The Briefing

The Chinese government introduced its ‘zero-Covid’ policy back in 2019 when the virus was first detected. So why are protesters choosing to demonstrate against it almost three years later? We’re joined by author and Senior Fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute Richard McGregor, to discuss the ‘White Paper protests’ and how the Chinese authorities are attempting to mute them. In this episode of the Briefing we explore how protestors in China are using creative methods to stand up against the country’s strict Covid measures.   Headlines: - Socceroos WIN!!  Australia through to Round of 16 - Former PM Morrison censured by Parliament- First day of summer after miserable spring- Inflation decline potentially good news for interest rates  Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is it becoming more common for women to freeze their eggs?  A couple in the US has just welcomed twins into the world using embryos made 30 years ago. The twins have been named the ‘oldest babies’ to be born after the eggs were kept in ice for 3 decades.  We’re joined by Molly Johnston, a bioethics lecturer at Monash University and she’s been working in the IVF field for the last five years to find out if this is something that could happen in Australia. In this episode of the Briefing we explore the growing popularity of women choosing to freeze their eggs and have babies at a later stage in life. Headlines: -New national anti-corruption commission to become law today - Nationals split over Indigenous Voice- NSW Covid fines scrapped- Outback Wrangler charged over chopper crash Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should employers respect a worker’s right to disconnect? The age of mobile phones and the internet means we’re connected more than ever. We’re basically available 24/7. Should workers retain the right to disconnect once their work day is done? A growing movement, called 'right to disconnect' is urging employers to respect a worker’s right to their own downtime.  We’re joined by a Queensland teacher and Greens Senator Barbara Pocock. Before she was elected earlier this year, she was worked at the University of South Austrlalia and wrote several books on work/life balance. In this episode of the Briefing we explore the growing movement to enable staff to say ‘enough’s enough’ and to turn off their phones in their own time.   Headlines: - Nationals will not support Indigenous Voice - $50m fines for companies over data breaches- RBA boss apologises for wrong advice - Australia’s terror threat reduced- WHO renames monkeypox over racism concerns Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many of us have developed mental health problems in the wake of the pandemic.  The federal government currently has a program where you can see a GP and the doctor will refer you to a psychologist for 20 help sessions, but the government is planning on winding that back to ten sessions by the end of the year.  To add to the problem it’s virtually impossible to find a psychologist who will take on new patients.   We’re joined by Sahra O’Doherty – a practicing psychologist and director of the Australian Association of Psychologists – who explains why it’s so tough to find a psych and why the government should keep its current policy of 20 sessions in place.   In today’s Briefing, a deep dive on why it’s so difficult to find a psychologist – and why it’s really important to persevere if your GP recommends you seek help.  If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Headlines: - New IR laws get green light- Andrews' resounding election win- China protests over Covid restrictions- Toyah Cordingly accused arrested in India- Cam Smith wins third Australian PGA   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angela White is Australia's most successful porn star.    Angela knew she wanted to work in porn from the age of fourteen. She saw the industry as a place where her sexuality and her love of sex would be celebrated, not stigmatised. Today, Angela is one of the biggest adult entertainers in the world, with her own empire. The Daily Beast describes her as the "Meryl Streep of porn". In this conversation Jamila Rizvi and Angela White talk about everything from politics, education, shame around sex and the ins and outs of the pornography industry.    THE WEEKEND LIST WATCH: STUTZ - Netflix Documentary  WATCH: The White Lotus - BINGE  WATCH: Dead To Me (Season 3) - Netflix GET: Sticks Pinot Noir - Yarra Valley   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cryptocurrency is having a year from hell.  And it’s been a massive fall - the market capitalisation of the crypto market has fallen from around $US3 trillion last year to around $US 800 billion.  As part of the fall, one of the world’s most famous crypto cowboys came down to earth. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of crypto exchange FTX We’re joined by Paul Vigna, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal... he’s written a book called The Age of Cryptocurrency.  Paul explains who SBF is, and how he had such a spectacular fall. In this episode of the Briefing, we look at the rise and fall of the crypto cowboy, Sam Bankman-Fried Headlines: - Baker Boy’s big night at the ARIAs- Tracy Grimshaw bids farewell to A Current Affair- Vic polls point to possible hung parliament- Nude shoot for Bondi Beach Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese president Xi Jinping met with Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese last week.  It was a first step in a bid to mend relations between the two countries.  China blocked Australian imports of wine, barley, live seafood and beef - among others - in 2020 in response to Australia’s criticism of China in the wake of the pandemic.     We’re joined by Joanna Chiu - a Vancouver-based journalist for the Toronto Star and the author of 'China Unbound - a new world disorder’ to discover why China has taken Australia out of the diplomatic deep freeze.   So what’s behind China’s bid to welcome us back into the fold?  Is it simply a change of government? Or is China playing a long game?   Headlines: - NSW town evacuated as Lachlan River floods - Seven dead in Walmart shooting in US - Teenager killed in Jerusalem terror attack - Scotland blocked from holding second independence vote - Japan stuns Germany in World Cup upset Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the results of an inquiry into sexism in the Queensland Police Service. In May, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced an independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence.      We’re joined by Kate Kyriacou, a senior journalist at Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper.  Kate has followed the hearings since day one and says the inquiry heard women had been raped, kissed, touched inappropriately, threatened and stalked online and in person by senior colleagues.     In today’s Briefing we dissect the inquiry’s findings and ask a simple question – can the culture in the QLD Police Service change under its current leadership?   Headlines: - RBA boss warns of higher inflation, lower growth - Saudi Arabia stuns Argentina at FIFA World Cup  - Helliar announces Project departure  - Indo quake death toll reaches 268 - Caddick artworks sold at auction Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protests against Iran's clerical establishment erupted two months ago after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules.     We’re joined by Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert who spent more than 800 days imprisoned in Iran and has carried out research into protests and revolutions in the Middle East.  Kylie explains we’ll see more bloodshed before we see the end of the unrest.     The protests have spread to 140 cities and towns and evolved into the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic in over a decade. In today’s Briefing, Iran’s youth revolution   Headlines: - Massive earthquake in Indonesia kills more than 160 - NASA returns to moon’s orbit  - QLD police lashed in sexism inquiry  - World Cup ‘one love’ armband ban - More wild weather on east coast Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria will head to the polls this weekend, to decide whether to re-elect Daniel Andrews. We look into what has shaped the man who has become one of Australia’s most powerful and divisive premiers.   We speak to Sumeyya Ilanbey from The Age who has written a biography of Andrews, the man who is likely to lead his government into a third term.  Headlines: - Severe weather lashes east- FIFA World Cup begins in Qatar- Elon Musk reinstates Trump’s Twitter account- Historic deal struck at the UN's COP27 summit- Five dead in Colorado shooting; more medibank data released; Chris Hemsworth takes a break; Lisa Wilkinson leaves The Project; Kath & Kim airs 20 year reunion Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.