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An idea that Australia discarded a decade ago will return on Tuesday night.That idea is a so-called “wellbeing budget”. It is being talked up by the Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Chalmers has promised that Australia will follow countries like Scotland and New Zealand in judging the success of government spending not just against GDP and income per person, but based on whether it improves the wellbeing of the Australian people.Today, social researcher and director of research at 89 Degrees East, Rebecca Huntley on whether a budget can actually make us happier.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Social researcher and director of research at 89 Degrees East, Rebecca Huntley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labor party has been making promises.The latest is that it hopes to end domestic and family violence within a generation.But ahead of the budget, the leadership of the party are in a tricky position by promising no tax hikes, no excessive borrowing, but fixing funding to services.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the storm clouds gathering as we go into budget week.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been two weeks since millions of Australians learned their data might have been compromised in the Optus hack. Since then other data breaches have been revealed, and the precarious nature of the way our personal information is often stored is becoming clear. So what actually happens when someone tries to steal your identity? Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Emma Phillips, on how it feels to lose control of your identity, and her fight to get it back. In a statement in response to issues raised in this episode, the Victorian Department of Transport said:“We’re protecting Victorian licence holders from identity theft with strong security measures in place to protect the data we hold.”“This includes ensuring that only genuine victims of identity theft can change their licence number and taking steps to ensure a person who calls up, or goes into one of our customer service centres is who they say they are.”Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Emma Phillips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when an organisation founded on radical activism decides to work with, instead of against, authorities? For Captain Paul Watson that conundrum has led to an acrimonious split from the organisation that he started, Sea Shepherd.Watson has been hailed by some as a hero for his exploits against whaling ships on the high seas — but others say he’s an ‘eco-terrorist’ who has given environmentalism a bad name.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on whether this is the end for Paul Watson’s brand of high-stakes environmentalism.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter, Instagram and TikTokGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The notorious Evin prison in Iran, which holds the Islamic Republic’s political prisoners, was on fire over the weekend.Around the country, protests that began over the death of a woman in police custody have now morphed into a broad anti-government movement – the most significant in years.This time, protesters are being more daring than ever before. Some are calling for the death of Iran’s supreme leader and flaunting Iran’s strict morality laws in the streets.Today, scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and one-time detainee at Evin Prison Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert on how far the Iranian protesters are willing to go.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. She spent 804 days in prison in Iran, Dr Kylie Moore-GilbertSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xi Jinping is ascending to a historic level of power.He is the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, which has 95 million people who are members, and is the most powerful President of China since Chairman Mao.Now, he is becoming what some experts have called China’s ‘leader for life’.That makes him one of the most powerful men in history.Today, former prime minister of Australia Kevin Rudd on the coronation of Xi Jinping and how his ideology has changed China forever.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Former prime minister of Australia, Dr Kevin Rudd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, author Cate Kennedy reads her piece from the latest edition of the Monthly. Beginning in the first months of lockdown, it asks the question: why did so many people turn to collective song and music, while stuck in isolation?Choirs conducted over video chat and jam sessions in the digital world might not be a perfect replacement for the connection of performing together in a room – but it seemed like there was something essential in the act of coming together to create music.So what is it about song that can pull us out of isolation?Cate will read her story, ‘How lockdowns rekindled our need to sing together’ after a short conversation with the Editor of the 7am podcast, Scott Mitchell. To hear more weekend reads, you can subscribe to 'The Weekend Read', in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Guest: Author, Cate KennedyBackground reading: How lockdowns rekindled our need to sing togetherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arts policy in Australia has been virtually non-existent for ten years, and in those ten years the arts have suffered enormously.Today, we bring you an exclusive one-on-one interview between the editor of The Monthly, Michael Williams, and the man who says he wants to save the arts: Arts Minister Tony Burke.The challenges are huge. From music and live gigs, to literature and publishing, to film and television – every part of the sector has been damaged by years of funding uncertainty.Then, when Covid-19 first struck, arts workers weren’t supported and many are still recovering from the professional and financial devastation.The new Labor government is promising to deliver a new National Cultural Policy, to give the sector certainty.But behind the promises and kind words, will there be any money to spend? And can politicians stay out of the way of good arts funding?Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labor party keeps saying this coming budget is full of hard decisions.We know the budget is already in deficit, but services are underfunded and if the government wants to improve childcare, disability care and more, then money will have to come from somewhere.Anthony Albanese has vigorously ruled out dumping the expensive stage three tax cuts. So what is left on the table for Labor to turn to?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether Labor is brave enough to make big changes to the economy.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much of the country has been hit by torrential rain, and communities across Victoria and New South Wales are inundated with floodwaters.But this is just the start, as according to the Bureau of Meteorology we could be facing an entire summer of floods and cyclones.As Australia braces for the worsening effects of the climate crisis, experts say we are still too focused on disaster relief and that adapting and preparing communities for disaster is underfunded.Today, a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth global climate change assessment report, Dr Johanna Nalau, on the summer ahead and why we need to adapt to live through the climate crisis.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Lead author for the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, Dr Johanna Nalau.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.