It’s been revealed this week that Monash IVF has paid millions of dollars in secret settlements, after two nightmare mixups saw women implanted with the wrong embryos – one of them giving birth to a stranger’s baby.

At least three families have now received compensation for the bungle, which was caused by human error.

But these mistakes – at one of the oldest and most reputable clinics in the country – have had devastating consequences that reach far beyond the affected families, damaging the confidence of anyone relying on fertility treatment in Australia.

In this episode, which first aired in June 2025, Ruby Jones speaks with writer and public health campaigner Hannah Bambra on why the IVF industry is so vulnerable to human error.

 

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: Hannah Bambra, writer and public health campaigner

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It&rsquo;s been revealed this week that Monash IVF has paid millions of dollars in secret settlements, after two nightmare mixups saw women implanted with the wrong embryos &ndash; one of them giving birth to a stranger&rsquo;s baby.
At least three families have now received compensation for the bungle, which was caused by human error.
But these mistakes &ndash; at one of the oldest and most reputable clinics in the country &ndash; have had devastating consequences that reach far beyond the affected families, damaging the confidence of anyone relying on fertility treatment in Australia.
In this episode, which first aired in June 2025, Ruby Jones speaks with writer and public health campaigner Hannah Bambra on why the IVF industry is so vulnerable to human error.
&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: Hannah Bambra, writer and public health campaigner
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dean Lewins

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.

Giving birth to a stranger’s baby: the cost of IVF mistakes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7b13813c-bd96-4239-b8e9-b404005c10ee/transcript

When the United States launched strikes on Iran, Australia was quick to back the move. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it’s about defending global security. But critics say that argument sounds familiar. More than two decades ago, another Australian prime minister used almost identical arguments to justify joining America’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Back then, Albanese himself warned those decisions would redefine Australia as a willing backer of US militarism no matter whether it is in the national interest. 

Today, political editor at Crikey, Bernard Keane, on why he believes the Prime Minister has undergone a remarkable transformation, and what it means for Australia as the conflict grows.

 

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: Bernard Keane, political editor at Crikey

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

When the United States launched strikes on Iran, Australia was quick to back the move.&nbsp;
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it&rsquo;s about defending global security. But critics say that argument sounds familiar. More than two decades ago, another Australian prime minister used almost identical arguments to justify joining America&rsquo;s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Back then, Albanese himself warned those decisions would redefine Australia as a willing backer of US militarism no matter whether it is in the national interest.&nbsp;
Today, political editor at Crikey, Bernard Keane, on why he believes the Prime Minister has undergone a remarkable transformation, and what it means for Australia as the conflict grows.
&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: Bernard Keane, political editor at Crikey
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“Deputy Sheriff” Albo’s Wartime Transformation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/12c74940-7427-4724-bb1c-b40500497d2d/transcript

An effort by Congress to rein in President Trump’s war in Iran has failed.

Democrats and a few Republicans tried to use the War Powers Resolution to force Trump to get approval from Congress to keep fighting – but it didn’t pass.

Now the war is dragging in more countries, fuelling a global crisis and dividing nations.

Today Jasmine El-Gamal, former Pentagon adviser and founder of Averos Strategies, on Trump’s war – is it ego, blind ambition or part of a plan to reshape the world? 

 

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: Jasmine El-Gamal, founder and CEO of Averos Strategies

Photo: Abbas Hassan/TASS/Sipa USA

An effort by Congress to rein in President Trump&rsquo;s war in Iran has failed.
Democrats and a few Republicans tried to use the War Powers Resolution to force Trump to get approval from Congress to keep fighting &ndash; but it didn&rsquo;t pass.
Now the war is dragging in more countries, fuelling a global crisis and dividing nations.
Today Jasmine El-Gamal, former Pentagon adviser and founder of Averos Strategies, on Trump&rsquo;s war &ndash; is it ego, blind ambition or part of a plan to reshape the world?&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: Jasmine El-Gamal, founder and CEO of Averos Strategies
Photo:&nbsp;Abbas Hassan/TASS/Sipa USA

“The Law of the Jungle”: How Trump’s war is causing chaos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/33271a62-ddff-4631-862c-b4040050ecf3/transcript

When the High Court handed down its Mabo decision, it cracked open the legal fiction at the heart of the nation. Terra Nullius was gone.

For John Howard, then in opposition, it provided  an opportunity. He framed the moment not as correction, but as a threat. A story was spun to suburban and regional Australia: your backyard, your lease, your livelihood were suddenly, all under threat.

For John Howard, the real battle was over the nation’s conscience. He dismissed what he called the “black armband” view of history and described the violence and dispossession of the past as mere “blemishes” on an otherwise proud national story. He refused to apologise to the Stolen Generations, rejecting the idea that the nation owed a moral debt. In its place, he chose pride over reckoning — and ideology over truth.

Author and political commentator Amy Remeikis has spent months tracing the threads of Howard’s legacy,  not just the policies, but the narratives that made them possible.

This is the Howard Effect, a three part series from 7am marking 30 years since John Howard's ascent to power. Episode Three - Who Belongs

 

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:  Author of Where It All Went Wrong: The case against John Howard, Amy Remeikis

When the High Court handed down its Mabo decision, it cracked open the legal fiction at the heart of the nation. Terra Nullius was gone.
For John Howard, then in opposition, it provided&nbsp; an opportunity. He framed the moment not as correction, but as a threat. A story was spun to suburban and regional Australia: your backyard, your lease, your livelihood were suddenly, all under threat.
For John Howard, the real battle was over the nation&rsquo;s conscience. He dismissed what he called the &ldquo;black armband&rdquo; view of history and described the violence and dispossession of the past as mere &ldquo;blemishes&rdquo; on an otherwise proud national story. He refused to apologise to the Stolen Generations, rejecting the idea that the nation owed a moral debt. In its place, he chose pride over reckoning &mdash; and ideology over truth.
Author and political commentator Amy Remeikis has spent months tracing the threads of Howard&rsquo;s legacy,&nbsp; not just the policies, but the narratives that made them possible.
This is the Howard Effect, a three part series from 7am marking 30 years since John Howard's ascent to power. Episode Three - Who Belongs
&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:&nbsp; Author of Where It All Went Wrong: The case against John Howard, Amy Remeikis

The Howard Effect: Who Belongs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/bc4eed9a-f762-4807-9ca9-b4010027bfc8/transcript

Giving birth to a stranger’s baby: the cost of IVF mistakes

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