The Briefing

South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world and last month it broke its own record. The average number of expected babies per South Korean woman fell to 0.78 in 2022 down from 0.81 a year earlier. This makes South Korea the only country in the world with a fertility rate below one, which means more people are dying than being born. In this episode, we speak to professor in policy studies Ruth Phillips to find out why it's happening and if it could ever happen here. Headlines: - RBA rate hike will still “sting”- Preliminary report into Gold coast helicopter crash released- Supermarkets to pilot a new soft plastics recycling program- Grace Tame’s abuser pleads not guilty to harassing her on Twitter- Britain introduces new law to “stop the boats” - Statues of our first female parliamentarians to be unveiled   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Mar 202320min

Australia's largest soft plastics recycling scheme REDcycle collapsed last November and last week the scheme was declared insolvent by the Supreme court. Soft plastics collected from supermarkets were sent to warehouses where they’ve been stockpiled for months, leaving consumers disappointed and pushing Australia even further from its national packaging target. So, how far are we from that 2025 goal? In this episode, we speak to Jeff Angel, Director of the Total Environment Centre and Boomerang Alliance, about the collapse of REDcycle. Headlines: - Turnbull gives evidence at robodebt inquiry - Perth mint accused of diluting gold - Protests in Aldi over transport workers’ wages - Reserve Bank to hike rates again - Toblerone to change logo   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Mar 202322min

March 8 is International Women's Day.  We asked the women (and a couple of men) behind your favourite LiSTNR podcasts and radio shows to share about a time they’ve #EmbracedEquity and challenged gender stereotypes, called out discrimination, drawn attention to bias and sought out inclusion.  Hear from Carrie Bickmore, Jess Rowe, Sarah Maree Cameron,  Fifi Box, Turia Pitt, Natarsha Belling, Jamila Rizvi, Steph Claire Smith & Laura Henshaw, Erin Molan, Lem Zakharia, Loren Barry and Kymba Cahill along with Tommy Little, Brendan Fevola and Nick Cody.  Check out https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Mar 202347min

Three years into the pandemic there are still people who (as far as they know) have never contracted or tested positive for Covid. They’re called ‘novids’ and right now there’s an international, first-of-its-kind study underway into why these people have dodged the rona. Is there a genetic basis for this or are they just lucky? In this episode, we speak to our social media producer Sarah Bol, who has never caught covid and Adrian Esterman Chair of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of South Australia.   Headlines: - Aussies back Super changes - Trump’s support diminished at conservative event - World Pride wraps up- NRL: Dream start for new the Dolphins- Chris Rock hits back at Will Smith in comedy special   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Mar 202320min

Dilruk Jayasinha is one of Australia’s most in-demand comedians. His new stand up show is called Heart Stopper, named as such because in Hindi, Dil means heart and Ruk means stop. But the show’s title has since become especially apt because last year, at the age of just 37, one of the critical arteries in Dilruk’s heart gave out and he suffered a heart attack. As he says himself, spoiler alert, Dilruk has survived. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Dilruk explains how he made the switch from working as an accountant at a big four to becoming a stand up comedian.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Mar 202331min

Facebook and Instagram users can now pay for their blue verified tick. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced last week what’s called the Meta Verification subscription bundle.  It will enable users to increase their security and reach. The new subscription model is only available in Australia and New Zealand and Meta will monitor the take-up and popularity of the new model before rolling it out worldwide. Some people are saying social media is no longer free. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by CNET’s Clare Riley, who gives us her take on what this means for the future of these social platforms. Headlines: - Former minister takes responsibility for robodebt- Death toll from Greek rail crash rises- Sticky Fingers dropped from Bluesfest- Aboriginal spears to be returned to Botany Bay Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Mar 202322min

Renters across Australia are being ripped off - having to pay for so-called background checks to help them secure a property. The step is causing havoc and heartache in a sector already in crisis.  Last year, journalist Bension Siebert investigated real estate agents across the country using rental application platforms that pressure renters to pay for their own background checks. Bension, now a member of LiSTNR’s investigative journalism team, has the exclusive story that the South Australian Government is moving to outlaw the practice. In this episode, we hear how an investigation by one of our team members has led to a big win for renters.   Headlines: - Inflation may have peaked- FBI backs Covid lab leak theory- Wilkinson to prove Lehrmann raped Higgins in defence to lawsuit- Greta Thunberg detained again- Bieber cancels Australian tour Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Mar 202319min

Kathleen Folbigg has been in prison for nearly 20 years, charged with murdering 3 of her children and one charge of manslaughter. While she’s been behind bars, genetics research has made exponential leaps. New evidence uncovered by two Danish researchers could prove critical to her case. In this bonus episode courtesy of the Science Briefing, Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about this game-changing science that could rewrite the Folbigg story. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Mar 202320min