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As Covid-19 hospitalisations break records in almost all states, there is a curious absence of political leadership.Frontline workers wonder why there is no greater attempt at community mitigation. What has shifted? Why are politicians no longer following the health advice, at least on masks?Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray on Covid-19 and the politics of fatigue.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-MurraySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New figures show that the Morrison government stacked government boards and tribunals at a level unprecedented in Australian politics.These appointees were sometimes unqualified and incompetent. They particularly affected the Administrative Appeals Tribunal - where members can be paid up to $500,000 a year.Now it is clear that they have badly altered decision making processes.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how key bodies have been politicised beyond recognition and what to do next. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, opposition leader Peter Dutton called for policy reform to regulate social media due to its impact on civil discourse. He said debate in this country was absurd, dangerous, reckless and reprehensible. But who gets to define what is and isn’t “civil” in the public sphere? And what does that say about power? Today, lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Nyadol Nyuon on Peter Dutton, social media and how impoliteness can be a radical agent of change.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Director of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre Nyadol Nyuon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When parliament returns next week, Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party will sit on the government benches for the first time.It’s a significant test for what has changed since the election. Albanese has already made clear that the agenda will be focused on legislating his climate targets. If he fails, it will be a blow to his credibility.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the state of the environment.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.

The Albanese government is partway through a successful reset of its relationship with China. The incredible thing is, they haven’t changed any policies.But will a change in language be enough to fix a diplomatic rift? And what’s next for Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, where it is trying to balance China’s influence?Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the turnaround in how Beijing views Canberra. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many were surprised when the new employment minister, Tony Burke, announced it was “too late” to end mutual obligations. The decision was made to preserve billions of dollars in contracts already signed with companies that profit from the system. But there is no evidence it helps people find work.Today, senior correspondent for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the industry selling poor people.Guest: Senior correspondent for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Albanese offers no relief for jobseekersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New details have emerged in the divorce of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall.After speculation their marriage ended over everything from smoking and drinking to Hall controlling how much Murdoch could see of his adult children, it is now clear that the real disagreement was over the division of the $71 billion deal to sell his film and television interest to Disney.Today, Paddy Manning, contributor to The Saturday Paper and author of a forthcoming biography on Lachlan Murdoch, on the true story of the Murdoch divorce.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper and Lachlan Murdoch biographer Paddy Manning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison was seen as a triumph for a special kind of opportunistic populism. Much was written about what their success meant for democracy. So what does their decline mean?Was the repudiation about their politics - or about a world in crisis? Today, social researcher and contributor to The Saturday Paper Rebecca Huntley on the fall of the so-called strongman and what’s next for right-wing populism.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Social researcher and contributor to The Saturday Paper Rebecca Huntley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, author Don Watson will be reading his cover piece from the latest issue of The Monthly.It's called 'How to be a prime minister', and in it he discusses the task ahead for Anthony Albanese. How will the new leader restore the idea that governments should seek to make the country better?Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Don WatsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tony Abbott re-emerged in a string of radio and television interviews. Some Liberals speculate it is part of a push he is making to become president of the NSW Liberal Party. In the course of this, Abbott has also become a surprise backer of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s foreign policy. Another big week of international meetings was met with applause by a former prime minister better known for tearing down Labor leaders.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what Tony Abbott did next.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.