‘They’re panicking’: Why Dutton reneged on job cuts and work from home

“We made a mistake” are tough words for any politician, but in the heat of an election campaign, they can really hurt. In a spectacular reversal, Peter Dutton has walked back his policy to sack 41,000  public servants, saying he’ll now wait for people to quit and will no longer force those who remain back into the office. Dutton’s backtracking doesn’t just raise questions about sincerity – it also leaves the opposition with a giant black hole when it comes to funding their other election promises. Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on the panic inside the coalition – and what it means for Peter Dutton’s leadership.   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: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looked like a scene from a very different period of history: US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, standing in front of a prison pen filled with gaunt, shirtless men, their heads shaved, staring silently at the cameras.  The footage is from El Salvador, where the US government had whisked away over 200 Venezuelan migrants to be held in the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).  It’s just one of the surreal propaganda posts the Trump administration has released, bragging about imprisoning men they deemed murderous gang-affiliated terrorists.   But looking at these images, one woman saw not a terrorist, but her husband.  In his investigation into these deportations, Mother Jones reporter Noah Lanard found that ordinary men, with no gang affiliations, had been targeted because they had tattoos. Today, Noah Lanard on the people America is disappearing and what the spectacle of deportations says about Trump’s immigration agenda.   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: Mother Jones reporter, Noah Lanard Background Reading: What the Hundreds of Venezuelans Trump Sent to El Salvador Are Up Against Photo: AP Photo/Alex BrandonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colm Tóibín is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest authors — and for good reason. With a career spanning 30 years and 11 award-winning novels under his belt, Colm is beloved both at home and abroad. In his latest book, Long Island, Tóibín returns to familiar territory with a sequel to 2009’s best-selling Brooklyn. On this episode of Read This, he and Michael discuss what it means to write a sequel, the importance of James Baldwin’s writing, and, of course, Costco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s only been a week, but the election campaign is already off script.  Trump’s tariffs have landed like a grenade in the middle of the campaign, with the announcement of a 10 per cent tax on all Australian goods bound for the US providing a real world test for both leaders.  While Dutton’s plan to tackle tariffs lacks detail, he’s clear on one thing: he’d quite like to live in Kirribilli.  Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on Dutton’s missteps, Albanese’s reset and the global forces shaping the campaign.   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: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barry Berih has lived in the same Melbourne flat for most of his life. He has mild cerebral palsy and is cared for by his mother. He has all the medical support he needs, along with his mosque nearby and his Eritrean community surrounding him. But one afternoon, without warning, Barry watched the then Victorian premier, Dan Andrews, announce on TV that the iconic public housing towers in the city would be demolished. One of those towers is his home, making Barry one of about 10,000 people set to be evicted. With that threat looming, some of his neighbours decided to leave. But Barry has been fighting back, and today at 10am, he and hundreds of other people in his class action will find out whether they’ve won their case against the Victorian government. Today, reporter and co-host of 7am Ruby Jones, on the plan to demolish public housing during a housing crisis, and how Melbourne’s inner city will change if Barry loses his case.   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: Reporter and co-host of 7am, Ruby Jones. Photo: James Ross / AAPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian defence officials are preparing to choose whether to buy warships from Germany or Japan. It’s an $11 billion decision – and is about far more than ship design and cost. Given Japan describes Australia as its most important security partner after the United States, our decision will send a signal about whether the relationship is reciprocated. These considerations have been sharpened by the recent appearance of the Chinese navy off our shores – and by the Trump administration's reshaping of American foreign policy. Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on the frigate deal that could cement the Japan-Australia alliance, or sink 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: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis. Photo: Connor Morrison / ADFSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump will unveil his next round of tariffs – an event he’s calling “Liberation Day”. Trump’s first round of tariffs are already causing damage, and there’s more pain to come, as the president enacts what looks like a radical plan to reshape the entire global financial system. Today, managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett, on Trump, tariffs and the economic blueprint known as the Mar-a-Lago accord.   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: Samuel Corum/Sipa USA  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the federal election campaign kicked off over the weekend, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute Amy Remeikis was paying close attention.  While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a crackdown on supermarket price gouging and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton focused on cost-of-living measures, Remeikis noticed there were some big issues that neither leader wanted to confront – such as climate change and Australia’s relationship with our most important ally. Today, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute Amy Remeikis on the big questions we should be asking our politicians – and why now is the time to do so.   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: Chief political correspondent at the Australia Institute, Amy Remeikis Photo: SuppliedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks, Australian researchers began receiving a questionnaire. Sent by the US government, it asked things like “can you confirm that this is no DEI?” and “Can you confirm this is not a climate or environmental justice project?” The questions were seeking to determine whether Australian research, co-funded by the United States, was complying with Donald Trump’s promise to cut funding from projects that support a “woke” agenda. The move has been labelled as “foreign interference” and raises questions about the independence and sustainability of Australian research. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on why Australian research needs a new backer – and what the government should be doing 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: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton Photo: Mark Syke-VIEW / AlamySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tanzanian-born, London-based author Abdulrazak Gurnah was midway through writing his latest novel, Theft, when he received a call letting him know he’d won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. After more than a year of events and literary obligations, he finally returned to Theft, with more enthusiasm than ever. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down with Abdulrazak to discuss his writing, the phenomenon of tourism and his latest book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.