7am

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
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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.

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Guest: Independent economist Saul Eslake
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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As One Nation’s political clout rises, so too does its bank balance, courtesy of the very elites Pauline Hanson often rails against.
Now an investigation by the Brisbane Times and SMH has detailed some of the places One Nation’s cash is coming from: from exclusive parties hosted at Gina Rinehart’s mansion, to movies, to merch.
But perhaps even more pertinent are the contributions hidden from public view.
Today, SMH Investigative Reporter Patrick Begley on the sources of One Nation’s wealth.

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Guest: SMH Investigative Reporter Patrick Begley
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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In the early hours of July 5 last year, a group of masked people allegedly broke into a defence manufacturer in Melbourne’s north-east.
Three cars were set alight. The building was vandalised, and later, a video message appeared online with a masked man claiming responsibility; warning workers involved in the weapons supply chain that they were being watched.
Waleed Aly has a PhD in global terrorism and says the message left behind is crucial to understanding what happened and what might happen next.
Today, Waleed Aly on what makes political violence terrorism, and whether this attack is a sign of something much bigger taking hold.

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Guest: Monash University terrorism expert Waleed Aly
Photo: Supplied: AFP
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This week, Alan Jones went on trial in Sydney, more than 20 months after his arrest.
The once-powerful broadcaster is now facing 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching involving six complainants. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.
When we recorded this episode, Jones had just been charged with 24 offences involving eight complainants. Since then the case has narrowed, with a number of charges withdrawn or replaced before the trial began.
Today, we revisit our conversation with investigative reporter and author of Jonestown: The Power and Myth of Alan Jones, Chris Masters, on the fall of one of Australia’s most powerful men, and what it tells us about the nature of power itself in this country.
This episode was first published in November 2024.

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: Investigative reporter Chris Masters
Photo: AAP Image/Damian Shaw
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.