7am

On February 9, thousands of people gathered at Sydney Town Hall to protest the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

They wanted to march to state parliament, but police were blocking their way.
The scenes that followed were shocking: 10 officers and dozens of protesters – some in their 70s and 80s – were injured in the violent clashes that unfolded.

Now, after hundreds of complaints of police brutality, the law enforcement watchdog is today opening its investigation into what officers did, how the operation was planned and who gave the orders.

Today, Managing Partner at Marque Lawyers, Michael Bradley, on who should be held accountable for the violence at Town Hall – and why NSW Police fought to keep the investigation behind closed doors.

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Guest: Managing partner at Marque Lawyers, Michael Bradley
Photo: AAP Image/Flavio Brancaleone
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For decades, thousands of South Korean children were adopted into families overseas, including here in Australia.
Many grew up believing they were orphans, only to discover years later that their identities had been falsified, their biological families were still alive and, in some cases, they were victims of human trafficking.
An investigation in South Korea last year exposed widespread fraud and abuse in the country's international adoption industry.
Now, an Australian government inquiry is underway, examining Australia's role, what authorities knew and how these children were allowed to be brought into the country.
Today, Martin McKenzie-Murray on the fake orphans trafficked to Australia, and the fight to uncover the truth about their adoptions.
This episode first aired in May 2025.

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Guest: Associate Editor of the Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray
Photo: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
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In politics, there’s nothing quite like a book launch to remind everyone you’re here if they need.
Josh Frydenberg is back, with a new book, some pointed criticism of his party, and perhaps an eye on a return to Canberra. Meanwhile, Angus Taylor is steering the Liberals firmly to the right, although even that hasn’t spared him a heckling from the conservative faithful.
For Anthony Albanese, it’s a welcome distraction from what has been a torrid couple of weeks for the government. His own MPs are getting restless, and the prime minister's own confidence isn’t proving contagious.
Today, columnist Paul Bongiorno on the Liberals’ competing visions, Labor’s midterm blues, and a prime minister waiting for the wind to change.

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Guest: Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno
Photo: AAP Image/Sarah Wilson
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After a decade of fighting and billions spent on American weapons, Saudi Arabia still hasn’t defeated the Houthis.
Instead, the Iranian-backed armed movement from Yemen, one of the Middle East’s poorest countries, is breaching Saudi defences with cheap drones and missiles, striking airports and oil infrastructure.
This week, an attack on the passenger terminal at Riyads’s international airport killed 13 people and injured at least 320.
With the US already fighting a war with Iran, Saudi Arabia is now pressing Donald Trump to intervene against the Houthis. But is Trump prepared to open another front in the Middle East in order to help a country in which his family has business interests?
Today, Journalist Akbar Shahid Ahmed on the continued rise of the Houthis, and the pressure on Trump to intervene.

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Guest: Diplomatic Correspondent at The Washington Sun, Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Photo: EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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For generations, Australians could reasonably expect that their lives would be more prosperous than their parents.
But over recent years, that bargain has started to break down.
Productivity growth has barely moved for a decade. We’re working more hours, without producing much more for each hour we work, and that stagnation is showing up in incomes, living standards and rising interest rates.
Now with economic growth under pressure, the government is betting that new technology, particularly artificial intelligence, can help turn things around.
Today, Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood, on why Australia has stopped becoming more productive, whether AI can change that, and what happens if it can’t.

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: Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.