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Jacinda Ardern’s decision to resign as the Prime Minister of New Zealand shocked her country and the world. She had seemed almost universally beloved. And the young, empathetic and energetic politician was the most world-renowned prime minister New Zealand has ever had.So what made Ardern unwilling to continue? And does she leave her country with the kind of meaningful change she set out to make?Today, freelance correspondent Charlotte Graham-McLay, who is writing a book about the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Freelance correspondent, Charlotte Graham-McLaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia has been a battleground for months – and now, it’s the target of Russia’s newest offensive. Fighting there could be about to get a lot worse. Ukrainian forces are readying a defense, but the war effort in this part of southeastern Ukraine involves more than fighting back on the frontlines.Dr Natalya Mosol is a psychologist, and for the past year, she’s been working with people who have seen the worst of the war.Today, Dr Natalya Mosol, who features in Jane Caro’s article in the latest edition of The Saturday Paper, ‘Treating trauma in Ukraine’s children’.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Psychologist at the National University of Zaporizhzhia, Dr Natalya Mosol.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The premier of NSW, Dominic Perrottet wore a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party.Since the revelations, Jewish groups in NSW have told journalists that they have fielded calls, particularly from elderly members of the community, in tears after hearing about the incident.But why did Perrottet come out and admit the scandal? Does it have anything to do with the looming election? And who was circulating the rumours about the premier’s 21st birthday?Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on what’s going on behind the Perrottet scandal and what links it may have to the gambling industry.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer has provided everyone with a respite from politics, even our politicians.But as they return, they’ll need to face up to problems that have been long in the making.The pandemic is still with us, and clues from the northern hemisphere point towards variants that authorities will have to keep a close eye on.And in the meantime, this week, we have been warned that inequality got worse throughout the pandemic.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Chris Wallace on how Covid-19 made the wealthy richer and why we can’t be complacent about the virus.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Chris Wallace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Liberal MP Julia Banks quit the Morrison government in 2018, her resignation was cited as an example of how hostile the political environment can be towards women.But Banks’ story and her resignation happened to coincide with a landmark report: Respect@Work.That report, and the changes it recommended, languished on the desk of the former government. But reform is now finally coming into effect and, in theory, should change the workplace for women.Today, former politician Julia Banks, on the report she watched be pushed aside, and her hope that this year it’s finally going to change our workplaces for the better.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Former Liberal MP and the author of Power Play, Julia Banks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Pell’s body is returning to Australia after last weekend’s funeral service in the Vatican. He will be interred in the crypts below St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.To his supporters, Pell was a guardian of traditional faith and doctrine, whose conviction on charges of child sexual abuse was overturned by the High Court.To thousands of survivors of child sexual abuse perpetrated by priests across Australia, Pell was the leader who oversaw an era when the Church moved too slowly, and protected itself rather than children.Today, freelance investigative journalist and the author of a book about the trial of George Pell, Fallen, Lucie Morris-Marr on Pell and the questions left for thousands of survivors after his death.If this episode has raised issues for you, for support you can contact Blue Knot on 1300 657 380 and The Survivors and Mates Support Network on 1800 472 676.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Author of Fallen: The inside story of the secret trial and conviction of Cardinal George Pell, Lucie Morris-Marr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year Peter Dutton has begun to spread doubt about the Voice to Parliament. His question is: where’s the detail?One woman has spent years fleshing out the proposal. Marcia Langton co-authored a report on The Voice, and briefed every party room in Canberra about what the model could look like.Today, Professor at the University of Melbourne Marcia Langton on the details of the Voice to Parliament, and what’s at stake if Australia gets this moment wrong.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, Professor Marcia Langton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk has lost more money than any human being who has ever lived.It’s not because of his purchase of Twitter – well, not directly, anyway. It’s because in the last 12 months, the share price of his other company, Tesla, has plummeted.But why is Elon Musk, the erratic entrepreneur, so intertwined with Tesla? How has the company become an extension of one man’s ideas? And is that healthy?Today, veteran Tesla-watcher and financial journalist, Antony Currie, on the unshakeable faith in Elon.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Financial journalist for Reuters, Antony Currie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this Weekend Read, chief political correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 program Laura Tingle, with her piece from the summer issue of The Monthly.It’s called ‘A patch of land’, and in it she writes of the joys of tending and surrendering herself to a native garden, before bidding it a fond farewell after nearly 20 years.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Chief political correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 program, Laura TingleBackground Reading: A Patch of LandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s domestic security agency, ASIO, says right-wing extremism now makes up half of its priority cases. And the far right, while still fringe, has capitalised on division and social media to push its message during the pandemic.So just how big a risk is this movement today? And how did we allow this discredited and dangerous ideology to get a foothold once again?Author Lydia Khalil discusses how counter-terrorism turned a blind eye to the far -right and how we all need to solve that problem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.