7am

The world is facing a series of large-scale crises – war, declining democracy, climate catastrophe.
So, is it all a sign that our civilisation is reaching its limits – and that our economic and political systems are nearing collapse?
That’s the question Australian author Sarah Wilson has been interrogating for the last three years for her new book, ‘I Eat The Stars’.
Today, writer Sarah Wilson on what happens when the systems that hold us together begin to fray all at once – and what the future looks like after civilisational collapse.

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Guest: Author Sarah Wilson
Photo: sarahwilson.com
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One year ago this week, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man, Kumanjayi White, died after being restrained by police inside a supermarket in Alice Springs.
This week, his family was told the officers involved will not face charges. The coronial investigation is still underway, with another directions hearing expected next month.
Kumanjayi White’s grandfather – Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves – had already spent years calling for accountability after the death of another young Warlpiri man, Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot and killed by NT police officer Zachary Rolfe in 2019.
For Jampijinpa Hargraves, the deaths of Kumanjayi Walker and Kumanjayi White are part of the same crisis: Aboriginal people living under a system that does not make them safe.
Today, Jampijinpa Hargraves, on life under the watch of police, the pressure of systems that were never made to protect his people – and what real safety would look like.
This episode originally aired in May, 2025.

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Guest: Warlpiri elder Jampijinpa ‘Ned’ Hargraves.
Photo: AAP Image/James Ross
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Well, the budget blowback is showing no signs of easing but this week the government doubled down, introducing the legislation for its tax changes to parliament. Albeit with the detail around CGT still TBC and with an inbuilt political booby trap for the Coalition.
At the same time, Pauline Hanson is floating her own negative gearing model - as One Nation surges in the polls.
And while Labor and the Coalition wrestle with how to fend off Hanson’s rise - the Teals are mulling a plan of their own - a teal party combining the power of Independents like David Pocock, Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender. But are they really better together?
Today, political editor at news.com.au Sam Maiden on Albo’s budget resolve, Pauline’s proposal, and teal party power.

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Guest: Political editor at news.com.au Sam Maiden
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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Paul Brereton – the outgoing head of Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission – was grilled at Senate estimates this week.
Brereton’s time leading the body charged with investigating serious corruption in the Commonwealth public sector has ended in a crisis of confidence – over Robodebt, his ongoing Defence links, and whether the watchdog properly managed conflicts of interest.
Brereton says he has become a distraction from the commission’s work. But his resignation raises the question: do the NACC’s problems end with him?
Today, independent journalist Nick Feik, on how Australia’s anti-corruption watchdog ended up in crisis – and whether it can recover.

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Guest: Independent journalist Nick Feik
Photo: AAP Image/Dominic Giannini
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Guest host Waleed Aly joins the 7am team as the US launches fresh strikes inside Iran, in the middle of a ceasefire.
Days earlier, Donald Trump had said an agreement to end the war was close. Now Iran is threatening to retaliate, amid fears the conflict could escalate again.
And while Trump insists peace talks are still “proceeding nicely”, he has raised the stakes for negotiators – trying to turn a narrow deal over Iran, Hormuz and sanctions into something much bigger: an expansion of the Abraham Accords, normalising relations between Israel and more countries in the region.
Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on the fragile ceasefire, Trump’s bigger gamble, and who will blink first in the standoff between America and Iran.

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: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom
Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Pool/Sipa USA
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.