The Briefing

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Mar 25, 2026 • 18min

Meta & YouTube addiction verdict + First female Archbishop of Canterbury

Thursday Headlines:  Iran rejects US peace plan Meta and YouTube found liable in social media addiction trial National cabinet is set to convene next week to discuss Australia’s fuel supply  Super El Nino on the way later this year Ahmed al Ahmed keys to the city Deep Dive: The Installation of the 106th, and first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, took place at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday March 25 (UK time), the Feast of the Annunciation.  Historically known as an enthronement, the Installation marks the symbolic start of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s public ministry in the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion.  The Canterbury Cathedral released a statement saying: “Rooted in centuries of tradition, the service will look forward with the hope of Jesus Christ - and celebrate the diversity of the Church of England, the nation and the Anglican Communion today”.  In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling talks to cultural historian Associate Professor Cindy McCreery about this historic moment for the Church. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 25, 2026 • 19min

Why food costs are set to soar + Trump teases peace deal

Deep Dive: Australia could see its food production halved within months in a nightmare scenario, brought about by the continuing war in Iran. What will it mean for putting food on your table?  Farmers are warning they’re already unable to purchase enough fertiliser and diesel to plant their winter crops. It’s a perfect storm. The federal government this week announced a new trade deal with the European Union, worth $10billion. Farmers say it was a dud deal.  With the war in Iran now showing no signs of easing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Hamish McIntyre, President of the National Farmers Federation to take us through what will it mean for Australians and their weekly grocery bills? Headlines:  US sends 15-point plan to Iran to stop the war Commonwealth not planning on fuel rationing  ABC staff walk off the job over pay dispute Inflation slightly lower than expected Narelle gearing up for record-breaking move Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 24, 2026 • 23min

MAFS expert dies from cancer + Why Albo isn’t banning gambling ads

Wednesday Headlines:  Fuel shortages ramp up as diesel standards lowered Most Aussies want the Iran war to end and Pakistan tipped to lead peace talks ABC programs pulled as staff walk off the job Married at First Sight expert Mel Schilling has died at the age of 54 The Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special is out Deep Dive: It’s been more than a thousand days since a landmark inquiry recommended a full ban on gambling advertising in Australia, yet despite the scale of harm and billions lost each year, the federal government has failed to act.  Evidence from the probe revealed an inescapable and predatory system, with aggressive tactics normalising gambling for young Australians and targeting those most at risk.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with Independent MP Kate Chaney about why reform has stalled, the influence of powerful lobbying groups, and her push to force change in Parliament.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 24, 2026 • 16min

TACO Trump strikes again + possibility of Covid style restrictions

The world was stunned but not surprised when US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran over the weekend – open the Strait of Hormuz or Trump will order the US military to begin an unprecedented campaign on the gulf state. Trump’s now extended that deadline for a further five days, claiming Iran is keen to reach an agreement with the US. Iran denies it's in talks.  In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr Malcolm Davis, a Senior Analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Defence Strategy Program to discuss the standoff between the US and Iran. What are the latest developments and what they mean...and are we paying the price of Trump's war games? If Trump gets this strategy wrong, what it could mean for the rest of the world. Headlines:  Australia signs trade deal worth $10b per year. War continues as Trump extends 48-hour ultimatum. Consumer confidence crashes in wake of war. Tehran-aligned terror group claims responsibility for London ambulance attack. Bill Cosby ordered to pay $US19m for historical sexual assault. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 23, 2026 • 25min

Iran says Trump deal is 'fake news' + Could Australia really be ‘One Nation’?

Sean Kelly, former adviser to Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard and political columnist, breaks down One Nation’s surprise surge in South Australia. He explores why voters deserted major parties. He discusses the party’s mix of racial nationalism and protest economics. He outlines what major parties might do to blunt its appeal.
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Mar 23, 2026 • 31min

NSW Premier Chris Minns on fuel, Iran, One Nation and Donald Trump

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales and leader of the NSW Labor government, focused on housing, education and infrastructure. He talks about fuel supply and rural diesel shortages. He discusses migration targets and political shifts with One Nation. He unveils a new portable bond rental scheme for renters.
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Mar 22, 2026 • 24min

One Nation’s historic election result + Can NATO survive Trump?

Monday Headlines:  One Nation wins at least one lower house seat at SA election NT braces for flooding on the back of ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle Deadline looms for Iran to re-open strait of Hormuz Aussie gen Z women feeling more disconnected than men Saturday Night Live UK debuts to mixed reviews Further listening from the headlines:  Part 1: The real victims of the manosphere  Part 2: How Flynn escaped the manosphere How Wil Anderson escaped the Sunday scaries Deep Dive: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO has been the backbone of western security for eight decades. But with Donald Trump turning up the heat on the alliance and a war in the Middle East pulling members in different directions, questions about its future are louder than ever.   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by national political editor of The Nightly, Andrew Greene to unpack what NATO actually is, why it matters to Australia, and what western security might look like if the US walked away.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 21, 2026 • 11min

BONUS: Shein under fire for selling child-like sex dolls

Shein is back in the headlines, as a court in Paris considers whether the fast-fashion giant’s online platform should be suspended. The retailer has faced intense scrutiny after disturbing products including child-like sex dolls - which were discovered on its site late last year. Campaigners say this isn’t just a European issue, pointing to a rise in the sale of child-like sex dolls to Australians through major online platforms like Shein and Temu. With advocates warning these dolls may normalise child abuse, and argue some platforms are using questionable tactics to bypass strict laws and border enforcement in Australia. In this bonus episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy is joined by Caitlin Roper from Collective Shout, who is leading the campaign for stronger action. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 20, 2026 • 36min

Anthony Mundine: Money, Fame and Pauline Hanson

Anthony Mundine has spent most of his life in the spotlight and by his own admission he's no stranger to danger. From the highest-paid player in the NRL to a world champion boxer, he's one of the most talked-about athletes this country has ever produced. But it's never just been about sport. Mundine has always mixed his success with politics, music, and moments that have kept him firmly in the headlines - sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes not. In this episode of The Weekend Briefing, Chris Spyrou sits down with Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine to hear about the moments that shaped him – from growing up with little money to owning the same car as James Bond, the racism he faced on and off the field, and why he walked away from footy at the peak of his powers. They also get into his complicated relationship with the Australian media, what he really thinks about Pauline Hanson, and the deeply personal story behind his collaboration with the late Archie Roach - a song about the Stolen Generation that sat unreleased for nearly 20 years. Weekend list with Sacha Barbour Gatt Listener Matty TO LISTEN: From Zero by Linkin Park TO LISTEN: Tracy Chapman  TO TAKE: Berocca Immune Daily Defence TO PLAN: Flu vaccine  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 20, 2026 • 17min

Australia’s rich list revealed + PM heckled at mosque

There have been some major upsets in this year’s Aussie Rich List, with some standout winners and losers.  In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by the curator of the annual list, John Stensholt, to unpack the top 10 and the Aussie leaders who have made and lost billions.  Headlines:  The Prime Minister has played down being heckled while visiting a mosque in Western Sydney Trucking industry groups are warning that food costs will skyrocket as operators deal with fuel and diesel shortages US President Donald Trump has made a joke about Pearl Harbour while meeting the Japanese Prime Minister Australia has slipped to its lowest-ever ranking in the World Happiness Report Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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