Police in hot water over neo-Nazi rally + Is uni a scam?

China is hosting the Winter Olympics and two of its athletes highlight the incredible complexity of the country’s social media – and attitude to the rest of the world in general. Eileen Gu is the poster girl. Born in the US to an American father and a Chinese mother, she chose to represent China at the Games. Gu won gold and is a national hero. Figure skater Zhu Yi, is also an American born Chinese woman who has faced intense criticism after falling in several of her events. Jennifer Hsu, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute focusing on Chinese culture and media, says the different responses to the two recruited Olympians, provides a snapshot of China’s social media influence. And how the government of China is working with young sportspeople – and social media - to portray a ‘new’ China to the rest of the world. Todays Headlines Prince Andrew reaches settlement with accuser Djokovic prepared to miss Grand Slams over anti-vax stance Russia says they have withdrawn some troops- but NATO wants proof Canberra anti-vax protests continue while Canadian PM invokes emergency powers Roberts-Smith ex-wife denies she wants him jailed 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.

15 Feb 202219min

Prime Minister Scott Morrison won the “miracle” election back in 2019. No one expected him to win, but he was a master campaigner, convincing what he called “the quiet Australians” to trust him. Annika Smethurst from the Age newspaper and the Briefing is author of a biography on Scott Morrison – The Accidental Prime Minister. Annika tells us Scott Morrison will need to pull off a major coup to repeat his success from 2019, with poll numbers pointing to a heavy defeat. So, can Scott Morrison pull off another miracle election win….? Or will we see Anthony Albanese in The Lodge? Todays Headlines PM slammed for asking for ‘forgiveness’ over Stolen Generation Russian skater cleared to compete after positive drugs test The ex-wife of Ben Roberts-Smith has broken her silence on her marriage Women harassed by former High Court justice receive compensation payout Jarryd Hayne conviction quashed and hopes for retrial 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.

14 Feb 202220min

McDonalds is accused of denying workers their ten minute meal break….in some cases offering workers a free sugary soft drink instead. They’re being sued for $100m in the largest class action of its type in the history of the Federal Court. We’re joined by Josh Peak, Secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, who says the class action could impact thousands of current and former employees. We also speak to Shae, who worked at Maccas and tells us what it’s like to work behind the counter at the fast food giant. We all know someone who’s worked at Maccas. This court case might change the pay and working conditions at McDonalds once and for all. Todays Headlines Australians evacuated from Kiev amid imminent threat Jaclyn Narracott wins silver Warning bells for the PM following NSW byelections International protests dispersed Jenny Morrison “disappointed” by Grace Tame 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.

13 Feb 202221min

Lisa Wilkinson has lived most of her life in the public eye. At age just 21 she became editor of DOLLY magazine, before going on to edit CLEO magazine and later becoming a longtime co-host of the TODAY show with Karl Stefanovic. Now co-host of The Project and with a new autobiography in bookstores, Wilkinson remains at the top of her game. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi she spoke about television, feminism, working hard and making it to the top. Lisa's memoir It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This is available in all good bookstores. THE WEEKEND LIST with Tait McGregor: Watch: Encanto (Disney+) Watch: Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame speech See: Splendor in the Grass sideshows Listen: Relaxing Sleep Music by Comforting Sounds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Feb 202240min

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