The gov’s $18b win from your tax + The anti-vax ideas killing kids

Calls are mounting to abolish the use of character references in court sentencing, following Queensland’s recent legislation restricting their use in cases involving convicted sex offenders. Character references have long played a controversial role in high-profile cases, including when former Prime Minister John Howard gave one to Cardinal George Pell, describing him as ‘a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character’. More recently in the case of paedophile Ashley Paul Griffith who has pleaded guilty to over 300 charges, also benefited from character references. In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by victim-survivor Josh Byrnes, the ACT representative from Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign, to explain how character evidence works in court and why advocates want them abolished. Afternoon headlines: Teens arrested in Melbourne CBD after a police pursuit, Opposition leader Sussan Ley calls for independent inquiry into the 'entire triple-zero ecosystem' and Bad Bunny to headline 2026 Super Bowl half-time show Further listening: How to stop teen machete murders Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Sep 14min

The Briefing host Tara Cassidy is once again a finalist in a prestigious journalism award for her LiSTNR crime podcast Crime In Focus: Killer Charm. So for today's bonus episode, we're playing out episode three of the award-winning series. You can find the first two episodes in our feed here and here or to binge the full series, go to Crime in Focus. In episode three, Sharon Graham’s movements on the night of the murder are under scrutiny, as suspicions around her grow. Tara tracks down some of Sharon’s exes to find out what she was like as a partner, and if she’s ever shown signs of planning something sinister before. All people convicted of murder related to this case have lodged their intentions to appeal the outcomes. At the point of publishing this podcast those appeals have not progressed further. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Sep 47min

Mitch Churi has worn it all, from chicken suits to Spanx, but what really sets him apart is his razor-sharp wit and unapologetic authenticity. Bursting into commercial radio at just 19, he cut his teeth with industry giants Kyle and Jackie O and was eventually thrown the curveball of redundancy last year. Instead of slowing down, Churi leaned in, reinventing himself with the same mix of charm, bite, and self-deprecating humour that makes him one of Australia’s most entertaining youth voices. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Mitch shares his bold new venture, the art of laughing at ourselves, and the terrifyingly wonderful act of starting something new. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO LISTEN: The Beefing (right here on The Briefing) TO LISTEN: Charlotte Cardin Canadian singer-songwriter TO DO: Check your nail polish TO DO: Wheeler Centre events Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Sep 42min

More than 68% of Gen Z are romanticising eras that existed long before they were born, while Millennials and Gen X are increasingly drawn to historical nostalgia. Once classified as a medical condition and later a psychological disorder, nostalgia is now being re-evaluated as potentially beneficial for mental health. In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by Dr Clay Routledge, from the Human Flourishing Lab, whose PHD investigates the psychology of nostalgia and why we are drawn to historical nostalgia. Afternoon headlines: Donald Trump imposes 100 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals, Qantas flight mayday call triggering over potential fire in the cargo hold and the cheapest supermarkets in Australians Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Sep 14min

Friday Headlines: Trump administration says fatal shooting of ICE office was politically motivated, Andrew Hastie pours cold water on claims he's gunning for Sussan Ley's job, Diddy's appeal to be decided by the end of next week, foreign students earn less than half of some domestic graduates, and Albo shouts New York pub a beer! Deep Dive: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cynthia Erivo and Sydney Sweeney are all in the Oscar conversation six months before the red carpet’s even rolled out. So why the early buzz? Who decides what’s Oscar-worthy and what press tours, deals and power plays shape the race? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by LiSTNR’s resident cinephile Amy Kimball to unpack the politics, PR and strategy behind Hollywood’s night of nights. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Sep 22min

The AFL remains Australia’s most attended sport, drawing 8.4 million fans in 2024 alone, but the games history with homophobia has been back in the national spotlight. Over the past year and a half there have been six publicised incidences of homophobia within the league. And in the games 130-year history only one player has come out as openly bisexual or gay, Former West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown, making him the first current or former openly bisexual male AFL player. In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks the tension between AFL and it’s history of homophobia. Putting in question whether the code is enough to drive meaningful cultural change and implement targeted anti-discrimination programs. Audio of Mitch Brown thanks to the Daily Aus Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Sep 8min

Public confidence in Australian universities is continuing to erode, as institutions face funding issues, widespread job cuts and allegations of failures to report gender-based violence across campuses. The University of Technology and the Australian National University have both faced various controversies over the past couple of years, prompting renewed scrutiny of university governance and priorities. Experts fear universities are prioritising profit over education, losing sight of their purpose as educational institutions and acting as businesses first. In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by Senator David Pocock to explain what needs to change in the governance of Australian universities and how the sector can rebuild public trust. Afternoon headlines: Prime minister Anthony Albanese gives his first speech to the UN, Bali hospital denies allegations of organ theft after body of Australian repatriated without heart and Snoop Dog still set to perform at the AFL grand final Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Sep 14min