The Briefing

Canberra might cop it a lot for being one of the most boring cities in Australia but it’s always been pretty progressive when it comes to social issues.  It’s the only place in Australia where the personal use of cannabis is legal. We recently shared with you here on The Briefing that it was hosting a trial of the first fixed pill testing site, and now the ACT government has passed legislation decriminalising small amounts of illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin and speed.  We speak to ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith who explains that under the new law - which comes into effect in a year, people found with amounts of certain drugs considered to be "personal possession", so that’s smaller than trafficable quantities, would be subject to a civil fine of $100, rather than criminal charges, and be referred for counselling. Headlines: - Inflation hits new high - Lehrmann’s lawyers accuse Scomo of prejudicing trial - WA commissioner sparks outrage in indigenous community  - Wallam scores match-winning goal  - Dr Who to move to Disney+ Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Okt 202221min

Labor’s first budget in a decade has been handed down. It’s being touted as a cost of living budget that’s friendly for families. The government’s focus is on childcare, paid parental leave and disaster resilience as well as TAFE and university places. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has also taken into account our challenging economic times; growth is forecast to slump while unemployment is set to rise. We speak with the Australian Financial Review's Tom McIlroy about the Albanese government's first budget. Headlines: - Labor’s first budget is handed down - Lehrmann trial: Jury unable to reach unanimous verdict - Convicted murderer wants to reverse guilty plea - Adidas drops Ye aka Kanye West Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Okt 202220min

The UK's political saga continues with Rishi Sunak named the UK's new Prime Minister overnight. He replaces Liz Truss who was forced to resign just 45 days into the job after her disastrous mini-budget sent financial markets into meltdown. Truss had replaced Boris Johnson who sent his party into a meltdown.  Rishi is 42, the youngest person to take office in more than 200 years, and is the first from an Indian background. He’s also married to one of the UK’s wealthiest women. Later this week he’ll be officially appointed to the top job by King Charles III. We speak with Rob Harris, The Age's reporter in London about who the new Prime Minister is, and how the last few tumultuous weeks in UK politics unfolded.  Headlines: - Rishi Sunak named UK Prime Minister - Labor’s budget to be handed down - Floodwaters start receding - Man charged with murder over indigenous boy’s death    Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Okt 202219min

On election day, a record number of independents seized previously "safe" seats and helped spell the end of the near decade-long Liberal government. It was a teal wave that surged stronger than anyone had expected, and it was backed by Climate 200 - a non profit, non partisan group that employed crowdfunding, whose founder, Simon Holmes à Court says is just getting started.   Simon joins us on the Briefing to talk through his motivation for establishing Climate 200 and what he expects will happen at the upcoming NSW and Victorian elections.  His new book, The Big Teal, is out now. It focuses how his Climate 200 group won over what he calls the ‘forgotten people’ of the 21st Century: women and younger voters especially - and how no seat in Australia will ever be safe again. Headlines: - The east coast cops another drenching - Australia pledges to cut methane - Chinese president Xi Jinping begins record-breaking third term - Netball Australia faces sponsorship crisis - Boris Johnson likely for second tilt at UK PM Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Okt 202221min

If you tuned in to watch this year’s federal election night coverage, even for a few moments, you would have seen a sea of teal. All the political commentators could talk about was the wave of centre right independents who had claimed previously safe Liberal party seats.   At the centre of these shifting political winds is Allegra Spender, former businesswoman and now the member for Wentworth covering some of Sydney’s wealthiest suburbs. Allegra Spender comes from a high-profile family, with both her father and grandfather being MPs and her mother, the late fashion designer Carla Zampatti.  In this conversation, Jamila Rizvi and Allegra Spender cover everything from tax cuts, climate change, women’s issues and Australia’s ever-changing political climate.   The Weekend List: Watch: Don’t Worry Darling Listen: FULL STORY: Ben Roberts-Smith V The Media - Podcast Watch: Easy-Bake Battle: The Home Cooking Competition - Netflix Cook: Sweet Potato Tea Cake – Bon Appetit Recipe   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Okt 202228min

Why has an Aussie heavy metal band gone green? In Hearts Wake have used their passion for ecological advocacy, to push the boundaries of the music industry by recording, releasing and performing their last album, (Kaliyuga), in a radically new and sustainable way. Kaliyuga became the first carbon offset album, pressed on recycled materials to hit the top 5 in the ARIA Australian Albums Chart as it debuted at #3. We’re joined by the band’s front man Jake Taylor, who also directed a new documentary about the band’s eco journey, Green Is The New Black, released yesterday on DocPlay and iTunes. This is a great example of truly believing in your cause and using your art to make the world a better place. Headlines: - UK PM Liz Truss resigns - Greens senator steps down from leadership role- Towns brace for weekend floods- ACT government legalises small amounts of illicit drugs Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Okt 202223min

Parts of NSW and Victoria are again under water as another big weather system heads for already sodden regions. Flood warnings are in place in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Thousands of people living in the Victorian NSW border towns of Echuca and Moama are bracing for a second flood in a week as local rivers peak.   We spoke to Bianca Hall, senior reporter with The Age newspaper early this morning. More than 700 flood rescues have been made since the disaster began, and thousands of people have been displaced.  On this morning’s Briefing, we get the latest from the flooded town of Echuca. Headlines: - Jurors deliberate Lehrmann case- Bureau of Meteorology rebrand cost $200,000+- Damning review into Covid response- Gov spy agency working with Medibank on cyber attack Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Okt 202218min

Alex Jones is an American radio show host and prominent conspiracy theorist who was last week ordered to pay almost a billion dollars US to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook school massacre. Jones had peddled the theory the shooting was a hoax to curb America’s gun laws.  A court in Connecticut ordered Jones to pay up – but he’s now claiming bankruptcy and there are fears the families will never receive the compensation they deserve.  Elizabeth Williamson, a New York Times journalist  and author of “Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth” joins us to explain if the families will ever see any money, and how Jones has managed to slip the net of accountability for the pain and suffering he’s caused. Headlines: - More rain for already sodden towns- Bruce Lehrmann trial begins to wrap up- Israel condemns reversing Jerusalem decision- Royals could be headed down under in 2024 Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Okt 202220min