7am

Bird flu has reached a new milestone, crossing over to infect and kill a seal in South Australia.
It marks a new phase of the outbreak, and has sparked fears for many endangered wildlife species, which face the possibility of extinction.
So how does the way we farm, eat, and live make us vulnerable to viruses like this? And could humans be at risk with the next mutation?
Today, journalist and author of Sentinel: when diseases spread between animals and humans, Michael Dulaney on the root cause of the virus - and the future of animal pandemics in our times.

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Guest: Journalist and author Michael Dulaney
Photo: AAP Image/Darren England
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Last year, the Prime Minister was ambushed in his hotel lobby by far-right figures boasting of being fed “private intel” during the last election campaign.
The incident was one of about a dozen stunts targeting Labor, the Greens and some Independents.
It turns out, this wasn’t just about influencers trying to generate content. It was actually a co-ordinated campaign allegedly paid for by a wealthy Christian sect.
Today, investigative journalist at The Age Sherryn Groch on the Exclusive Brethren, its bags of cash, and connections to the Liberal Party.

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Guest: Investigative journalist at The Age & SMH Sherryn Groch
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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Donald Trump has found a new way to make money. Trump Media and Technology Group is monetising the president’s social media posts, selling Wall Street firms early access to them for as much as $100,000 a month. And in the world of traders, a few milliseconds can mean millions of dollars.
Now, Trump is being sued over the arrangement, amid claims it gives paying customers preferential access to official presidential communications.
At the same time, Trump Media is also moving into prediction markets – a fast-growing corner of finance that can turn political events into betting opportunities.
Today, Reuters journalist Anirban Sen, on the extraordinary collision of presidential power, private profit and a booming industry where almost anything can become a wager.

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Guest: Reuters journalist, Anirban Sen
Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
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Almost one year ago, the Supreme Court of Victoria allowed a television camera to broadcast a sentencing for the first time ever – the hearing for convicted triple murderer Erin Patterson.
Justice Christopher Beale imposed life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering three in-laws – and attempting to murder a fourth – by lacing their beef Wellingtons with poisonous death cap mushrooms in 2023.

Now, Patterson has been back in court appealing her convictions, while prosecutors argue her sentence is too lenient and that she should never be released.
Today, we revisit our conversation with investigative journalist and author Lucie Morris-Marr on the sentencing of Erin Patterson, the suffering her crimes caused, and how the judge decided her punishment.
This episode was first published in September 2025.

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Guest: Investigative journalist and author, Lucie Morris-Marr
Photo: AAP Image/Anita Lester
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than a decade, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been talking about gambling addiction.
His advocacy means he’s become a lightning rod for people to share their stories.
Now, as the government this week passed legislation aimed at reducing gambling harms, Wilkie is among an angry group of dissenters who say the bill is a “national shame”.

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: Independent MP Andrew Wilkie
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
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