The CFMEU construction union has been under a cloud since investigative journalist Nick McKenzie started digging into allegations of corruption in 2024. Bikie figures, organised crime, intimidation. All taking place on major government-funded projects.

Now, a report has laid out all those stories in one place. And even Nick says he was stunned by the scale of it.

The report's author, barrister Geoffery Watson, not only tore the CFMEU to shreds - but also claimed the Victorian government knew about the problems, and failed to act.

But that section of Watson's report, that questioned the Victorian Labor government, was deleted before the report was published.

Today, Nine newspapers investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on the incredible scale of the corruption at the CFMEU, and the serious questions the government has to answer.

 

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: Nick McKenzie, Nine newspapers investigative reporter

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The CFMEU construction union has been under a cloud since investigative journalist Nick McKenzie started digging into allegations of corruption in 2024. Bikie figures, organised crime, intimidation. All taking place on major government-funded projects.
Now, a report has laid out all those stories in one place. And even Nick says he was stunned by the scale of it.
The report's author, barrister Geoffery Watson, not only tore the CFMEU to shreds - but also claimed the Victorian government knew about the problems, and failed to act.
But that section of Watson's report, that questioned the Victorian Labor government, was deleted before the report was published.
Today, Nine newspapers investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on the incredible scale of the corruption at the CFMEU, and the serious questions the government has to answer.
&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: Nick McKenzie, Nine newspapers investigative reporter
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Joel Carrett

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.

Nick McKenzie on CFMEU corruption and Labor’s blind eye

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/fd3be3b5-5659-48c1-a329-b3f3007bce3b/transcript

More than 30,000 people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste are on a working visa in Australia as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme – or PALM.

The government sells it as a ‘triple win’: workers earn Australian wages, Australian employers fill jobs they say they can’t fill locally, and money flows back to families and economies across the region.

But Morgan Harrington has been investigating the cases where workers say they were exploited and mistreated – including being overcharged by their employer for housing that’s overcrowded and even dangerous.

And because a worker’s visa is tied to one employer, leaving can mean losing your legal status – but thousands have chosen to, now living in Australia with the risk of deportation.

Today, Postdoctoral Research Manager at the Australia Institute, Dr Morgan Harrington, on why the PALM scheme is ripe for exploitation – and why some say it’s a modern slavery risk.

 

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: Postdoctoral Research Manager at the Australia Institute, Dr Morgan Harrington

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

More than 30,000 people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste are on a working visa in Australia as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme &ndash; or PALM.
The government sells it as a &lsquo;triple win&rsquo;: workers earn Australian wages, Australian employers fill jobs they say they can&rsquo;t fill locally, and money flows back to families and economies across the region.
But Morgan Harrington has been investigating the cases where workers say they were exploited and mistreated &ndash; including being overcharged by their employer for housing that&rsquo;s overcrowded and even dangerous.
And because a worker&rsquo;s visa is tied to one employer, leaving can mean losing your legal status &ndash; but thousands have chosen to, now living in Australia with the risk of deportation.
Today, Postdoctoral Research Manager at the Australia Institute, Dr Morgan Harrington, on why the PALM scheme is ripe for exploitation &ndash; and why some say it&rsquo;s a modern slavery risk.
&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: Postdoctoral Research Manager at the Australia Institute, Dr Morgan Harrington
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Inside the Australian scheme accused of modern slavery

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/93c032cd-0940-442c-8516-b3f00056a479/transcript

On Monday, about 6,000 people attended a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney.

The event began peacefully – but videos later emerged, showing protesters being pepper-sprayed, beaten, and arrested by police.

Police say some demonstrators wanted to march to NSW Parliament despite a restriction making it unlawful – and that when orders to disperse were ignored, they had to move the crowd on.

Twenty-seven protesters were arrested.

There have been a number of incidents in recent years where police have been accused of using excessive force against protesters. It comes as officers increasingly use weapons like pepper spray and rubber bullets.

Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on the use of these so-called “non-lethal” weapons, and how they’re changing protests in Australia.

This episode was first published in October 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: Journalist and author Ariel Bogle

Photo: AAP Image/Flavio Brancaleone

On Monday, about 6,000 people attended a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney.
The event began peacefully &ndash; but videos later emerged, showing protesters being pepper-sprayed, beaten, and arrested by police.
Police say some demonstrators wanted to march to NSW Parliament despite a restriction making it unlawful &ndash; and that when orders to disperse were ignored, they had to move the crowd on.
Twenty-seven protesters were arrested.
There have been a number of incidents in recent years where police have been accused of using excessive force against protesters. It comes as officers increasingly use weapons like pepper spray and rubber bullets.
Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on the use of these so-called &ldquo;non-lethal&rdquo; weapons, and how they&rsquo;re changing protests in Australia.
This episode was first published in October 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: Journalist and author Ariel Bogle
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Flavio Brancaleone

Why protests are getting more dangerous

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e60beac4-4aff-4ff3-afbd-b3f00026fe3a/transcript

It took just nine months for the Liberal Party to turn on its first female leader. After months of internal agitation and sliding polls, a spill motion was called and, by the end, Ley was out – replaced by a man many conservatives had wanted all along, Angus Taylor.

Taylor, a former energy minister and standard-bearer for the party’s right, has promised discipline, economic clarity and a return to what he calls “core Liberal values”, where culture wars aren’t a distraction; they’re the strategy. 

For some, it’s a reset. For others, it’s a signal that internal battles are far from over. 

Today, Political Editor at news.com.au Samantha Maiden, on how the spill unfolded, who backed Taylor and why, and whether this puts the Coalition in a stronger position than it was at the start of the week.

 

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: Samantha Maiden, political editor news.com.au

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

It took just nine months for the Liberal Party to turn on its first female leader. After months of internal agitation and sliding polls, a spill motion was called and, by the end, Ley was out &ndash; replaced by a man many conservatives had wanted all along, Angus Taylor.
Taylor, a former energy minister and standard-bearer for the party&rsquo;s right, has promised discipline, economic clarity and a return to what he calls &ldquo;core Liberal values&rdquo;, where culture wars aren&rsquo;t a distraction; they&rsquo;re the strategy.&nbsp;
For some, it&rsquo;s a reset. For others, it&rsquo;s a signal that internal battles are far from over.&nbsp;
Today, Political Editor at news.com.au Samantha Maiden, on how the spill unfolded, who backed Taylor and why, and whether this puts the Coalition in a stronger position than it was at the start of the week.
&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: Samantha Maiden, political editor news.com.au
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/eb9f17a9-03ac-434b-b9c7-b3f000436d07/transcript

Nick McKenzie on CFMEU corruption and Labor’s blind eye

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