The Briefing

The debate over vaccine mandates has erupted in a war of words. Thousands of protestors marched in Australian capital cities last weekend claiming the mandates are overreach and a breach of civil liberties. So where does the truth lie? Brad Hudson is from the Nurses Professional Association of Australia providing support for nurses who don’t want to get vaccinated; and Dr Nick Coatsworth is the former deputy chief medical officer and the “face” of the nation’s Covid response and vaccine rollout campaign in taxpayer-funded advertisements. So where does the balance lie between professions being told they MUST be vaccinated, against the overall necessity to keep the whole community safe? That’s the question in today’s Briefing....and how did it come to this? Todays Headlines PM condemns lawbreakers following Christensen comments 80+ backpackers locked-down in Byron Bay Australia to wait until April for NZ reopening NASA launches mission to deflect asteroid ARIA Winners announced Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Nov 202119min

Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? The question of who is behind that pseudonym has been one of the biggest mysteries of the financial world for over a decade. Whoever Nakamoto is, whether it’s an individual or a group, holds the key to a fortune worth billions of dollars and the boasting rights to being the creator of Bitcoin. A trial is unfolding in the US over who is behind the world’s most famous cryptocurrency. Paul Vigna, journalist covering bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain technology at The Wall Street Journal joins us to talk us through the possible outcomes. Could an Australian be the creator of Bitcoin, and therefore be entitled to more than $50 billion worth of cryptocurrency? Todays Headlines Religious discrimination legislation released ahead of parliament debate Federal government to establish Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission WA Premier considering moving family after vaccine threats VIC police make arrest in breakthrough in missing camper case Cooler and wetter summer on the way as La Nina declared Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Nov 202119min

Thousands of migrants are trapped on the Belarus/Poland border. The asylum seekers from the Middle East have clashed with border police as even more arrive desperate to be let into the European Union. But is the crisis being manufactured by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko? His critics say he’s created the problem to make life difficult for EU nations who say he rigged last year’s presidential elections. Tatsiana Kulakevich is Professor specialising in Eastern Europe at the University of South Florida; and was born and raised in Belarus before moving to the US. Tatsiana takes us through the history of the build-up to the crisis, and what’s expected to happen to the thousands trapped in an international standoff as a bitterly cold winter sets in. Todays Headlines Federal government faces growing rebellion over state vax mandates Universities and businesses welcome border opening plan Court ruling on asset sale a win for Caddick investors Christmas parade tragedy not linked to terrorism: US media Continued scepticism over Peng Shuai and IOC call Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Nov 202121min

Nats What I Reckon started posting review videos on YouTube 15 years ago. He has also always loved to cook. So when we went into lockdown, he decided to combine the two, and his profile exploded. He’s now a bona fide social media superstar with 1.6 million Facebook followers; 383,000 subscribers on YouTube (he’s had more than 20 million views); and 450,000 followers on Instagram. You won’t believe his back story. Nats What I Reckon has a new cookbook ‘Death to Jar Sauce’ and he’s all about teaching us how to cook great food and to enjoy spending time in the kitchen. You’re going to love our chat with Nats What I Reckon!! Todays Headlines IOC holds video call with Peng Shuai and confirms she’s safe and well ADF deployed amid latest NT Covid spike Protests across Australia against vaccine mandates Protests in Europe amid fourth wave of infections Matt Doran apologies Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Nov 202122min

How did Brisbane boy Shane Jenek become Courtney Act, Australia’s most beloved drag queen? In this chat with Jamila Rizvi we get to know the man behind the drag, who has shot to international fame in recent years with appearances on Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Celebrity Big Brother UK. Shane explains why he wants to hug his childhood self, what it was like writing his new memoir Caught in The Act during lockdown, and why it’s important to have difficult conversations with people you don’t agree with. THE WEEKEND LIST with Linda Marigliano: Listen: Summer Walker’s Still Over It album Podcast: Guardian Australia’s Australia vs the climate series Watch: Love Life season 2 (Stan) See: THE LUME Melbourne Van Gogh exhibition See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Nov 202138min

Today’s story starts back on October 2, 2020, when Qatari authorities grounded planes at Hamad International Airport in Doha after a baby was found abandoned in a bathroom. The baby had been dumped in a bin. Following the discovery of the infant, more than 18 women from 10 different flights, including 13 Australians aboard a Sydney-bound Qatar Airways plane, were escorted off planes by armed guards. All women of child-bearing age were ushered into ambulances for physical examinations to determine if they had recently given birth. None of the victims gave their consent. Our guest today “Jane” (not her real name) was one of the women subjected to the invasive search. She’s one of seven women suing Qatar airways, the civil aviation authority of Qatar and Doha Airport. Todays Headlines Victorians welcome new Covid freedoms Wiliiam Tyrrell search continues WTA threatens to cancel China tournaments over Peng Shuai case Denmark to highlight anti-Qatar messages at 2022 World Cup Charles says mother is well as Queen returns to engagements Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Nov 202122min

Five million people in Melbourne emerged from lockdown in late October after spending a world record 262 days in lockdown. The Victorian Parliament is expected to pass strict new laws this week to deal with future pandemics. Victoria's Health Minister, Martin Foley, insists the legislation "cements this Victorian Parliament and this public health response as the most accountable, transparent and public health-focused system in the Commonwealth". The Opposition Leader Matthew Guy describes the proposed laws as "an incredible attack on democracy." The Briefing’s Annika Smethurst who is also The Age newspaper’s Victorian political correspondent, joins us to talk through the laws. Why they’re dominating news….and what they’ll mean for the Andrews government heading to an election in late 2022. Todays Headlines Former Labor minister to vote against VIC pandemic laws Police seize car as extra resources deployed in Tyrell search Newborn among latest NT cases as Gunner warns outbreak will worsen Labor promising faster internet for more in NBN revamp Britney Spears speaks out after conservatorship is scrapped Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Nov 202120min

How has Covid impacted the sex industry? Everyone has had to make changes to cope with the pandemic, but what about when your income is derived from intimacy? Samantha X is an escort and owner of Samantha’s Angels escort agency. She tells us she was taking lots of calls during lockdown, from women looking to begin work in the industry. Fiona Patten is a Member of the Victorian Legislative Council, best known for establishing the Sex Party 15 years ago. Fiona tells us the pandemic accelerated new technology in the sex industry, enabling workers to engage with their clients in entirely new ways. Everyone used the word ‘pivot’ during the pandemic. Well, how has the sex industry pivoted to deal with the challenges it faces….? Todays Headlines Lockdowns and mask mandates for NT as remote outbreak grows William Tyrrell search focuses on grandmother’s home Flood waters expected to peak in Forbes Simpson Desert family rescued Biden backs in allies at Xi summit Follow The Briefing Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Nov 202117min