Cut Through

Worms on the uterus, chatbots soliciting photos of women’s breasts, and AI-generated podcasts shilling supplements: welcome to the weird, dark and dangerous world of AI “Mum Slop”, a genre of content targeting the health anxieties of pregnant people and new mothers. Crikey contributor Madison Griffiths joins the podcast to expand on her recent article exploring the intersection of AI and women’s health, for good, bad and worse. Today’s episode covers: What is “Mum Slop”? Why new mothers are susceptible to AI exploitation Why slop doesn’t have to look realistic to shill products Sexism and the “certainty gap” in women’s health Can the “Digital Duty of Care” legislation help curb the harms of Mum Slop? How the “free birth” movement leveraged social media Read more: Welcome to the dark and dangerous world of Mum Slop Madison Griffiths’ Labour Relations essay series First-time mother scared to feed her daughter after varying advice from multiple practitioners Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 55% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After conducting 10 days of public hearings and receiving almost 800 written submissions, the independent AUKUS public inquiry is moving into its final phase. It will soon prepare a report to answer the question: will AUKUS keep us safe, and at what cost? In today’s special episode, the inquiry’s lead commissioner Peter Garrett and former submariner and independent senator Rex Patrick join Cut Through to answer your burning questions about the AUKUS deal and what the inquiry can practically achieve without government buy-in. Today’s episode covers: Peter Garrett (listen from 01:00): The lack of government – and Labor party – interest The US use of HMAS Stirling naval base in WA Weighing up informed vs uninformed submissions Impact on Australian sovereignty and foreign policy Can the inquiry have practical outcomes? Rex Patrick (listen from 30:10): Cost and opportunity-cost of AUKUS Government secrecy over handling of nuclear waste Will technological advancement make AUKUS submarines obsolete too soon? What if the submarines are never delivered? The merits of AUKUS Public inquiries vs parliamentary inquiries Read more: AUKUS Public Inquiry The anti-AUKUS campaign needs to turn into an effective political movement In the fantasyland of AUKUS, even the good news shows how badly things are going AUKUS waste is a toxic topic. The Albanese government wants it kept quiet Undersea drones are a welcome addition. But as with everything AUKUS, details are scant Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 55% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the eSafety Commissioner is arguing it should be allowed to keep some secrets relating to the under-16 social media ban, WA Labor’s gas lobbyist candidate for the Secret Harbour by-election does a runner, and former NACC commissioner Paul Brereton gets exposed by FOIs... again! Charlie Lewis and Crystal Andrews recap these stories and many more compelling, illuminating and absurd items from The Snoop , our daily roundup of tips, treasures and titbits from news and politics in Australia and around the world. This episode covers: Paul Brereton’s redacted conflicts of interest declaration Analysis by Rex Patrick: The government’s poor performance on FOIs Hit rate and secrets of the eSafety Commissioner Labor’s decision to ignore former gambling addict Luke Bateman PointsBet CEO calls for more regulation Who wins WA Secret Harbour by-election: Labor or One Nation? RFK Jr’s ridiculous ringtone Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 55% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two major bills passed parliament this week, with Labor and the Coalition coming together to get the job done on gambling advertising reforms and the NDIS overhaul. Crikey’s politics writer Rachel Withers joins readers’ editor Crystal Andrews and media reporter Daanyal Saeed to bring you up to speed on which MPs crossed the floor to vote against their party, the important details buried within both sets of legislation, and whether the optics of a Labor and Liberal duopoly will turn voters off. Plus, the anti-abortion bill — and accompanying stunt by the Australian Christian Lobby — you might have missed. This episode covers: What’s in the final gambling ad ban Coalition MPs crossing the floor NDIS cuts pass in the Senate What does the Coalition get out of this? Do voters like major party deal-making? Australian Christian Lobby’s “Born Alive” anti-abortion bill Tip: More One Nation Victoria candidates Tip: Is Clive Palmer returning to politics again? Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 55% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to what some call Australia's "epidemic" of men's violence against women, the media plays a significant role – as evidenced by the reporting on the trial of convicted rapist, Melbourne talent manager Ralph Carr. After a decade of media reform advocacy, Jane Gilmore says news headlines are still littered with rape myths, the villainisation of victims and favourable descriptions of perpetrators. She joins the podcast to discuss what drives sensationalist media coverage of men’s violence and why AI is about to make matters even worse. This episode covers: Media reporting on the rape trial of Ralph Carr Why headlines continue to demonise victims and downplay the acts of perpetrators The end of the “good guy” narrative for male perpetrators of violence The role of social media in driving the gender divide Gilmore’s “Groundhog Day” experience in advocacy and policy spaces Labelling female journalists “activists” Tip: The media and court suppression orders Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au . In an emergency, call 000. For counselling, advice and support for men in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491. Men in WA can contact the Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 000 599. Read more: $1.3 million was spent to improve media reporting on male violence. Twelve years later, I fear little has changed Rape myths in the media reporting of the High-Profile Melbourne Man’s rape trial Pledge to change suppression order law is small progress that smacks of lip service – The Age editorial Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration is one of the most dominant and heated political topics of the moment, with the media extensively covering an apparent surge in anti-immigration sentiment among Australian voters. Everything from housing shortages to unemployment is blamed on overseas arrivals, while the care economy is more reliant than ever on foreign workers. Bernard Keane joins the podcast to discuss the role of immigration in today’s Australia – which now has more to do with economics than it does with culture – and explain what good migration policy should look like in the years to come. Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! Read more: Seize the Moment by Bernard Keane Chapter excerpt: Immigration is a huge opportunity for Australia, but there are obstacles to overcome Australian Bureau of Statistics, Overseas Migration 2024-2025 Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Internal emails exposing the National Anti-Corruption Commission trying to evade one journalist’s questions, Tony Abbott making a very strange mistake in his political commentary, and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas enjoying an intimate dinner with a top News Corp journalist. Daanyal Saeed and Crystal Andrews recap these stories, and many more compelling, illuminating and absurd items from The Snoop, our daily roundup of tips, treasures and titbits from news and politics in Australia and around the world. In today’s episode we catch listeners up on: NACC emails from Paul Brereton, Kylie Kilgour revealed Built to fail? NACC: the integrity body undermined from the start on The Point NACC inspector drops investigation into Brereton Peter Malinauskas’ meetings with News Corp journalist Peter Starick Back-Scratching. Premier Malinauskus’ love-in with Newscorp exposed on Michael West Media Mamamia’s Luca Lavigne is not the only Australian media nepo baby AEC changes Tasmania federal electorates Tony Abbott’s confusion about “Truganini” Labor MP Josh Wilson “striking” ban from over-45s soccer Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia’s most prestigious universities have been plagued by governance and corruption scandals over the past few years, all the while public debate continues on what role universities should play in modern Australian society. Julie Hare, one of the country’s most experienced higher education journalists, joins Cut Through to unpack the ICAC investigation into the University of Wollongong, explain how executive greed and policy changes created a perfect storm for the sector, and puts her ideas for how to restore Australian universities to their former glory – and public good. Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! Read more: Leaders at Australian universities have lost their moral compass ANU and other universities using ‘custom-made’ accounting systems that can obscure financial health More Australian universities than ANU face a governance crisis. But why now precisely? ‘Broken and unfair’: Morrison-era policy slogging students with hundreds of millions in extra debt John Dewar’s very public humiliation Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politics editor Bernard Keane returns to the podcast to answer subscriber questions in a dedicated Q&A episode. What does he think of critics who say there is “nothing to see here” on union corruption in Victoria’s Big Build? Is there any substance to rumours that Anthony Albanese would leave politics before the next election? Will the global campaign to introduce a wealth tax – advocated by the likes of Gary Stevenson and Gabriel Zucman – make headway in Australia? Keane and Cut Through host Crystal Andrews tackle the following questions: What kind of Labor leader is Anthony Albanese? Where will the government land in its approach to AI policy? Should people question the Watson report into CFMEU corruption? Will Snowy Hydro 2.0 be “worth it” in the end? Is an Australian wealth tax on the horizon? How is Australia’s ageing population contributing to socioeconomic issues? Want to ask us a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Karl Stefanovic rise to the pinnacle of TV stardom, and what does his move to even smaller screens say about the current state of Australian media? Tina Quinn joins the podcast to go behind-the-scenes of her latest article for Crikey , which saw her speak to a long list of sources who worked alongside Stefanovic — from junior producers all the way up to senior management — about how he really got to the top. Quinn and host Crystal Andrews discuss what made Stefanovic “special”, the one industry development that changed Australian TV for the worse, and why we might never see a TV personality like Karl again. Have a tip for us or want to ask a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Subscribe to Crikey now to get 60% off your annual subscription! Read more: Insiders reveal the real story behind Karl Stefanovic, a monster of Nine’s own making Job cuts, takeovers and mergers can’t fix the mess that is Australian TV The Stefanovic saga and Hanson’s haymaker: it’s all part of Australia’s surging right-wing moment Gina Rinehart joins Australia’s billionaire media moguls. You’re welcome, One Nation The Free Speech and Free Fall of Karl Stefanovic on Fourth Estate podcast Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a flurry of activity in parliament as politicians tried to make the last sitting fortnight before the winter break really count. So it’s the perfect time to bring Cut Through back from our mid-year break – re-energised and ready to call it as we see it! Crikey ’s politics writer Rachel Withers joins readers’ editor Crystal Andrews and reporter-at-large Charlie Lewis to discuss the highs and the lows, from the announcement of Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender’s new party “Community Strong Australia”, to the Greens’ role as policy gatekeepers, and why Barnaby Joyce is clearly not helping One Nation MP David Farley learn the ropes. Plus, where does Nuclear for Australia get its cash from… and is Bridget McKenzie up to something? Have a tip for us or want to ask a question? Send an email to letters@crikey.com.au or contact us using the secure methods detailed here: https://www.crikey.com.au/tip-off-crikey/ Read more: Does Steggall and Spender’s new party go against the independent movement — or strengthen it? by Tina Quinn What Liberal-types like Jason Falinski get wrong about the ‘teals’ Labor is playing a dangerous game on gambling reform Tax reform has winners and losers. Business makes an ugly loser One Nation now has to hold itself together — and grow by Leonardo Puglisi Tip on Nuclear for Australia’s merch sales What is Bridget McKenzie up to? Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 federal budget was one of the more “memorable” in recent history. Despite the vast majority of measures having already been aired in the media weeks prior, Jim Chalmers kept one major reveal for budget night: a three-part tax reform, winding back the favourable settings of capital gains tax, negative gearing and private trusts. The mainstream media has been bleating about “broken promises”, but do voters actually care if the government changes its mind in pursuit of better policy? Politics editor Bernard Keane and readers’ editor Crystal Andrews discuss what they liked in the budget, what was disappointing and the missed opportunity of the gas export tax. Plus, does Angus Taylor have any hope of improving the Coalition’s fortunes with his budget reply speech? Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are just three days until the Farrer by-election and – for the first time ever – it looks like voters won’t be electing a National or Liberal MP to represent them in Sussan Ley’s old seat.. Instead, the frustration with establishment politics has seen independent Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation’s David Farly emerge as the frontrunners in a fierce and unpredictable campaign To help you follow the final days of the by-election campaign, Crikey politics reporter Anton Nilsson and Region Riverina editor Oliver Jacques join this special early episode of the podcast. We discuss the water policy problems that all candidates agree is a top priority for the region, the collapse of the Coalition’s reputation in regional Australia, and how public scrutiny over big donations from the likes of Gina Rinehart has impacted the campaign. Plus, Nilsson and Jacques give their prediction for who will claim Farrer on Saturday. Read more: How One Nation is riding a wave of anger over water towards a federal breakthrough ‘You can only sell so many stubby holders’: We asked the Farrer frontrunners about the role of big money in politics Just how ‘teal’ is independent Farrer candidate Michelle Milthorpe? In the seat of Farrer, candidates are united by their concern for water, and disdain for Labor The Coalition’s pitch to Farrer voters: only we can topple a Labor government. But can they? Richard Hendrie wants to stop the ‘right-wing slogfest’ in Farrer Farrer could start the duopoly’s downfall — and blare a klaxon horn for the Liberals Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health Minister Mark Butler’s “major overhaul” of the National Disability Insurance Scheme will reduce the total cost of the scheme by $15 billion over the next four years. The majority of the savings will come from the 160,000 people who will be kicked off the scheme – a brutal decision given that the NDIS only supports a fraction of the 2 million Australians with a severe disability. The justification for these cuts is the “social licence” that even supporters of the NDIS believe it has suffered from reports of provider rorting and criminal abuse of the system. So why has Butler’s overhaul focused on reducing participant numbers, rather than scrutinising the business-side waste within the scheme? Grace Tame joins the podcast to challenge the corporate media spin that has made disabled people the scapegoats for what she believes is a poorly designed system. Read more: Slashing $15bn from NDIS while giving $53bn to Defence. Anyone’s autistic pattern recognition radar wailing? I’m an NDIS insider. Forget rogue providers — conflict of interest is built into the auditing system NDIS headlines are turning autistic people into the new dole bludgers Belting the disabled, protecting fossil fuel giants: That creaking sound is Albanese’s project under severe stress Gillard’s NDIS vision was a promise she couldn’t keep Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is “free speech” an Australian value? We examine the latest developments concerning two state laws attempting to restrict political expression, and how the people are pushing back. First, the verdict is in on the protest-restricting laws introduced by the Minns government ahead of the divisive visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog: the changes are unconstitutional. Grata Fund founder Isabelle Reinecke explains what this means for the protesters who were arrested under laws that have now been overturned. Next, Queensland’s new hate speech laws criminalising the phrase “from the river to the sea” have been challenged by protesters impersonating… John Farnham. Comedian and Crikey columnist Sami Shah joins the podcast to discuss why banning speech never works. Catch up on our previous episode about the NSW protest laws here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TijjR1SJeFs Read more: Chris Minns is a constitutional vandal. He must apologise for NSW protest laws or resign A view from the ground: As police argued with MPs, Sydney’s protest against Isaac Herzog descended into chaos Try to understand it: John Farnham’s ‘river to the sea’ and Queensland’s war on words by Sami Shah Red flags and ‘the six-word phrase’: Queensland protest arrests are part of an Australian history of crushing dissent One critical word is missing in Australia’s push to criminalise pro-Palestine phrases How Australia became a police state Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If it walks, talks and quacks like a duck… is it insider trading? Journalist Lachlan Keller joins the podcast to explain the suspicious pattern of behaviour that has lead experts and analysts to believe people within the Trump administration are using insider trading to make huge, lucrative bets on global news events. We discuss the major oil commodities trades made just hours before Trump announced the US-Iran ceasefire, how prediction market platforms like Polymarket could be influencing the behaviour of White House staffers, and why the $TRUMP meme coin is the perfect case study for how the Trump family profiteers off his presidency. Read more: $1.4bn was bet on oil falling mere hours before Trump’s Iran ceasefire. It follows a pattern of suspected insider trading Has $TRUMP pulled off the world’s most brazen crypto scam? Australia urgently needs a debate about the damage the US is doing to us Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise announcement before the Easter long weekend – the government’s long-awaited proposal for gambling advertising reform was finally ready and intended to come into effect from January 1, 2027. So, where will gambling ads be banned, and how? Crikey media reporter Daanyal Saeed joins the podcast to unpack the proposed gambling ad reforms, including three big recommendations from the Peta Murphy report that the government has ignored, and how “vested interests” from gambling companies, sporting codes and mainstream media broadcasters have slowed down the process. At the end of the day, a proposed bill will not pass without the support of non-Labor senators. Who will they negotiate with to get it through? Read more: ‘Really disappointed’, ‘betrayal’, ‘bare minimum’: The reaction to Albanese’s long-awaited gambling advertising reforms ‘It’s fucked … most people know that’: Sports podcasters speak out over gambling ad influence Has Albanese done anything at all on sports betting ads? Here’s how much gambling money is worth to Crikey, and why we won’t take it ‘Lost in the product’: How the gambling industry creates problem gamblers The gambling ad ban isn’t about gambling. It’s about the future of the media What the media earns from gambling — and what it costs the rest of us Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally labels for a person’s economic perspective, “left” and “right” have been transformed into social markers that are not only wielded as weapons in political discourse, but actually tell us very little about how someone will vote. In fact, most Australians prefer to call themselves “centrist” regardless of their beliefs. So does the left-right political spectrum still apply to Australian politics in 2026? That’s the question debated in today’s episode by Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and RedBridge Senior Insights Adviser Alex Fein. We cover the generational divides, economic transformation and total erosion of trust that has almost all voters, from orange to blue to red, united against the “ruling class”. So, what’s the alternative? And does it even matter? N.B.: The quote at 44:36 is by Nobel Prize winning economist Robert Lucas. Read more: Are ‘left’ and ‘right’ useful anymore or do we need a new political alignment? Left and right, forward and back, in and out: labels for a new political world The Political Compass Alex Fein: Polarisation is a Myth Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been one month since the US began its war on Iran, which means one month that the critical oil passageway the Strait of Hormuz has been closed. As a result, the price of crude oil has shot up, taking the price of fuel with it. At petrol stations across Australia diesel is more than $3 per litre, with unleaded creeping up to $2.50 in metro areas and well beyond that in regional areas. Economics correspondent Jason Murphy joins the podcast to answer some crucial questions: is the rising cost due to price gouging? What can the government do to keep the price of essentials, like groceries, from spiralling out of control? And is Australia actually at risk of running out of fuel altogether? Read more: Do we actually need to panic about fuel? With petrol prices rising, so is Australia’s interest in EVs. We should strike while the iron is hot The Iran War is costing a lot more than higher petrol prices Painful as it is, the rate rise was the easy part. Trump has turned economic policy into a lottery Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 10 years, more than 470,000 wrongly-issued debts, six separate investigations and $2.4 billion in compensation to victims, the National Anti-Corruption Commission handed down its final report into the unlawful debt recovery scheme known as robodebt. Two public servants were found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct, but will not face criminal investigation. The other four individuals – including Scott Morrison – were cleared. The reaction from victims, their families and the advocates campaigning for accountability was one of disappointment and frustration. Rick Morton, the journalist who has followed robodebt most closely, says he was “shocked, but not surprised" by the NACC report. Morton joins the podcast to unpack the NACC’s robodebt report, what the saga reveals about the public service, and why covering this story has changed him forever. Read more: The NACC robodebt report: A heartbreaking work of staggering incompetence NACC’s robodebt investigation conjures offensive and stupid excuses for letting Scott Morrison off Not ‘newsworthy’: Why the NACC decided not to update the media for 63 days Does the NACC have any hope of regaining public trust? Exclusive: Robodebt architect remains employed in a senior governance role in the public service Sign up to Crikey ’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletter Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.