Kath Madgwick has been to hell and back. One of the most recognisable faces of the Royal Commission into Robodebt, her only son Jarrad took his own life after being told he owed Services Australia nearly two thousand dollars. 

Kath has been fighting ever since.

The royal commission report dedicated more than a page to her story. But now, Kath says she’s experiencing injustice of another kind. Booted out of the $475 million robodebt class action – her compensation claim over Jarrad’s death has been denied by the Commonwealth.

Today Kath Madgwick, on how – even as one of the worst affected victims of the robodebt saga – she’s somehow missed out.

 

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: Robodebt victim’s mother, Kath Madgwick

Photo: Supplied

Kath Madgwick has been to hell and back. One of the most recognisable faces of the Royal Commission into Robodebt, her only son Jarrad took his own life after being told he owed Services Australia nearly two thousand dollars.&nbsp;
Kath has been fighting ever since.
The royal commission report dedicated more than a page to her story. But now, Kath says she&rsquo;s experiencing injustice of another kind. Booted out of the $475 million robodebt class action &ndash; her compensation claim over Jarrad&rsquo;s death has been denied by the Commonwealth.
Today Kath Madgwick, on how &ndash; even as one of the worst affected victims of the robodebt saga &ndash; she&rsquo;s somehow missed out.
&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: Robodebt victim&rsquo;s mother, Kath Madgwick
Photo:&nbsp;Supplied

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.

Robodebt took Kath’s only son; now she’s been denied compensation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d38f4777-858c-4ed7-918b-b4de004cb35b/transcript

Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered hundreds of service members at a base in Virginia to lay out his vision for the American military.

Alongside sweeping changes to the way it fights and trains, Hegseth announced a new Office of Religious Affairs – reporting directly to him – aimed at putting what he calls “spiritual health” on the same level as physical health.

It’s the clearest sign yet of how Hegseth’s evangelical Christianity is shaping the Pentagon and religious policy across the armed forces.

Earlier this year, we looked at the beliefs driving Hegseth’s push to remake the military – and why Donald Trump chose him to wage a cultural and ideological battle inside it, bringing so-called “warrior culture” back to an institution they believed had gone “woke”.

Today, former Voice of America Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman on Pete Hegseth, Christian nationalism and the religious worldview reshaping the US military.

This episode first aired in March, 2026.

 

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 chief national correspondent for Voice of America, Steve Herman

Photo: Alex Wong/Pool Photo via AP

Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered hundreds of service members at a base in Virginia to lay out his vision for the American military.
Alongside sweeping changes to the way it fights and trains, Hegseth announced a new Office of Religious Affairs &ndash; reporting directly to him &ndash; aimed at putting what he calls &ldquo;spiritual health&rdquo; on the same level as physical health.
It&rsquo;s the clearest sign yet of how Hegseth&rsquo;s evangelical Christianity is shaping the Pentagon and religious policy across the armed forces.
Earlier this year, we looked at the beliefs driving Hegseth&rsquo;s push to remake the military &ndash; and why Donald Trump chose him to wage a cultural and ideological battle inside it, bringing so-called &ldquo;warrior culture&rdquo; back to an institution they believed had gone &ldquo;woke&rdquo;.
Today, former Voice of America Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman on Pete Hegseth, Christian nationalism and the religious worldview reshaping the US military.
This episode first aired in March, 2026.
&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: Former chief national correspondent for Voice of America, Steve Herman
Photo:&nbsp;Alex Wong/Pool Photo via AP

The Holy Warrior leading Trump's war

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6c57c727-b272-4d4f-a7fb-b4de004cb07c/transcript

The Coalition is under pressure from One Nation, and its response is becoming increasingly clear. Angus Taylor is pushing a much harder line on immigration, borrowing language that echoes populist movements overseas. 

At the same time, One Nation is escalating its own rhetoric as it tries to capitalise on the anger and discontent spreading across the electorate. It’s part of a broader fracturing in Australian politics, as the major parties try to confront a more volatile electorate – and as the government faces renewed pressure over interest rates, inflation and the cost of living. 

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on a political system being pulled towards its edges, and whether Anthony Albanese can still make the centre hold. 

 

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: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The Coalition is under pressure from One Nation, and its response is becoming increasingly clear. Angus Taylor is pushing a much harder line on immigration, borrowing language that echoes populist movements overseas.&nbsp;
At the same time, One Nation is escalating its own rhetoric as it tries to capitalise on the anger and discontent spreading across the electorate. It&rsquo;s part of a broader fracturing in Australian politics, as the major parties try to confront a more volatile electorate &ndash; and as the government faces renewed pressure over interest rates, inflation and the cost of living.&nbsp;
Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on a political system being pulled towards its edges, and whether Anthony Albanese can still make the centre hold.&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: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

As the Coalition veers right, should Albo hold the centre?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1c1bdef4-4a6d-4993-b51f-b4de004cada2/transcript

The Greens’ official think-tank has a new proposition — a national chain of 624 publicly owned supermarkets.

To make that a reality would cost more than $25 billion, and involve the forced sale of 200 Coles and Woolworths supermarkets. 

But the Institute, which took its inspiration from New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, says it would cut grocery bills by 22 per cent. 

Today, former MP and now Green Institute Executive Director Max Chandler-Mather on his proposal for a publicly owned supermarket chain. 

 

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: Green Institute Executive Director Max Chandler-Mather

Photo: AAP Image/Dan Peled

The Greens&rsquo; official think-tank has a new proposition &mdash; a national chain of 624 publicly owned supermarkets.
To make that a reality would cost more than $25 billion, and involve the forced sale of 200 Coles and Woolworths supermarkets.&nbsp;
But the Institute, which took its inspiration from New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, says it would cut grocery bills by 22 per cent.&nbsp;
Today, former MP and now Green Institute Executive Director Max Chandler-Mather on his proposal for a publicly owned supermarket chain.&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: Green Institute Executive Director Max Chandler-Mather
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dan Peled

The $25 billion plan to take on Coles and Woolworths

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4ddc4549-fb66-46ca-9db3-b4dd0035a8be/transcript

Robodebt took Kath’s only son; now she’s been denied compensation

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