One Nation is copping heat for a proposal that would let Australians take some of the money going into their super as extra pay instead.

For up to three years, renters and mortgage holders could choose to take home a quarter of the money that would normally be put into their retirement – worth about $44 a week for someone on the average full-time wage.

At the same time, the Coalition has been looking at its own ways to give people greater access to their super now – and some of its MPs want to go further.

So why is superannuation suddenly being pitched as an answer to Australia’s cost-of-living and housing problems? And is it a good idea?

Today, economist Greg Jericho, on the growing political fight over what our super should actually be for.

 

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: Chief economist at the Australia Institute, Greg Jericho

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

One Nation is copping heat for a proposal that would let Australians take some of the money going into their super as extra pay instead.
For up to three years, renters and mortgage holders could choose to take home a quarter of the money that would normally be put into their retirement &ndash; worth about $44 a week for someone on the average full-time wage.
At the same time, the Coalition has been looking at its own ways to give people greater access to their super now &ndash; and some of its MPs want to go further.
So why is superannuation suddenly being pitched as an answer to Australia&rsquo;s cost-of-living and housing problems? And is it a good idea?
Today, economist Greg Jericho, on the growing political fight over what our super should actually be for.
&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: Chief economist at the Australia Institute, Greg Jericho
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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.

Why are the conservative parties suddenly obsessed with super?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3240ec65-4636-4aaa-bc8a-b4bf006d7219/transcript

In imposing scenes in the UK over the weekend, hundreds of masked men belonging to the hard-right group Patriot Platform stopped traffic.

Around the same time, political party AfD was making history in Germany – becoming the first far-right party to win in the country since World War two.

And on the other side of the world, Australia’s high court will today hear from our most high profile Neo-Nazi group in a challenge, legal experts say could see the federal government’s ban on White Australia (formerly known as the National Socialist Network) overturned.

Today, Associate professor of politics at Deakin University Josh Roose on Germany, the UK, and Australia’s high court challenge – as the far-right continues its march across the world.

 

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: Associate professor of politics at Deakin University, Josh Roose

Photo: AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

In imposing scenes in the UK over the weekend, hundreds of masked men belonging to the hard-right group Patriot Platform stopped traffic.
Around the same time, political party AfD was making history in Germany &ndash; becoming the first far-right party to win in the country since World War two.
And on the other side of the world, Australia&rsquo;s high court will today hear from our most high profile Neo-Nazi group in a challenge, legal experts say could see the federal government&rsquo;s ban on White Australia (formerly known as the National Socialist Network) overturned.
Today, Associate professor of politics at Deakin University Josh Roose on Germany, the UK, and Australia&rsquo;s high court challenge &ndash; as the far-right continues its march across the world.
&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: Associate professor of politics at Deakin University, Josh Roose
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

The far right is winning. Could Australia’s neo-Nazis be next?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/49976ffa-03f2-4137-b698-b4be009e6f62/transcript

On the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Labor has promised a vast new national park to protect more than 12,000 koalas.

But there’s a catch.

The New South Wales government wants carbon credits to help pay for it. By ending planned logging, it could generate credits that are then sold to companies to offset their emissions.

For the Greens, that creates a dilemma at a moment when both major parties are bleeding voters – voters who are walking straight past the Greens as an alternative.

They want the forests protected, but have long opposed carbon offsets that allow big polluters to keep polluting. Now those two positions are about to collide.

Today, co-chief executive officer of the Australia Institute Richard Denniss on koalas, carbon offsets and whether the Greens are still willing to pick the big fights.

 

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 of the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss

Photo: AAP Image/David Wigley

On the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Labor has promised a vast new national park to protect more than 12,000 koalas.
But there&rsquo;s a catch.
The New South Wales government wants carbon credits to help pay for it. By ending planned logging, it could generate credits that are then sold to companies to offset their emissions.
For the Greens, that creates a dilemma at a moment when both major parties are bleeding voters &ndash; voters who are walking straight past the Greens as an alternative.
They want the forests protected, but have long opposed carbon offsets that allow big polluters to keep polluting. Now those two positions are about to collide.
Today, co-chief executive officer of the Australia Institute Richard Denniss on koalas, carbon offsets and whether the Greens are still willing to pick the big fights.
&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 of the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/David Wigley

Have the Greens lost their appetite for a fight?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/40cd8549-fe9a-4174-9a51-b4bb005e1378/transcript

For years, Australia has made cigarettes increasingly expensive in an effort to drive down smoking. Now, the Coalition wants to dramatically reverse course.

It's promised to slash the tobacco excise by 80 per cent, arguing that soaring cigarette prices have fuelled a violent black market. It also wants to legalise and regulate vapes and nicotine pouches.

Labor says there’s no evidence the tax cuts would draw smokers away from the black market, while public health authorities warn it could undo decades of progress in reducing smoking.

So, who’s right?

Today, Martin McKenzie-Murray on how Australia’s public health success helped create the conditions for a deadly tobacco war – and whether making cigarettes cheaper could actually help end it.

This episode was first published in May, 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: Martin McKenzie-Murray

Photo: AAP Image/Diego Fedele

For years, Australia has made cigarettes increasingly expensive in an effort to drive down smoking. Now, the Coalition wants to dramatically reverse course.
It's promised to slash the tobacco excise by 80 per cent, arguing that soaring cigarette prices have fuelled a violent black market. It also wants to legalise and regulate vapes and nicotine pouches.
Labor says there&rsquo;s no evidence the tax cuts would draw smokers away from the black market, while public health authorities warn it could undo decades of progress in reducing smoking.
So, who&rsquo;s right?
Today, Martin McKenzie-Murray on how Australia&rsquo;s public health success helped create the conditions for a deadly tobacco war &ndash; and whether making cigarettes cheaper could actually help end it.
This episode was first published in May, 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: Martin McKenzie-Murray
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Firebombs and gang wars: The bloody fallout of Australia’s tobacco crackdown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5bd13e00-977c-4aa7-a40e-b4bb0059cc40/transcript

Why are the conservative parties suddenly obsessed with super?

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