Anthony Albanese won the first leaders debate of the election campaign last night.

But it was a tight contest, with both leaders well prepared and polished, as they faced undecided voters in Western Sydney.

Anthony Albanese spoke of a country rallying in spite of difficult global conditions.

For Peter Dutton, it was about painting a dire picture of economic pain – and blaming Albanese for it. 

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis on the biggest moments of the first debate – and what it tells us about the next stage of 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: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Anthony Albanese won the first leaders debate of the election campaign last night.
But it was a tight contest, with both leaders well prepared and polished, as they faced undecided voters in Western Sydney.
Anthony Albanese spoke of a country rallying in spite of difficult global conditions.
For Peter Dutton, it was about painting a dire picture of economic pain &ndash; and blaming Albanese for it.&nbsp;
Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis on the biggest moments of the first debate &ndash; and what it tells us about the next stage of the campaign.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Albanese v Dutton: The first leaders’ debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/95b51c62-4967-4cfe-a88d-b2b90067fc52/transcript

It’s been one year since dead fish began washing up on South Australian beaches, as the largest algal bloom in Australia’s history spread along the coast.

Marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett was part of the team that first surveyed the bloom – coming face to face with the algae’s devastating impact.

Twelve months on, the bloom is still there, the damage has spread, and many of the warnings scientists made in those early days have proved well founded – particularly the damage to marine life.

Today, we’re bringing you an episode from 2025 with marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett, on what caused the bloom, what he saw beneath the surface, and what it means for the fate of the ocean.

This episode first aired in August 2025.

 

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: Marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett

It&rsquo;s been one year since dead fish began washing up on South Australian beaches, as the largest algal bloom in Australia&rsquo;s history spread along the coast.
Marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett was part of the team that first surveyed the bloom &ndash; coming face to face with the algae&rsquo;s devastating impact.
Twelve months on, the bloom is still there, the damage has spread, and many of the warnings scientists made in those early days have proved well founded &ndash; particularly the damage to marine life.
Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you an episode from 2025 with marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett, on what caused the bloom, what he saw beneath the surface, and what it means for the fate of the ocean. This episode first aired in August 2025.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Marine ecologist Dr Scott Bennett

The giant cuttlefish and the deadly algal bloom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b21456a9-4152-45b7-b8e6-b413005a5464/transcript

South Australia does not usually wake up on election day at the centre of the national mood. But this morning, a contest that looks settled on paper is carrying a much stranger energy.

Peter Malinauskas is expected to win comfortably. The real movement is happening elsewhere; in the noise around One Nation, the protest vote in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis gathering around the once marginal party, and the possibility that a state election could end up telling us something bigger about where Australian politics is heading. 

Today, Editor of InDaily SA, Belinda Willis, on the state election that may be a whitewash for Labor, but a warning for everyone else. 

 

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: InDaily SA Editor Belinda Willis

Photo: AAP Image/David Mariuz

South Australia does not usually wake up on election day at the centre of the national mood. But this morning, a contest that looks settled on paper is carrying a much stranger energy.
Peter Malinauskas is expected to win comfortably. The real movement is happening elsewhere; in the noise around One Nation, the protest vote in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis gathering around the once marginal party, and the possibility that a state election could end up telling us something bigger about where Australian politics is heading.&nbsp;
Today, Editor of InDaily SA, Belinda Willis, on the state election that may be a whitewash for Labor, but a warning for everyone else.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: InDaily SA Editor Belinda Willis
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/David Mariuz

Will SA be hit by One Nation’s ‘orange wave’?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b71e546d-780c-48b5-94a2-b41300596203/transcript

While the world focuses on the war underway in Iran, Israel and the Gulf, there is another war front developing – Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Shia group, Hezbollah dragged the country into the war, attacking Israel after a joint US-Israeli airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel then hit back, bombing Beirut and amassing tens of thousands of troops on the border.

Meanwhile, more than a million Lebanese people are now displaced, forced to flee their homes as the attacks continue and Israel demands evacuations.

Today, Michael Young, editor of Carnegie’s Middle East Center blog on whether Lebanon could see a ground invasion and what Israel’s plan is to reshape the region.

 

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: Michael Young, editor of Carnegie’s Middle East Center blog

Photo: EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

While the world focuses on the war underway in Iran, Israel and the Gulf, there is another war front developing &ndash; Lebanon.
Lebanon&rsquo;s Iranian-backed Shia group, Hezbollah dragged the country into the war, attacking Israel after a joint US-Israeli airstrike killed Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel then hit back, bombing Beirut and amassing tens of thousands of troops on the border.
Meanwhile, more than a million Lebanese people are now displaced, forced to flee their homes as the attacks continue and Israel demands evacuations.
Today, Michael Young, editor of Carnegie&rsquo;s Middle East Center blog on whether Lebanon could see a ground invasion and what Israel&rsquo;s plan is to reshape the region.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Michael Young, editor of Carnegie&rsquo;s Middle East Center blog
Photo:&nbsp;EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

The other war front: Lebanon on the brink

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2969f208-1808-4d0e-82f6-b41200248bee/transcript

Albanese v Dutton: The first leaders’ debate

7am

In 1 playlist(s)

7am

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips

Albanese v Dutton: The first leaders’ debate

.css-10t7zxc{display:block;-webkit-flex:none;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;height:0.7rem;}.css-lpgc1n{color:currentColor;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.omny-unique-0:focus .css-15l7pdt,.omny-unique-0:hover .css-15l7pdt{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}7am

In 1 playlist(s)

7am

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips

7am