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For so many, Noni Hazlehurst is the patron saint of early childhood nostalgia, known for her magnetic presence on Play School. But Noni has had a long and storied career on stage and screen in Australia – from hosting Better Homes & Gardens to starring in the award-winning one-woman play Mother. On this episode of Read This, Noni chats with Michael about her new memoir, Dropping the Mask.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Sunday, Israel and Hamas are due to start a 42-day ceasefire in Gaza as part of a deal that could end the war. The announcement has prompted thousands of Palestinians to celebrate on the streets of Gaza, where residents have had no reprieve from bombardments and ground battles since 2023. If the agreement holds, desperately needed humanitarian aid will reach the people of Gaza, many of whom are living in freezing tents in the middle of winter. Dozens of hostages, who have been held by Hamas, will return home to Israel. Today, research director at The Washington Institute, Dana Stroul, who was the most senior civilian at the Pentagon focused on the Middle East when the war began. Stroul tells us how the deal was struck and how Trump and Biden each claiming the victory as their own obscures an unlikely alliance. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Research Director at The Washington Institute Dana StroulSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing Labor minister Bill Shorten has said he’s leaving politics at the end of the month confident with the state of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. As Minister for the NDIS, Shorten has been focused on making reforms to the scheme in an effort to reduce costs and ensure its sustainability. But despite claims the government’s reform of the NDIS is focused on fraud crackdowns, a third of the savings will come from pushing children off the scheme. Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on the children targeted in the NDIS crackdown, and the real intent behind the cuts. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Cathy McGowan won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2013, it sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The Liberal Party had lost what was supposed to be one of their safe seats. At the time, McGowan was one of only two independents in the House of Representatives. In 2022, the Liberals lost six seats to independents, and at least 51 electorates across the country are currently planning to put forward a community backed independent in this year’s election. Today, former federal MP Cathy McGowan on which major party candidates should be worried about their seats – and if there’s such a thing as too many independents in parliament. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Former federal MP, Cathy McGowanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.