‘The Minister for Scarves’: Anika Wells’ optics disaster + Barnaby joins One Nation

The long-running tension between Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber has become one of the internet’s most contested celebrity feuds - with Justin Bieber at the centre if it all.  Selena and Hailey both grew up in the limelight, finding fame at an early age and both went on to date teen pop royalty Justin Bieber which undoubtedly magnified them further into spotlight.   In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks how much of this feud is fuelled by the internet or whether the rivalry is genuinely rooted within Selena and Hailey’s inner circles.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US government has proposed tough new laws that will affect millions of travellers, including Australians heading to the US. While they are only proposals at this stage, travellers could be forced to hand over private information, including social media details, family information and numbers and emails from a decade ago.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty, who unpacks these changes and explains why handing over our private information, especially when AI is used, is incredibly concerning. Headlines: Former pilot Greg Lynn will face a new trial over the death of Victorian camper Carol Clay, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired back as pressure grows over parliamentary travel entitlements, and a “zombie-proof” electric car ad has topped Australia’s most-complained-about advertisements for 2025.  Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Teens skirting social media ban told it won’t last forever, Australia records highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody in four decades, US considers forcing tourists to disclose their social media history before entry, Italian cuisine becomes world’s first to win UNESCO status, and the best AU/NZ song of the 21st century revealed. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE.  Deep Dive: The 2025 bushfire season has already turned deadly, with a firefighter killed and homes destroyed across multiple states.  Authorities are warning the early conditions look “ominous,” raising fears Australia could be heading toward another Black Summer.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with former Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins about what this early fire activity tells us and how prepared we really are for the season ahead.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, our top defence bosses joined their US counterparts in Washington for AUSMIN. Some experts say the latest meeting was an important win for Australia after a rollercoaster year in our fragile security alliance with America. As the presence of US troops and defence personnel grows in Australia, are we preparing for an imminent conflict on our doorstep?  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Defence and Security expert Jennifer Parker to unpack this week’s developments at AUSMIN and why Australia needs to prepare for greater uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific.  Headlines: A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was allegedly assaulted and then ran over, the federal Coalition is preparing a hardline immigration policy, and a 68-million-year-old dinosaur fossil is going under the hammer.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s world leading social media ban has officially come into force, with hundreds of thousands of kids getting kicked off platforms today.  We’ve heard a lot about how teens are feeling, but what about teachers and parents?  On this bonus episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with teacher and dad, Dr Ryan Stewart about how he’s navigating the ban with his own kids and students.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Anika Wells refers her own expenses to the independent watchdog, Toyah Cordingley’s killer sentenced to life in prison, another death linked to a 000 failure, Donald Trump launches attack on European leaders and threatens to ditch Ukraine, and thousands of fans miss the start of Lady Gaga’s Brisbane show due to a technical glitch.  Take part in The Briefing survey HERE.  Deep Dive: A world-first social-media ban cutting off Australians under sixteen has now taken effect, with the government framing it as a necessary pushback against harm and addiction.  Critics argue it’s a blunt overreach built on shaky evidence that unfairly limits young people’s rights - including fifteen-year-old Noah Jones, who’s taking the fight to the High Court.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Noah about why he’s opposing the ban and what he believes a smarter response would look like.BONUS: Why this teacher is in favour of the social media ban is out now. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rivalry between Australia’s two biggest cities runs so deep it literally forced the country to build a brand-new capital. Canberra wasn’t chosen for political symbolism; it was created a bid to simmer the fighting between Sydney and Melbourne. This beef covers everything from weather to nightlife, tourist attractions, footy, house prices and coffee – creating one of our longest rivalries between cities.   In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks if Sydney has the looks and Melbourne has the personality - or whether it's more complicated than that.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report has revealed that thousands of Australians living with serious mental health conditions can’t get the lifesaving care and support they need because they don’t meet NDIS requirements. Experts say there are solutions, and it won’t cost any more, but an overhaul of the current funding system is needed.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Rielly Polascheck from the Grattan Institute, who unpacks the new research and the workable solutions.  Headlines: The RBA has kept the official cash rate on hold, the United States will station more troops and military assets in Australia, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered the eulogy at the state funeral for Graham Richardson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Communities brace for worsening fire conditions today, jury finds Toyah Cordingley murdered by former nurse, Barnaby Joyce says Australia is late to embrace the wave of right-wing politics sweeping the world, and Golden Globes nominations announced. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. Deep Dive: Our eating habits are changing so significantly thanks to new weight loss medications that it’s impacting the globe’s food supply.  In Australia, the sale of GLP-1's like Monjauro and Ozempic have soared tenfold in the last five years, with new research shining a light on how we’re not only eating less but also prioritising certain foods.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with RaboResearch’s Stefan Vogel about the future of food in a post GLP-1 world.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversy over Anika Wells’ taxpayer-funded trips has again put politicians’ expenses back in the spotlight. More details have been revealed about the Federal Communications Minister's trips, including AFL games, family skiing trips and a friend’s wedding.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Political Journalist with the AFR Phil Coorey, who explains that while the Minister didn’t break any official rules, in a cost-of-living crisis, it’s not a good look.  Headlines: Barnaby Joyce has officially defected to One Nation, A NSW firefighter has been killed, and popstar Katy Perry and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau have gone Instagram official.  Enter The Briefing survey HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.