Peter Dutton and the billionaires

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.

In his press conference announcing the May 3 federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians have a choice, warning Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will cut “your job, your wages, your child’s education and… your Medicare”.  In response,  Dutton asked voters to consider if they are better off now than they were before Labor came to power. In this special election edition of 7am, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis traces the battlelines of the upcoming election and tells us which leader is most ready for the fight ahead.   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 Twitter and Instagram Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis Photo: AAP Image / Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Peter Dutton’s electorate braced for Cyclone Alfred, the opposition leader flew to Sydney to attend a $25,000 dollar-a-head dinner at Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse mansion. It was a choice that’s been pilloried in the media – and the government. But as Labor sets about to raise money in similar ways, it raises questions about who has the ear of our leaders – and what Australia’s wealthiest people are getting in return for their donations. Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese and the billionaires they court.   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: Alan Chau and John Koh / Hancock ProspectingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traditionally, the idea of bail meant that someone accused of a crime had the right to be free until their trial. But over nearly fifty years, that has shifted dramatically, with bail now used as a tool for crime prevention. Jurisdictions across Australia are adopting more punitive bail laws – with Victoria just passing what it calls “the toughest laws in the country”. The government says it’s about community safety, but legal and human rights experts warn that these changes will put more children in custody, disproportionately affect First Nations people, and potentially increase deaths on remand. Today, legal academic, Dr Marilyn McMahon, on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what it means for justice. 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: Professor in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon. Photo: AAP Image / Con ChronisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Chalmers has handed down the Labor government’s election budget. Front and centre was a surprise tax cut for all Australians, along with many of the measures we’ve been promised, including a boost to Medicare, energy bill relief, housing support and student debt reductions.  As the government makes its pitch for re-election, gross public debt is forecast to hit $1 trillion next year, and a decade of deficits loom. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what’s in the budget for you — and how it will sway the government’s chances at re-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: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ceasefire in Gaza collapsed a week ago as Israel launched a series of airstrikes. Since then, more than 600 people have been killed, including children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.Israel says the attacks were aimed at Hamas’s surviving leadership – and just a few days ago, Hamas confirmed its top political leader is dead. As the war reignites, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is weighing his own political survival. Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom on what the end of the ceasefire means for the people of Gaza – and what US President Donald Trump wants out of the next stage of war.  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:  Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom. Photo: Majdi Fathi / NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.