7am

Cam Wilson, Associate Editor at Crikey and political media reporter, unpacks the takeover of US TikTok by Trump-aligned investors. He explores how TikTok’s algorithm drives what goes viral. He traces the US-China dispute, legal and political moves to remake the platform. He outlines who now controls US operations and the potential cultural and editorial shifts that could follow.

Paul Bongiorno, press gallery veteran and political journalist, gives a sharp take on federal politics and economic policy. He dissects the fallout from rising interest rates and what that means for mortgage holders. He weighs budget pressures, prospects for capital gains tax reform, and how the Coalition’s fracture reshapes the contest. He also considers the space for Labor to steer centrist policy.

Josh Bornstein, principal lawyer at Maurice Blackburn and legal commentator, gives a brisk take on President Isaac Herzog's visit. He discusses the controversy around allegations at the ICJ, statements that sparked outrage, tensions within the Jewish community, political pressure to rescind the invitation, and ideas for beginning to heal deepening divides.

Paul Dean, Vice President at the Nuclear Threat Initiative and former New START implementer, provides experienced analysis on nuclear arms control. He explains what New START did and how it was negotiated. He outlines why Russia suspended it, the risks if it collapses, and how China’s opaque buildup complicates future stability. He warns about the prospects of renewed arms competition.

Harrison James, cofounder of 'Your Reference Ain't Relevant' and survivor-advocate, speaks from lived experience and campaigning work. He discusses how biased character references are used at sentencing. He outlines why NSW has scrapped them, who has benefited, chilling examples of misuse, and whether other states will follow.

Monica Villamizar, a Colombian-American journalist covering Latin American politics, migration and the drug trade, unpacks the Trump–Petro clash. She walks through the rhetoric that raised fears of US action in Colombia. Conversations cover Colombia’s cocaine economy, mass protests, and what each leader stands to gain from a Washington meeting.

Caitlin Reiger, CEO at the Human Rights Law Centre, legal expert on Australia’s international obligations. Jade Lane, CEO of Change the Record, advocate for reducing Indigenous incarceration. They discuss children as young as ten being detained, extreme First Nations overrepresentation, remand and access issues, refusal of UN inspections, and community-led alternatives to incarceration.

Jason Koutsoukis, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, breaks down why gambling advertising reform keeps stalling. He traces the powerful personal ties between Anthony Albanese and Peter V'Landys and how they shaped policy access. The conversation covers committee recommendations, political compromises, industry pushback, and the high-stakes choices facing the prime minister.

Sean Kelly, political columnist and former Labor adviser, offers sharp analysis of conservative politics and party realignments. He explores the Liberal Party's internal rifts and contrasting directions. He looks at the Nationals’ identity crisis and One Nation’s rise. He also questions whether compulsory voting can mask deeper democratic stresses.

A dramatic account of a homemade explosive thrown into a crowd at a civic protest in Boorloo. A close look at the muted official and media responses that followed. Connections drawn between this incident and a wider pattern of indifference toward marginalized communities. How public pressure and satire forced attention on a story authorities tried to quiet.