The Briefing

It’s a story fit for a James Bond movie: last week US WNBA star Brittney Griner came home, after being swapped for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.  In this episode we find out why Bout has been called ‘a merchant of death’; how tough it was to catch him in the first place; what the domestic fallout has been in the US; how Griner is doing now; and the diplomatic effort it takes to make a swap like this. We’re speaking to Danielle Gilbert, expert in US foreign policy at Dartmouth College, about the US-Russia prisoner swap. Headlines: - Bombshells dropped in Harry and Meghan documentary- Labor’s last minute power bill passes parliament- Queensland to review double jeopardy laws- Unemployment stays at 3.4%- Officer from Lindt café siege speaks out  Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Des 202219min

Women in Australia are earning around $26,500 less each year than men, according to the latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency report. That number hasn’t changed over the past twelve months – with no progress being made for the first time in nine years. In this episode, we speak to Mary Wooldridge, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, about why the pay gap is stagnating and what more Australian businesses need to do for gender equality. Headlines: - Labor's energy bill to pass parliament today- Scomo defends robodebt- Siege neighbour's widow critical of police  - Bali bombing victims' families slam Patek apology Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Des 202219min

The federal government is facing criticism for its decision to cut the number of Medicare subsidised mental health sessions under the Better Access scheme. During the Covid pandemic, the Morrison government doubled the number of psychology sessions available from ten to twenty. From next year, the number of appointments each patient can receive under the initiative will be slashed back down to ten. In this episode, we speak to Mitch Wallis - a leader in the well-being space and co-founder of Calm Water Health, about Australia’s mental health treatment.   Headlines: - QLD cops had “no chance” in deadly ambush- Former WA police officer gets 30 years for sex crimes- Brittany Higgins reaches settlement with Federal Government- Golden night for our relay team at World Swimming Championships Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Des 202220min

Bali’s tourism industry could take a hit after new laws banning sex outside of marriage were passed in Indonesian parliament. The new criminal code could also prevent couples who aren’t married from living together. So, what does this mean for the thousands of Australians that travel to Bali each month?  In this episode of the Briefing we speak to Indonesian/Australian journalist and lecturer Tito Ambyo about the new criminal code. We also chat to Jenny Hewett, a freelance travel writer, who speaks about her experience of living in Bali and how the new laws might impact tourism there. Headlines: - Six dead in Queensland shooting and siege- New Covid rules for 2023- Aussies nominated for Golden Globes- Candice Warner offered security after verbal abuse   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Des 202218min

Renters and first-time homeowners look set for a difficult Christmas after the RBA announced another hike in interest rates. Australia is already in the middle of a rental crisis with around 70% of people paying rent which is over a third of their household income.  In this episode of the Briefing we speak to Emma Greenhalgh, CEO of National Shelter, about the current struggle to find an affordable place to rent in Australia. Headlines: - Gender pay gap stagnates- Labor faces uphill energy battle- East braces for ‘unsettled weather’- Lehrmann in talks for TV interview- FIFA world cup semi finalists decided   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Des 202222min

Anna Spargo-Ryan is an award winning author and writer, whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Good Weekend, The Saturday Paper and more. She is a mother of two, who was born in Adelaide but now lives in Melbourne. Anna is also an agoraphobe who rarely leaves the relatively short radius around her home.   During covid lockdowns, Anna Spargo-Ryan rediscovered activities she hadn’t participated in for years. For two years she went to book launches and birthday drinks. She saw her favourite bands play. And then, Anna said goodbye all over again, to the things she loves; unable to participate when they moved offline again and into the “real world”.Anna’s life, rather like her new book A Kind of Magic, can be dark and difficult, but is also funny and warm, hopeful and joyous.    In this conversation Jamila Rizvi and Anna Spargo-Ryan delve into living with mental illness, healing your inner child and discuss why Anna has stopped searching for a “cure”.   THE WEEKEND LIST WATCH: Below Deck Adventure – HAYU WATCH: Plan International Charity Christmas Gift WATCH: Christmas Ransom - STAN   EAT: 70 Incredible Edible Presents To Give This Festive Season – Delicious.com.au   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Des 202239min

Could a tax adjustment save Australia's live music venues? A new study has found a 70% drop in the number of venue-based live music gigs taking place in Australia following Covid. Around one in seven venues say they never expect to return to pre-pandemic sized audiences with the current tax settings in place.    We’re joined by Dean Ormston - CEO of APRA AMCOS - which represents more than 100,000 musicians, to find out about a new tax offset that could revive the live music sector.   In today’s Briefing….a new scheme to re-boot Australia’s live music sector.   Headlines: - Harry and Meghan’s Netflix doco drops- National Cabinet to meet today over energy price crisis- Warner’s manager says CA knew about ball tampering- Iran carries out first protest execution- WNBA star freed via prisoner swap Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Des 202219min

How did police track down Toyah Cordingley’s suspected murderer, and where do we go from here?  24-year-old Toyah was murdered on a beach near Cairns four years ago. Her suspected killer has just been arrested in India after he allegedly fled Australia in the days following Toyah’s death.    We’re joined by Seven News journalist Joel Dry who’s been covering the case.    In today’s Briefing, we find out what has happened so far, and why the path to justice for Toyah Cordingley will take so long.   Headlines: - Bali bomber Umar Patek released from prison- Zelensky and the “spirit of Ukraine” Time Person of the Year- China eases Covid restrictions in response to protests- New homeless figures include 76,000 under 18- Elvis sweeps AACTAs Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Des 202221min