Last year, Tracy Hall was sent a dating profile that sent chills down her spine. The name on the profile was different, but the image was that of notorious conman Hamish McLaren.

He had been jailed for scamming 15 Australians out of $7.6 million – including Tracy, his girlfriend and final victim, whose life savings he stole after meeting her under a fake identity.

Now, as McLaren prepares for release on parole this week, Tracy says the systems that allowed him into her life still haven’t been fixed.

Today, Tracy Hall on the conman who stole her life savings, the growing romance scam industry costing Australians tens of millions of dollars a year, and whether dating apps are doing enough to protect the people using them.

 

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: Romance scam advocate and survivor Tracy Hall

Photo: Supplied

Last year, Tracy Hall was sent a dating profile that sent chills down her spine. The name on the profile was different, but the image was that of notorious conman Hamish McLaren.
He had been jailed for scamming 15 Australians out of $7.6 million &ndash; including Tracy, his girlfriend and final victim, whose life savings he stole after meeting her under a fake identity.
Now, as McLaren prepares for release on parole this week, Tracy says the systems that allowed him into her life still haven&rsquo;t been fixed.
Today, Tracy Hall on the conman who stole her life savings, the growing romance scam industry costing Australians tens of millions of dollars a year, and whether dating apps are doing enough to protect the people using them.
&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: Romance scam advocate and survivor Tracy Hall
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.

The dating app conman who stole millions and the victim pushing for change

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d219eab4-eee9-47cc-8ff8-b47f006f838f/transcript

Since the ceasefire was announced late last year, Gaza has faded from the headlines. But the horror of life there has not stopped.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire was announced in October, and thousands more have been wounded, as people continue to face a daily struggle for survival.

Independent journalist Antony Loewenstein, author of The Palestine Laboratory, has recently travelled through the Middle East, including the West Bank, and has been speaking to people in Gaza.

Today, Antony Loewenstein tells us what he saw in the West Bank, what he’s hearing from Gaza, and what it means for the future of Palestine 1,000 days on from the start of Israel’s war.

 

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: Independent journalist and author of The Palestine Laboratory, Antony Loewenstein

Photo: Ramez Habboub/ABACAPRESS.COM

Since the ceasefire was announced late last year, Gaza has faded from the headlines. But the horror of life there has not stopped.
More than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire was announced in October, and thousands more have been wounded, as people continue to face a daily struggle for survival.
Independent journalist Antony Loewenstein, author of&nbsp;The Palestine Laboratory, has recently travelled through the Middle East, including the West Bank, and has been speaking to people in Gaza.
Today, Antony Loewenstein tells us what he saw in the West Bank, what he&rsquo;s hearing from Gaza, and what it means for the future of Palestine 1,000 days on from the start of Israel&rsquo;s war.
&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: Independent journalist and author of The Palestine Laboratory, Antony Loewenstein
Photo:&nbsp;Ramez Habboub/ABACAPRESS.COM

Life after Gaza’s “ceasefire”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/17bee252-4553-47db-9730-b48000613734/transcript

For generations of Australians, Powderfinger songs are tied to first loves, long drives, share houses, break-ups and summers that still feel close enough to touch. 

They were written by people, played by a band, and carried by listeners into their own lives. 

Now, that music has been found inside the machinery of artificial intelligence, harvested into vast datasets without permission and without payment. 

At the same time, the federal government is fending off whistleblower claims of a “dirty deal” with tech giants that would give AI access to Australian music and art in exchange for billion dollar investments

Today, Bernard Fanning on what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI. 

 

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: Bernard Fanning

Photo: bernardfanning.com

For generations of Australians, Powderfinger songs are tied to first loves, long drives, share houses, break-ups and summers that still feel close enough to touch.&nbsp;
They were written by people, played by a band, and carried by listeners into their own lives.&nbsp;
Now, that music has been found inside the machinery of artificial intelligence, harvested into vast datasets without permission and without payment.&nbsp;
At the same time, the federal government is fending off whistleblower claims of a &ldquo;dirty deal&rdquo; with tech giants that would give AI access to Australian music and art in exchange for billion dollar investments
Today, Bernard Fanning on what happens when machines are trained on our songs, and who gets to tell Australian stories, us or AI.&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: Bernard Fanning
Photo:&nbsp;bernardfanning.com

“It’s f***ing bad manners” Bernard Fanning on AI robbing Australian music

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0fcd3381-37b0-4eb0-b4fd-b47c005cfd70/transcript

It’s been one year since Kumanjayi Walker’s family gathered in the Central Australian community of Yuendumu, to hear the findings of a coronial inquest into his death.

Kumanjayi Walker, a 19 year old Warlpiri-Luritja man, when he was shot and killed by former constable Zachary Rolfe in 2019.

In 2022, Zachary Rolfe was found not guilty of Kumanjayi Walker’s murder, but his family has always maintained that Rolfe’s racism played a role in Walker’s death – something the coroner said couldn’t be ruled out.

Today, we’re bringing you an episode recorded just after the inquest, with investigative journalist Kate Wild – whose book, The Red House, examines Kumanjayi Walker’s death and how the racist culture of the Northern Territory Police enabled Zachary Rolfe to act with impunity.

This episode was originally published in July 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 of The Red House, Kate Wild

Photo: AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

It&rsquo;s been one year since Kumanjayi Walker&rsquo;s family gathered in the Central Australian community of Yuendumu, to hear the findings of a coronial inquest into his death.
Kumanjayi Walker, a 19 year old Warlpiri-Luritja man, when he was shot and killed by former constable Zachary Rolfe in 2019.
In 2022, Zachary Rolfe was found not guilty of Kumanjayi Walker&rsquo;s murder, but his family has always maintained that Rolfe&rsquo;s racism played a role in Walker&rsquo;s death &ndash; something the coroner said couldn&rsquo;t be ruled out. Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you an episode recorded just after the inquest, with investigative journalist Kate Wild &ndash; whose book, The Red House, examines Kumanjayi Walker&rsquo;s death and how the racist culture of the Northern Territory Police enabled Zachary Rolfe to act with impunity.
This episode was originally published in July 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 of The Red House, Kate Wild
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Aaron Bunch

How Kumanjayi Walker’s death should change the NT Police

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5eb5eed4-0d70-4537-ba0e-b47c005bae00/transcript

The dating app conman who stole millions and the victim pushing for change

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