The state banning 'good character' references in its courts

This week, the NSW Government introduced legislation to remove the use of ‘good character’ references during criminal sentencing. If passed, it would make NSW the first state in Australia to do so. In today’s podcast, we’ll walk through the years-long campaigning that’s led to this reform… that adv…

Headlines: Second Australian dies in Japan skiing accident

Today's headlines include: A second Australian has died in a skiing incident in Japan in less than a week.  Billionaire Clive Palmer will mount a challenge against political donation reforms in Australia’s highest court.  Nearly 40% of all cancer cases are preventable, a new global study has found.…

The Aussies named in the Epstein Files

Last week, The U.S Department of Justice released three million documents from the Epstein files. Multiple high-profile Australian figures have appeared in the documents, including former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, mining magnate Clive Palmer, and the daughter of former PM Paul Keating. In today’s …

Headlines: First RBA rate rise since 2023

Today's headlines include: The Reserve Bank has listed the cash rate from 3.6 to 3.85%. The Federal Government has announced further sanctions on Iran, in response to what it called “the regime’s horrific use of violence against its own people.”  Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secret…

The world-first social media court case

This week, some of the world's biggest tech companies are facing a landmark trial in the U.S. Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, along with YouTube, are being sued over claims that their platforms are designed to be addictive to children and harm their mental health. The first in a series of …

Headlines: Dezi Freeman likely dead, police say

Today's headlines include: Victoria Police believe the man accused of killing two officers in an ambush at a rural property last year is likely dead. David Littleproud will remain the leader of the Nationals Party after a failed spill motion.  Major parties and special interest groups spent hundred…

Can erotica fix Australia’s reading slump?

Over the past decade Aussie reading rates have been in decline, with more and more young people saying that they don’t read for pleasure - ever. That is until very recently, with a booming interest in novels about sex and love showing signs that the tide may just be turning.  In today’s deep dive, …

Headlines: Ley announces temporary shadow ministry

Today's headlines include: Liberal leader Sussan Ley has given the Nationals a week to reconcile with the coalition before she finalises a new leadership team as Opposition leader.  States and territories will receive an extra $25 billion in federal funding for hospitals, following a meeting of the…

What we know about the WA bomb scare

On Monday, a man threw a bomb into a crowd at an Invasion Day Rally in Perth, Western Australia. Police said the bomb, which failed to detonate, was designed to “explode on impact”. One of the rally organisers, Fabian Yarran, called it a “hate crime against First Nations people and protesters” and…

Headlines: Search continues for NSW triple murder suspect

Today's headlines include: Police have confirmed they are treating the alleged throwing of a homemade bomb into an Invasion Day Rally as a “potential terrorist attack”. Investigators have vowed to find Julian Ingram, who is accused of fatally shooting three people, including his pregnant former par…