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

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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

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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.
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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

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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.
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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/

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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.
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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/

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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
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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.
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