For Read This’s last episode of 2024, host Michael Williams heads to Fitzroy Pool to find out what people are reading as the weather warms up. Plus, a handful of previous Read This guests offer book recommendations for the summer holidays.

For Read This’s last episode of 2024, host Michael Williams heads to Fitzroy Pool to find out what people are reading as the weather warms up. Plus, a handful of previous Read This guests offer book recommendations for the summer holidays.

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.

Read This: We Went Back to Fitzroy Pool

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/107e50fb-7f4e-49e2-b412-b25e01851236/transcript

Immigration is back at the centre of federal politics – again.

The Coalition’s new leadership is arguing Australia needs lower numbers, tougher rules, and a clearer cap on how many people we bring in each year.

It’s a familiar conversation. In the lead up to the 2024 election, Peter Dutton tried to put a hard number on it – promising to cut migration by 100,000 a year, saying it would help free up housing for Australians.

But critics say a large cut would hit the workforce Australia relies on, including the people needed to build more homes.

Abul Rizvi was a senior official in the Department of Immigration from the early 90s to 2007, when he left as deputy secretary.

He says the argument we keep having – election after election – skips the bigger question: Australia’s need for a long-term population plan, and what we want it to achieve.

Today, Abul Rizvi on the politics of population growth.

This episode was first published in April, 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: Former deputy secretary of the department of immigration, Abul Rizvi.

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Immigration is back at the centre of federal politics &ndash; again.
The Coalition&rsquo;s new leadership is arguing Australia needs lower numbers, tougher rules, and a clearer cap on how many people we bring in each year.
It&rsquo;s a familiar conversation. In the lead up to the 2024 election, Peter Dutton tried to put a hard number on it &ndash; promising to cut migration by 100,000 a year, saying it would help free up housing for Australians.
But critics say a large cut would hit the workforce Australia relies on, including the people needed to build more homes.
Abul Rizvi was a senior official in the Department of Immigration from the early 90s to 2007, when he left as deputy secretary.
He says the argument we keep having &ndash; election after election &ndash; skips the bigger question: Australia&rsquo;s need for a long-term population plan, and what we want it to achieve.
Today, Abul Rizvi on the politics of population growth.
This episode was first published in April, 2025.
 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: Former deputy secretary of the department of immigration, Abul Rizvi.
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

How big should Australia be?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/11d02339-bad1-4c4e-9bd1-b3fb003f6226/transcript

In Canberra, a fight both major parties have tried to avoid is back.

The Senate is examining the capital gains tax discount – the Howard-era change that slashed tax on asset profits and helped turn housing into a national obsession.

It’s long been considered untouchable, especially after Labor’s bruising 2019 election defeat. But with house prices entrenched, inequality rising and the budget under strain, pressure is building on the government to do something.

Today, economist and Executive Director of the Australia Institute Richard Denniss, on why the concession exists, the vested interests resisting change, and whether the politics around it are finally shifting.

 

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: Executive Director of the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss

Photo: EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

In Canberra, a fight both major parties have tried to avoid is back.
The Senate is examining the capital gains tax discount &ndash; the Howard-era change that slashed tax on asset profits and helped turn housing into a national obsession.
It&rsquo;s long been considered untouchable, especially after Labor&rsquo;s bruising 2019 election defeat. But with house prices entrenched, inequality rising and the budget under strain, pressure is building on the government to do something.
Today, economist and Executive Director of the Australia Institute Richard Denniss, on why the concession exists, the vested interests resisting change, and whether the politics around it are finally shifting.
&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: Executive Director of the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss
Photo:&nbsp;EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

Beer, gas and capital gains tax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2d2a4860-5b52-47ad-9782-b3fe0057355f/transcript

Whistleblowers have exposed some of Australia’s biggest scandals – from Robodebt and misconduct in the banking sector, to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan – stories that often only come to light because someone inside decides to speak up.

But for the people who do, the personal cost can be devastating: retaliation at work, legal threats, even prosecution. And that fear keeps others silent, leaving wrongdoing to fester.

The Albanese government came to office in 2022 promising a stronger integrity agenda, including “immediate improvements” to whistleblower laws and broader reform to follow. But years on, what’s actually changed for whistleblowers, and why do so many still feel unprotected?

Today, lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project, Kieran Pender, on creating Australia’s first specialist legal service for whistleblowers, and what’s wrong with our laws.

 

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: Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project, Kieran Pender

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Whistleblowers have exposed some of Australia&rsquo;s biggest scandals &ndash; from Robodebt and misconduct in the banking sector, to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan &ndash; stories that often only come to light because someone inside decides to speak up.
But for the people who do, the personal cost can be devastating: retaliation at work, legal threats, even prosecution. And that fear keeps others silent, leaving wrongdoing to fester.
The Albanese government came to office in 2022 promising a stronger integrity agenda, including &ldquo;immediate improvements&rdquo; to whistleblower laws and broader reform to follow. But years on, what&rsquo;s actually changed for whistleblowers, and why do so many still feel unprotected?
Today, lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre&rsquo;s Whistleblower Project, Kieran Pender, on creating Australia&rsquo;s first specialist legal service for whistleblowers, and what&rsquo;s wrong with our laws.
&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: Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre&rsquo;s Whistleblower Project, Kieran Pender
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Speak the truth, pay the price: Australia's broken whistleblower laws

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6ee25afe-b2ac-4ebb-b401-b3fd005d441e/transcript

Read This: We Went Back to Fitzroy Pool

In 1 playlist(s)

7am

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips