As Trump’s radical reshaping of the US pulls into focus, so too has the list of those who have gained entry to his inner circle. 

That list includes not only Australia’s richest person – but also Australia’s largest private arms supplier. 

Robert Nioa isn’t yet a household name, but the weapons mogul is a close confidante to Peter Dutton, married to a Katter, as well as a fishing and hunting pal to Donald Trump Jr. 

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on Robert Nioa’s arms empire and the impact he’ll have on Australian defence policy. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis 

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As Trump&rsquo;s radical reshaping of the US pulls into focus, so too has the list of those who have gained entry to his inner circle.&nbsp;
That list includes not only Australia&rsquo;s richest person &ndash; but also Australia&rsquo;s largest private arms supplier.&nbsp;
Robert Nioa isn&rsquo;t yet a household name, but the weapons mogul is a close confidante to Peter Dutton, married to a Katter, as well as a fishing and hunting pal to Donald Trump Jr.&nbsp;
Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on Robert Nioa&rsquo;s arms empire and the impact he&rsquo;ll have on Australian defence policy.&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: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis&nbsp;
Photo:

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.

Peter Dutton, Donald Trump Jr and the Australian weapons mogul

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5304220a-9f5e-4e6f-b621-b29d004997a4/transcript

Last year, the Prime Minister was ambushed in his hotel lobby by far-right figures boasting of being fed “private intel” during the last election campaign. 

The incident was one of about a dozen stunts targeting Labor, the Greens and some Independents. 

It turns out, this wasn’t just about influencers trying to generate content. It was actually a co-ordinated campaign allegedly paid for by a wealthy Christian sect. 

Today, investigative journalist at The Age Sherryn Groch on the Exclusive Brethren, its bags of cash, and connections to the Liberal Party. 

 

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: Investigative journalist at The Age & SMH Sherryn Groch

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Last year, the Prime Minister was ambushed in his hotel lobby by far-right figures boasting of being fed &ldquo;private intel&rdquo; during the last election campaign.&nbsp;
The incident was one of about a dozen stunts targeting Labor, the Greens and some Independents.&nbsp;
It turns out, this wasn&rsquo;t just about influencers trying to generate content. It was actually a co-ordinated campaign allegedly paid for by a wealthy Christian sect.&nbsp;
Today, investigative journalist at The Age Sherryn Groch on the Exclusive Brethren, its bags of cash, and connections to the Liberal Party.&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: Investigative journalist at The Age &amp; SMH Sherryn Groch
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The “cult” church accused of paying far-right activists for election stunts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c89235e3-2220-4b2d-8d35-b4b00061030a/transcript

Donald Trump has found a new way to make money. Trump Media and Technology Group is monetising the president’s social media posts, selling Wall Street firms early access to them for as much as $100,000 a month. And in the world of traders, a few milliseconds can mean millions of dollars.

Now, Trump is being sued over the arrangement, amid claims it gives paying customers preferential access to official presidential communications.

At the same time, Trump Media is also moving into prediction markets – a fast-growing corner of finance that can turn political events into betting opportunities. 

Today, Reuters journalist Anirban Sen, on the extraordinary collision of presidential power, private profit and a booming industry where almost anything can become a wager.

 

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: Reuters journalist, Anirban Sen

Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Donald Trump has found a new way to make money. Trump Media and Technology Group is monetising the president&rsquo;s social media posts, selling Wall Street firms early access to them for as much as $100,000 a month. And in the world of traders, a few milliseconds can mean millions of dollars.
Now, Trump is being sued over the arrangement, amid claims it gives paying customers preferential access to official presidential communications.
At the same time, Trump Media is also moving into prediction markets &ndash; a fast-growing corner of finance that can turn political events into betting opportunities.&nbsp;
Today, Reuters journalist Anirban Sen, on the extraordinary collision of presidential power, private profit and a booming industry where almost anything can become a wager.
&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: Reuters journalist, Anirban Sen
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The $100,000-a-month market for Trump’s posts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d09b7417-f284-4ebc-a650-b4ad0058cc45/transcript

Almost one year ago, the Supreme Court of Victoria allowed a television camera to broadcast a sentencing for the first time ever – the hearing for convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson.

Justice Christopher Beale imposed life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering three in-laws – and attempting to murder a fourth – by lacing their beef Wellingtons with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023.

Now, Patterson has been back in court appealing her convictions, while prosecutors argue her sentence is too lenient and that she should never be released.

Today, we revisit our conversation with investigative journalist and author Lucie Morris-Marr on the sentencing of Erin Patterson, the suffering her crimes caused, and how the judge decided her punishment.

This episode was first published in September 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: Investigative journalist and author, Lucie Morris-Marr

Photo: AAP Image/Anita Lester

Almost one year ago, the Supreme Court of Victoria allowed a television camera to broadcast a sentencing for the first time ever &ndash; the hearing for convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson.
Justice Christopher Beale imposed life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering three in-laws &ndash; and attempting to murder a fourth &ndash; by lacing their beef Wellingtons with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023. Now, Patterson has been back in court appealing her convictions, while prosecutors argue her sentence is too lenient and that she should never be released.
Today, we revisit our conversation with investigative journalist and author Lucie Morris-Marr on the sentencing of Erin Patterson, the suffering her crimes caused, and how the judge decided her punishment.
This episode was first published in September 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: Investigative journalist and author, Lucie Morris-Marr
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Anita Lester

‘You inflicted untold suffering’: the Erin Patterson sentence being appealed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/35495b78-6d79-4e52-97ba-b4ad0043aaeb/transcript

Peter Dutton, Donald Trump Jr and the Australian weapons mogul

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