‘An assault on transparent government’: Albanese’s plan to make secrecy easier

In opposition, Anthony Albanese said Scott Morrison was running "A shadow government that preferred to operate in darkness." Now in power, the Albanese government is planning to water down Australia's transparency laws and make secrets easier to keep. The proposed changes to Australia’s Freedom of Information act would limit who can make requests, and make it easier for officials to refuse them. Today, former Senator and transparency advocate Rex Patrick, on the culture of secrecy plaguing Australian governments. 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: Former Senator for South Australia, Rex Patrick Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced the state's treaty bill into parliament, she said it would pave the way for a formal apology, the introduction of Aboriginal truth-telling into the school curriculum, and a better future for Indigenous Australians in the state. The treaty is the culmination of almost a decade of work that established the First Peoples’ Assembly – which led the negotiations – and delivers on ‘Voice, Treaty and Truth’, making Victoria the first state in the country to do so. Today, the co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, on what they hope Victoria’s treaty will deliver – and how its success will be measured. This is part one of a two-part episode. 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: Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg. Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Justin McManusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indigenous leaders across the country have welcomed Victoria’s treaty. The legislation will enshrine a democratically elected body for First Peoples, called Gellung Warl, that will be consulted on laws and policies affecting Indigenous communities. Now there are calls for other states and territories to use the Victorian example as a model to establish their own treaties. But there’s also pushback – with critics calling it costly and divisive in claims that echo The Voice debate – and with state and territory leaders across the country abandoning previous promises and commitments. Today, writer and 7am co-host Daniel James on whether Victoria’s treaty marks a turning point or an anomaly. This is part two of a two-part episode. 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 7am co-host, Daniel James Photo: AAP Image/Joel CarrettSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Images of child sexual abuse generated by artificial intelligence are on the rise. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, says 100,000 Australians a month have accessed an app that allows users to upload images of other people – including minors – to receive a depiction of what they would look like naked. Predators are known to share know-how to produce and spread these images – and in Australia, the AI tools used to create this material are not illegal. All the while, Julie Inman Grant says not a single major tech company has expressed shame or regret for its role in enabling it. Today, advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and director of The Grace Tame Foundation, Grace Tame, on how governments and law enforcement should be thinking about AI and child abuse – and whether tech companies will cooperate. 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: Advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and director of The Grace Tame Foundation, Grace TameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump was once skeptical of digital assets, saying Bitcoin “seems like a scam” and that crypto’s value was “based on thin air.” Now, cryptocurrency is at the centre of both his economic agenda, and his personal wealth.  Since returning to office in January, Trump has put out executive orders supporting the industry, expanding the government’s use of digital assets, and paving the way for retirement funds to invest in cryptocurrencies – all while his administration dismantles the regulations that keep the industry in check. Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian Nick Robins-Early, on how Trump is using the presidency to push crypto – all while building a sprawling crypto empire. This is part one of a two-part interview. 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: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early Photo: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, FileSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After saying that the value of cryptocurrencies were ‘based on thin air’, US President Donald Trump changed his tune – pledging to be a ‘pro-Bitcoin president’ and earning the backing and campaign donations of the industry. Since taking office, Trump’s family has launched numerous crypto ventures that have potentially earned in the billions. Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian Nick Robins-Early, on the conflicts of interest of the ‘Bitcoin president’ being a crypto-billionaire. This is part two of a two-part interview. 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: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early Photo: EPA/PABLO GIANINAZZISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time ever, the Supreme Court of Victoria allowed a television camera to broadcast a sentencing – the hearing for convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson. Justice Christopher Beale imposed life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years, for murdering three in-laws – and attempting to murder a fourth – by lacing their beef Wellingtons with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023. In handing down the sentence, Justice Beale said Patterson’s crimes fell into  “the worst category of offending” and “inflicted untold suffering” on her victims. Today, investigative journalist and author Lucie Morris-Marr on the impact of Erin Patterson’s crimes, and whether her victims will finally have closure. 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: Investigative journalist and author, Lucie Morris-Marr Photo: AAP Image/Anita LesterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government’s deal with Nauru was “hardly secret.” But the agreement to deport hundreds of non-citizens to live in the tiny Pacific nation was signed on Friday August 29 and only acknowledged publicly the following weekend, with key details – including a potential $2.5 billion price tag – emerging in the days afterwards. At the same time, parliament has passed laws to speed up the process, stripping natural justice from deportation decisions. Today, journalist Denham Sadler on the former immigration detainees the government is desperate to deport – and whether sending them to Nauru breaches Australia’s legal obligations. 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, Denham Sadler Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insiders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the agency is in chaos. Last week, the White House fired CDC Director Susan Monarez after less than a month in the role. Insiders say the agency is no longer able to provide reliable health guidance to Americans as it faces resignations, funding cuts, and a replacement of vaccine advisers with skeptics who have expressed anti-vaccine views. Today, staff writer at The Atlantic on what Monarez’s firing signals about the Trump administration’s health agenda – and what it means for vaccine policy and trust in public health. 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: Staff writer at The Atlantic, Tom Bartlett. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia acted against Iran after ASIO found Tehran orchestrated two antisemitic arson attacks on Australian soil – expelling Iran’s ambassador and moving to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. For Kylie Moore-Gilbert, it’s a long time coming. She spent 804 days imprisoned under IRGC control after being arrested in Tehran on espionage charges. Today, she explains who the IRGC is, why it would attack Australia, and what this listing would actually change.   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: Scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.