The Briefing

The on-air walkout that inspired Georgie Tunny's new chapter 17.07.2026 46分

Georgie Tunny has spent more than a decade working her way through Australian newsrooms, from an ABC cadetship to Network 10's flagship desk.  In this episode of The Weekend Briefing, Helen Smith asks Georgie what it took to carve out a place in sports journalism as a woman when the industry offered few seats at the table, the exhaustion of breakfast TV and the long road to trusting her own instincts.   She also reflects on turning 35, her time on The Project, taking on The Amazing Race Australia with her fiancé Rob Mills and her debut novel set inside the cutthroat world of television, inspired by the friendships and rivalries she's lived firsthand.  You can get your hands on Georgie’s debut novel ‘Over to You’ here.  THE WEEKEND LIST:   Listener Bec’s to-do: Phase 10 + guac for six hours with friends To read: Angel Down by Daniel Kraus To do: Delete Pinterest  To do: Start a Spotify account and only listen to Powderfinger  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big change in Aussie smoking habits + The verdict on Albo’s AI plan 16.07.2026 24分

Friday Headlines:  Bianca Jones’ father calls on Albanese to intervene over inadequate methanol poisoning charges Iran launches fresh attacks on Gulf states as US strikes ship attempting to breach blockade Second case of bird flu detected in NSW Smoking rates hit historic low across Australia Pauline Hanson and Gina Rinehart spotted at White Lotus hotel Deep Dive: Is Australia a world leader on AI? Anthony Albanese wants you to think so – he gave a speech last week in the Great Hall at The University of Sydney, where he implied that new Australian AI regulations could set a global benchmark – similar to superannuation and the social media ban.  Today we’re looking at Labor’s AI plan, and whether it really is a world-leading attempt to curb the harms of AI and harness its potential. What’s right with the plan, and what’s missing?  Joining The Briefing is AI expert Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of New South Wales.  Further listening from the headlines: Why smoking is ‘cool’ again Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unpacking Albo’s AI plan + Why Trump loves big stuff 15.07.2026 25分

Thursday Headlines:  Albanese’s plan to protect water, energy, and content from AI Brisbane teen granted bail after alleged school stabbing Trump threatens to expand strikes on Iran  A network of Australian doctors’ clinics have been hit by a cyberattack Argentina v England World Cup semifinal is underway  Deep Dive: From the demolition of the White House East Wing to his push for a towering, 250-foot Triumphal Arch, Donald Trump is physically rebuilding Washington D.C. to match his personal brand.   But aside from an obsession with the grandiose, what is motivating the president to push for these ego-driven federal megaprojects?  In this episode of The Briefing, former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to explore why he believes this obsession with monarchical grandeur is a direct threat to democratic ideals.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's Hormuz backflip + Aussie theatre can be saved. Here’s how 14.07.2026 25分

Wednesday Headlines:  Donald Trump walks back threat to charge toll on the Strait of Hormuz Albanese to announce world-first AI office Brisbane teen critical after school stabbing Angus Taylor rules out a coalition with One Nation First FIFA World Cup semi-final underway Deep Dive: Beetlejuice has cancelled its national tour; Waitress is no longer coming to Sydney. The big musicals said that production costs were too high and sales were too low. The show could not go on.   This week, the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance held an emergency meeting to discuss the future of Australia’s musical theatre industry and how to save it.   In this episode of The Briefing, the Federal President of the MEAA, Michael Balk, joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to reveal the union's plan to save the industry, and how fans and the government can help.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tributes flow for Sam Neill + Is free TAFE fixing our tradie crisis? 13.07.2026 25分

Tuesday Headlines:  Trump says US will collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Sydney daycare worker accused of abusing 150 children Alleged DV murder victim’s family attend court vowing to fight for justice Albanese to unveil AI vision as Labor plots hands-on approach Tributes flow for actor Sam Neill, after his death at the age of 78 Deep Dive: Australia has been plagued by a chronic skills shortage in recent years, exacerbated by declining apprentice numbers, the pandemic and a cultural shift towards university as the preferred post-school pathway.  Labor has this week claimed a couple of big wins in this space, talking up 814,000 TAFE enrolments in the last three years and more than 30,000 new apprentices in the past 12 months, off the back of two key policy roll outs.  But do these numbers tell the full story? Is Australia’s tradie crisis really close to being solved? In this episode of The Briefing, Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to discuss.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US-Iran strikes shut Aus embassy + Inside Thailand’s sex tourism trade 12.07.2026 25分

Monday Headlines:  One Nation loses support to the Coalition Trump says strait of Hormuz open despite Iran closure Australian Universities forced to adopt new definitions on antisemitism and Islamophobia Aussie students flock to free TAFE courses, but apprentice figures dip Australia to wave goodbye to paper arrival cards for incoming travellers Deep Dive: Pattaya has long traded on two reputations: a tourist playground by day, and one of the world's busiest red-light hubs by night.   That darker side made global headlines last month when the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase beside a railway line on the edge of the city.  A 45-year-old Australian man has been accused of her murder, which he denies.   The case has reignited scrutiny of an industry that's technically against the law in Thailand, yet thrives in full view - raising questions about corruption, worker safety, and the surprising truth about who's actually driving demand.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with emeritus professor at George Washington University and author of Sex Tourism in Thailand: Inside Asia's Premier Erotic Playground, Ronald Weitzer to unpack it.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump's obsession with Greenland explained 11.07.2026 13分

At this week's NATO summit in Turkey, Donald Trump was once again talking about wanting to take control of Greenland.So why does the US President keep talking about the country, could the US really try to take it, and what and what does it all mean for Australia?  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Tara Cassidy's chat with defence and security expert, Jennifer Parker, who explains why Greenland has become such a fixation for the US president, and why this isn’t as unprecedented as it might sound. Jen explains the strategic value of the Arctic, the role of NATO and Denmark, and why Trump’s rhetoric is alarming key allies.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Karl Stefanovic's 'replacement' 10.07.2026 41分

Karl Stefanovic launched an independent podcast at the beginning of the year and one Sunshine Coast radio host has been paying VERY close attention.  Henry Bretz has posted dozens of videos parodying Nine's former breakfast king - earning a follow from Karl himself, then an unfollow, and now a full block.   In this episode of The Weekend Briefing, Chris Spyrou sits down with the comedian behind the impressions to discuss his viral posts, what Lisa Wilkinson said when she slid into his DMs, and what he really thinks is going on with Karl's "lurch to the right.”   Plus, Sportsbet has Henry at $34 to replace Karl on the Today Show… so is Channel Nine actually calling? The Weekend List:   Henry's recco: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album - you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love  Listener Brett’s recco: Madonna’s Confessions II album   To eat: It’s winter which means ... soup! Check out RecipeTin Eats soup recipes here, and the recipe for the Greek lamb lettuce soup here (dill optional, but it’s fine if you’re a dill person).  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telstra to lose millions + Why space balls are washing up on our beaches 09.07.2026 26分

Friday Headlines:  SA death possibly linked to Telstra outage Modi mania sweeps Melbourne US and Iran exchange fire as Supreme Leader buried Angus Taylor mounts strongest attack yet on Pauline Hanson Bonnie Tyler has died at the age of 75 Deep Dive: Ten years ago, in 2015, the world collectively launched 221 objects into space. Last year that number was 4,510, a record by a huge margin. There’s now a record number of satellites and other space objects zooming over our heads.   Why are we shooting so many objects into space? Most launches are coming from the United States, where a commercial space race is well and truly underway. But what are the consequences for the rest of the world?   As mysterious space debris washes up on our shores here in Australia, we speak with Dr Matt Agnew, the scientist (and former Bachelor star) to learn about why we’re launching thousands of satellites a year.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘over’ + Why the AFL has ‘blood on its hands’ 08.07.2026 24分

Thursday Headlines:  Fresh Telstra outage hits customers Trump says Iran-US ceasefire is ‘over’ Australian rents hit record high Australians with cancer are living longer NSW wins 2026 State of Origin Deep Dive: The tragic death of 27-year-old Melbourne footy player Nathan Fitzgerald has sparked questions over the hidden hazards of shared suburban fields and whether enough is being done to protect local athletes.   This tragedy coincides with an alarming new report from the Australian Sports Brain Bank and Four Corners revealing high rates of the brain disease CTE in deceased players, ramping up the pressure on the AFL to establish formal CTE protocols.   In this episode of The Briefing, neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce joins us to break down the latest brain research and ask the difficult question: as the evidence stacks up, can footy ever truly be safe again?  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry loses phone-tap case + What falling house prices mean for you 07.07.2026 26分

Wednesday Headlines:  Aussies suffer sharpest decline in real wages in the developed world Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigns and vows to fight to win by-election Prince Harry and Elton John lose privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail’s publisher NATO summit underway as Trump revives Greenland bid Male testosterone levels have halved in 50 years Pam the Bird prankster to remain behind bars Deep Dive: You might have heard that house prices are falling – at least in Sydney and Melbourne, which tend to set the direction for the other capital cities. Auction clearance rates were below 50% for the third weekend in a row, and experts say the slump could continue.  Is Australia on the brink of a Labor-created societal collapse? Or are we finally having the much-needed correction of an overstimulated property bubble? What direction do we want house prices to go, anyway?  Joining Chris Spyrou in this episode of The Briefing to look beyond the headlines is My Bui, an economist with AMP.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIFA caves to Trump + Amazon forced ads on us. Now it's in court 06.07.2026 22分

Tuesday Headlines:  China’s pacific ballistic test labelled ‘destabilising’ by Australia Melbourne teacher dies after footy head knock Hamas to dissolve Gaza government  Trump admits he asked FIFA for red card review  Karl Stefanovic reportedly blocks comedian that keeps parodying him Deep DIve: Dodgy businesses, you’ve been warned. Last week Australia’s consumer watchdog launched a Federal Court case against Amazon for unfairly stuffing ads into its Amazon Prime streaming service; and, in the same week, the federal parliament passed laws that’ll protect consumers against unfair trading practices.  Those ‘dark patterns’ that make it super hard to unsubscribe from a service, or the countdown timer that pressures you into a purchase? They’ll be targets under the new laws, along with surprise fees. The laws were passed last Thursday, and will be implemented from 1 July 2027.  On The Briefing today is one of the people who campaigned loudest for the new Unfair Trading Prohibition laws, Chandni Gupta, the deputy CEO and Digital Policy Director of the Consumer Policy Research Centre.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albo slams Lib 'rebrand' + The new party taking on the orange wave 05.07.2026 24分

Monday Headlines:  Albo slams Liberal party rebrand ahead of Pacific blitz  Cannibalism link being investigated in NSW child murder USA celebrates its 250th independence anniversary as Iran mourns supreme leader Warnings against panic buying after bird flu confirmed in third Australian state Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tie the knot Deep Dive: If you believe the polls, One Nation is demolishing the political order and might become Australia’s biggest party.   At this moment of political flux, two of the ‘teal’ independents are bidding for a piece of the action by establishing their own alternative party: Community Strong Australia.  Joining us on The Briefing to discuss her new party, why she started it and whether it’ll have any electoral cut through is Waringah MP Zali Steggall.  Further listening from the headlines:Bird flu's hit Australia. What now? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: The Taylor Swift love story, as told on her latest album 04.07.2026 14分

If the rumours are true, Taylor Swift has tied the knot this weekend in a stadium in New York City.  Since Swift's August 2025 engagement to footballer Travis Kelce, there has been speculation about the venue, the guest list, the setlist... everything. Swift is, after all, one of the world’s biggest pop stars, and her success has been built on turning the details of her life into stories. This wedding is one hell of a story.  On this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Swift’s most recent batch of stories on her 2025 album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’. Chris Spyrou speaks with Kate Pattison, a PhD candidate on Swift’s fandom and our in-house TS expert.  Follow The Briefing:   TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast   YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s all John Howard’s fault, says Amy Remeikis 03.07.2026 40分

Few politicians in Australian history have quite the standing that John Howard does.  While his time in power as Australia’s 25th Prime Minister between 1996 and 2007 was characterised by both economic wins and policy fails (think industrial relations and immigration), he is looked to now as an elder statesman and a symbol of when things in Australia were ‘good’.  But that’s revisionist history, according to political journalist Amy Remeikis, whose new book Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard, explores how Howard sold out the younger generations to benefit their parents, undermined the public health system and destroyed the housing market.  In this chat with Amy Remeikis, Sacha Barbour Gatt explores these ideas with Remeikis while discussing the Canberra bubble and how a child of a conservative Lithuanian dad who voted One Nation went on to become one of the leading progressive voices in this country.  Follow The Briefing:   TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast   YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How X is monetising 'gore' + We're all flocking to the movies again 02.07.2026 23分

Friday Headlines:  Social media platforms are monetising gore content: eSafety Commissioner Man pulled from rubble in Venezuela eight days after twin quakes NSW to crack down on nangs Australia’s wealth going backwards but the rich get richer Eminem loses trademark battle with Aussie beach brand Deep Dive: We’re more than a decade into the Netflix era, and every year we’ve heard the prediction that streaming will kill in-person cinema.   In 2026, those predictions are wrong, again, with June and July set to mark, some of the biggest release months this year with films including Odyssey and Toy Story 5 expected to rake in billions.  But it’s not only the big films that are winning with smaller franchises and female-skewing films also outperforming expectations.  So, is the box office back, for good? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Christian Kloukinas from Village Cinemas to find out.  Further listening from the headlines:  Venezuela's 'abysmal' earthquake response Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homes ARE harder to pay off now + Venezuela's ‘abysmal’ earthquake response 01.07.2026 23分

Thursday Headlines:  New analysis proves its harder to own a house now than when interest rates were 17% Pollies turn out for Midwinter Ball  Online fraud and scams have increased as we become less vigilant Karl Stefanovic to lose radio show  Details emerge about Taylor Swift’s wedding Deep Dive: Twin earthquakes tore through Venezuela's north last week, leaving more than seventeen hundred dead and tens of thousands missing.  The emergency response has been widely criticised, international aid has faced unexpected obstacles getting in, and the government is carefully controlling the narrative as the outside world watches.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by LiSTNR senior journalist Claudianna Blanco to examine what this disaster reveals about the state of the country and what life actually looks like for Venezuelans six months on from the US capture of President Nicolás Maduro.  Further listening from headlines: What a 'free' Karl Stefanovic really means Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supreme Court rejects Trump order + How to hack your power bill 30.06.2026 24分

Wednesday Headlines:  Thai police investigating Australian man for possible links to suitcase murders Support for One Nation remains high despite rejection of key policies House prices drop by biggest amount since 2022 Donald Trump’s controversial birthright citizenship policy struck down by Supreme Court Grad sacked after allegedly accessing Albo’s bank account  NT residents named the happiest in the country Deep Dive: July 1 marks the start of the new financial year and also when a raft of new laws, policies, regulations and pricing comes into effect.   This year that includes cheaper electricity for most states, bucking recent trends which have seen prices for everything else go up.   But it’s a little more complicated than just getting a cheaper bill, in fact, some people will be paying more.   In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Canstar’s Data Insights Director, Sally Tindall, to unpack the changes coming to our power bills and how to get the best deal.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Libs blame Scomo for poll pain + What a 'free' Karl Stefanovic really means 29.06.2026 24分

Tuesday Headlines:  Anthony Albanese backs multiculturalism as Coalition considers a rebrand US-Iran talks resume Bruce Lehrmann loses bid for Brittany Higgins footage Aussie fuel prices return to pre-Iran war levels Musical theatre industry calls for government help Deep Dive: Karl Stefanovic got tongues wagging last week when he had controversial UK figure Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast for a conversation that did little to challenge the far-right agitator on his problematic views about immigration and Islam.  Within days of the podcast episode going live, it had sensationally been pulled from all platforms, and the Nine Network’s highest-paid star had been shown the door, in an exit that signals yet another shift in the media space.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Jacqueline Maley, columnist and senior writer at The Age to discuss Karl’s Nine exit, why he’s happy about it and what it means for free speech and the broader media landscape in Australia.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hanson takes a hit in the polls + The world’s spies are worried about AI 28.06.2026 26分

Monday Headlines:   Labor recovers in the polls, One Nation takes a hit Australian man denies murder charges after 17-year-old's body found in suitcase Thousands still missing from Venezuela earthquakes US and Iran recommence strikes NSW announces major shark mitigation strategy after Coogee attack World Cup moves to the knockouts Deep Dive: Your cybersecurity is at risk, according to the world’s spies. Five Eyes is the alliance of spies from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia – and last week, they published a warning that cutting-edge AI “accelerates the speed, scale, and sophistication of cyber threats”.  They also wrote that the timeline of the transformation is “not years, it is months.”  How worried should we all be about these cyber threats? And what can we, individually and collectively, do about them?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by cybersecurity expert Alastair MacGibbon, the founding head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre.  Further listening from headlines: The truth about shark culls Your guide to Aus v Paraguay  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.