The Briefing

Monday Headlines:
Trust in Albanese falls as voters blame government for cost-of-living crisis
Two days of mourning declared in Poland after suspected terror shooting
The latest in the New Zealand and Israel elections
Parts of Australia blanketed by snow in late Spring cold snap
Australia through to Rugby League World Cup
Deep Dive: Doctors at a major regional hospital fear the imminent takeover by a Catholic provider will see critical services like IVF, abortion, and Voluntary Assisted Dying banned.
Calvary Health Care is taking over 16 hospitals across the country following the financial collapse of Healthscope last May - giving them 10 per cent of Australia’s total private hospital capacity.
In this episode of The Briefing Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Associate Professor Neera Bhatia, Director of the Law, Health and Society Research Unit at Deakin University, to discuss the legal and ethical dilemma that arises when religion and health collide.
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In just a couple of weeks, thousands of kids across the country are packing their bags for destinations across Australia – and now the world – to celebrate Schoolies.
While many will likely party too hard and head home with some regrets, or worse, there’s a growing trend among teenagers to swap getting wasted for wellness.
In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Sacha Barbour Gatt's chat with the founder of Red Frogs, Andy Gourley, about how kids are celebrating and how much that’s changed since he started his work at leavers events more than 25 years ago.
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Friday Headlines:
Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Beau Lamarre-Condon gives evidence in murder trial
Multiple planes diverted amid hoax bomb threats in Europe
Sydney Swans to review club culture
Cristiano Ronaldo announces international retirement
Deep Dive:
The Democrats have seen record support in the US midterm elections, winning control of both houses of Congress.
But what happens after the 'blue tsunami'?
President Donald Trump has already blamed his party's results on the war in Iran and still has the power to veto legislation.
In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by host of Planet America, Chas Licciardello, to unpack what could happen next and how the Republicans will respond.
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Thursday Headlines:
US rides blue wave as Democrats sweep the midterms
Essential workers being priced out of Australian rentals
Woman charged with stalking and extorting Greens senator Jordon Steele-John
Australians still value multiculturalism but distrust the government: social cohesion report
First 10 songs added to Australia's National Songbook
Deep Dive: David Jones is facing some tough times ahead of Christmas, with speculation mounting that the retailer could close stores due to financial pressure.
This week, the company failed to meet the deadline to file its accounts with the corporate regulator for the second year in a row, following a $95 million loss for the 2025 financial year and a $10 million emergency loan to reach December.
In this episode of The Briefing, Tessa Randello is joined by Professor of Consumer Behaviour and Retail Marketing at QUT, Gary Mortimer, to chat about what the future of the 188-year-old institution could look like and what possible store closures could mean for customers.
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Wednesday Headlines:
Treasurer defends government spending after latest interest rate hike
Voting in the US midterm elections is underway
Two Australians confirmed among the dead in horror Spain train crash
Jury in Russell Brand rape trial considers its verdict
Wegovy pill approved for use in Australia
Virgin Australia, Sony and ticketing giants named in annual Shonkys
Deep Dive: For the first time in 12 years, the Victorian Liberal Party is in a position to potentially win government, ending Labor's long-held control of the state.
But how much of that is about the popularity of the Coalition and its relatively new leader, Jess Wilson, who could become the first popularly elected female premier of Victoria?
In today's episode, the Opposition Leader joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to discuss her limited political career, her ambitions for Victoria and why she thinks now is the time for change.
Follow The Briefing:
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.