7am

When Donald Trump met Vladimir Putin in Alaska back in August, he rolled out the red carpet, talked up his ability to end the war, but ultimately came away with no deal. Now, high off his recent Middle East peace deal, Trump is saying he’s “gotta get Russia done”. He met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last week – and he’s preparing another face-to-face with Putin. So what would it take to end the war? Today, associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University David Szakonyi, on the offers Putin is making Trump and what they’ll mean for the people of Ukraine.  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 professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University David Szakonyi Photo: GRIGORY SYSOEV /SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOLSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Lewis writes about politics for Crikey.  He’s been a close observer of Tony Abbott – from his time as a Liberal Party bomb thrower, to his face-offs with Julia Gillard, to his short ‘Prince Philip-themed’ time as prime minister. Now, Charlie’s tracking Abbott’s political afterlife: which brings him to Sydney’s affluent Northern Beaches, and the launch of the former prime minister’s new book: Australia – A History.  The book is seen by many as Abbott’s attempt to counter a “black armband” view of our country’s history – and give a more celebratory take. It’s part of a broader effort by Abbott to continue shaping Australia, which he does through his connections in some parts of the media and his behind-the-scenes manoeuverings within the Liberal Party. You can read Charlie Lewis’ reporting here.   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: Crikey reporter Charlie Lewis  Photo: Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/Sipa USASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From afar, Alice Springs is a whirlpool of myth and truth. A town with competing interests and few solutions, marked by chaos and decades of government overreach.  That all came to a head earlier last year, with what’s been described as a “youth riot” in town. The violence led to the Northern Territory government imposing an emergency curfew.  This is when the headlines started: in cities and towns across Australia, we read about a “crisis” about “rampages”. One newspaper described the kids here as “tiny menaces stuck on a turnstile of trouble”. In this first episode of our three part series This is Alice Springs Daniel James visits the town at the heart of our nation, to find out how all the interventions, big and small, by governments of all persuasions have led to this chaos. What he finds is that almost all of it leads back to one thing. This series was originally published in October 2024. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Hosted and reported by Daniel James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police are everywhere in Alice Springs. You see them driving pursuit vehicles and caged vans on the streets, or stationed outside the bottle shop checking IDs. But more police doesn’t mean less crime – it just means more people are getting locked up. As Alice Springs reels from the police shooting of Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker, and in the wake of an apology from the Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy for systemic racism, Daniel James wants to find out whether it's possible to mend the broken relationship between the coppers and the Indigenous community. In the second episode of our three part series, Daniel visits the police headquarters to meet the Arrernte woman tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in Alice Springs – to fix the culture inside the police force.  This series was originally published in October 2024. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Hosted and reported by Daniel James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Springs is littered with “For Sale” signs as those who can afford it are packing up and leaving. Punitive government curfews made daily life more challenging, and families struggle to see a future for themselves if things continue the way they are. With the Country Liberal Party elected on a promise to be even tougher on crime – and lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old – more government interventions are on the way. But there’s also the story of those who stay to help set young people on a different path and reconnect with Country. In the final instalment of the three part series This is Alice Springs, Daniel James heads to a station in the MacDonnell Ranges that offers an oasis of calm amid the chaos. But even here the cycle of incarceration and violence is never far from children’s lives.  This series was originally published in October 2024. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Hosted and reported by Daniel James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the federal government dramatically re-wrote its signature tax policy.  The changes mean that a small section of people with very high super balances will pay less tax. That backflip has big consequences – for the government's budget, and for its commitment to addressing wealth inequality in this country.  Today, press gallery journalist Paul Bongiorno, on why the government caved to pressure from outside, and within, its own ranks.   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 Paul Bongiorno Photo: AAP Image/Darren EnglandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Parliament Sports Club has been attracting a lot of unwanted attention lately – for registering as a lobbying group, accepting sponsorship from the gambling lobby, and for kicking out ex-Wallabies captain David Pocock for having a problem with all that. Daanyal Saeed is Crikey’s media reporter and he broke the story in the first place. Since then, he’s been following it up – revealing that despite the Prime Minister’s insistence he wasn’t at all involved, he had in fact spoken at one of their events and chronicling the swift de-registration from the lobbying register that came after scrutiny of the club. Today, Daany takes us through all the biggest developments and tells us why David Pocock isn’t rejoining the club – despite being welcomed back. You can read Daany’s reporting here. 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: Crikey’s media reporter Daanyal Saeed  Photo: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a desert camp in northeast Syria, behind razor wire, with thousands of other people, live 12 Australian women and 25 Australian children. They are the wives and children of men who went to Syria to join ISIS. With Australia unwilling to help bring them home, they’re living in danger – and in limbo. The recent arrival of two women and four children who smuggled themselves out of a Syrian camp and found their way back to Australia has sparked fresh debate over the Australian government’s obligations – to Syria, to Australians worried about a security threat, and to these women and children, who are Australian citizens.  Today – Greens senator David Shoebridge on the Australian children trapped in Syrian camps – and the politics of the so-called ‘ISIS brides’. 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: Greens senator David Shoebridge Photo: EPA/AHMED MARDNLISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Taliban retook Afghanistan in August 2021, the country’s embassy in Canberra stayed open. It’s an embassy in exile – staffed by diplomats from the former administration – and advocating on behalf of Afghans here in Australia. Until now, there have been 17 embassies of its kind around the world – in countries that don’t formally recognise the Taliban. But recently, Germany decided to expel its embassy’s exiled staff and instead invite representatives of the Taliban regime.  Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on diplomacy in exile – and life under the Taliban for the people of Afghanistan. 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/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne photojournalist Alex Zucco was cleaning her camera lens when a police officer hit her directly in the face with a stream of capsicum spray at a protest outside the Melbourne Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition last year. In July this year, a police officer allegedly punched former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas in the face at a pro-Palestine rally, seriously injuring her eye. Lawyers and activists say these incidents fit a pattern of increased police force against protesters –  including so-called ‘less-lethal’ tools such as baton rounds, flash-bang devices and capsicum spray. Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on how decades of restricting the right to protest have created a permissive environment for the use of force by police. 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: Alex Zucco / SOPA Images/Sipa USASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1970s, eight children in Perth were sent to a psychiatric hospital to be ‘treated’ for being transgender. Their experiences became the basis of a medical study that claimed kids could be cured of their identity. Now, nearly forty years after it was released, that same study is being cited in arguments against trans healthcare and being used to shape policy and law. Today, Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, Mon Schafter, on how a forgotten experiment from another era is still influencing the culture war over trans healthcare. 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: Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, Mon Schafter Photo: Supplied: Jayne McFadyenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company. He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion. In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developing new technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time”. The move comes months after Ek’s involvement in the global defence industry was revealed, prompting an artist backlash, with some pulling their music from the platform. Today, we’re bringing you an episode we recorded in July with author and journalist Liz Pelly, which exposes Ek’s investments in AI-based military technology and Spotify’s embrace of AI in music. 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: Author and journalist Liz Pelly  Photo: Janerik Henriksson, TT News Agency, FileSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor is trying to land one of its toughest reforms – an overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws.  Environment Minister Murray Watt says he wants to speed up housing and energy project developments, make it clear where construction can and can’t go ahead, and create a federal environment watchdog. After a failed deal with the Greens in the last parliament, Labor is now dealing with the Coalition. So what will that mean for the environment? Today, contributing editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis – on Labor’s wheeling and dealing – and the Coalition’s continued identity crisis. 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 at The New Daily, Amy RemeikisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost two years to the day since October 7, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The agreement involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, with Israel pulling back its troops to an agreed-upon line and allowing aid into Gaza. The first hostages are expected to be released as soon as this weekend.  Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on the negotiations that got us here – and what the future of Gaza looks like.  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: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom  Photo: Lenin Nolly/Sipa USASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese was first elected on a pledge to fix the climate wars. The most recent test of that promise was the emissions targets he announced on the world stage. But if the targets themselves don’t meet the standards set by scientists – and the policy underpinning them hasn’t dramatically altered – what’s really going to change? Today, journalist Nick Feik on the inadequacies in the government’s climate policy – and how the media has allowed a political narrative to overshadow the reality of the climate crisis. 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, Nick Feik. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government says it wants to make it easier for Australians to buy a home. Its latest expansion of the five per cent deposit scheme means almost anyone, regardless of income, can now buy a home with a fraction of the usual savings required for a deposit.  It is the boldest version yet of a policy first introduced under the Morrison government.  But behind the promise of affordability is a political calculation: there are far more votes to be won from rising house values than from cheaper homes.  Today, leading economist Saul Eslake on Labor’s home-buyer scheme, why similar policies have failed in the past, and what it would really take to fix the housing crisis.  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: Economist Saul Eslake  Photo: AAP Image/Dan HimbrechtsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It started with a series of posts on social media. Nostalgic images of Australia from decades ago, accompanied by statements like  "we're starting to feel like strangers in our own home”  WA Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s public posts about what he’s calling “out of control” immigration, as well as housing and energy costs have now led to his resignation.  While that means he’s on the backbench right now, the conservative MP has made no secret about his ambition to lead. Today, political reporter Karen Middleton, on Andrew Hastie’s rebellion – and what it means for Sussan Ley’s future. 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: Political reporter Karen Middleton Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Wednesday morning during sitting weeks, politicians, staffers, public servants and journalists gather for a friendly game of sport. It’s meant to be casual, even wholesome.  But recently, that club, the Parliament Sports Club, quietly re-registered as a lobbying organisation. Its board includes the Prime Minister. Its members include representatives from the major sporting codes – and one of its sponsors is the gambling lobby. All of this is happening while the government sits on a report that recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling ads; a ban that experts say is urgently needed to protect families and communities from the harms of gambling.  Today, media reporter for Crikey Daanyal Saeed, on how a casual sporting meet up became a vehicle for lobbyists, and what it tells us about the gambling industry’s grip on politics.  You can read Daany’s reporting here: https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/30/parliament-sports-club-gambling-lobby/  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: Crikey’s media reporter Daanyal SaeedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Rick Morton won the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for his book Mean Streak. It’s a huge achievement and we are thrilled for him. This book was the culmination of years of reporting on Robodebt – a government scheme that destroyed lives. At 7am, we were lucky enough to work with Rick on a series, which we published in 2023, about how Robodebt was allowed to happen. And there’s one episode from that series that we still think about all the time – about a woman who saw what was happening and called it out. We hope you read Rick’s important book Mean Streak – and we hope you enjoy this episode from our series Inside Robodebt. 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: Rick Morton, author of Mean Streak and winner of the non-fiction prize at the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese recently returned from a major overseas trip, rubbing shoulders with royalty and sharing the stage with world leaders. But behind the scenes, there were also quiet discussions about a possible Plan B for AUKUS.  With parliament about to sit again, his government faces pressure from the crossbench over defence and foreign policy – while the Opposition is consumed by internal divisions and power plays.  Today, contributing editor at The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on what Albanese really brought back from his overseas tour, and how the coalition's implosion is reshaping politics in Canberra.  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 at The New Daily Amy RemeikisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.