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Graham Readfearn, environment and climate correspondent who reports on dingoes and K’gari ecology, discusses the aftermath of Piper James’s death. Conversations cover the government’s cull decision and its impact on a unique, isolated dingo population. He highlights cultural harm to the Butchulla people and explores alternatives like better management, visitor limits, and long-term conservation concerns.

Malcolm Turnbull, former Australian prime minister with a background in law, banking and politics, reflects on the Coalition split and leadership questions. He dissects tensions between Liberals and Nationals. He weighs the rise of One Nation, the challenge of winning urban voters, and how international affairs reshape Australia’s strategy.

Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and civil liberties lawyer, critiques Labor’s new hate speech laws. He explains how vague designation powers, limited judicial review and criminalisation risk sweeping up legitimate cultural, religious and political expression. He argues the laws empower the executive, were rushed, and may not prevent violence.

Ben Quilty, a celebrated Australian painter known for bold figurative work and cultural commentary, questions whether Australia values its artists. He discusses why being an artist can feel risky, how schools and funding squeeze creativity, the Adelaide Writers’ Week controversy, free speech versus harm, and the need for a culturally brave, truth-telling nation.

Ashley Parker, Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter at The Atlantic who covers Trump and US politics. She recounts rapid U-turns like the Greenland flap. She unpacks Trump’s improvisational speaking style and who he is really performing for. She coins and explores “Trump exhaustion syndrome” and whether the midterms might snap Americans out of political fatigue.

Guest Allegra Spender, an Independent MP for Wentworth, dives into the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, discussing community grief and support. She critiques the rushed gun and hate-speech laws, emphasizing the need for comprehensive consultation. Allegra warns about the dangers of scapegoating migrants during this tumultuous time and stresses the importance of addressing extremist radicalization. She also expresses disappointment over stalled vilification protections, advocating for strong leadership in safeguarding social cohesion.

Join political editor Tom McIlroy as he dives into the fallout from Labor's controversial hate speech legislation that has shattered the Coalition. With the entire Nationals front bench resigning from Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet, Tom analyzes the implications for her leadership. He discusses potential challengers, including Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, alongside the underlying tensions that have fueled this split. As the Coalition grapples with its chaos, Tom sheds light on how this scenario could benefit Labor and reshape political dynamics in Australia.

Nour Haydar chats with Christopher Pepin-Neff, an associate professor specializing in shark-bite politics. They dive into the alarming cluster of shark attacks in New South Wales, discussing the environmental factors like heavy rainfall and sewage overflows that draw sharks closer to shore. Pepin-Neff contrasts bull sharks with great whites, shares insights on climate change's role in altering shark patterns, and emphasizes the ineffectiveness of traditional shark nets. He advocates for public education to improve swimmer safety and offers crucial tips for shark encounters.

Marina Hyde, a sharp-witted Guardian columnist known for her incisive takes on celebrity culture, dives into the Beckham family feud. She unpacks Brooklyn Peltz Beckham's explosive Instagram statement about feeling controlled by his famous parents. The discussion covers wedding tensions as family flashpoints, explores how celebrity commodification has affected their children, and critiques the contradiction of Brooklyn seeking privacy while being a public figure. Hyde offers a sympathetic view of Brooklyn amidst high-profile pressures and family drama.

Bridget Cama, co-chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, is a passionate First Nations advocate focused on constitutional recognition. She discusses the ongoing political silence surrounding Invasion Day and the need for meaningful reform rather than token policies. Bridget emphasizes the importance of peaceful protests for First Nations rights and highlights the challenges of racism and misinformation. With a 10-year roadmap for another referendum, she inspires hope and resilience among youth advocates working towards structural change.