Your coronavirus questions answered

What is it like being the person at the top in times of crisis? Is there a breaking point? How do you sleep? Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has lived the answers to those questions as the person that led Australia through the Global Financial Crisis, the Black Saturday Bushfires and the threat of Swine Flu. Six months into the coronavirus pandemic, we are in unprecedented times - which means an unprecedented number of press conferences for our State and territory leaders, as well as the PM. They’ve been working day in and day out. In Victoria, Premier Dan Andrews is about to front his 60th daily press conference in a row. Today on the show, former PM Kevin Rudd is our special guest. In today's news headlines: Most Aussies back border closures, poll finds Queenslanders urged to wear masks amid new restrictions Australia’s emissions fall to lowest levels since 1998 In today's Briefing we ask Kevin Rudd: Should our leaders take some time off? Why does he recommend a couple of hours a day of ‘thinking’? What are his music recommendations? What did his day to day look like during the GFC? With the Black Saturday Bushfires, why did prayer and meditation helped get his own headspace in order? How did he stop himself from blubbering on national TV? Who are the everyday Aussies he stays in touch with? What advice does he have for other PM’s wanting to take a break? What is his advice for Dan Andrews? How has the role of PM impacted his mental health? Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Aug 202020min

Are we doing enough to protect our healthcare workers from getting Covid at work? To look after those who look after us? Nurses, doctors and allied health professionals are ending up in intensive care because of what they say is inadequate infection control. 2700 workers have tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic with more than 100 hospitalised and sadly one death. So are we doing enough to protect our health workers while they’re on the job? And how can we expect them to look after us, when we can’t first, keep them safe at work? On today’s episode we speak with Emily Morris, an Emergency Department nurse at The Royal Melbourne Hospital where she works with Covid patients every day, and contracted Covid herself last month. We’re also joined by Dr Michelle Ananda-Raja, a consulting physician in infectious diseases who has spoken to more than 400 Victorian health workers about their experiences. In today's news headlines: Christchurch shooter sentenced to life in prison without parole China lashes Australia again over federal bill to kill problematic state, local agreements with foreign powers 20,000 shifts filled: chief nurse reveals the impact of Victoria’s second wave on aged care On National Equal Pay Day, experts warn pandemic will make gender pay gap worse Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Aug 202018min

In recent headlines you might have seen the Aboriginal Flag caught up in a copyright controversy. On today’s episode we get you up to speed, looking at why the flag is copyrighted, who can use the flag and for what purpose, and who should own the Aboriginal flag? For example, did you know that if you get a tattoo of the Aboriginal flag you're technically breaking copyright laws? We speak with Professor Isabella Alexander an expert on all things copyright, and Gunditjmara woman Laura Thompson who found out the threat is real when she received a 'Cease and Desist' notice last year. That legal threat prompted her to start a campaign to free the flag from copyright. In today's headlines: Victoria’s 12 month state of emergency extension dead in the water Senior Chinese diplomat says Australia “betrayed” Beijing Two people killed during US protests over latest police shooting Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Aug 202017min

To celebrate our 100th episode we’ve assembled the whole team for the very first time to thank you for being with us on this journey in this Ask Me Anything special. To mark the occasion we’ve turned the tables, so you get to ask the hard hitting and burning questions you’ve always wanted to ask Tom, Jamila, Annika and Jan. If you could do a long form deep 2-hour interview with anyone in Australia who would it be? What do you think would be the biggest news story at the moment if Covid didn’t exist? What is Toms favourite podcast and his favourite part of being on The Briefing? What are Jan Frans secrets for finding all the most amazing second-hand pieces of clothing? Since being diagnosed with a brain tumour and dealing with the onslaught of procedures and disruptions to her life, does Jamila think this has somewhat prepared her for the turbulence of this year? Who does Annika think will win the US election? What was Toms hardest “smile and bite one’s tongue” moment with a Politician? What’s been Jan’s most challenging news story to cover and why? How does Jamila explain to her child what is happening in the world at the moment? Did the raid on Annika’s apartment have an effect on her ability to sleep and rest properly? Is Tom still playing the bass? How does Jan Fran live with herself when she is that fabulous? Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Aug 202030min

In 2019 year the single largest massacre in New Zealand was perpetrated by a 28-year-old man from Grafton NSW. His sentencing is currently underway, with Christchurch’s High Court hearing from surviving victims and their families. The man has plead guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act. Our guest, Hisham Al Zarzour, is one of more than 60 people who survived the attack and who’s victim impact statement will be read to the court and to the gunman who killed 51 of his fellow worshippers. In today's news headlines: Hundreds of travelers moved from Sydney Travelodge which was found unfit for hotel quarantine More job losses for Qantas and major fashion retailers NSW inquiry into summer bushfires that killed 33 Australians handed down WA’s court border battle win over Clive Palmer Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Aug 202015min

Recessions, depressions, wars and pandemics change what we value, the way we relate to one another and how we express ourselves. They also change our day-to-day lives including what we eat, how we work and what we wear. Will this economic downturn keep up in bleak, darker colours? What will happen when this is all over? Will there ever be corporate attire if we all work from home? To find out a bit more about what the pandemic and recession might do to the way we dress, eat, work and play we’ speak to Associate Professor Jordan Williams, who is a cultural critic specialising in creativity and trauma. In today's headlines: Top doctor defends vaccine after religious leaders raise "ethical concerns” Victoria’s state of emergency could be extended for another year President Donald Trump formally renominated for “the most important election in our history” KFC drops its iconic slogan because of Covid-19 In today's Briefing we ask: What is Covid going to change about the way we dress? How we live? Will Covid kill the bra? What changes will we see in the way we present ourselves? What interior styles do we see coming in? Will it change the way we eat and buy produce? Will there be a renaissance period where the arts will be put on a pedestal? Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Aug 202019min

The disappearance of 3 year old William Tyrrell is one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in Australian history. If you’re someone who’s followed that case, you’ll probably know the name Gary Jubelin. Earlier this year NSW detective Gary was found guilty of unlawfully recording conversations with a suspect and was fined $10,000. An appeal is underway, but it ended his 34 year career in the police force. Since his conviction Gary has released a book telling his side of the story it’s called ‘I catch Killers: The Life and Many deaths of a homicide detective’ Gary Jubelin joins us today to explain why he’s fighting to save his reputation. In today's news headlines: Second TV show shut down after Masked Singer Covid-19 outbreak QLD races to get on top of Covid-19 outbreak Christchurch terrorist sentencing begins today TikTok to sue the Trump Administration Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Aug 202019min

Welcome to The Weekend Briefing. In this bonus episode, Australians experienced a horrific summer with devastating bushfires, drought and floods – all which have been intensified due to climate change. At the peak of fires, Australia rallied for our government to acknowledge climate change and to take action. Since COVID-19, the national discussion on climate change has taken a back seat, so how can we continue to tackle climate change amidst a pandemic and what is our government doing about it? Tom talks to climate activist Jean Hinchliffe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Aug 202019min