7am

When Australia’s most high-profile Indigenous journalist was forced to step away from his role because of racist abuse – it made headlines around the world. But here in Australia, most of the media and our political leaders have struggled to comprehend the meaning of the moment – and appear to be trapped in a cycle of well-wishes, apologies and outright denial instead of taking action.Today, Yorta Yorta writer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Daniel James, on whether Australia is mature enough to have a national conversation about racism and justice for Indigenous people.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Daniel JamesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The police officer who allegedly Tasered 95-year-old great-grandmother Clare Nowland reportedly said three words before firing: “No, bugger it”.He will now face court, where we will learn more about what led up to the incident and what contributed to Nowland’s death.But the biggest question is how the police ended up confronting an elderly person in aged care, who was distressed and in need of help.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on the systemic failures that surround the death of Clare Nowland.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows we have a housing crisis – rents are spiralling, homelessness is growing and more and more of our income is going towards keeping a roof over our heads.But did you know that on any given night more than a million homes in Australia sit empty? That’s more than 10 per cent of Australia’s housing stock.The shortage is not in homes, but in affordable homes.Today, National correspondent at The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on how Australia lost its way on housing – and why the current plan only addresses one part of the problem.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent at The Saturday Paper, Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stood to address parliament on the bill that will allow a referendum on the Voice to parliament.What he said in that speech has alarmed many, and at least one spokesperson for the Voice said Dutton’s words have been echoed in the abuse he’s received from racist opponents online.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what Dutton’s rhetoric will do to the debate on the Voice. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The very people who were meant to be closing loopholes in the Australian tax system have been using that information to advise their big corporate clients.The scandal engulfing PwC is one of the biggest to ever hit the cosy relationship between the government and private consultancy firms.And it goes beyond a few bad actors – pointing to a broken system, and a demoralised public service. Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray, on what happened when the Australian government trusted PwC to fix our tax system.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-MurraySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been a delay in the release of what could be the most explosive findings from a royal commission in decades.The commissioner of the robo-debt investigation quietly wrote to the attorney general to request a delay in the publication of its final report.But this is no mere bureaucratic hold-up, there are other reasons behind it. And one of them has to do with when Australia’s new National Anti-Corruption Commission will be ready to receive referrals.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on how robo-debt could become one of the first topics for the brand new integrity watchdog.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than half of voters at the 2022 federal election said climate change was a top concern, helping Labor take power, it became known as the ‘climate election’.But a year on, how much has really changed?A 43 per cent carbon emission reduction target has been legislated, and the government promises we’ll reach net zero – but fossil fuel projects are still being approved.Today, director of the Australia Institute’s climate and energy program Polly Hemming on what a year of Labor government has delivered for the climate.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Director of the Australia Institute’s climate and energy program, Polly HemmingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global cocaine business is controlled by cartels worth tens of billions of dollars – and in that world, Australia is drawing more and more attention as a particularly lucrative market.That’s because a gram of cocaine sells in Australia for as much as $400.But the public rarely gets an insight into this enormous sector of criminal enterprise. How cocaine gets into the country, where the money goes and the violence involved is often veiled in secrecy. Until now.Today, Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal on his investigation into the cocaine trade and how he came face-to-face with the people responsible for it.You can watch Mahmood Fazal’s investigation on the ABC’s Four Corners on iView, youtube, or ABC TV from 8:30 tonight.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, Sasha Gattermayr, with her piece on the fascination with carnivorous plants from The Monthly magazine. Sasha takes us inside a band of collectors whose obsession with plants such as the venus fly trap turned into a lifelong devotion to plants that devour their prey.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Writer Sasha GattermayrBackground reading: Little club of horrorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s almost a year since Anthony Albanese did what no Labor leader had done in 15 years: win an election from opposition.It was a momentous time for him personally, and one that shifted the political landscape after a decade of conservative government.Just how much has he accomplished? Is Albanese living up to the promises he made on election night? And is he willing to go beyond them?Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno spoke to the prime minister about his year on the job, and what’s 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.