7am

Colin Boyce, Nationals MP for Central Queensland who represents a vast rural electorate, explains why he is challenging his party leadership. He discusses the Coalition split, the timing of a controversial announcement, the symbolic intent of his challenge, and the political threat posed by One Nation. Short, direct, and focused on party survival and unity.

Rana Mitter, Harvard Kennedy School scholar on US‑Asia relations, provides analysis of Xi Jinping’s sweeping military purge. He explores the sacking of top generals, why family ties failed to shield elites, and what the shakeup means for China’s military posture and Taiwan. Short, sharp breakdowns of anti‑corruption reach, parade messaging and Xi’s tightening grip on power.

Jason DeRusha, Minneapolis journalist and WCCO radio host, gives on-the-ground reporting about recent ICE operations. He recounts deadly incidents and rising protests. He explains the scale of federal deployments and argues the crackdown feels like political retribution. He describes tactics that have sown fear and why the surge may be winding down.

Ketan Joshi, senior research associate at the Australia Institute who covers energy, climate and tech policy, discusses the clash between big tech AI demand and Australia’s renewable export ambitions. He traces Sun Cable’s pivot from exporting solar to powering domestic data centres. The conversation covers booming electricity needs for AI, emissions risks if renewables lag, and policy choices for balancing power, climate and social value.

Kalina Morgan-Whyman, CEO of Elizabeth Morgan House and granddaughter of its founder, leads culturally safe refuge work for First Nations women. She discusses the complexity of cases, intergenerational trauma, systemic misidentification of victims, fragile funding for crisis services, and the need for healing-focused long-term support.

Mon Schafter, Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, digs into a 1970s psychiatric study on transgender kids and its long shadow. Short, sharp storytelling traces the study’s methods, how survivors were treated, and the surprising ways that outdated research is still cited in courts and policy debates today.

Amy Remeikis, contributing editor at The New Daily and political journalist, breaks down the Coalition split and shifting party dynamics. She discusses the Nationals’ public break, pressure on Sussan Ley, One Nation’s influence, leadership jockeying, and the likely escalation of culture-war politics. Multiple short takes on why reunions may be temporary and what it means for Australia’s political future.

Maya Ungar, a UN analyst at the International Crisis Group, dives into Trump’s newly proposed ‘Board of Peace.’ She reveals how this initiative could potentially challenge the UN's authority and discusses its implications for international diplomacy. Ungar raises concerns about Trump's aims, suggesting the Board may serve more as a power grab than a genuine peace endeavor. The conversation also touches on Australia's invitation and the reactions from other global leaders, emphasizing the risks of fostering division rather than unity in addressing conflicts.

Karen Middleton, a seasoned Press Gallery journalist, dives into the fallout from Labor's hate speech laws and the resulting turmoil within the Coalition. She discusses how three senior Nationals were forced off the frontbench after defying party lines and the shocking mass resignations that followed. Middleton highlights the internal strife and pressures from One Nation, weighing Sussan Ley's leadership precariously. The implications for both political dynamics and potential impacts on free speech create a riveting analysis.

In this discussion, Cam Wilson, Associate Editor at Crikey and expert on technology and online safety, delves into the troubling implications of Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok. He reveals how Grok has been used to produce sexualized images of women and children, sparking serious concerns. Wilson also highlights the inadequacies in Australian laws surrounding deepfakes and discusses the eSafety Commissioner's role in enforcing regulations. As distrust grows in the platform X, he questions whether the government should continue its presence there, amidst rising safety issues.