7am

In Anthony Albanese’s political universe, personal relationships are everything.
High on the list for Albanese is his bond with Peter V'landys, the Chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission and Chief Executive of Racing NSW.
That relationship has been central to the government’s decision to again delay reforms of gambling advertising, which V’Landys strongly opposes.
Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis with the inside story of why the government still hasn’t acted on gambling reform.

This episode was originally published in December 2024.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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The Liberal Party is locked in a very public power struggle. The Coalition has broken apart. One Nation is on the rise.
What’s emerging isn’t just a shift in support, it’s something deeper – a realignment of the conservative side of politics, with broader ramifications that we’re only beginning to understand.
Today, political columnist and former Labor adviser Sean Kelly – on what’s breaking inside conservative politics, what it means for the government, and what comes next.

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Guest: Political columnist and former Labor adviser Sean Kelly
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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At Forrest Place in Boorloo (Perth), on what this country officially calls Australia Day, around 2,500 people gathered to mark Invasion Day. They listened to speakers, held banners and, for a few hours, took up civic space in the way protest is meant to: visibly, peacefully, together.
Then, from a balcony above, an object arced through the air and landed near the stage. Police allege it was a homemade improvised explosive device containing nails, ball bearings and chemicals, later described as a fragmentation‑style device with the potential to cause serious harm or death. It did not detonate; it landed. The crowd was evacuated. Within hours, a 31‑year‑old man was arrested and charged with offences including intent to harm and possession of explosives.
What happened next stayed with our host Daniel James – and he decided to write about it. So in this special episode, we’re bringing you his essay on the Perth pipe bomb – and the silence that followed.

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Guest: Award-winning writer and 7am host Daniel James
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Colin Boyce is a Nationals MP from Central Queensland. He represents a huge swathe of land stretching from Bundaberg to Rockhampton – and as he’s travelled around his electorate, he’s been confronted by the looming threat of One Nation.
Colin is so dismayed about the split of the Coalition, he’s challenging David Littleproud for the leadership of the Nationals on Monday. He says it’s a last-ditch effort to “save the National Party from its own self-destruction”.
Today, Colin Boyce, on why he’s challenging his own leader, the inside story of the Nationals’ split from the Coalition, and how One Nation is reshaping the party’s future.

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Guest: Nationals MP Colin Boyce
Photo: AAP Image/Dominic Giannini
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Xi Jinping has just sacked his top military general – putting him under investigation and accusing him of “grave violations of discipline and the law”.
It’s the latest, and most stunning sacking in a massive purge of the country’s military and political elite.
With China’s People's Liberation Army in crisis – there are now questions about what it will mean for China’s plans to take over Taiwan.
Today, expert in US-Asia Relations at Harvard Kennedy School and author of several books on China, Rana Mitter on what the sackings say about Xi’s grip on power.

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: Expert in US-Asia Relations at Harvard Kennedy School, Rana Mitter
Photo: AP Photo/Andy Wong
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