In December last year, a group of crossbenchers dialled into a secret call with the Albanese government.

It was to get a briefing on a government-commissioned report on the national security risks posed by climate change – a report the government has been sitting on since early 2023.

Described by one senator as “frankly terrifying”, the Climate Risk Assessment report has not been shared with the Greens, the Coalition, or even the relevant parliamentary committee on intelligence.

Now, as the federal election looms, crossbenchers warn it’s “recklessly negligent” to keep the report’s findings hidden from Australians.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow, on why the government is keeping national security threats a secret.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow.

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins