7am

Whistleblower David McBride has been released from prison on parole, after serving 27 months for leaking classified Defence documents to journalists.
Those documents helped expose allegations of war crimes by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
Years on, he’s still the only person to have been sent to prison over the Afghan Files.
Today, as McBride is released, we’re returning to an interview Ashlynne McGhee recorded with him just before he was jailed – on why he leaked those documents, whether he had any regrets, and how Australia keeps its secrets.
This episode was first published in May 2024.

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Guest: Whistleblower and former military lawyer, David McBride
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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After years of pressure to tackle gambling harm, the Albanese government is trying to get its long-awaited reforms through parliament, looking to cut a deal with the Opposition, sparking a debate over just how far the government is prepared to go to get its reforms through.
Meanwhile, immigration is becoming one of the defining battles in federal politics, as One Nation’s growing support and hardline approach force both major parties to confront how they respond to its agenda.
And amidst it all, Barnaby Joyce declared One Nation “one of the gayest parties in Australia”, after a former One Nation candidate called homosexuality a mental illness.
Today, SBS Chief Political Correspondent, Anna Henderson, on a hectic week in parliament; the fight over immigration, gambling reform and a warm conversation between the PM and President Trump.

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Guest: SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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For decades, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire has helped shape politics and public debate, and in doing so, has often left lasting consequences for some of the people caught in its sights, from politicians, to public figures to everyday people. The consequences can be devastating.
Journalists Matthew Ricketson and Andrew Dodd have a name for what happens when that attention becomes a campaign, they call it ‘getting Murdoched’.
Today, co-author of their new book Getting Murdoched, Matthew Ricketson on the people who’ve found themselves on the receiving end, and the media culture that could outlast Rupert Murdoch himself.

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Guest: Co-author of Getting Murdoched Matthew Ricketson
Photo: AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool, File
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Just when you thought world politics couldn’t get any more ridiculous: tonight, far-right British politician Nigel Farage is set to face a by-election of his own making. His main opponent? A joke candidate by the name of Count Binface, who says he’s an alien space warrior, and wears a superhero costume featuring a bin for a head.
The contest has turned into a circus, but the five-million-pound donation scandal which prompted it, is deadly serious.
Today, European correspondent for the Australian Financial Review, Andrew Tillett, on the contest, the scandal behind it, and the parallels between Farage and Australia’s far-right offering, One Nation.

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Guest: European correspondent for the Australian Financial Review, Andrew Tillett
Photo: PA/Alamy
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The Reserve Bank of Australia yesterday left interest rates on hold at 4.35 per cent: a relief for those with a mortgage.
But as the bank weighs up future interest rate hikes to try and combat inflation, some economists say there’s a fairer way to keep spending under wraps and spread the pain around.
And the alternative could leave us all with bigger retirement nest eggs.
Today, independent economist Saul Eslake on whether superannuation could be used to manage inflation, and what it all means for the future of housing.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: Independent economist Saul Eslake
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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