PM slammed over fuel taskforce + Whistleblower calls out Trump Iran claims

Australia’s fuel crisis is intensifying, with empty bowsers, soaring prices, and growing fears it could spill into a full-blown shortage. In response, the Prime Minister has announced a new national task force to keep petrol and diesel flowing. But will it actually fix the problem… or is it just political theatre? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Seven News Political Reporter, Josh Martin, to unpack the latest developments.  Headlines:  There’s been a concerning escalation in the war in the Middle East, with key gas plants targeted in ongoing strikes. The Former Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Centre has broken his silence over the Iran war after sensationally quitting from the top job Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has brushed off speculation that she could face a leadership challenge And Australia’s unemployment rate has increased to 4.3% Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:  Emergency National Cabinet meeting called amid fuel shortage fears Iranian women’s soccer team back in Iran as third senior leader killed Changes coming for Australia’s tobacco laws Pauline Hanson confronts SA Premier Possum hides among soft toys at Hobart Airport Deep Dive: Have you ever heard of water cremation? What about human composting or natural burials?   These are some of the greener ways Aussies are choosing to dispose of their bodies after they die, in place of traditional burials or cremations.    In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with Dr Sandra van der Laan talks about the newest and greenest ways to go when you die.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s long been hailed as the breakthrough treatment – but now a breakthrough study on medicinal cannabis has found it's not effective in treating common mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by lead author of the study, Dr Jack White, who unpacks the groundbreaking research and why he’s calling for tighter regulations on medicinal cannabis prescriptions.  Headlines:  Australian military facilities in the UAE have been damaged in an Iranian attack The Prime Minister has urged Australians not to panic buy petrol  Residents in Far North Queensland are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Narelle  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Sandilands has released a statement this morning saying his $100 million contract with ARN has been terminated - and he's not going quietly.   The split follows a very public on-air fight between Kyle and Jackie O, a walk-out, competing legal claims, and a 14-day ultimatum that just ran out.  In this breaking news episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt walks through the latest development, what Sandilands is saying, and why this saga is far from over.  Further listening:  Inside the Kyle & Jackie no show Who really split Kyle & Jackie O  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines:  Australia’s big four banks pass on interest rate rise  Donald Trump calls out Australia in scathing post Potential jail time for displaying banned Islamic symbols in NSW Pauline Hanson fails to properly declare Gina Rinehart flights Matildas book spot in Asian Cup final Deep Dive: Mass layoffs are sweeping through the tech sector, with one of Australia's biggest success stories cutting hundreds of local jobs in the name of efficiency.   Across the industry, artificial intelligence is being pointed to as part of the explanation - raising questions about whether AI is genuinely reshaping work or simply becoming the most convenient scapegoat in corporate history.   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with AFR senior columnist James Thomson about “AI washing,” what the new wave of tech layoffs signal and whether Australia’s economy is ready for what’s next.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As widely expected, the RBA has again increased the official cash rate. Experts are predicting there could be another two increases on the way this year, with the RBA flagging that inflation is still a concern.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by financial expert Jessica Brady, who explains the fallout from an increase in interest rates and why the government now needs to look at other economic measures to try and control inflation.  Headlines:  A number of world leaders have condemned escalating violence in Lebanon The family of the men accused of the deadly Bondi Beach massacre say they’re living in constant fear and have faced death threats and harassment Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia have started training with Brisbane Roar FC Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Consumer watchdog to grill petrol companies over price hikes Australians blaming the federal government for cost of living pain Sydney Swans apologise for removing references to Jewish community in Bondi speech Whistleblowers claim Meta and TikTok push harmful content to remain competitive Melbourne trial of tap and go payments on public transport begins Deep Dive: Should we be paying grandparents to look after kids, instead of childcare centres?   That’s what some parents and politicians think should be happening in the wake of distressing revelations of abuse within the industry.    But taking kids out of the system isn’t necessarily the best way to protect them.   In today’s deep dive, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, to break down what the major parties are offering and what the future of childcare should look like.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is facing growing concern over its fuel security, with experts warning the country remains dangerously dependent on overseas supplies.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by defence analyst, John Blackburn, who’s been sounding the alarm for more than a decade, warning governments from both sides of politics that Australia’s fuel supply chain leaves the nation vulnerable in a global crisis...like the one we’re currently unfolding in the Middle East.  Headlines:  Donald Trump has warned it would be “very bad for the future of NATO” if allies fail to help protect the Strait of Hormuz Australia’s media watchdog has cracked down on ARN, the radio network behind The Kyle and Jackie O Show Controversy at the Oscars Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 98th Academy Awards are underway. Hosted by TV presenter and comedian Conan O’Brien in Hollywood, they honour the best films from 2025.   In this special Oscars coverage from The Briefing team, we unpack the latest from the red carpet, the big winners and how the internet is reacting in real time.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Four more Iranian soccer players give up asylum in Australia Gov expects inflation to rise, while facing pressure to send warship to Middle East New leader has little impact on Coalition’s polling Vape catches fire on Virgin Australia flight Queen Mary and King Frederik tour Uluru Further listening from the headlines: Is it unethical for us to read the lips of famous people? Deep Dive:Porn sites like Pornhub, RedTube and YouPorn have gone dark for Australians, not because they were banned, but in protest of our new age-verification rules.  The government says it’s about protecting kids from “lawful but awful” content, but it could mean handing over your ID, credit card, or even your face just to access parts of the internet.  In today’s deep dive, Chris Spyrou chats with Dr. Giselle Woodley from the School of Arts and Humanities at ECU about how teens are reacting to the new rules and how it’s not just them that could be pushed to very dark corners of the web as they come into effect.    Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.