7am

This year, Anthony Albanese promised to make big changes — on childcare, on Medicare, on the cost of living. But while the government delivered some wins, it also quietly stepped back from the fights it didn’t want to have — on gambling, housing, and corporate power. Today, contributing editor of The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, looks back on yet another huge year in politics, on the deals Labor made, the reforms it shelved, and what it reveals about how this government really works. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis Photo: AAP Image/Lukas CochSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a huge year for video games. Small developers are leading a renaissance of original ideas breaking through into the mainstream. They are going up against blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty – and winning. The 7am team debated adding “games” to our ‘best of’ features this year – but the numbers don’t lie. More than four out of five Australians game and the industry is at least three times the size of the film industry. Games can be so many things: high art, pop art – and pure dopamine. Sometimes all at once. Today, video games critic and tech journalist at the ABC, Rad Yeo, on her top five favourite games of the year.If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Video games critic and tech journalist at the ABC, Rad YeoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Jones listens to a lot of podcasts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they all circle the same theme: journalism. Today, she’s bringing you her favourite journalistic podcasts of the year – recommending everything from immersive narrative series to friends with chat shows. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: 7am host Ruby Jones Photo: Ian West/PA WireSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Jinx watches hundreds of films every year – for her job programming feature films at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and, because she loves them. Today, she’s bringing you her five favourites from 2025. There’s Leonardo Dicaprio, of course. There’s also heists, collaborative theatre as film, PTSD but funny, and, there’s porridge. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Programmer of feature films at the Melbourne International Film Festival, Kate Jinx Photo: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a heavy year in many ways. And when you work in news, there’s no shying away from that. But music can be a respite – something to help process the heaviness, and something that brings escape and joy. When we asked Head of Music at SXSW, Claire Collins, to pick her favourite albums of the year, both the heaviness and the joy were reflected back at us. She’s picked five albums for you to blast this summer, as you prepare for the year ahead. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Claire Collins, head of music at SXSW Photo: Ian West/PA WireSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.