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What happens when a state begins to rely on a private company to fight wars?We’ve seen it before, but not like this – the power that Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted private military company the Wagner group is unprecedented. And Putin may be discovering its drawbacks the hard way – as the public face of Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin feuds with his generals and embarrassing stories have emerged in the Western press.Today, expert in Russian foreign policy and fellow at the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre Matthew Sussex on how the Wagner group – and its leader – are changing the face of modern war. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: fellow at the ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Matthew SussexSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia can claim a significant world first: a special government adviser on Women’s Affairs.Fifty years ago, Elizabeth Reid stepped into the newly created role in Gough Whitlam’s government.Abortion access, workplace rights, contraception and education – it was a time of huge change in gender parity and access. But the reaction to Reid and the new position was vicious in some circles. She resigned just two and a half years into the job.What motivated her? How did the job change her? And why did she leave Australia once it was over?Today, Elizabeth Reid, on being first – and a lifetime of lessons.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Women’s affairs adviser to Gough Whitlam, Elizabeth Reid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins never reached a verdict – and Lehrmann still strenuously maintains his innocence.When the most high profile sexual assault trial in Australia was called off, and any hope of a retrial abandoned, there was one question: how did it come to this?The actions of one juror might have led to the mistrial, but there was more to the story: concerns about how the media covered the trial were followed by explosive allegations against the ACT police and how they handled the case.Now, an inquiry is trying to get to the bottom of how justice failed to reach a verdict.Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Claire Connelly, on the first week of stunning revelations, backflips and whether this inquiry can deliver answers.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Claire Connelly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There comes a time when politicians say ‘enough is enough’ and they leave parliament.Often they depart the stage without anyone really noticing, other times it’s worth pausing and marking their storied parliamentary careers.That’s the case for Stuart Robert, who has called time on politics after 16 years – during which time he presided over the robo debt scandal, a bag of Rolexes, and made his name as Scott Morrison’s ‘brother Stewie’.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the incredible parliamentary life of Stuart Robert and the last scandal hanging over his departure.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick MortonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the budget dropped on Tuesday night, the Coalition and some parts of the media have begun to pick a very strange fight.It’s over whether some of the most vulnerable in the community should really get more help than middle-class Australian households with two incomes.It pits the two against each other and ignores a much bigger cost coming down the pipeline: tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest Australians the most.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno on the strange politics at play and why there are bigger questions we should be asking.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s one relationship the Liberal Party has always prized: its relationship with business.Other support bases for the party have ebbed and flowed, but the party has always drawn from the ranks of corporate Australia, and advocated for their interests.Now, strangely as the party finds itself in electoral crisis, its federal leader, Peter Dutton, is speaking out against heads of business on a surprising topic: the Voice to Parliament.Today, former Liberal MP and contributor to The Saturday Paper Julia Banks, on how the Liberal Party is losing corporate Australia.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Former Liberal MP, lawyer and leadership consultant, Julia Banks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a responsible budget, and one that helped Australians as costs soar.There was some relief, but it wasn’t as generous as some advocates hoped.So, has this Labor government threaded the needle, or did it avoid the most difficult challenges we face?Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton, on Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ first full May budget.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Chief political correspondent, Karen MiddletonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight’s budget promises relief for Australia’s single parents, who will receive extra income support until their youngest child turns 14.It’s a reversal of a controversial decision made by the Gillard government. So does this signal a broader attempt to address the standard of living for the most vulnerable Australians? Or, is it a rare bit of relief in an otherwise tough budget?Today, Finance Minister and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher on how her own time on the single parent payment shaped her views and what the government is doing about the housing crisis. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher.Host: Scott Mitchell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If, over the weekend, you watched the coronation of King Charles, stood up in your living room and read out a pledge of allegiance – you were probably in the minority of Australians.But that was the invitation from the palace in the lead-up to Saturday evening’s coronation ceremony.So, how relevant is King Charles III? Is a republic now possible? And how quickly could another referendum be upon us?Today, co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement and human rights activist Craig Foster on the coronation, Anthony Albanese’s decision to attend and the path to a republic.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Craig FosterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, writer Quentin Sprague, with his piece from The Monthly. He examines the recent revelations of “white hands on black art” – reports of White gallery figures instructing and even working on the canvases of Indigenous artists – and examines how white Australia applies the idea of ‘authenticity’ onto the work of Indigenous artists.Quentin will read his story, ‘White privilege and black disadvantage in the Aboriginal art industry’ after a short conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.