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Solstice Media
An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.
Episodes
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Jun 14, 2022 • 18min
The truth about the ‘gas crisis’
There are power interruptions forecast around Australia and gas prices are skyrocketing.But the strange thing about high gas bills arriving at Australian households is that we’re one of the biggest gas exporters worldwide. So why are we paying so much for it? Do we need even more gas? Or would that be learning the wrong lessons from this current crisis?Today, journalist Jesse Noakes on eye watering energy bills and why the one state that’s avoiding them is not necessarily the example the rest of us should follow.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Jesse Noakes.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 13, 2022 • 17min
How YouTube behaves when it goes to court
Last week, a legal battle involving the Australian YouTube sensation Friendlyjordies and the former deputy premier of NSW John Barilaro came to an end, with a judge finding the YouTube videos from 2020 were ‘replete with racist, hate-filled rants’.But it wasn’t the comedian Friendlyjordies who was in court this time. It was the owners of YouTube, Google.So what did we learn about how Google runs YouTube? How does it police speech? And how does that stack up with Google’s public image?Today, defamation lawyer Hannah Marshall, on Barilaro versus Google and what the outcome of the case reveals about one of the most powerful companies in the world.Guest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Hannah Marshall.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 12, 2022 • 15min
Spotlight: Keeping up with Jacqui Lambie
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie is known as one of the most outspoken conviction politicians in the country. Now, she’s poised to add to her influence in the senate, with her former office manager Tammy Tyrrell likely to claim a seat under the banner of the Jacqui Lambie Network. But Jacqui Lambie’s political success hasn’t always been assuredIn fact, when she entered politics - via a housing commission, the army and eventually Clive Palmer - her speeches on Sharia law, and her op-shop outfits, marked her out for ridicule. Today, we revisit our episode from March this year with Contributor to the Monthly, Chloe Hooper, on the political rise of Jacqui Lambie. Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Chloe Hooper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 9, 2022 • 15min
The first steps towards integrity
A fully independent commission to investigate federal corruption was one of the biggest issues for voters at the recent election.Now, the new Labor government has given us a first glimpse of how they plan to set one up.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on the first steps towards integrity.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 8, 2022 • 16min
How do you heal a moral injury?
What does standing by while bad things happen do to us?That’s the question Father Rod Bower has been asking himself.For almost 10 years, Father Rod, wrote messages in support of refugees, climate action and same-sex marriage on the sign out the front of his Gosford Church.But, according to him, years of political point scoring on these issues has done more than just delay action – it’s injured us all.Today, Archdeacon Rod Bower on Australia’s moral injury and how we can begin to heal.Guest: Archdeacon Rod Bower.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 7, 2022 • 18min
Students are paying for uni. Teachers are marking for free.
University students don’t read detailed feedback, so what’s the point in paying academics to give it?That’s the position of some of the management at one of Australia’s most prestigious universities.Now, staff are striking and battlelines are being drawn in one of the biggest industrial disputes in the history of the university sector.So is there an end in sight to the crisis in universities? What does it mean for students? And can universities reconcile the tension between pursuing cuts and pursuing excellence?Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton on the battle for the soul of a university. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 6, 2022 • 16min
How Peter Dutton blocked Indigenous names for bases
The new Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, has been keen to say he wants Australians to get to know him better.He’s acknowledged making some mistakes in the past, including walking out of the 2008 apology to the Stolen Generation.But now, an exclusive report by Karen Middleton has revealed that last year, Peter Dutton intervened to cancel an Australian Defence Force plan to give military bases dual English and Indigenous names.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton on Peter Dutton’s decisions as Defence Minister and what they tell us about his approach to change.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 5, 2022 • 16min
Could a phone call stop Julian Assange’s extradition?
Right now, the UK government is deliberating on whether to sign-off on the extradition of Australian Julian Assange to the US. If that happens, Assange — who was charged with espionage offenses in relation to material published on Wikileaks — faces charges that could result in a 175-year sentence.But the Australian election has given Assange’s family and supporters renewed hope. So, will a change in government change the fate of the wikileaks founder?Today, journalist Amy Fallon, on the extradition of Julian Assange and the test it sets for our political leaders.Guest: Journalist, Amy Fallon.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 2, 2022 • 15min
Why Albanese is demanding discipline
As the new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attempts to set the agenda and tone of the next parliament, Labor’s challenges are crystallising. Climate policy is shaping up as a key battleground, with Labor confronted by a Greens dominated senate, and an Opposition that won’t back Labor’s targets.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on Albanese’s agenda and why he’s demanding discipline from the Labor party room.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 1, 2022 • 15min
How can you follow an act like Barnaby Joyce?
Barnaby Joyce has been rolled as leader of the National Party and replaced by David Littleproud.Joyce says he’s not sad about it, but unlike Scott Morrison he did try to hang on to his party’s leadership after the election.So what state has Joyce left the Nationals in? Will his successor be any different? And is there a chance that Joyce could make yet another political comeback?Today, contributing editor to The Monthly, Rachel Withers on Barnaby Joyce’s fate and the future of the Nationals. Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Rachel Withers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


