7am

It's a case where the art has been overshadowed by the drama.  The star of Australian film The Deb, singer Charlotte McInnes, is suing Australian actor and director Rebel Wilson for defamation.  Over two weeks of hearings, the court was told about smear campaigns, hacked Snapchats, and the central claim: that Rebel Wilson lied about her star actress. Rebel is accused of being a fantastical liar who orchestrated a ‘complete revision of history’. She maintains she’s telling the truth – and that she’s a whistleblower who supports women.   A judge is deciding which version of events is true – with a decision expected any day.  Today, senior reporter at The Daily Telegraph, Nathanael Cooper, on the trial, the movie, and the consequences for everyone involved.   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: Senior Reporter at The Daily Telegraph, Nathanael Cooper Photo: AAP Image/Dean LewinsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing market – and young people without rich parents being locked out of it – has dominated dinner table conversations for years.  This budget the Albanese government decided to try and do something about it: limiting negative gearing and replacing the capital gains tax.  So what difference will that make and how long will it take for anything to change?  One person who can help answer those questions is Stephen Koukoulas. He’s been an economist for decades, including as Senior Economic Advisor to then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He’s seen first hand how these tax policies have shaped the housing market and how reversing them has seemed impossible.  Today, economist Stephen Koukoulas on the future of housing in 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: Economist, Stephen Koukoulas Photo: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Middleton, press gallery journalist and political commentator, breaks down the budget’s fairness pitch. She walks through changes to negative gearing and capital gains, the grandfathering trade-offs, and the $250 tax offset plus the $1,000 deduction. Migration intake cuts, political calculations and who wins or loses all get sharp, concise attention.

Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, explains the ACCC cases against Coles and Woolworths in plain terms. He outlines the claims about misleading discounts and how supermarkets defended pricing. He discusses potential penalties, legal hurdles, and what a win or loss could mean for retail practices and competition.

Amy Remeikis, contributing editor at The New Daily who covers Australian politics, explains the shockwaves from One Nation’s Farrer win. Short takes on the decisive vote swing, why regional voters turned to populism, and how this shift reshapes the political map and pressures major parties. Scenes include comparisons to global populist trends and what One Nation might target next.

The first week of hearings at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion opened with Jewish Australians describing what life now feels like. Jewish community groups say reported antisemitic incidents in Australia have surged since October 7. But the commission is not only hearing about what’s happened. It’s also being asked to answer a difficult question: what counts as antisemitism  – and where is the line between political speech, criticism of Israel, and hatred directed at Jews? Today, historian of modern Jewish life and culture David Slucki, who leads Monash University’s research into antisemitism, on how antisemitism should be understood, measured and responded to. 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: Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, David Slucki Photo: AAP Image/Dean LewinsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year – after months of pressure over youth crime, and claims the system had become too soft – Victoria passed what it proudly called the toughest bail laws in the country. At the time, legal and human rights experts warned the laws would put more children in custody and disproportionately affect First Nations people. Now, the Allan government is doubling down. In this week’s state budget, it said bail refusals were at record highs – and promised more money for corrections, faster youth crime hearings and a rewrite of sentencing laws. But the deeper question hasn’t changed: should bail be a right or a tool for crime prevention? Today, we’re returning to Daniel James’ conversation with legal academic Professor Marilyn McMahon on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what that means for justice. This episode was originally published in March, 2025.   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 in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon Photo: AAP Image/Con ChronisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The seat of Farrer in NSW has been empty since the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.  Today, a new member will be elected, and while the race is tight – One Nation’s David Farley is ahead in the polls. He’ll be picking up Coalition preferences, but faces a strong challenge from independent Michelle Milthorpe. So will One Nation win its first federal lower house seat? And if so, what will that signal for the future of conservative politics? Today, ABC Election analyst Casey Briggs on the fight for Farrer.    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 Election Analyst, Casey Briggs Photo: AAP Image/Simon DallingerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late yesterday, four women and nine children arrived in Australia from Syria.  The women, who originally left the country to be part of the Islamic State caliphate, have spent the years since its collapse in Syrian refugee camps.  Many of their children, who are Australian citizens too, have never been here before.  But they aren’t the first to come back – since 2019, women and children like them have been returning.  What they’re returning to has become more and more hostile, with politicians maintaining they aren’t welcome, and police threatening arrest.   Today, Professor Michele Grossman, expert on violent extremism from Deakin University, on our responsibility to these citizens and the danger of politicising their position.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. And special credit for the audio of Australian children inside al-Roj refugee camp goes to William Christou and the Guardian.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Expert on violent extremism from Deakin University, Professor Michele Grossman Photo: AP Photo/Baderkhan AhmadSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zach Schofield, an Australian activist who sailed with a flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, gives eyewitness testimony of being intercepted at sea. He describes drones, warnings, soldiers boarding, alleged beatings and rubber bullets. He also talks about damaged boats, lost aid, injuries and why the group may try again.