Shaun Micallef on why he's taking comics 'back to where they came from'

Headlines: Trump sweeps all battleground states, EV sales drop across Australia and a massive weekend in Aussie sport. Deep Dive: Student debt reforms are leading the Albanese government's 2025 election promises. The key changes would reduce existing student debt by 20% and raise the income threshold for repayments.  However, some say these measures don't go far enough, with calls for free higher education back in the spotlight.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou digs into these proposals, asking what they mean for students, graduates, and the broader economy. Joined by ANU Professor Andrew Norton and The Motley Fool Australia's Chief Investment Officer, Scott Phillips - we explore whether these reforms are a step forward and whether Australia's economy and tax system could handle making higher education free. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mel Buttle is one of Australia’s favourite comedians and self-declared number one fan of the Matildas. You might recognise her as the creator behind Australia's favourite online mum character 'Lyn' or from the latest season of Taskmaster. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Mel opens up about her struggles with severe bullying, ongoing homophobia, and feeling rejected by her wife’s family at what should be a time of blissful newlywed joy. Mel is currently touring her hit comedy show Not Here to Put Socks on Centipedes after sell-out performances at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney and Brisbane Comedy Festivals. Weekend List TO WATCH: Joan on Stan TO TRY: McoBeauty fragrance mist salted caramel & pistachio TO TRY: Tell Her She's Dreamin': A memoir for ambitious girls by Simone Amelia Jordan TO WATCH: Chicken Shop date with Amelia Dimoldenberg and Andrew Garfield Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Australians agree that consent is key to healthy sexual experiences. But what does consent mean? What does it look like in action? Before we can talk to our kids about consent, we need to talk to each other. In this special series, made in partnership with the Australian federal government as part of its Consent Can’t Wait campaign, The Briefing invites iconic Australians to unpack how they feel about consent, what their understanding of it is, how they're having conversations about it with loved ones, and unpacking some of the myths about consent that we can all fall victim to. In part four, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Jude Bolton, cohost of Triple M's Rush Hour in Sydney and former Sydney Swan, and author and Founder of Teach Us Consent Chanel Contos to hear their thoughts on consent in 2024. Check out your understanding of consent, and get help learning how to talk about the topic at Consent.gov.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Blue has been making nation headlines around her plan to invite quote un quote “barley legal” young men attending schoolies on the gold coast to have sex and film it for content on her wildly popular only fans account Harrison James is one of many who thinks Bonnie’s actions are exploitative. He’s a survivor of sexual violence and now works as an activist speaking to consent, sexual violence and the safety of children and young people. On this episode of the Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Harrison to explain why he called the hotel Bonnie Blue is planning to stay during schoolies and if her visa should be cancelled. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Joe Biden’s first address since Trump win, Optus fined $12 million for outage, National Cabinet meeting today to consider social media ban and Australia’s biggest frog count gets underway! Deep dive: Bonnie Blue is a 25-year-old Only Fans creator inviting “barely legal” young men attending schoolies on the Gold Coast to have sex and film it for content, sparking a serious and complex debate about consent.   Bonnie stresses that those involved must be over 18, have an ID with them, sign two consent forms and take a breathalyser test, but there are calls for her visa to be cancelled.   On this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by the adult content creator to share her justifications for her Schoolies plan and what she thinks of people calling her a predator.   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does Donald Trump returning to the White House mean for Australia? One man with a deep insight into this question is former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who Trump in during his first term. Speaking with the Briefing’s Bension Siebert, Turnbull gives his advice on how current PM Anthony Albanese should deal with him, reveals what Trump is like behind closed doors, and explains what Trump 2.0 means for Australia’s next election, our economy and the world. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States. While it will take days to finalise the vote count, the Republican nominee currently holds 292 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 224. He is also on track to win the national popular vote. It's being lauded by key Republicans as "the greatest political comeback in the history of America."  But how will another Trump presidency impact global conflicts, immigration, women's rights and conversations around climate change?  In this special episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Chris Spyrou walk you through what you need to know. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The results have been streaming in as voters deliver their verdict on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as they battle to become the next president of the United States. Trump and Harris have been doing everything possible up until the final moments urging people to get out and vote. Meanwhile, there have been bomb threats in the key swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona, and fake FBI accounts online have been calling the integrity of the vote into question, and been wild weather in various places - from heavy rain across several states, to snow, to the threat of wildfires in California. When can we possibly expect to learn who will be the next president of the United States?  To take us through the day’s drama, and what we can take from the results so far, Bension Siebert is joined by journalist Dave Levinthal live from the ground in Washington DC to bring you the latest. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Voting is underway in the US election, WA Premier fails to disclose Qantas Chairman’s Lounge membership, Prince William and Robert Irwin team up for the environment and 87% of Briefers said they weren’t participating in Melbourne Cup day. Deep Dive: Politicians and their free memberships to the Qantas Chairman's Lounge have been in the news all this week. But what actually goes on inside these luxurious spaces, and where is the line between reasonable luxuries for high-level politicians and potentially corrupting influence? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Joe Aston, journalist and author of The Chairman’s Lounge, which kicked off the scandal. We also hear from Independent Senator David Pocock on why he gave up his membership – and why he accepted it in the first place. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US election might look batshit crazy from afar – but what does it feel like if you’re witnessing the madness unfold live on the ground? On this episode of the Briefing, we take you away from the polls, campaigns and the candidates, and into the homes of three different Australians living in US battleground states right now. Each of their lives will be directly affected by the outcome. As millions cast their ballots across the US to choose the next President of the United States tomorrow, what do they think of being a part of this moment in history? Bension Siebert finds out. This is part of The Briefing’s US election special – catch up on part one, where we explain the Electoral College and how you become President, here.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.