with Australia and other foreign nations remain trapped. Today, chief political correspondent for *The Saturday Paper* Karen Middleton reveals the details of a deal struck in the last few weeks by the Australian government – with Afghans who worked with Australia being told to cross the border into Pakistan – undocumented.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has a message for Australia: be quiet and take the trade money.In a chilling speech, China’s ambassador to Australia laid out his nation’s aims with startling honesty – including that China would pursue what he called ‘reunification’ with Taiwan at any cost.The reason he was sending that message has everything to do with US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan, which raised the threat of conflict in the region.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on China’s message to Australia.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a Voice to Parliament was first proposed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart – it was dismissed by then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.It seemed possible the proposal might never be put in front of the Australian people.But Australians could soon get to vote in a referendum and we will be asked whether Australia should amend its constitution to create an Indigenous Voice to parliament.Today, someone who has spent years working towards constitutional recognition: chair in constitutional law at the University of NSW, Megan Davis.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Chair in constitutional law at the University of NSW, Megan Davis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former intelligence officer in Canberra, known as Witness J, was charged, sentenced, and jailed in complete secrecy in 2018.It was only after he brought his own legal complaint, and journalists noticed some security guards in the courthouse, that anything about his case was made public. Now, as fragments of the proceedings against the man known as Alan Johns filter out, we’re learning what happens when our spy agencies go to court.Today, Chief Political Correspondent at The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, on the case of Alan Johns.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: chief political correspondent at The Saturday Paper, Karen MiddletonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new government has inherited a problem that no one wants to talk about: the deep inequality of funding between public and private and independent schools.That discrepancy is most evident when it comes to the way that students with disabilities are funded.Today, senior reporter at The Saturday Paper Rick Morton reveals the $600 million funding shortfall for students with a disability in the public system.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.