The Briefing

Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a 33 year old Australian academic convicted of spying, and sentenced to ten years in an Iranian prison. Kylie has always maintained her innocence. After serving two years, she was recently transferred to what’s been described as one of the world's worst women’s prisons, severely overcrowded and rife with coronavirus.   On todays episode we discover the chain of events that led to Kylie’s imprisonment. We speak with one of her biggest supporters Jessie Moritz and Australia’s former Middle East diplomat Dave Sharma. Freekylie.net is the website her supporters have created with steps on how you can help.   In today's news headlines: Victorian exercise loophole closed as new $5000 fine introduced Police officer’s face slammed into concrete by mask-dodger “They are dying, it is what it is”: President Trump’s disastrous sit-down interview Christmas Island to be reopened for criminals, non-citizens   Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly facts about Coronavirus you need to know. When the coronavirus pandemic first took hold in March one of the most prominent voices explaining what was happening was the ABC’s Dr Norman Swan. He’s a medical doctor and journalist and has become one of the most trusted voices in the country when it comes to the Coronavirus. Now that it’s almost five months since WHO declared the pandemic Norman Swan is with us to answer some of your burning Coronavirus questions.   In today's news headlines: Most non-essential Victorian businesses to shut as Prime Minister unveils $1500 pandemic payment Property prices continue to fall in the major cities Big spike in Aussies importing illegal, unproven Covid-19 “cure”   In today's Briefing we ask: Why did Dr Norman Swan become a prominent voice in discussing coronavirus in Australia? How does he rate the government response to the pandemic? Are these restrictions the new normal or are they an aberration? What will work to curb the spread of the virus in Victoria? How long will it take to get the case numbers under control? How do the restrictions help stop the spread of the virus? What is known about the effects of the virus long term? How does the pandemic end?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the pandemic pushed more people not to have kids? By 2030, the number of couples without children will overtake the number of couples with children. Despite initial talk of lockdown love and the ‘the makings of a baby boom’, history tells us that birth rates are likely to drop in the wake of Covid-19 and the recession.   For some people the pandemic, is the final straw, they  won’t be having kids because the world is ‘no place for children’. Joining us today is Anne Hollonds - Director, Australian Institute of Family Studies.   In today's news headlines: Victoria in a state of disaster, Melbourne’s stage four shutdown NSW upgrades facemask policy as QLD traces flight case Telstra backflips on cyberattack claim over mass outage Nick Kygrios slams “selfish” tennis stars while pulling out of US Open   In today's Briefing we ask: Is declaring a fear of a post-Covid world being a reason to not have kids an over-reaction? Will the pandemic mean Australia’s population will go into decline?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The label ‘Karen’ has become a new archetype of middle-class white privilege. ‘Karen’ has mostly been used in the U.S as a way of calling out entitled white women who are used to getting their way and who police the behaviour of others.    So today we find out what this label really means... by going back to where it started.   In today's news headlines: Three Queensland women charged with fraud over Coronavirus Victorian restrictions extended after record 723 new cases, 13 deaths Zuckerberg told he may be forced to sell Instagram as Trump considers US TikTok ban   In today's Briefing we speak to: Karen Hopkins, Australian who has no problem with the name Karen - is happy to have a laugh about it. Andre Brock, Association Professor of media studies at Georgia Tech. Dr Benjamin Nickl, lecturer at the University of Sydney. Professor Roly Sussex; emeritus professor of applied language studies at the University of Queensland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mental health consequences of COVID-19 are being described as the next wave of the pandemic. The pain of this pandemic could last for years, even if the medical emergency ends soon.   Calls to Lifeline have increased and new research from Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre predicts that under a best case scenario rates of suicide will rise by 14 per cent over the next five years. So how do we try and stop that from happening? On today's episode we speak to Professor Ian Hickie the director of the Brain and Mind centre.   In today's news headlines: Queensland is shutting out all of Greater Sydney after two Covid-19 positive teens sneak in Melbourne police break car window in dramatic arrest of viral Covid-19 sceptic Young Australians incomes’ have actually gone backwards Lorde, Sia, Rihanna sign letter demanding politicians ask before playing songs at rallies   If you're feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe. You can call 13 11 14 for confidential one-to-one support with a trained Lifeline telephone crisis supporter. Or visit headspace.org.au to find your nearest centre, or go and see your local doctor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest threats of the pandemic is unfolding right now. The number of old people getting covid-19 in Victoria’s aged care facilities is frightening.    On today’s episode we look at the Covid crisis engulfing the aged care centres in Melbourne, and how this could be happening given the loss and devastation at Newmarch house in Sydney?   Nicholas Barboussas shares his heartbreaking story about his fathers covid death in St Basil’s nursing home in Melbourne, and Thomas Patsakos descrbes whats its like to have a loved one with dementia in the same aged care facility.     In today's news headlines:  Specialist teams rushed in amid Victorian aged care crisis Sydney Black Lives Matter protest over before it began Heartbreaking number: almost 3 billion animals killed or displaced by summer fires Donald Trump Jr restricted by Twitter over anti-masker post   In today's Briefing we ask: what's it like to have family inside an aged care home during the time of Coronavirus? How difficult is it to not be able to visit and not be able to be there in a family members final days? What is the reaction to people refusing to wear masks or the "herd immunity" theory?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tokyo Olympics were scheduled to open last week before the pandemic pushed them back to next year. Australian Olympic Swimming champion Mack Horton would’ve been racing this week, defending his 400m Gold medal from Rio. It would also have been the first Olympics without a Sun Yang drug cloud hanging over it after the Chinese swimmer was banned for eight years after tampering with a drug test. He joins us on today's show as our very special guest.   In today's news headlines: Three-week-old baby infected with coronavirus in Melbourne NICU cluster Top lawmakers refuse to #RaiseTheAge Black Lives Matter protesters say they’ll cancel today’s rally – on one condition The ACCC’s world-first case against Google   In today's Briefing we ask Mack Horton: How time out of the water was harder than the postponement of the Olympics for him? What was it like not having a pool to train in during lockdown? What's the new sport he’s fallen in love with? What is the physical and psychological impacts of not training? How different the Olympics might look in 2021 in a pandemic world? What was his podium protest really about at the Rio Games?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Australia children as young as 10 can be arrested by police, charged with an offence, hauled before a court and locked away in youth prisons. We’re one of the only western countries that do that. Today Australian lawmakers will have a historic chance to change that. The Council of Attorneys-General will be looking at raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years in line with UN standards.    On today’s episode we hear the deeply moving story of Keenan Mundine who was first locked up at 14 and then spent 15 years in an out of prison. He is part of the campaign to raise the age, and runs an organisation called Deadly Connections. Roxanne Moore is a Noongar woman and human rights lawyer and is helping drive the #RaiseTheAge campaign.   In today's news headlines: “Anti-maskers” slammed by government, business Premier says Melbourne is “effectively” in stage four already Supreme Court blocks upcoming Sydney Black Lives Matter protest Majority of Australians support legal change to stop putting ten-year-olds in prison   In today's Briefing we ask: what is the impact of being locked up on a young person? How does going to prison at a young age normalise it if it happens in future? What does it take to break out of that system? What is a better way to deal with crime than sending children to detention? What would the impact of raising the age of criminal responsibility be? What percentage of young people who are locked up come back to prison?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a special weekend edition of The Briefing with guest Julia Gillard.    In today’s episode, we catch up with Australia’s first and only female Prime Minister about her famous misogyny speech of 2012, how ultra macho leadership styles are letting us down during the pandemic, and her new book Women in Leadership.   In today's episode Julia Gillard speaks to us about: The speech that turned her into a feminist hero The fact she never expected her gender to be such a key point in her leadership of the country Her take on some of the more controversial male leaders across the world during the pandemic Whether New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern would ‘make it’ in Australian politics Whether she expected her post-political life to centre around female leadership  Where she thinks the gender equality debate will be after the pandemic What male leaders of today can do to pave the way for a more equal future See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we take a deep dive on JobKeeper rorts and the bosses taking advantage during the pandemic. Common issues include workers being forced to change hours and duties to receive JobKeeper, and workers being pressured into accepting JobKeeper on the employer’s terms. Since the scheme began in March the Australian Tax office has received more than 6168 tip offs about JobKeeper payment issues, and the Fair Work Ombudsman has received 726 requests for assistance.   In today's episode we speak to some workers who fall under JobKeeper's provisions and Giri Sivaraman, a Principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn.   In today's headlines: A quarter of a million more people will lose their jobs by Christmas Man in his 50s one of five new Victorian deaths as $300 hardship payment introduced Twitter confirms private messages accessed in high profile hack of Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Kanye West Bill Gates “doesn’t know” where Covid-19 microchip conspiracy theory came from   On today's Briefing we ask: Is your employer allowed to force you into a different role or hours on JobKeeper? What should you do if you're being forced to change hours on JobKeeper? What should you do if you're being forced to change duties on JobKeeper? Are you forced to accept JobKeeper?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shark attacks are at a ten year high in Australia. We’re only halfway through the year and we’ve already seen 18 attacks, 4 of those in the past 5 weeks. 5 of these attacks have been fatal, when the average is usually 1.8 deaths per year.   On today's episode we're joined by Dr Vanessa Pirotta: wildlife scientist, marine biologist and last week’s shark attack victim who loves sharks. Our other guest is Dr Vincent Raoult, a marine ecologist at the University of Newcastle.    Today's news headlines: Covid-19: We’ll be paying off the budget hit for 30 years More than half of Victorians not isolating while waiting for Covid-19 test results US President Donald Trump asks Americans to wear masks in major backflip   In today's Briefing we ask: Why there has been a spike in shark attacks in Australia? What are the best approaches to deal with this?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Prime Minister Julia Gillard stood up in parliament and gave her misogyny speech in 2012 she had no idea it would become the defining moment of her career.  It went viral with 6 million people watching it on YouTube alone, and it made Julia a feminist hero. She was the Australia’s first and only female Prime Minister, coming to power controversially after the axing of Kevin Rudd in 2010. She is our special guest on the show today.   In today's news headlines: All the new JobKeeper and JobSeeker changes explained Melbourne security guard claims she was recruited on Whatsapp, given no training Charges laid over 2016 Dreamworld deaths Coronavirus bites with eight iconic Aussie magazines axed   In today's Briefing: Julia Gillard has a new book Women In Leadership and joins The Briefing in this episode to talk about what’s unique about female leadership and how ultra-macho leadership styles are letting us down in the pandemic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month our Prime Minister, side by side with the Defence Minister gave us a very strong warning about cyberattacks. Along with that warning here in Australia, there’s been a concerning development in the UK after they accused a Russian hacking group of trying to steal COVID-19 research.   On todays episode we find out what harm these attacks could actually do., and what we really need to worry about. Our guest today is Alastair MacGibbon: Chief Strategy Officer, CyberCX and former National Cyber Security Advisor & Head of Australian Cyber Security Centre.   In today's news headlines: JobKeeper: payments reduced from October, extended to 2021 NSW at a “critical point” as person in their 30s in ICU Major development in UK Covid-19 vaccine trial   In today's Briefing we ask: Why are cyberattacks a threat to us all? How do they really affect our lives? And what harm could these attacks actually do?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On todays episode we interview a disease detective hunting for patient zero and trying to stop the spread of COVID-19. Christian Peut is a Contact Tracer in the Communicable Disease and Control Branch at SA Health. Coronavirus contact tracers or "disease detectives" are the health experts who interview people with COVID-19 to try and work out who they might have got the disease from and who they might have given it to.    In today's news headlines:  Masks mandatory in Melbourne from Thursday More small business support ahead of JobKeeper tweaks Presidential latecomer Kanye West is holding his first rally today   In todays Briefing we ask: How does contact tracing actually work? Is it really possible to track everyone an infectious person has come into contact with? What happens if - or when - the Covid Safe app fails? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a special weekend edition of The Briefing with guest Dr Pimple Popper.   In today’s episode, we catch up with global YouTube sensation, dermatologist Dr Pimple Popper AKA Dr Sandra Lee. She has more than 6.5 million YouTube subscribers and 3.9 million on Instagram… with some individual videos clocking up 60 million views.   Did she ever expect to clock up 4 million Instagram followers? Her reaction to the success of her videos. Generating an income from what some people squirm over. How pimple popping videos are educating the next generation. Why her videos hit the spot with so many people across the world. The increase in views since COVID-19, and why she thinks there’ll be MORE videos to come thanks to MASK-NE [pron: like acne] from wearing masks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the pandemic making us watch strange internet videos? Jan Fran has felt the need to watch ASMR and Pimple Popping videos during lockdown and on today's episode we explore why? Pimple popping videos are a type of ASMR which is an Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. We’re joined by the biggest pimple popper in the world: Dr Pimple Popper who has 6.5million subscribers on youtube and 3.9m on Instagram. To learn more  our other guest is Dr Craig Richard, an international ASMR expert who created ASMRuniversity.com and is trained in Physiology and Cell biology.   In today's news headlines: Perth AFL game hosts biggest crowd since pandemic began Australian unemployment hits 22 year high Celebrity Twitter hack hits Obama, Jeff Bezos   In today's Briefing we ask: Is Jan Fran the only one who enjoys this pastime? Why do some people love it and some people hate it? Should more people watch them to relax and ease anxiety?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 45 years letters between the Queen and Australia’s Governor General have been kept secret. This week, against the Queen's wishes this series of private letters were released.   On todays episode our guest is the Gough Whitlam biographer who fought for the palace papers to be released in court - Australian Historian Emeritus Professor Jenny Hocking from Monash University. We're also joined by Niki Savva - was in Canberra at the time of the dismissal.   In today's news headlines: $2.5b rescue package for young workers on the way Pokemon Go, KFC: the ridiculous reasons Victorians are breaching lockdown AFL moving north for the rest of the home and away season Young people drinking, using fewer drugs than their parents   In today's Briefing we ask: what is in the palace letters? What do they mean for Australia now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most of us could travel overseas we knew that that if it all goes pear shaped you still call Australia home and it will be waiting for you with open arms. But for many Australians overseas that changed this week.   Today we're joined by Lachlan Kitchen, who has been trying to build a life in Dubai... but had a redundancy  last week. Our other guest is James Mort who is still in London he’s also trying to get home.   In today's news headlines: Victoria’s public housing tower cluster linked to protests QLD declares two NSW suburbs hotspots Woman who lost her home in bushfires survives QLD shark attack Palace Papers released decades after Whitlam dismissal   In today's Briefing we hear what the reality of being unable to return home means for young Australians who’ve been working abroad. We ask the questions: Should returning Australians chip in for quarantine? Have they had enough warning? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should we be wearing face masks in public? To mask or not to mask? It’s a simple question: so why has there been so much mixed messaging about wearing a face mask here in Australia and Overseas? The advice from the World Health Organisation has now become clearer and stronger. Same with the Victorian Authorities and the American Centre for Disease control.    To answer this timely question we speak to Professor Kerryn Phelps AM (Doctor and Former President of the Australian Medical Association) and Professor Marylouise McLaws (an infection prevention expert at the University of NSW).   In today's news headlines: Victoria warned about possible hotel quarantine bungle months ago NSW pubs hit with tighter restrictions after overnight crisis meeting Charity warns JobSeeker cut would create another national crisis NFL: Washington Redskins announce name change after decades of debate   In today's Briefing we ask: Why has the messaging about wearing masks changed? Why has the advice about wearing masks been so unclear? How effective are masks against COVID-19? What type of mask should you use? Where should masks be worn? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know that Covid-19 testing, especially in hotspots, will be key to stopping it’s spread. However, since the second wave hit Melbourne we’ve heard of thousands of people who have refused the swab test. Should we throw the book at these people who say no? Or are there perfectly valid reasons to refuse the nasal swab?   Our guests to discuss this topic are Marylouise McLaws (UNSW Professor in infection prevention and is working on the World Health Organisation’s COVID Advisory Panel) and Lawyer Bill O’Shea (former President of the Law Institute of Victoria, former General Counsel at Alfred Health for 13 years).   In today's news headlines: COVIDSAFE app push as cases climb NSW Covid Cluster Ghislaine Maxwell fights to keep secret doc out of court Trump finally masks up on visit to military hospital   In today's Briefing we ask: There are various state laws that allow authorities to fine people for not taking a test or you can isolate someone as a way of making them get the test -  should we use the full powers of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act to coerce people into taking the test?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US is considering banning Tiktok because of concerns about privacy and Chinese government interference. India banned it last week and now our pollies are taking a long hard look at it. So should TikTok be banned in Australia? Serious concerns have been raised about privacy, censorship and Chinese government interference as Tiktok is the first Chinese-owned social media platform to become so popular in the west.   In today’s episode we speak with Jackson Aces, one of Australia’s top ten TikTok'ers and find out how he feels about banning it. We’re also joined by Mark Pesche, host of The Next Billion Seconds podcast.   In today's news headlines: National cabinet to discuss Victorian outbreak as official warns cases have not peaked yet Horror as hundreds caught flouting social distancing outside Sydney pub “Gross interference”: China’s latest dig at Australia Kanye West unveils Presidential platform in tell-all interview   In today's Briefing we ask: What is TikTok? Should TikTok be banned? What are the concerns about users data and privacy? Why does the government care about TikTok? How has TikTok responded to these claims? What are the implications of banning TikTok? What has the Australian arm of the TikTok organisation said?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode we look at the Melbourne public housing tower crisis. While the city of Melbourne is back in lockdown and panic buying has returned, what will happen to the 3000 people trapped in public housing towers that can’t even go to the supermarket? We speak to Abdi Ish who lives in a North Melbourne housing tower and Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.    In today's news headlines: Fears Melbourne outbreak has already spread interstate World champion snowboarder dies spearfishing on the Gold Coast PM confirms JobSeeker will be extended past September for some   In today's Briefing: the experience of a pandemic for someone who lives in a public housing tower is very different to that of residents in the suburbs. No visitors are allowed in and no residents can go out. The risk of infection is high with cramped living conditions, shared laundries, and hundreds of people using the same lift, meaning these buildings have an explosive potential to spread COVID-19. We ask a resident to paint to a picture for us -  What is it like in there? Is everyone staying in their apartment, or are they going out into the hallways? Is it quiet?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts at the Australian National University have been testing Canberra's sewage water for traces of COVID-19. Testing wastewater is a quick and inexpensive way of tracking the coronavirus and potentially alerting communities of an outbreak before it occurs, so should it be rolled out across the country?   We speak to Dr Aparna Lal from the ANU Research School of Population Health who is leading the team of researchers that took daily samples of wastewater covering the whole of the ACT, and found no traces of the virus. So is testing toilet water the answer?    In today's news headlines: Melbourne plunged back into lockdown as NSW border slams shut “Don’t go to China,” warns federal government US considers TikTok ban Leading scientist says facemask refusers should be treated like drink drivers   In today's Briefing we ask: what can we pick up from testing sewage? Is this a way to get ahead of the curve compared to mainstream testing methods? Can you test the sewage of a specific localised area? How long has this kind of testing been going on? Does this method show undetected community transmission? Can it only detect the presence of coronavirus or does it give an indication of 'how much' virus is in an area? What's the legality around testing sewage? Are there any privacy concerns?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quarantining international travellers has been a huge part of Australia’s successful management of COVID-19, however Victoria faces mass lockdowns in the face of a second wave. On today’s episode we find out what went wrong with Melbourne’s disastrous hotel quarantine management. Andrew Lund is the Nine News reporter who managed to get hotel security guards to speak out and joins us to dive deeper into what went wrong.   In today's news headlines: NSW to close the border on Victoria after spike, two deaths “It’s disgusting” Nine’s Brooke Boney backs Pauline Hanson axing Residents in locked down towers yet to receive supplies Scott Morrison wants penalties for 10,000 refusing tests Mark Zuckerberg to meet with civil rights groups after mass ad exodus   In today's Briefing we ask: was there any truth to the allegations that Security guards were sleeping with people in Quarantine? How did it spread beyond the guards into the community? Why did Victoria take a different approach and on private security companies? Who is to blame?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a time of economic hardship should we be spending less on defence rather than more? As we grapple with the decision about extending Job Keeper... the government announced $270b in weapons spending. Sam Dastyari has openly criticised the move and joins us on the podcast, along with a defence analyst who has a very different view - Professor Rory Medcalf, Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University.   In today's headlines: Victorians say locked down towers feel like a prison Kanye West is running for President Annika Smethurst explains the Eden-Monaro by-election result Alleged victim says Prince Andrew “should be panicking”   In today's Briefing we ask: was the timing of this announcement about winning votes? Is now a good time to shore up our military capability? How does this compare to aid we spend in the Pacific? Is buying weapons the best use of cash? What are the defence implications of not spending this money? What are the risks to Australia's security? Are we really a match for other larger countries military interests?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The #StopHateForProfit campaign is growing, but will it make a difference? Some of the biggest brands in the world have all pledged to suspend advertising on Facebook during July. It’s part of a campaign called #StopHateforProfit.     In today's episode we find out why the big brands are turning on Facebook, and delve into the issue of Hate speech which is a problem that has plagued Facebook for years. Facebook makes nearly all of its money from advertising. This campaign is only for a month so will it actually impact Facebook’s bottom line?  Dan Van Boom is the news editor of C-Net, and joins us to help answer that question.   In today's news headlines: Federal health minister demands answers after Victorian cases exported interstate Geoffrey Rush hangs onto record defamation payout after Daily Telegraph loses appeal Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend and alleged “pimp”arrested by FBI   In today's Briefing we ask: What is the #stophateforprofit campaign? Are advertisers just virtue signalling when they were cutting their marketing budgets anyway? What has Mark Zuckerberg's response been? Will there be any meaningful change from Facebook moving forward?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A reckoning is taking place in Australia’s legal profession. The women in the industry say it’s a boy’s club and always has been, despite more than 60 per cent of law graduates today being female. This gender based discrimination and hostile work environment is a leading reason why women step away from the legal profession. So what is going on and what can be done to fix it? Today's guests are Kate Eastman, Senior Counsel, Employment and human rights barrister and Jessie Tu, who was formerly in the legal profession.   In today's news headlines: Victorians facing jail, $11,000 for NSW visit as lockdowns return Guy Sebastian’s former manager arrested for allegedly defrauding the singer of $1.15m Dyson Heydon no longer a Barrister as police launch probe ATO website crashes as Aussies rush to withdraw second $10,000 from super   In today's Briefing we ask: How women are treated in the legal profession? Who has known about this behaviour? Why did it take this long for a female Chief Justice to instigate an inquiry in to what went actually went on at the highest court in the land?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we take a deep dive on what this means for the planet and what can we do to change it? We’ve known for years that the Arctic is warming at twice the global average and one side effect is that the frozen ground that melts and refreezes each year is permanently shrinking. What’s got scientists really worried is that it is no longer thawing gradually and is allowing masses of carbon that have been locked in frozen dirt to escape. Dr Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick is from the Climate Change Research Centre at UNSW joins us on todays episode to answer our questions.   In today's news headlines: Victorian virus hotspots to be locked down at midnight, international flights suspended Queensland borders reopening on July 10 for all but Victoria European Union says 14 countries welcome to visit, including Australia TikTok blocked by India over security concerns   In today's Briefing we ask: What does a heatwave in Verkhoyansk in Siberia mean for the planet? What if anything can we do to change it? Why are we seeing more severe consequences of global warming in the Arctic compared to other areas? What are the physics of ice and global warming? What is permafrost? If we don't stop this how much greenhouse gas could escape through the thawing of permafrost? Can we stop or reverse global warming?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stock market horror stories and how to avoid the same mistakes!   First time investors have been pouring into the market since the coronavirus crash. Today we find out what can go wrong and how to avoid the same mistakes.   The Covid crisis has created some wild scenes on the stock market and for people that couldn’t bet on sport anymore the stock market became a very enticing option.     We speak to Scott Phillips CIO of Motley Fool and host of a great finance podcast called The Motley Fool Money, and first time Aussie share trader Jack Ball   In today's news headlines: Suburban lockdowns inch closer with a staggering 75 new Covid-19 cases in Victoria $1.35 billion for new cyber army to stop digital attacks New data says jobs are out there, but Aussies aren’t applying for them   In today's Briefing we ask: What can go wrong and how to avoid the same mistakesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tensions have been particularly bad since Australia led the charge on a global inquiry into the origins of the Coronavirus. Earlier this year editor of the Global Times called us the “chewing gum stuck on the soles of China’s shoes” and a poll from last week shows Australians are worried about China. On todays episode we speak to Will Glasgow, the Australian’s China correspondent and China expert and author (Hidden Hand: Exposing How The Chinese Communist Party Is Reshaping The World) Clive Hamilton.   In today's news headlines: Crisis deepens in Victoria as Premier threatens suburban lockdowns In a rare move, Donald Trump deleted a tweet after backlash More people than ever are loving PM Scott Morrison, Newspoll finds   In today's Briefing we ask: Where is Australia’s tense relationship with China heading?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a special weekend edition of The Briefing with guest Julie Bishop In today’s episode we catch up with Julie Bishop the former Foreign Minister and one of Australia’s most successful female politicians. What she’s been up to post politics? Adapting to technology to keep running a business Did Australia do the right thing by leading the call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the Coronavirus? Working with Donald Trump, and the way he’s handles the Black Lives Matter Protests How do we go about tackling racism in Australia? Has she changed her mind about being a feminist? Her third career in life - the private sector See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has won the bid to host the biggest women’s sporting event in the world, the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. On today's episode we speak to Matildas star striker Hayley Raso straight after the announcement. It will be the first World Cup hosted across two football confederations with Australia and New Zealand hosting 32 teams. The Matildas and the Women's League have built up a huge following in the past 10 years and now they will be able to vie for the World Cup on home soil   In today's news headlines: Qantas may cut more jobs if Trans-Tasman travel doesnt happen CovidSafe fail: App yet to trace a new contact Arts Rescue Package Panned   In today's Briefing we ask: what is the value of hometown advantages? What does training look like in the next few years? What does today’s announcement mean to young female players?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The data is in! Employing and promoting women makes a company more productive and more profitable, so why aren’t all businesses doing more of that? In this episode we brief you on a brand-new report that makes the unequivocal business case for gender equality in Australia’s top companies. While women make up half of the workforce there are far fewer women in leadership positions than men. Our guests are Libby Lyons (Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency) and Karen Lonergan (Head of People and Culture at property development company Stockland).   In today’s headlines: $250m rescue package for the arts World heading for 10 million Covid-19 cases as Australia battles its own outbreak Finally confirmation on how to pronounce Arnott’s Nice biscuits   In today’s Briefing we ask: If more gender balanced leadership means higher profits why aren’t more companies doing this?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week the government announced they want to make some uni degrees cheaper and others a lot more expensive.  On today's episode Annika Smethhurst explains the proposed changes, plus we speak with the Education Minister Dan Tehan and his former cabinet colleague Julie Bishop about this.   In today's news headlines: Novak Djokovic tests positive to Covid-19 after hosting controversial tennis tournament Panic buying re-starts in Victoria due to harsh lockdown fears AFL star Eddie Betts’ heartbreaking racism plea to Aussies In today's Briefing we ask: How does fee-supported places work today? What courses will be affected by the proposed changes? What does a current year 12 student about to attend university think? Will more students study overseas as a result of the changes? Are the stereotypes of arts degrees being frivolous unfounded? What evidence is there that lowering university course costs leads to extra demand? How were the cost changes arrived at? How will the proposed changes affect student diversity?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could now be the perfect time for a WAXIT and Western Australia to break away from the rest of the country? There’s long been the undercurrent of a breakaway movement in WA, re-appearing when the borders closed for COVID-19 so what does it mean now? In today's episode we find out what one of WA’s most influential people think of Waxit, former Foreign Minster and WA Leader Julie Bishop, and we’ll speak with leader of the Western Australian Party Julie Matheson.   In today's news headlines: Former High Court justice Dyson Heydon inquiry  75% of Aussies ‘forgetting’ Covid-19 risks World hits one million Coronavirus cases in eight days, amid scary vaccine prediction Degree fee hike may see unis take on more humanities and arts students   In today's Briefing we ask: What does an exit mean? Who is driving the secessionist sentiment? Why would WA want this? What would some members of WA like to see changed to remain in the federation? What does the WA population think? What role has the pandemic played to exacerbate this movement? What would be the process to do a WAXIT?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria has reimposed coronavirus restrictions and extended its State of Emergency after its highest number of new cases in months.   On Todays episode we take a look at what led to this spike, and whether this is the right course of action for the state.   Catherine Bennett, Professor of Epidemiology at Deakin University helps us understand this tipping point.   In todays news Headlines: Victoria reimposes coronavirus restrictions after the highest number of new cases in months World reaches a grim Covid-19 milestone No second wave of Covid-19 from US Black Lives Matter protests K-Pop fans and TikTokers claim to have virtually hijacked Trump rally   In todays Briefing we ask: Has Victoria’s Premier done the right thing by revising restrictions? How is this transmission occurring? Is the focus on how people are interacting in households rather than big events like protests? Will the protests also contribute to these unrelated sporadic cases? Is it down to the individual or is it something the state can intervene in? Will we be able to get on top of this second wave in Victoria or is this something bigger?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a special weekend edition of The Briefing with guest Andrew Denton. Andrew is one of Australia’s most loved media identities and after losing his father to a painful death a few years ago he’s been Australia’s most vocal advocate for assisted dying.  Andrew is passionate about having a choice about how we die and has been working to bring in Assisted Dying Laws so none of us have to go through that. He’s travelled the world seeing how the laws work in some of the six other countries that allow it.  Since Andrew has been advocating, Victoria has passed Voluntary Assisted Dying laws and yesterday marked one year since the scheme began.  Today we're joined by Andrew to see how he thinks the laws are working, and if the rest of Australia will follow suit.   How does Andrew think the laws are working?  What is stopping other states in Australia passing these laws? Does he see any cultural changes around this issue? Why he thinks it will be inevitable that the laws will be Australia Wide.   Andrew Denton is the founder and director of Go Gentle Australia https://www.gogentleaustralia.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks one year since Victoria introduced a voluntary assisted dying scheme.  It’s the first Australian state to enact Voluntary Assisted Dying laws, so the question is: Should the rest of the country follow suit? We speak to Dr Cameron McLaren, the Victorian doctor who’s assisted in more deaths than any other doctor. And Adam Foreman whose mum chose Voluntary Assisted Dying to end her battle with cancer. In todays headlines: Jamila caught in the Labor branch stacking cross-fire Uni fees overhauled, the new cut price courses Calls for JobKeeper and JobSeeker to be extended after horror job losses Ex-top advisor says Trump isn’t fit for office Homeless man sneaks into Covid-19 quarantine, scores two week free hotel stay   Keep an eye out for our Special Weekend Briefing in your feed tomorrow, where we go in depth with Andrew Denton, who’s been Australia’s most vocal advocate for assisted dying. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of you donated to help the bushfire victims. But have we helped the people that need it?   Before the pandemic the devastation and the smoke from the bush fires was all consuming.   Over 18.6 million hectares of land was burnt, 33 people were killed and almost 6,000 buildings were destroyed. Along with the personal pain it also caused a lot of political tension.    In just over two weeks we’re going to find out what people in one of the hardest hit areas are feeling about the response to the bushfire disaster when they go to the polls in the Eden Monaro By Election.   On todays episode we find out how people are doing on the ground, and how this might play out at the by election.    In Todays Headlines: Former Atlanta police officer, charged with murder of Rayshard Brooks Recruitment starts today for Australia’s most promising Covid-19 vaccine trial Explosive leaked text messages see Labor branch stacking scandal turn ugly Melbourne African community leader targeted with racist messages by South Australian Police Officer Qantas cancels all international flights for months UK PM Boris Johnson’s speaks lovingly about Australia before car crash     On Todays episode we ask: What is a by election? How will the bushfire recovery impact the upcoming by-election? Do people feel like they’re getting enough support? What is the social and mental impact this is having on people? Does the frustration with government still exist?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Defunding the police - What does it mean? and why is the US police force so different from our own?   One of the demands of protestors since George Floyd’s death is the call to defund the police.Today we dig deeper into this call, and find out what it actually means.   We’ll take you to Atlanta where protestors have hit the streets after Rayshard Brooks was shot dead by police and speak to one of the protest leaders Dionisio Tabora - CEO of Atlanta Protest for Justice.   We find out more about how the Police Forces work in America with David Smith a Senior Lecturer in American Politics at University of Sydney who explains what Defunding the Police means. In todays headlines: Covid breakthrough. UK study shows cheap steroid reduces coronavirus deaths by a third. As we lift Covid restrictions, second waves are starting overseas. Victorian Premier hands over state party control after branch stacking scandal The Atlanta cop who shot Rayshard Brooks had 12 previous complaints Beer company considering name change after BLM pressure   On Todays episode we ask: What does defunding the police mean? Does it mean there’s no police force? Is it about scraping the forces they have and starting again? How strong have the protests been in Atlanta in the wake of Rayshard brooks shooting? How does the Police force work in America?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will COVID produce the opportunity of a generation for young people desperate to crack the housing market?   Decades of surging house prices have created some intense intergenerational debates around fairness, with Median home prices increasing to more than seven times the median incomes today.   There were pandemic predictions that prices could fall by up to 30% however most banks have scaled back their predictions to a 10% drop.   So with mortgage freezes and job keeper stopping in September, is this the time for first home buyers to get into the market?     In todays headlines: Labor in crisis mode as heads roll over branch stacking scandal. How the AFL could have stopped the Adam Goodes racism row Uni to offer entry without an ATAR/Ranking score due to Covid-19 Infamous nightclub fined for hosting event and breaching Covid-19 rules     In todays episode we ask: Is the right time for first home buyers to jump into the market? Will the incentive schemes around first home buyers entice people to hire tradies? When do we jump in? Are we seeing any signs of the predictions that prices could fall by up to 30%? Will the September Cliff be a reality? What sort of property doesnt lose it value? How does the First home loan deposit scheme work?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a debate that’s happening across the world right now: Should we pull down statues of people whose actions now appear hurtful and deeply offensive in today’s context?   Since the Global Black Lives Matter Protests a statue of Christopher Columbus in the US was decapitated, a statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into a river in the UK, and in Belgium a statue of brutal coloniser King Leopold was removed.   In this episode we take the debate to Australia asking: Should we take down statues of people that inflicted hurt, pain or death to Indigenous Australians?   In todays headlines: Police body worn camera captures Rayshard Brooks’ final moments Statues still the focus of BLM protesters Victorian premier to respond to ALP corruption claims Back to the pub… More Covid restrictions ease     In todays episode we ask: Is tearing down statues rewriting or erasing a part of history? Is tearing a statue down an easy answer to a difficult question? Should we pull down racist statues?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Question: What do a former Liberal party cabinet minister and the rave scene have in common?  Answer: An appreciation of the drug MDMA.    Experts are warning Coronavirus will have a huge impact on our mental health and former Liberal minister Andrew Robb thinks psychedelic drugs might be a solution.   MDMA, the key ingredient in party drug ecstasy and psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms have been involved in over 119 trials. With MDMA treating PTSD, and psilocybin being trialled for depression, anxiety, addiction and other conditions.   While Andrew hasn’t tried this psychedelic assisted medicine, Jesse Noakes from Perth has and found it immediately transformational. Both join us on todays episode to share their experience.   In todays headlines:   Top doctors urge Australians to avoid rallies after protester tests positive to coronavirus PM slammed after claiming Captain Cook was not involved in slavery ABC carrying out “harm and offence audit” after Chris Lilley pulled from Netflix Twitter moves to stop us sharing articles we haven’t read   In todays briefing we ask:   Are psychedelic drugs a solution to Mental Health? Is it crucial psychadelic assisted medicine is only used in conjunction wtih a therapist? What does a session look like? How much does an MDMA therapy session cost?         If you are struggling, or need help call lifeline: 13 11 14 If you’d like more info on this visit Mind Medicine Australia, an organisation advocating for change in this space www.mindmedicineaustralia.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The record breaking protests in the US have rightly put questions about the way Australia’s indigenous people are treated by police back on the agenda. Indigenous incarceration rates here in Australia are on the rise, and First Nations people are now more likely to be locked up than African-Americans. One recommended way of fixing this problem is by increasing the number of Indigenous people in the police force. In todays Briefing we take you to Australia’s first all Indigenous police station in a small community 300kms west of Uluru featured in the film ‘Our Law’. We catch up with the film’s director Cornel Ozies and one its stars Sergeant Wendy Kelly - an Indigenous police officer who was working at the station and helping improve the way the police force engages with Indigenous people.   Today's Headlines: Chris Lilley shows & Little Britian pulled down over blackface Ruby Princess inquiry hears passengers “had flights to catch” Aussie gyms rush to cut ties with Crossfit after CEO resigns Police to take legal action over more planned protests   In todays episode we ask: What have the police done wrong in the way they’ve dealt with Indigenous people? What is the key difference being Indigenous police officer? Is there an instant trust that a non-indigenous person wouldn’t have?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bonus Episode hear our full interview   How does a former ‘Tiger King’ Animal Keeper feel about the court awarding Joe Exotics Zoo to his nemesis Carole Baskin?   We speak to ‘Saff’ the former Animal keeper who lost his arm to a tiger attack, and fan favourite of the Netflix series.   The recent big news for fans of the series saw a US court awarding Joe Exotic’s bitter rival Carole Baskin ownership of the Oklahoma tiger zoo he set up.   Joe is the controversial former tiger zoo operator who’s serving a 22 year jail sentence for attempting to order a hit on Carole Baskin who also ran a tiger zoo.   In this extended interview:   How did Saff respond to the recent developments of Carole taking over the zoo? What does it mean for the animals left in the zoo?Does Saff trust that Jeff Lowe will look after the animals? the zoo in good hands or is Saff concerned? How would Joe Exotic be reacting to the news? Does Saff feel for Joe Exotic after all they've been through?As someone who is passionate about animals how did Saff feel watching Tiger King knowing animals werent treated as well as they could have been?Does Joe Exotic have good reason to be holding hope for getting anything back? How strong the pull is with working with animals?Why did Saff go back to work so soon after arm was amputated?How does Saff feel about the park going to Carole Baskin?How has the massive success of Tiger King changed Saffs life?When people come up to Saff on the street, where does the general population sit with Carole Baskin?What is Saff’s reaction to a Sheriff finding that Carole Husbands Don Lewis' will was forged? Do the Tiger King cast stay in touch? What is Saff’s reaction to Coronavirus lockdown and protests surrounding George Floyds death  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a former ‘Tiger King’ Animal Keeper feel about the court awarding Joe Exotics Zoo to his nemesis Carole Baskin?   We speak to ‘Saff’ the former Animal keeper who lost his arm to a tiger attack, and fan favourite of the Netflix series.   Joe is the controversial former tiger zoo operator who’s serving a 22 year jail sentence for attempting to order a hit on Carole Baskin who also ran a tiger zoo, but claimed it was for animal welfare rather than entertainment.     In Todays headlines: No locally-spread coronavirus cases in Australia in 24 hours Footy fans return for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak began. US ups the pressure on Prince Andrew Microsoft’s robot editor mixes up mixed-race Little Mix singers     In todays Briefing we ask:   How did Saff respond to the news? Is the zoo in good hands or is Saff concerned? How would Joe Exotic be reacting to the news? Does Joe have good reason to be holding hope for getting anything back? What does it mean for Jeff Lowe who was in control of the zoo? What is Saff’s reaction to a Sheriff finding that Carole Husbands will was forged? How does Saff feel watching himself in the documentary series? How has the massive success of the documentary changed Saffs life? Do the Tiger King cast stay in touch? Saff’s reaction to Coronavirus lockdown and protests surrounding George Floyds deathSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most contentious issues of the pandemic has been Australia’s state border closures, with 3 out of 4 of us supporting them.  Where do you stand? The federal government and the NSW premier want the other states to open up their borders faster... but the WA and QLD premiers in particular are pushing back. Today we speak to Professor George Williams (Constitutional Expert) and Mechanic Chris Jobson, who lives in QLD but works in Tweed Heads NSW.   Today's news headlines: The Conflicting health advice on whether protestors should self-isolate Police Officer  who killed  George Floyd fronts court for the first time China's threat: Fall in tourists 'just the tip of the iceberg' US requests formal interview with Prince Andrew over Jeffrey Epstein   In today's Briefing we ask: Should we reopen Australia's state borders? What are the different travel restrictions in each state? What's it like to work across a border? Do Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson have a chance of winning their case against the government not reopening the borders? What does the Australian Constitution say about this? How long can these measures survive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to your Queens Birthday edition of The Briefing.   Top 5 Briefing Episodes … as downloaded by you   While many of you are enjoying a long weekend Tom Tilley and Jan Fran bring you this special episode, revealing the top 5 episodes as downloaded by you.   The Briefing started at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, and more recently the focus has been on the race riots and protests in America and around the world! An incredible time in world history to start a daily news podcast.   In todays Briefing we also ask: When is the Queens actual birthday? Why did Jan Fran stop science in Year 10?  How to win an argument online? and Does Tom Tilley believe peoples minds can be changed?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our farmers have been going through hell with one of the worst droughts in Australia’s history. But with above average rainfall expected for winter, could the drought be breaking? Joining us today we speak to Dr Andrew Watkins (Head of Long-range Forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology), James Nalder (a young cattle farmer from Coonamble in North West NSW) and Wayne Dunford (a Parkes farmer and the chair of the NSW Farmers Drought Taskforce).   In today's news headlines: Australian Black Lives Matter protests to draw tens of thousands tomorrow U.S. latest: George Floyd memorial held as violence subsides Travel snapshot: Aussies can now register their interest in July New Zealand holiday “I’ve just reseeded that!”: Guy tells PM, reporters to get off his lawn   In today's Briefing we ask: How much of Australia's food is sourced locally? Has the drought broken? Will the drought break? How do measure drought? Can we grow some crops in drought affected regions this winter/spring? What is required to guarantee water long-term? What is the impact on farmers?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robodebt is the story the government didn’t want you to hear about, but last week it admitted defeat and agreed to refund thousands of Aussies it sent flawed demands to as part of its controversial robodebt recovery scheme. We speak to Joel Townsend -  Program Manager of Economic and Social Rights at Victorian Legal Aid,  which has been acting on behalf of people dudded by robodebt and Emma -  a student who received a $9k robodebt bill.   In today's news headlines: The latest from the U.S: Breaking: All four former officers involved in George Floyd's killing now face charges Protests Arrests George Floyds family Family of Indigenous teenager want police officer charged Australia is in a recession Australian journalist Sophie Walsh attacked live on air   In today's Briefing we ask: where did the government go wrong? How will you get your money back?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.