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When parliament returns next week, Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party will sit on the government benches for the first time.It’s a significant test for what has changed since the election. Albanese has already made clear that the agenda will be focused on legislating his climate targets. If he fails, it will be a blow to his credibility.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the state of the environment.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.

The Albanese government is partway through a successful reset of its relationship with China. The incredible thing is, they haven’t changed any policies.But will a change in language be enough to fix a diplomatic rift? And what’s next for Australia’s relationship with the Pacific, where it is trying to balance China’s influence?Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the turnaround in how Beijing views Canberra. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many were surprised when the new employment minister, Tony Burke, announced it was “too late” to end mutual obligations. The decision was made to preserve billions of dollars in contracts already signed with companies that profit from the system. But there is no evidence it helps people find work.Today, senior correspondent for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the industry selling poor people.Guest: Senior correspondent for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.Background reading: Albanese offers no relief for jobseekersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New details have emerged in the divorce of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall.After speculation their marriage ended over everything from smoking and drinking to Hall controlling how much Murdoch could see of his adult children, it is now clear that the real disagreement was over the division of the $71 billion deal to sell his film and television interest to Disney.Today, Paddy Manning, contributor to The Saturday Paper and author of a forthcoming biography on Lachlan Murdoch, on the true story of the Murdoch divorce.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper and Lachlan Murdoch biographer Paddy Manning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison was seen as a triumph for a special kind of opportunistic populism. Much was written about what their success meant for democracy. So what does their decline mean?Was the repudiation about their politics - or about a world in crisis? Today, social researcher and contributor to The Saturday Paper Rebecca Huntley on the fall of the so-called strongman and what’s next for right-wing populism.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.Guest: Social researcher and contributor to The Saturday Paper Rebecca Huntley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, author Don Watson will be reading his cover piece from the latest issue of The Monthly.It's called 'How to be a prime minister', and in it he discusses the task ahead for Anthony Albanese. How will the new leader restore the idea that governments should seek to make the country better?Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Don WatsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tony Abbott re-emerged in a string of radio and television interviews. Some Liberals speculate it is part of a push he is making to become president of the NSW Liberal Party. In the course of this, Abbott has also become a surprise backer of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s foreign policy. Another big week of international meetings was met with applause by a former prime minister better known for tearing down Labor leaders.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what Tony Abbott did next.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At its worst, long Covid can lead to complete debilitation. It can cause fatigue and an inability to complete basic tasks.But understanding the cause and the cure for the illness has been a challenge for scientists. This challenge becomes more urgent as case numbers rise. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Bianca Nogrady on the people living with long Covid.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Bianca NogradySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hillsong is in crisis. More and more people are leaving. But what happens after someone leaves the church? And what does it tell us about how the church operates?Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Tanya Levin on why former Hillsong members are increasingly reporting that they suffer PTSD and what’s known as religious trauma syndrome.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Tanya LevinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late last week, the attorney-general dropped charges against whistleblower Bernard Collaery. It was a sensational development in a case that has outraged many.But Collaery is not the only whistleblower on trial for revealing shocking misconduct by the government, the public service, or the army. What’s next for those cases?Today, lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender on the people still facing prison for telling the truth.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran PenderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.