When Robert F Kennedy Jr was sworn in as Health and Human Services Secretary, his confirmation came off the back of a fiery questioning from Democrats and Republicans alike about RFK Jr’s record on vaccines. And under oath, RFK Jr denied he was against them.

But now, Reuters reports he considered scrapping the entire childhood immunisation schedule, removing polio and MMR vaccines, and spending five billion dollars investigating the disproven link between vaccines and autism.

Kennedy has spent two decades campaigning against vaccines, using his famous name to become one of the movement’s most prominent figures.

Today, we return to our conversation with investigative journalist Brian Deer, on Kennedy’s anti-vaccine campaign – and the deadly consequences of vaccine misinformation in Samoa.

This episode was originally published in February 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 Brian Deer

Photo: AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.

When Robert F Kennedy Jr was sworn in as Health and Human Services Secretary, his confirmation came off the back of a fiery questioning from Democrats and Republicans alike about RFK Jr&rsquo;s record on vaccines. And under oath, RFK Jr denied he was against them.
But now, Reuters reports he considered scrapping the entire childhood immunisation schedule, removing polio and MMR vaccines, and spending five billion dollars investigating the disproven link between vaccines and autism.
Kennedy has spent two decades campaigning against vaccines, using his famous name to become one of the movement&rsquo;s most prominent figures.
Today, we return to our conversation with investigative journalist Brian Deer, on Kennedy&rsquo;s anti-vaccine campaign &ndash; and the deadly consequences of vaccine misinformation in Samoa.
This episode was originally published in February 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 Brian Deer
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.

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.

RFK Jr’s anti-vaccine obsession

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f37daee3-b738-4743-ad60-b491004da36f/transcript

Australia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of liquefied natural gas.

Over the past 25 years, the value of those exports has increased more than twentyfold. Yet revenue from the tax designed to capture the extraordinary profits made from petroleum resources has gone backwards.

This week, at its national conference, the Labor Party formally acknowledged that Australians deserve a "fairer return" from the resources beneath their land and seas.

But the party stopped short of backing the policy that forced the issue onto the agenda: a 25 per cent tax on gas exports that supporters say could raise up to $17 billion a year.

Today, Australia Institute co-chief executive Richard Denniss, on the unlikely alliance pushing Labor to take on the gas industry – and whether the party’s carefully chosen words will ever become an actual tax.

 

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: Co-Chief Executive Officer at The Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss

Photo: AAP Image/Joe Castro

Australia is one of the world&rsquo;s biggest exporters of liquefied natural gas.
Over the past 25 years, the value of those exports has increased more than twentyfold. Yet revenue from the tax designed to capture the extraordinary profits made from petroleum resources has gone backwards.
This week, at its national conference, the Labor Party formally acknowledged that Australians deserve a "fairer return" from the resources beneath their land and seas.
But the party stopped short of backing the policy that forced the issue onto the agenda: a 25 per cent tax on gas exports that supporters say could raise up to $17 billion a year.
Today, Australia Institute co-chief executive Richard Denniss, on the unlikely alliance pushing Labor to take on the gas industry &ndash; and whether the party&rsquo;s carefully chosen words will ever become an actual tax.
&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: Co-Chief Executive Officer at The Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Joe Castro

Labor’s promise of a ‘fairer’ gas deal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/877cf585-841d-4f72-a695-b491004b70cb/transcript

In the East Room of the White House, Donald Trump made an extraordinary accusation of election interference: Beijing had illegally obtained the voter files of 220 million Americans.

He also accused US intelligence agencies of hiding the extent of China’s activity. 

Later, Trump claimed a Homeland Security review had found around 278,000 non-citizens registered to vote.

Trump’s motivation, critics say, is to sow doubt ahead of the upcoming midterm elections – which he’s already made several attempts to reshape: from redrawing maps, to restricting voting, to firing the entire electoral commission.

Today, staff writer at The Atlantic David A. Graham, on Trump’s campaign to tilt the midterms and what he could still do before, during and after election day.

 

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: Staff writer at The Atlantic David A. Graham

Photo: Saul LOEB / POOL / AFP

In the East Room of the White House, Donald Trump made an extraordinary accusation of election interference: Beijing had illegally obtained the voter files of 220 million Americans.
He also accused US intelligence agencies of hiding the extent of China&rsquo;s activity.&nbsp;
Later, Trump claimed a Homeland Security review had found around 278,000 non-citizens registered to vote.
Trump&rsquo;s motivation, critics say, is to sow doubt ahead of the upcoming midterm elections &ndash; which he&rsquo;s already made several attempts to reshape: from redrawing maps, to restricting voting, to firing the entire electoral commission.
Today, staff writer at The Atlantic David A. Graham, on Trump&rsquo;s campaign to tilt the midterms and what he could still do before, during and after election day.
&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: Staff writer at The Atlantic David A. Graham
Photo:&nbsp;Saul LOEB / POOL / AFP

Is Trump trying to rig the midterm elections?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9aaca2c7-61fc-4af4-9f3f-b49000555e29/transcript

A blonde woman stands among smiling children holding lollipops. A foundation banner hangs behind them. She announces that a new orphanage has opened in Africa.

But evidence collected during an ABC investigation suggests that the woman in the video isn’t real. Neither are the children or the banner behind them. The scene appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence.

Millions of people have watched an Australian influencer promise food, shelter and hope to children in some of the world's most critical crisis zones. 

Now, her foundation is facing questions about its humanitarian claims, the money it solicited, and the damage AI-generated appeals could do to public trust in charities.

Today, ABC News Verify journalist, Matt Martino on the Lily Jay Foundation, and the tangled web behind its humanitarian work. 

 

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: ABC News Verify senior journalist Matt Martino

Photo: @lilyjayofficial via X

A blonde woman stands among smiling children holding lollipops. A foundation banner hangs behind them. She announces that a new orphanage has opened in Africa.
But evidence collected during an ABC investigation suggests that the woman in the video isn&rsquo;t real. Neither are the children or the banner behind them. The scene appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence.
Millions of people have watched an Australian influencer promise food, shelter and hope to children in some of the world's most critical crisis zones.&nbsp;
Now, her foundation is facing questions about its humanitarian claims, the money it solicited, and the damage AI-generated appeals could do to public trust in charities.
Today, ABC News Verify journalist, Matt Martino on the Lily Jay Foundation, and the tangled web behind its humanitarian work.&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: ABC News Verify senior journalist Matt Martino
Photo:&nbsp;@lilyjayofficial via X

Who is Lily Jay? The Australian influencer accused of using AI in aid videos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1efe4ff0-c757-4076-aee8-b48f00603472/transcript

RFK Jr’s anti-vaccine obsession

In 1 playlist(s)

7am

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips