Robodebt explained: Does the Government owe you money?

New Zealand has postponed their national election because of a COVID-19 cluster which highlights their different approach to the pandemic. They are going for elimination, while Australia is pursuing suppression. Their elimination strategy had been working well. After a national stage four six week lock down, restrictions were lifted and life seemed to return to normal until last week when the clean streak ended, and restrictions came back into play. So is New Zealand starting to pay a bigger price for the elimination strategy, and how different is their strategy to ours? Is elimination even a reality? Professor Michael Baker is an epidemiologist on the New Zealand Health Ministry’s COVID19 Technical Advisory Group and joins us to explain if New Zealand’s elimination strategy is about to get a whole lot more difficult. In today's news headlines: 99% of Victoria’s Covid-19 cases are linked to hotel quarantine, while NSW government apologises for Ruby Princess crisis NZ Pushes Back Election Due To Covid Young Aussies are the target of the latest ad campaign around Covid-19 ad campaign. Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Aug 202016min

There appears to be a new kind of celebrity take down story emerging. One that could only exist in the current social media and cultural climate. Is it fair enough that people are finally calling out celebrities for their bad behaviour or do we just like seeing a really successful person brought down? For decades Ellen has been one the most popular talk show hosts in the world, her brand is building on kindness and credibility but this year this image has started to unravel. On today's episode we find out what Perez Hilton thinks of the unfolding Ellen story. He’s world’s most infamous gossip blogger and responsible for breaking some of the biggest celebrity stories of all time. In today's news headlines: The health minister "optimistic" about vaccine in mid-2021 Victoria’s state of emergency extended for another month as cases decline International students flying to South Australia in Australian-first pilot program Follow Perez Hilton at perezhilton.com and be sure to check out his new book "TMI". Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Aug 202020min

Last week’s deadly explosion in Beirut was one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history. It also sent a massive political shockwave through the already struggling country with protestors calling on the government to resign. We're going to brief you on why this explosion of ammonium nitrate has brought down the government, and what are the deeper problems causing so much despair in Lebanon? What was happening leading up to the blast that led Lebanon’s government to step down as a result? We're joined by journalist Adam Chamseddine from Beirut. In today's news headlines: Hope as Victoria records its best case numbers in more than three weeks National unemployment now at a 22 year high Quarantine breach “likely” behind New Zealand Covid-19 outbreak Melbourne man fined for Maskacne Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Aug 202018min

Research shows sniffer dogs can be 100% accurate at detecting Covid! On today’s episode we find out how do they do it? Which breeds are best? And when could our furry friends could be used to save us from Covid? We’re joined by both Dr Anne-Lise Chaberis and Dr Susan Hazel, from the School of Animal and Veterinary Science at Adelaide Uni who explain the science behind this and when these dogs could be trained and rolled out here in Australian hospitals, airports and aged care facilities. In today's headlines: New Zealand probes whether frozen freight to blame for coronavirus spread Joe Biden names Senator Kamala Harris as his Presidential running mate Western Australia works to pass emergency legislation to stop Clive Palmer’s $30b lawsuit University students who fail half of first year subjects to lose access to HELP Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Aug 202020min

It is one year since Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York prison and exposed a dark underbelly among some of the world's most powerful people. For many of us watching on, it was this mysterious death that first brought Epstein to our attention. On today's episode we go back and find out more about what happened up until that point. We’ll also find out what’s happened since, including Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial and the trial of the two New York prison guards. Adam Klasfeld is a reporter with Courthouse News and takes us through the story of Jeffrey Epstein. In today's headlines: Russia claims it’s designed the world’s first coronavirus vaccine New Zealand returns to lockdown after first cases in 102 days Canberra slaps down Victorian Premier after claims army help was not offered for hotel quarantine Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Aug 202021min

On todays episode we explore how COVID-19 has impacted our weddings. Classed as 'super spreading events’ Covid Marshals are now required as part of a safety plan at weddings. But does this actually stop the spread of the virus, or is it just as a visual deterrent? These ‘fun police’ are required to ensure safety guidelines are being met which includes no dancing, no mingling, no singing, no embracing or shaking hands. Police have even turned up to do head counts and dancefloor inspections. So is a wedding with so many restrictions even worth it? And could line dancing be the answer to keep our weddings safe? Our guests are: John Alten (Sydney MC and event director), Professor Nancy Baxter from the University of Melbourne and Antoinette Lattouf, who was a guest at a covid safe wedding where the police were called. In today's news headlines: BREAKING: The entire Lebanese government has resigned Australia's aged care death rate among the worst in the world Covid-19: Victoria’s promising case drop; NSW school cluster grows; teens arrested for skipping quarantine Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Aug 202015min

What are terrorists up to now during the pandemic? Are they more or less of a threat? Whether it’s Islamic State or right-wing extremists some experts are warning that the pandemic is giving terrorists a unique opportunity to recruit new members online. In this episode we speak with Greg Barton, one of Australia’s leading experts on Islamic Terrorism who says there’s actually been an uptick in attacks in parts of Iraq during this pandemic. So what does that mean for us here in Australia? How has the pandemic affected the threat of attacks on Western soil? Gary Ackerman, a US terror expert, also joins us to answer the question: How will terrorists pivot in the pandemic? In today's news headlines: WA family of toddler killed in Beirut to return to Australia Victorian mental health suffers in second lockdown Top doctor says COVIDSafe app is working well Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Aug 202018min

One of the biggest issues of the last year was climate change. So where is the climate debate now and how has the pandemic affected it? Best known for his work with The Chaser, Craig Reucassel joins us to talk about his environmental quest. His new show Fight For Planet A raises the question: How much difference we can make as individuals? In today's headlines: JobKeeper to be expanded amid second lockdown People in their 20s make up the largest proportion of COVID transmissions both in NSW and nationally More pain for Lebanon as Covid-19 cases spike days after deadly blast NRL coach Wayne Bennett sidelined for two weeks over Covid breach Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Aug 202019min