Episodes

  • These PwC executives still haven't been held accountable

    These PwC executives still haven't been held accountable
    Jul 29 2024
    It was one of the biggest corporate scandals the country has ever seen when it was revealed that PwC had used confidential government information to enrich itself and its corporate clients. Since then there have been two parliamentary inquiries, an AFP investigation, nine investigations by the tax practitioners board, one internal review and an investigation by the international arm of the company. Yet important questions remain unanswered. Today, special correspondent Jason Koutsoukis on the key questions at the centre of the tax leaks scandal — and when we can expect answers to them. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis
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    19 mins
  • Zoe Daniel on what it costs to win an election

    Zoe Daniel on what it costs to win an election
    Jul 28 2024
    The historic teal wave at the last election delivered the two major parties their worst electoral results ever. So, perhaps it’s no surprise that the government looks set to introduce new laws that could make it harder for newcomers to compete. The minister responsible says he wants to address the “growing threat of big money in politics.” The rules could include a requirement that all donations over $1000 be disclosed and made public in real time, with caps on the amount that can be donated. A cap on spending is also on the table – somewhere around a million dollars per candidate, per seat, which is significantly less than many of the teals spent to win. Today, independent member for Goldstein Zoe Daniel on how much it costs to beat an incumbent and the double standards of the major parties. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Independent member for Goldstein Zoe Daniel
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    21 mins
  • Read This: How Geraldine Brooks Became a Novelist

    Read This: How Geraldine Brooks Became a Novelist
    Jul 27 2024
    In this episode of our sister podcast, host Michael Williams speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks. She shares her life sentence and reflects on how her upbringing provided the essential building blocks for a career as a writer.
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    30 mins
  • 'I sued the government over climate – but I'm not done'

    'I sued the government over climate – but I'm not done'
    Jul 25 2024
    Climate activist Katta O’Donnell sued the Australian government for failing to disclose how much climate change would impact the value of government bonds. It was a world-first case, she was a law student at the time and she won. But the experience left her feeling more disillusioned than ever and determined to find another way to make change. Today, Katta O’Donnell on why she believes direct action is the way forward on climate. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Katta O’Donnell
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    21 mins
  • Why Labor supports private school tax breaks

    Why Labor supports private school tax breaks
    Jul 24 2024
    Recently, Mike Seccombe has been looking into the divide between Australia’s richest and poorest schools – to find out why this gap keeps widening. And what he found was a broken system. Rich parents are able to get huge tax breaks by donating to opulent building projects at their kids’ private schools. It’s a practice that goes way back – and many argue – is outdated. Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper and a proud state school boy, Mike Seccombe, on why we need an overhaul of the charitable giving system that delivers some kids castles. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe
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    20 mins
  • The executive, the mine and the corruption referral

    The executive, the mine and the corruption referral
    Jul 23 2024
    On a remote island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, there are two towns. One is home to a thriving economy. It has a golf course, cinema and tennis courts. It’s the richest postcode in the Northern Territory. Most of the people who live there are white. The other is home to the Anindilyakwa people - the Traditional Owners. The locals live just a few hundred metres from the world’s largest manganese mine. Here, life outcomes are worse than anywhere else in the country. This jarring contrast raises questions about where the royalties of this mine are flowing – and why the Traditional Owners are seeing so little return to their community. Now, the National Indigenous Australians Agency has referred the white chief executive of the Anindilyakwa Land Council to the National Anti-Corruption Commission over his plan to take a personal 10 per cent stake in a mining project on the island. Today, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer Ben Abbatangelo on the plan and the man who stood in its way. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer Ben Abbatangelo
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    20 mins
  • Why Biden pulled out: 'Money is the mother's milk of politics'

    Why Biden pulled out: 'Money is the mother's milk of politics'
    Jul 22 2024
    With just over a hundred days to go until the US election, Joe Biden has announced he’s dropping out of the presidential race. In a letter posted to X, he said “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term”. His decision comes after weeks of pressure from donors and colleagues to drop out. The question now is whether the Democrats will unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris, who President Biden has endorsed to succeed him. Today, senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre Bruce Wolpe on the key players who pushed Biden out and whether Kamala Harris can defeat Donald Trump. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre Bruce Wolpe
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    20 mins
  • The truth about men who kill women

    The truth about men who kill women
    Jul 21 2024
    News stories about violence against women have been coming hard and fast these past few weeks. These stories of the women — and sometimes children — killed, usually by a man they knew and often in a terribly violent way, are hard to read. Yet years of education campaigns and talk of respect for women seem to have made no difference, and every few days, another woman dies. Today, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody on why men kill women, and why Australia’s domestic violence problem is still getting worse. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Anna Cody
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    20 mins