7am

A letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reopened the fight over gambling reform.  Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is calling for a free vote in parliament on a ban on gambling advertising, saying it has significant support across the chamber. Inside Labor, many MPs say they want change – but are too afraid to speak publicly.  It follows a Four Corners investigation that showed how online betting is harming Australians – and how the systems meant to protect them are failing. The government says it is acting, but two-and-a-half years on from a cross-party inquiry led by the late Peta Murphy, it has yet to implement any of its recommendations. Today, ABC investigative reporter Steve Cannane on what his Four Corners reporting uncovered, and how Labor MPs are being kept quiet.  If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: ABC Investigative reporter, Steve Cannane Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De MarchiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the year winds to an end, kids with autism and developmental delay face an uncertain future. Back in August, the government revealed plans to kick them off the NDIS – announcing a new scheme called Thriving Kids, set to kick off next year. The health minister, Mark Butler, said it would give kids better support – and go some way towards curbing the billions being spent on the NDIS. But months on, the government still hasn’t reached a deal with the states on how the scheme will be funded – despite threatening to withhold their hospital funding until they agree. Today, journalist Rick Morton on the fight over the future of Thriving Kids – and what the government is really doing to the NDIS.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist Rick Morton  Photo: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s richest man just got the world’s biggest pay rise, with Tesla shareholders approving a $1 trillion package for Elon Musk over the next decade. As he accepted the deal, Musk danced on stage with Tesla’s humanoid robots – and thanked his supporters – saying he “super appreciated it”. But as the company’s stock is known to plummet when Musk intervenes in politics – questions remain about the damage his recent manoeuvrings will do to Tesla’s future.  Today, power and tech reporter at The Guardian US Nick Robins-Early on what Musk has been up to since he left the White House – and how a trillion dollar pay packet will shape his next moves.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Power and tech reporter at The Guardian US, Nick Robins-Early  Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci, FileSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow marks fifty years since the infamous moment when a clearly nervous spokesperson for the Governor General stood on the steps of Parliament House and announced that Gough Whitlam had been dismissed. But what happened on Remembrance Day in 1975 wasn’t just an unprecedented political crisis — it was a warning. One that exposed the fragility of our constitution and the lingering power of a system designed to serve the monarchy, ahead of the people.  Since then, nothing has changed to stop it all from happening again. Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on what the dismissal revealed about Australia’s democratic foundations – and why he says we need to become a Republic to stop history repeating.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno Photo: PR HANDOUTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, more than a dozen people were arrested while protesting at a defence conference in Sydney. The demonstrators from Palestine Action Group were protesting the presence of Israeli defence contractors, who were exhibiting at the event. The riot squad, along with dogs and mounted police officers clashed with protesters and used pepper spray several times on the crowd. Clashes like this one have become routine in Australia – with a change in police tactics, as officers increasingly use pepper spray and rubber bullets. Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on the use of these so-called “non-lethal” weapons, and how protesting in Australia has become more dangerous.  This episode was originally published in October.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist and author, Ariel Bogle Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De MarchiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 2021, the Coalition was united in their support for net zero, with then-prime minister Scott Morrison describing the plan as “100 per cent supported by the government”. Now, just four years later, the Nationals have walked away from it – and the Liberal Party is set to follow. Despite personally supporting net zero, Sussan Ley will scrap it in an attempt to hold on to the leadership. But with the party’s right winning the battle on climate policy, they’re also set to win the war within the Liberal Party. Bets are now on about when, not if, Ley will lose her job. Today, contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on the Coalition’s civil war over climate policy, and how it lets Labor off the hook.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Contributing editor of The New Daily, Amy Remeikis  Photo: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The killing in the city of El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region is so brutal and widespread that bloodstains on the ground can be seen from space. For a year and a half, a militia group called the RSF has been attacking the city – and last, week it fell, resulting in the mass slaughter of civilians. In the past two years, 12 million people in Sudan have fled their homes – and more than 150,000 people have died, making this the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The violence is sponsored and enabled by the United Arab Emirates, a key Western ally, raising questions about the West’s inaction and complicity.  Today, Sudanese political analyst and founder of the think tank Confluence Advisory Kholood Khair on what has unfolded in El Fasher – and what comes next for Sudan.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Sudanese political analyst and founder of the think tank Confluence Advisory, Kholood Khair  Photo: Vantor via APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to “immediately” resume US nuclear weapons testing. The order breaks with more than three decades of protocol for the United States – justified, according to the president, by the actions of China and Russia. And as these nuclear-armed powers expand and modernise their arsenals, countries closer to Australia are openly debating whether to follow. Today, professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor, on what Trump’s announcement means for the nuclear arms race, and what happens if our neighbours go nuclear.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Professor of strategic studies at the ANU and a contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, Brendan Taylor Photo: Provided by U.S. Energy DepartmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the creators of ChatGPT have made a surprising announcement: erotica is coming to the world’s most popular AI platform.  It’s the latest step in a transformation of the internet —  where artificial intelligence is shaping not just what we read or search, but how we think, feel and even form relationships. Today, associate editor for Crikey Cam Wilson, on OpenAI’s bold new direction, the mental health risks behind the decision — and what happens when the world’s most powerful chatbot starts getting personal.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Associate editor for Crikey, Cam Wilson  Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZOSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, trans teenagers in Queensland and their families had a short moment of joy: the supreme court overturned the state government’s ban on gender affirming care. The judge found the decision to stop children from accessing puberty blockers was done without proper consultation. He found that the ban had been rushed through without giving medical professionals warning – or a chance to weigh in. But just six hours after the court’s ruling, the Queensland government shot back: with the health minister issuing a new ban. So what does that mean for trans children in Queensland? Today, the mother who took the government to court and won – on the supreme court ruling, the government’s next move, and how the fight for trans healthcare is impacting her teenage daughter and other kids like her.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: The mother of a Queensland teenager  Photo: AAP Image/Darren EnglandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some childcare centres in Australia are so understaffed that children are left alone for hours. Other centres spend less than a dollar a day on feeding them. Yet the industry receives billions in public subsidies and dodgy centres are allowed to keep operating even after serious breaches.  What’s emerging is a picture of a broken childcare system – one where regulators aren’t doing their job and no one is held to account.  Today, NSW Greens MLC Abigail Boyd on what she uncovered about the horrific abuse unfolding in Australian childcare centres – and why we are allowing the pursuit of profit over safety.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: NSW Greens MLC and chair of the Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in NSW Abigail Boyd Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De MarchiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in 2023, Australia’s top court made a landmark ruling: it was against the law for the Australian government to indefinitely hold people in immigration detention. That ruling had massive implications for our country’s border policies. It overturned 20 years of precedent – and it led to the release of people into the community who had been held in immigration detention after having their visas cancelled – but weren’t able to return to their home country. After that, the Albanese government struck a controversial deal with Nauru, worth $2.5 billion. The tiny island nation would be paid to settle the detainees in exchange for money over a 30-year period.  This week we learned the deal has now begun – at least one person has now been deported to Nauru. Today, journalist Denham Sadler, on the former immigration detainees Australia is now deporting – and whether offloading them to Nauru is a breach of our legal obligations.  This episode was first published in September.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist, Denham Sadler Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray Watt has talked a big game about fixing our environment laws by the end of the year. But this week, the government’s attempt to do that fell apart – with the crossbench and Coalition senators refusing to back the changes. At the same time, Labor faced a dramatic revolt in the Senate over its refusal to release a secret report meant to fix the culture of cronyism – and jobs for mates. Having campaigned on restoring integrity to government, Labor is now facing a Senate demanding it live up to that promise. Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on why it’s so hard to fix our environment laws – and whether the government’s hubris is getting in the way of its promise for greater transparency.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have met face-to-face for the first time in six years.  The meeting, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, comes at a time of deep tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Tariffs are soaring, critical minerals are being weaponised and the battle over tech dominance is reshaping global supply chains.  Trump likes quick wins, while Xi likes playing the longer game – and for Australia the stakes couldn’t be higher, as we rely on China for our prosperity and the US for our security. Today, host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming, Hamish Macdonald, on the fallout from the meeting between the world’s two superpowers, and what it means for Australia.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming Hamish Macdonald Photo: AP Photo/Mark SchiefelbeinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese’s $13 billion critical minerals deal with Donald Trump has been touted as a huge win – one that strengthens our relationship with our most powerful ally – and delivers massive US investment in our national interest. But while Australia and the US talk it up as a blow to China’s stranglehold on these important commodities, questions remain about the cost: to our communities, to our environment, our health – and the economy. Today, Professor Susan Park from the University of Sydney, on what’s actually in our critical minerals deal – and how Trump’s quest for rare earths will come at Australia’s expense.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Professor of Global Governance in International Relations, University of Sydney, Susan Park Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.