The Briefing

As many as 1000 trucks have converged on Canada’s capital, Ottawa. The Freedom Convoy 2000 has rallied to protest mandatory vaccines for Canadian truck drivers who ferry goods to and from the United States. The protestors are sounding their horns constantly, driving locals to despair. Elizabeth Payne is a journalist with the Ottawa Sun. She says while numbers are dwindling, the protest is attracting hangers-on intent on causing as much havoc as possible. The main highway linking Canada and the United States has closed – costing the Canadian economy $320million. Truck drivers are also gathering in Canberra protesting the Australian government’s vaccine rollout. So how long will the protests continue in Ottawa? Will Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bring in the military? And how on Earth are locals living with the constant noise of truck horns ringing out across the community? Todays Headlines Religious discrimination bill stalled Fully vaccinated definition changes Quad meeting to take place today Sportsbet hit with $3.7 million fine Russian figure skaters may have tested positive to banned substance Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Feb 202224min

Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins addressed the National Press Club in Canberra yesterday to highlight the plight of victims of sexual assault. Amy Remeikis, the Guardian’s federal political correspondent, joins us to talk through the fallout from the address. Scott Morrison apologised in Parliament this week…..was it enough to stem the fallout from the scandal that has rocked the seat of government in Australia? With a federal election just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how Scott Morrison and the Coalition manages the fallout – and will it impact how people vote come election day? Todays Headlines Government investigates Tame phone call Religious Discrimination Bill passes through House of Reps ASIO warns spies are being recruited through Tinder Australian electric vehicle start-up to set up shop in Tennessee Vital US-Canada bridge blocked by truckers Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Feb 202224min

Denmark has become the first European country to lift ALL covid restrictions... except international arrivals who’ll need to be double-vaxxed. Authorities say the virus no longer qualifies as a ‘critical threat’ because of the country’s high vaccination rate - 81% of adults are double vaxxed and more than 60% are boosted - and ICU admissions and hospital stays are down because omicron is a milder variant. We’re joined by Adrienne Murray, a journalist in Denmark to ask given Australia’s vaccination rate of adults is actually higher - we’re at 92.8% of adults double vaxxed- could this be a glimpse of the future for us too? Is Denmark providing us a glimpse of our post-Covid future? Today's Headlines Parliament formally apologises for bullying PM gains party support for religious discrimination bill French president believes Ukraine situation can de-escalate Tinder Swindler victims launch GoFundMe Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Feb 202221min

A Brisbane Christian college has backflipped on its policy that required parents a sign a contract, that said children could be expelled based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. We’re joined by the YouTube star and comedian, Christian Hull, who has led the campaign to have the contract ripped up. We also talk to Natalie Pole, a parent of two students starting school at Citipointe College this week. The school says it “deeply regrets” that the contracts made students feel discriminated against, but the principal says the school has the right to maintain its ethos and the “freedom to continue to provide an education based on our shared beliefs”. The furore over the Citipoint Christian College contract then led Prime Minister Scott Morrison to re-commit to changing laws that let religious schools try to expel gay or transgender students Today's Headlines International border reopening date revealed Spotify will not part ways with Rogan Ottawa declares state of emergency Macron in Russia for Ukraine talks Peng Shuai breaks silence at Beijing Games Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Feb 202221min

The Winter Olympic Games kicked off over the weekend in Beijing in China. Politics will be bubbling beneath the surface, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the Games alongside Chinese host Xi Jinping, while western countries boycott the Games over China’s human rights record. Here are the two largest non-Western superpowers posing together on the world stage. We want to focus on the action on the snow and ice. Steven Bradbury won Australia’s first Olympic gold medal at the Salt Lake City games in 2002. His come from behind win, placed his name forever in Australian history. When Australians think of the Winter Olympics, we think of one name….Steven Bradbury. We learn in this episode of the Briefing...it was no fluke. Today's Headlines Australia wins first Winter Olympic gold and bronze Australia to open borders to international tourists The Queen calls for Camilla to be given title of ‘queen consort’ Cleo Smith’s parents speak out Joe Rogan addresses n-word clip Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Feb 202217min

Dr Norman Swan's COVID-19 analysis has made him one of the most recognisable media identities in the last two years. But where did this highly articulate, bespectacled doctor with a Scottish accent come from? In this chat with guest host Tom Tilley, Norman discusses his upbringing in Scotland, why he decided to get political during the pandemic and what he’s learnt about himself over the past few years. Regular host Jamila Rizvi will be back next week. THE WEEKEND LIST with Tom Tilley: Read: Beyond Belief by Elle Hardy Watch: Seachange (Netflix) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Feb 202226min

We learned this week Hillsong founder and global leader Brian Houston is stepping down to fight charges that he concealed his father’s alleged sexual assault. We discuss what this means for Hillsong and its expansion in the US. We’re joined by Elle Hardy, author of Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World. Elle has travelled the world studying the growth and influence of churches like Hillsong. You’re also going to find out about another movement in Pentecostal America... the Seven Mountains Mandate which wants to dominate society Today's Headlines IS leader killed in US raid Djokovic to give his side of the story CMO announces new aged care taskforce WA’s border closure supply crisis Citipointe schools withdraws sexuality contract Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Feb 202222min

When state governments pause elective surgeries - to free resources to handle covid cases - it’s a huge deal to people waiting for those surgeries. Elective surgeries include any procedure that doesn’t need to be done within 24 hours. That includes some cancer procedures, even brain surgery – and these procedures are not luxury options We were all moved by Melanie Swieconek, who posted a teary video on Instagram after the Victorian government cancelled IVF treatment as part of its Covid elective surgery bans. Melanie basically changed the government’s mind. We’re also joined by Dr Chris Moy, Vice President of the Australian Medical Association who explains what needs to happen to clear the massive backlog of cases. Dr Moy’s comparison to bushfire recovery is a reminder we still have a long way to go to beat Covid and for life to return to normal. Today's Headlines Calls for Minister who called PM 'psycho' to be outed Roberts-Smith defamation hearing resumes Colbeck defends going to the cricket Grace Tame speaks out on not smiling with PM Hospitality and retail staff shortages not being filled Follow The Briefing DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE BRIEFING NEWSLETTER. LINK IS IN OUR BIO ON INSTAGRAM Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Feb 202221min