The Briefing

Thursday Headlines:  Bank bosses to face two-day inquiry over rate hikes, AI and offshoring jobs David Jones to close 19 stores CFMEU official claimed to have 'direct line to Jacinta Allan' John Setka expelled from CFMEU for five years Malcolm Turnbull latest to be embroiled in sandpapergate scandal revival Aussie act to headline Coachella Further listening from the headlines: Is David Jones going down?  Deep Dive: With Victoria heading to the polls later this month, Premier Ben Carroll is facing an uphill battle to convince voters to give Labor another four years in power.   Carroll took over from Jacinta Allan in July, promising a fresh start after 12 years of Labor government. But with the party struggling in the polls and facing scrutiny over past corruption allegations, crime, rising debt and cost-of-living pressures, can he convince Victorians that he's the change they need?   In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks to the Premier about his leadership takeover, his government's record, his election promises and why voters should trust him to deliver. You can listen to Sach's chat with Jess Wilson here. Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines:  PM announces new federal watchdog to rein in rogue AI  Pete Hegseth to face impeachment vote Little Britain star accused of grooming and preying on teenage girls Qantas to axe 850 jobs and move more roles offshore  Kim Kardashian's brand offers refunds after social media backlash at advent calendars Deep Dive: Nearly 200 countries are gathered in a Turkish resort city this week for COP31, the UN’s annual climate summit, and Australia is steering the negotiations. It’s the role we landed after losing a three-year fight to host the talks in Adelaide, and it’s costing taxpayers close to $150 million.   So what does COP actually achieve, and is a seat at the head of the table worth the price tag?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Matt McDonald, Professor of International Relations at the University of Queensland, to unpack it all.  Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines:  Russell Brand sentenced to ten years jail for rape and sexual assault More than $480bn wiped off Nvidia's valuation after 'honeytrap' investigation launched  France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack  Krakow shooter dies  Digital duty of care inquiry continues today Sandpaper gate returns to the headlines Further listening from the headlines: Sanding back Australia's darkest test Deep Dive: Uber’s long-running claim that it’s just a middleman between riders and drivers came crashing down in the High Court of Australia last week.    The rideshare giant now owes more than $81 million in NSW payroll tax on the fares it passes on to drivers, and that figure could climb past $100 million. Other states are eyeing their own slice, and the fallout could spread well beyond rideshare.   So when a tech giant is hit with a tax bill this big, who ends up footing it?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Fiona Macdonald, Policy Director (Industrial and Social) at the Centre for Future Work, to unpack what the ruling means for drivers, care workers and the future of gig work in Australia.  Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines:  Trust in Albanese falls as voters blame government for cost-of-living crisis Two days of mourning declared in Poland after suspected terror shooting The latest in the New Zealand and Israel elections Parts of Australia blanketed by snow in late Spring cold snap Australia through to Rugby League World Cup Deep Dive: Doctors at a major regional hospital fear the imminent takeover by a Catholic provider will see critical services like IVF, abortion, and Voluntary Assisted Dying banned.    Calvary Health Care is taking over 16 hospitals across the country following the financial collapse of Healthscope last May - giving them 10 per cent of Australia’s total private hospital capacity.     In this episode of The Briefing Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Associate Professor Neera Bhatia, Director of the Law, Health and Society Research Unit at Deakin University, to discuss the legal and ethical dilemma that arises when religion and health collide.  Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just a couple of weeks, thousands of kids across the country are packing their bags for destinations across Australia – and now the world – to celebrate Schoolies.   While many will likely party too hard and head home with some regrets, or worse, there’s a growing trend among teenagers to swap getting wasted for wellness.  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Sacha Barbour Gatt's chat with the founder of Red Frogs, Andy Gourley, about how kids are celebrating and how much that’s changed since he started his work at leavers events more than 25 years ago.  Follow The Briefing:  TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast  YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.