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Something going on far above us, in orbit, might be doing more to shape the future of humanity than any events here on earth.Up there is one of the most powerful tools humans have ever had to hunt for the origins of our universe – and for alien life.The James Webb Space Telescope has the ability to look so far and with such clarity that we can get an insight into a period of time that our best scientists have only ever speculated about: the cosmic dark ages.Today we revisit our conversation with the director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne University, Dr Alan Duffy, on why the last year marked a new beginning for our understanding of the universe.This episode was first published on January 11, 2023.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Director of the Space Technology and Institute at Swinburne University, Dr Alan DuffySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He published secret documents that gave us damning insight into the West’s military conduct inIraq and Afghanistan, and for that Julian Assange will likely be extradited to the US to face charges that could add up to 175 years in prison.In the last couple of weeks, Assange has received his first visit from an Australian high commissioner in London, and foreign minister Penny Wong is publicly saying that he has been locked up for far too long.But is there more the Australian government could be doing? Or is this really a matter for the courts alone? And what are the limits of diplomacy?Today, lawyer for Julian Assange Jennifer Robinson, fresh from meeting Penny Wong – on what this government still needs to do if it wants to free him.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Human rights lawyer, Jennifer Robinson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, writer Richard King, with his piece ‘Machine Learning’ about the AI chatbot ChatGPT.He begins his story with discourse sweeping a university campus as AI reaches the hands of ordinary students and teachers.How will this technology – still only a few months old – change not only teaching and marking, but the very nature of the transfer of knowledge?This is the question he sets out to answer, and it’s a compelling one as we stand on the precipice of a new age of technology.Richard will read his story from the latest edition of The Monthly after a short conversation.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Writer Richard King.Background Reading: Machine learningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s independent of government, has enormous power over our lives and hasn’t been reformed in 25 years.But yesterday, the Reserve Bank bowed to a scathing review and even Governor Philip Lowe conceded parts of the RBA had been out of step with modern expectations.But will a new board of experts improve the way interest rates are set? Can workers have a seat at the table? And what does it mean for the future of Philip Lowe?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on why the government took such bold action on the RBA, but won’t stop it inflicting more pain.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a week that forced a reshuffle on the Coalition front bench, Peter Dutton had to announce a new spokesperson for Indigenous Australians – he needed someone who would enthusiastically support his ‘No’ position on the Voice to Parliament.His choice was Jacinta Nampijinpa Price – a first-term senator.So who is Dutton’s new pick? How did she rise so quickly through the ranks? And what does she really believe about Indigenous Affairs?Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton, on why the Liberal party is betting it all on Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has a body that’s supposed to look after all of our mental health, and make recommendations to the government on how to make the situation better. It’s called the National Mental Health Commission.But inside the commission, some of the staff that are supposed to be coming up with solutions have faced layoffs, stress, anxiety, and worse.So, how did a commission set up with the best intentions turn into such a struggle for staff?Today, senior reporter with The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how the commission spent its money on a lavish tour around Australia and the ongoing mental toll for its workers.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.

Kate Jenkins has wrapped up a distinguished term as Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner.In her seven years in the job, we’ve seen the global Me Too movement, along with the reckoning in Canberra sparked by allegations from former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins. So how have these cultural moments impacted the push for gender equality in this country? And what still needs to change?Today, Kate Jenkins on how far we’ve come – and the work that’s still not done. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Outgoing sex discrimination commissioner Kate JenkinsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was meant to transform the way we deal with waste.Australians were told to sort through their bins, and take plastic bags and packaging to drop-offs at the country’s biggest supermarkets to have them recycled.But instead of being recycled, tonnes and tonnes of this plastic was shoved into storage. Now, authorities are still trying to track it all down. So how did it all go so wrong?Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on the impossible promise of REDcycle and what we do now with tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic that has nowhere to go.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the Liberal Party’s announcement that it would oppose the Voice to Parliament was meant to take attention away from fractures in the Liberal Party – the result has been very different.This week, the party’s spokesperson on Indigenous Australians resigned his post, and the party’s most high-profile Indigenous figure tore up his party membership.So how did it come to this? And have these splits torpedoed Peter Dutton’s case just as he’s begun to make it?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on the consequences of saying ‘No’ for the Liberal party.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cost of living pressures and interest rate rises mean that millions of Australians are struggling.But what often isn’t acknowledged by the Reserve Bank, its governor, or many of our political leaders, is that some people are doing just fine in these economic conditions – in fact, they can benefit from them.Those people are the wealthiest Australians – in particular, people who have paid off their houses and are debt free.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why financial pain isn’t distributed evenly and how rate rises can make that inequality worse.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike SeccombeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.