Our next guest to join Macca and Paul on air, is Laura Koefoed, Senior Journalist with QNews; as they discuss Meta deleting the accounts of marginalized groups, including BIPOC, Sex Workers and LGBTQIA+ performers.

Laura Koefoed is a Senior Journalist based in Sydney, covering a range of topics and issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community. She is passionate about writing on politics, social justice, current affairs, and entertainment, particularly where they intersect with queer culture, feminism, gender diversity, and tackling systemic oppression.

“In January, QNews reported on a wave of Meta account removals targeting LGBTQIA+ performers, BIPOC creators, sex workers, and pole dancing communities — all falsely accused of “human exploitation” or “human trafficking.”

At the time, those impacted described the experience as shocking, isolating, and inexplicable.

This has been happening to BIPOC creators, sex workers, sexual health organisations, and queer folk for years. And, it’s only getting worse.

More and more bans

Since that initial reporting, more accounts have been removed, restricted, or permanently disabled — similarly, without warning, explanation, or any avenue for appeal.

Sydney-based performer Basjia, who previously lost her main account and her platform The Pyramid, has since faced further account suspensions across multiple professional profiles.

Queer artists, nightlife promoters and dancers continue to come forward to QNews, or share their stories online.

“I and many other pole dancers, queer artists, and nightlife promoters have experienced the hardship that Meta has been causing,” performer Cleo Rapture told QNews”.

https://qnews.com.au/metas-censorship-of-marginalised-communities-is-finally-getting-noticed/

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Our next guest is a regular contributor and guest on Saturday Magazine, Bruce Wolpe, Snr Fellow, US Studies Centre.

Misha also remained in the studio to discuss issues in the US with Bruce.

Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre. Bruce is a regular contributor on US politics across media platforms in Australia. In recent years, Bruce has worked with the Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM’s chief of staff. From 1998-2009, Bruce was a senior executive at Fairfax Media in Sydney.

Bruce is author of Trump’s Australia, an examination of Donald Trump’s possible return to the presidency and the issues presented to Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2023), The Committee, a study of President Obama’s legislative agenda in Congress (University of Michigan Press, 2018, 2d Edition September 2021) and Lobbying Congress: How The System Works (Congressional Quarterly Books, 1990, 1996).

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Snr Fellow, US Studies Centre, Latest from Washington, Is Trump in Trouble? Melania’s Press Conference. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our first guest for the week is long time friend of the show, Misha Ketchell, Editor of the Conversation. Misha joined Macca and Paul live in the studio.

Misha and the team discuss reaction to the recently announced gambling reforms; are we at risk of recession?; Ben Roberts-Smith behind bars

Misha is the Editor of The Conversation Australia and New Zealand. He has been an editor and journalist for more than 25 years. He was the founding editor of The Big Issue Australia and editor of Crikey, The Reader and The Melbourne Weekly. He was also a reporter and feature writer at The Age and also worked at the ABC where he was a TV producer on Media Watch and The 7:30 Report and an editor on The Drum.

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Misha Ketchell, Editor, The Conversation, Gambling Reforms; Ben Roberts-Smith; Behind Bars appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul Horwell are in the hosting seats this week as they discuss the week that was in the news, views and reviews. Paul gives an update on what’s happening at the Victorian Pride Centre.

The post Sat, 11th April, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Paul Horwell. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Iain Sinclair, about his new production ‘West Gate’ (from MTC).

Award-winning director Iain Sinclair (A View from the Bridge) returns to Melbourne Theatre Company to helm this haunting and compassionate new work by Dennis McIntosh – a powerful retelling of a defining moment in Australian history.

Screen veterans Steve Bastoni (Police Rescue, The Matrix Reloaded) and Daniela Farinacci (Lantana), as well as Darcy Kent (New Gold Mountain) and Rohan Nichol (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith) lead a powerhouse cast in this searing retelling of a foundational Melbourne story.

On 15 October 1970, dozens of workers were mid-construction on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge when it collapsed in what is still Australia’s deadliest industrial accident. Thirty-five men were killed as countless more workers and families were left forever changed.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026; Iain Sinclair Director, West Gate (Melbourne Theatre Company) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Virginia Haussegger AM is a passionate women’s advocate, and communication specialist with unique expertise in leading powerful conversations. She is also an award-winning television journalist, writer and commentator, whose extensive media career spans 30 years.

Virginia will be one of the guest panelists at the Sorrento Writers Festival session:

Virginia has reported from around the globe, including Washington, New York and the Middle East, for leading current affair programs on Channel 9, the Seven Network and the ABC. She has anchored primetime national news programs and presented as state host in five capital cities, including 15 years as nightly anchor of the ABC’s flagship TV News in Canberra.

Virginia has been widely published across Australian media including The Canberra Times; the Sydney Morning Herald; The Age; The Guardian; Australian Foreign Affairs; HQ Magazine; The Museum. She is Deputy Chair of the media think-tank PIJI, the Public Interest Journalism Initiative.

A highly sought-after Speaker, Virginia hosts BroadTalk, a podcast about Women, Power and the Wayward World, in which prominent women speak intimately about the events that have shaped and influenced their leadership.

https://sorrentowritersfestival.com.au/artfuel/program/666/show/the-revolution-continues-still-fighting-for-rights-in-australia

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Virginia Haussegger, Journalist, Author, Speaker, ‘The Revolution Continues’ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Corrie Perkin, Founder and Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival, about this year’s festival programme.

Corrie Perkin is the Founder and Director of the Sorrento Writers Festival a major literary event launched in 2023 in Victoria, Australia. An acclaimed journalist, former bookshop owner, and podcaster, she created the festival to connect readers and writers on the Mornington Peninsula.

http://Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Corrie Perkin, Founder, Sorrento Writers Festival; April 23-26, 2026.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Corrie Perkin, Founder, Sorrento Writers Festival; April 23-26, 2026. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is Dr. Kirsten Abernethy, Macca and Kenny discuss the funding failures across the political spectrum for domestic violence support.

“National Legal Aid is deeply concerned about potential cuts to legal assistance for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in the upcoming Federal Budget, after reports in The Sydney Morning Herald”, March 26 2026

https://nationallegalaid.org.au/news/budget-cuts-to-legal-assistance-will-put-women-and-children-at-risk-warns-national-legal-aid

Dr. Kirsten Abernethy is a social scientist, researcher and educator with over 20 years’ experience working with coastal and seafaring communities across Australia, the UK, and the Pacific. Her work is grounded in feminist values, and her research and advocacy has been centred upon worker’s rights, looking deeply at the experiences of women, a demographic often underrepresented. Kirsten has led major research and sector-wide programs focused on women’s leadership, workplace inclusion and systemic reform. In 2017, she won the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In 2025 was appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.

The post Easter Saturday, April 4th, 2026, Dr. Kirsten Abernethy, Executive Director, Victorian Women’s Trust, Budget Cuts to Legal Aid for Domestic Violence Victims. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.