Your coronavirus questions answered

A vaccine being produced by Pfizer may be 90 per cent effective in stopping the transmission of COVID-19 which has created a lot of excitement about getting the deadly virus under control and getting our lives back to normal. The Pfizer trial is one of four potential vaccines the Australian Government has signed an agreement to purchase if it is successful. Pfizer have announced they could produce 50 million doses by the end of this year and 1.3 billion by the end of next year. In today’s Briefing topic we ask Dr Norman Swan about some of his concerns about the trial and what it means from here. We’re also joined by Dr Sheryl Recinos, a Californian doctor who was part of this very vaccine trial. In today's headlines: Pfizer vaccine reportedly being fast-tracked for Australian approval Jobseeker supplement extended but reduced Prime Minister won’t take disciplinary action after Four Corners report Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Nov 202022min

Last week, four innocent people died in a terror attack in Vienna, Austria. The 20-year-old perpetrator had already been in jail after trying to join ISIS and was made to participate in a deradicalisation program during his sentence time. There were reports he was showing signs of a turn around and was subsequently released early from his 22-month sentence. He’d served less than half of it. We’re going to find out more about how these deradicalisation programs work and whether they should be used in early release decisions? Joining the show are guests Johannes Saal, an expert in Austrian extremism at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland and Labor MP Dr Anne Aly. In today's headlines: Major breakthrough: Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine “90 percent effective” US President-elect Joe Biden announces new Covid-19 task force Australia’s Attorney-General considers “legal options” after Four Corners Floor cleaner that’s less effective than water named and shamed in 2020 Shonky Awards Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Nov 202016min

Joe Biden is officially the US President-elect. Biden called for unity and calm in his victory speech in Delaware yesterday, but the challenges facing America will be very divisive. First and foremost, bringing COVID under control and managing the economic recovery from the pandemic. He’s also pledged to re-join the Paris agreement, and then there’s the extreme racial division… In this Briefing topic, we’re going to ask where to next for Biden’s America. Matthew Knott, is the SMH and The Age Washington correspondent Headlines: President-elect Joe Biden promises to unify America Donald Trump refuses to concede Victoria becomes “whole again” after incredible Covid-19 results Covid-19 vaccine production begins in Australia Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Nov 202019min

We bring you the latest on the US Presidential Election as it plays out. With Joe Biden insisting every ballot be counted and Donald Trump launching legal action, American voters are anxious and exhausted. Hugh Riminton joins us from Washington as the US election race continues. In today's headlines: US election count update “Stop the count”: Armed guards protect American voting centres from angry protesters NSW Premier “shocked” after QLD Premier rubs in State of Origin win Mardi Gras parade cancelled, moved to the SCG Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Nov 202020min

We cross to David Lipson in Washington during the most divisive election in decades, to find out what’s behind the results so far, and how will this super tight election play out? David has spent the last year living and reporting in the US through COVID, civil unrest and a drama-packed election campaign. How likely is it the election will be called today? Do you think its Joe Biden mostly likely to win a path to victory? What has he seen in Washington over the last 24 hours? Why are these remaining states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania so key to this election? Where did Trump do well that had his opponents taking deep breaths? What have we learned about which messages have worked with the American people? The reaction to Trump and Bidens speeches Trump has threatened a supreme court challenge. If that case is to go ahead what would it actually be deciding on? In today's headlines: Tight election race continues after Donald Trump falsely claims victory QLD debutants stun NSW in State of Origin NSW to become the only state to open to the rest of the country Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Nov 202019min

In contemporary Australian politics the Coalition (Liberal and National) is considered centre-right and the Australian Labor Party is considered centre-left. So what exactly are the origins of the political terms 'left' and 'right'? and is there something intrinsic in us that means we align with either of these two lablels? Dr Zareh Ghazarian is a political scientist and leading commentator on Australian Politics and joins us on todays episode to explain: What is left, what is right and how have they changed? Where did they come from? And how did we end up with this binary way of defining politics? What does progressive mean? Why do we still use these terms as relevant today? In today's headlines: It begins: the US election is underway Melbourne Cup win marred by euthanasia Islamist terrorist who was granted early prison release behind Austrian terror attack Reserve Bank expects record low rates to remain for years Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Nov 202020min

Despite two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the Spanish Flu, the Melbourne Cup - the race that stops the nation - has never been stopped. But there was a moment back in March where it looked like Covid-19 would halt the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 160 years. Today, the race will run with no crowds, no stilettos in the mud, no celebrities shoulder to shoulder in the Birdcage. Fashions On The Field will turn online as fashions in people’s front yards. No roar from the stadium full of people, just the sound of horses’ hooves and jockeys’ voices. In this Briefing, you’ll find out how the race was saved and just how different it will be in this bizarre pandemic year. Our guests are VRC Executive General Manager of Customer Experience Caroline Ralphsmith and Emma Freedman. In today's headlines: Polls narrow for Trump on election eve Johnny Depp loses court battle Australia Post CEO resigns after Cartier watch saga House prices rise ahead of anticipated rate cut Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Nov 202017min

We’re joined by Australia’s most famous lawyer Geoffrey Robertson who shares his thoughts on the future of the Royal Family. Geoffrey Robertson AO QC is a Barrister, author and one-time host of Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals on the ABC. Geoffrey worked on a case against Princess Diana in the mid 90s, he socialises with members of the Royal Family including Prince Charles and Meghan Markle. He is also the founder of the London legal chambers where Amal Clooney works. Geoffrey will be on stage in Australia next year with ‘It’s no longer hypothetical’ where he talks about post truth, Trump, Brexit and the Royal family. Tickets on sale via www.lateralevents.com In today's headlines: UK returns to lockdown as Australia boasts no community transmission Premier Palaszczuk back to work after historic QLD election win Original James Bond Sean Connery has died, aged 90. US election: Biden, Trump blitz battleground states on election eve Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Nov 202018min