Australia’s Chinese community proved to be a powerful voting bloc in the last election.  And as the time draws near to vote again, a growing number of politicians have realised that appealing to the country’s 1.5 million Chinese Australians is key to electoral success.  But as journalist Wing Kuang has found, the major parties’ attempts to court Chinese voters are proving to be rocky.  The Chinese-owned app, RedNote, is a new frontier in efforts to reach Chinese voters. But with speech on RedNote filtered by an authoritarian regime, it raises questions about how political debate in Australia is being shaped by foreign rules. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Wing Kuang, on how the Chinese community might shape the outcome of the election – and what they really think of Albanese and Dutton.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Wing Kuang Photo: EPA

Donald Trump’s trade war is escalating, as his wide-ranging tariffs take effect.  Australia had hoped to avoid a 25 per cent tariff on our steel and aluminium – but we now know there’ll be no exemptions. As Canada and the EU retaliate with counter-tariffs, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is focused on stemming the damage, by arguing other large industries – that would impact the Australian economy much more – should be immune. But as Trump’s foreign policies become increasingly aggressive, his decisions on trade could spill into every aspect of our alliance. Today, managing editor of The Saturday Paper, Emily Barrett, on what the tariffs mean for the Australian economy and what the government can do about it.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett Photo: AAP Image / Dean Lewin

When Launceston nurse and midwife Amanda Duncan appeared at a Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry into ambulance ramping last year, her testimony was macabre and shocking.  Duncan claimed hospital management at Launceston General Hospital had altered death certificates – meaning deaths that should have been investigated were quietly recertified. Those revelations triggered a public inquiry, yet questions have been raised about its scope and accountability as new cases continue to emerge that extend far beyond the initial inquiry. Today, writer and former editor of The Monthly, Nick Feik, on his investigation into falsified death certificates and revelations of a broken health system. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Writer and former editor of The Monthly, Nick Feik Photo: AAP Image/Ethan James

As Trump’s radical reshaping of the US pulls into focus, so too has the list of those who have gained entry to his inner circle.  That list includes not only Australia’s richest person – but also Australia’s largest private arms supplier.  Robert Nioa isn’t yet a household name, but the weapons mogul is a close confidante to Peter Dutton, married to a Katter, as well as a fishing and hunting pal to Donald Trump Jr.  Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on Robert Nioa’s arms empire and the impact he’ll have on Australian defence policy.    If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis  Photo:

Most Australians have been targeted by a scam attempt, from spam text messages to intricate love fraud. The scams have cost us billions. But behind these attacks is a highly organised and secretive industry – fuelled by human trafficking.  It’s believed hundreds of thousands of people are being held against their will in so-called “scam factories” across South East Asia, including in Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines. Many of these factories are run by Chinese-linked gangs operating in border regions. Ben Yeo has seen first-hand how these compounds operate. In early 2024, he was kidnapped and trapped in a Cambodian scam factory.  Today, Ben Yeo on how he escaped the scam compounds, and why so many others struggle to get out.    Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Ben Yeo, ambassador for the newly formed Australian International Counter Slavery Alliance (AICSA) Background reading:Scam Factories Photo: Valeria Mongelli/Getty Images

Julie Bishop built her career as a politician representing Australia on the world stage.  Now, she’s taken on a new lobbying role, working for a China-linked resources company who are attempting to mine uranium in Greenland.  Bishop’s gig comes at a time when China and the US are ramping up their fight for domination in the Arctic – and if she’s successful, the benefits will flow to China. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Ben Abbatangelo, on the mine that could ruin Greenland – and what it means for Australia’s national interest.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Ben Abbatangelo Photo: Richard Milnes / Alamy

In Andrea Goldsmith’s ninth and latest novel, The Buried Life, she unpicks the relationships between people and the undercurrents of doubt and faith that define a life. But more than anything else this is a book that is first and foremost concerned with death. It’s a subject that has long fascinated Andrea, something she discusses deeply with host Michael Williams on this episode of Read This.

Cyclone Alfred hits as we gear up for the federal election, bringing back memories of the floods and bushfires that tore through the country last time we voted. How Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton handle this moment could be crucial, as voters refocus on the increasing impact of climate change and closely scrutinise the plans both parties have to address it.  Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on the politics of natural disasters – and why every election is a climate change election.   If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: National correspondent Mike Seccombe Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Australia is heading into a federal election at a time when trust in politics and our institutions is eroding. Over the past two decades, satisfaction with the political system has collapsed, driven by economic inequality, housing stress and the rapid spread of disinformation across social media. Political parties are already preparing for a campaign that will lean heavily on negative messaging – an approach that has proven effective but intensifies division. With trust in both politicians and the media in decline, the upcoming election will test the resilience of Australia’s democracy. Today, journalist and broadcaster, Patricia Karvelas, on the forces undermining democratic trust and what it will take to rebuild it. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist and broadcaster, Patricia Karvelas.

One evening, two weeks ago, Natan Mwanza was stabbed and killed at a bus stop in Melbourne’s south-west. He was 24 years old. Natan’s family had migrated to Australia from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008, and his death sparked an outpouring of grief from African diasporic communities in Australia. Historian and filmmaker Santilla Chingaipe also felt the impact of Natan’s death and sought to understand what had happened. But it soon became a story about how we write and report on crime – and how Black lives are treated in the media. Today, Santilla Chingaipe on the life of Natan Mwanza and how Black grief is rendered invisible.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Historian and filmmaker, Santilla Chingaipe Image credit: Instagram

When Arthur Sinodinos arrived in Washington as Australia’s ambassador to the United States in 2020, he was told the best way to get things done with Donald Trump was to go straight to the person in the White House handling the issue. In many cases, that wasn’t a typical official – it was a business figure, a loyalist, or even a family member. As Trump 2.0 takes shape, his administration is doubling down on an “America First” agenda, with key roles for long-time allies, Republican operatives and influential business figures. According to Sinodinos, Trump sees himself as having “unfettered power” to enact it. Today, Arthur Sinodinos on negotiating with a Trump administration and Australia’s place in an “America First” world.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Former ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos.

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in the Oval Office on Friday, they were there to sign a deal that would give the US access to a significant share of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Instead, Trump and Vance berated and taunted Zelensky, before asking him to leave. The deal remained unsigned, and relations between the two countries are now in tatters, with military and aid support for Ukraine from the Trump administration in doubt. Meanwhile, Russian officials are working on their own set of deals with Trump.  Today, associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University David Szakonyi, on what Vladimir Putin is offering Trump, and the figures behind the Russian deal.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University David Szakonyi

Warmer waters, disease and antibiotics have pushed Tasmania’s salmon farms into crisis. But it’s not just an environmental disaster – it’s also a political one. With an election looming, the Albanese government is pouring millions into salmon farming in an attempt to save jobs and votes, even as rotting fish litter the shore.  Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe, on what is happening in Tasmanian waters – and how it will impact the upcoming election. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.    Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe. Photo: Bob Brown Foundation

In Melbourne-based author Sean Wilson’s new book, You Must Remember This, he tackles the complicated, tragic, and often fraught subject of dementia. On this episode of Read This Sean joins host Michael Williams for a conversation about loss, family, and how to hang on to one’s humanity as illness strips it away.

It was just before Christmas when Geraldine Brooks sat down for the first in a series of conversations with Anthony Albanese – and his popularity was plummeting. The prime minister's net approval rating had dropped to minus 17, while Peter Dutton’s had ticked up to zero. Since then, the polls haven’t improved for Albanese. His critics have painted him as weak and ineffective – a narrative reinforced by the failure of the Voice referendum and a perception of inaction on climate change. This portrayal is in stark contrast to his background as a passionate activist, who was once arrested at an anti-logging protest. Today, author and contributor to The Monthly Geraldine Brooks on the public’s perception of Anthony Albanese – and, win or lose, what will be his legacy.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and contributor to The Monthly, Geraldine Brooks. Background reading: Safe as houses?  Photo: Ben Clement

When the country’s peak arts body, Creative Australia, decided to dump Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, it set in motion an existential crisis for the arts.  The artist in question, Khaled Sabsabi, was removed from the role just days after his appointment – following an article in a News Corp newspaper, a set of opposition questions in the Senate and a phone call from the Arts Minister Tony Burke.  Now, the boss of Creative Australia faces questions about why he decided to drop Sabasabi – and whether there was ministerial interference. Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow, on the controversy at Creative Australia, and what it means for artistic freedom.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow Photo: Creative Australia

It was 2020 when the government first discovered that a glitch in its system was wrongfully cutting  welfare recipients off from their payments. Rather than fixing the error, the department did nothing for three years. In that time, ten people died. Whether their deaths were the result of suicide or destitution after losing support, Services Australia won’t say. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton with his exclusive story about the ministers who failed to act on behalf of the vulnerable – and instead protected the interests of private companies.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton Photo: Credit: AAP Image / Darren England

The results in the latest Closing the Gap report are grim. Only five of the 19 targets are on track, and Indigenous incarceration rates are rising. But is the policy itself part of the problem? Critics like independent senator Lidia Thorpe argue that Closing the Gap hasn’t delivered change and should be scrapped. Meanwhile, the government has announced hundreds of millions in new spending, including major investments in remote communities and initiatives to reduce grocery prices in the Northern Territory. Today, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy on whether Closing the Gap is still working.   Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy. Photo: AAP Image/Amanda Parkinson

Two time Miles Franklin Award-winning author Alex Miller is 88, but with 17 books under his belt and more writing on the way, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. On this episode of Read This, host Michael Williams sits down with Alex to discuss his latest book The Deal, which revisits the life of Lang Tzu, a character in his critically acclaimed novel The Ancestor Game.

In news rooms, board rooms and electoral offices around the country, there's one question driving everyone insane: when is Anthony Albanese going to call the election? Nervous backbenchers are willing him to strike while the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates is fresh in voters’ minds, but the prime minister is being coy about his preferred date. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on when Labor insiders are expecting an election and how Peter Dutton is coping with the government’s week of good news.   Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. Photo: AAP Images