Solstice Media

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Channel • 4 Shows

Daily News

Daily News

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3 DAYS AGO

Why did Erin Patterson captivate the country?

Like so many of us, Chloe Hooper spent 2025 obsessing over the triple murder trial of Erin Patterson. It was different to the crimes she’s written about before, in her books The Arsonist and The Tall Man, which was about a death in custody. For Chloe, it was the domesticity of the mushroom killings, the family dynamic, that drew her in. But why did this story captivate the country at-large? And what does it say about us, particularly about women, that we are drawn to true crime? These were some of the questions that drove Chloe, and her friends and colleagues, the writers Helen Garner and Sarah Krasnostein, as they began traveling to the town of Morwell to watch Erin Patterson’s trial. What followed is The Mushroom Tapes: Conversations on a Triple Murder – a book that wrestles with ideas about power, money, marriage and murder. Today, Chloe Hooper on what our collective fascination with Erin Patterson tells us about who we are as a country in 2025. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Writer and co-author of The Mushroom Tapes: Conversations on a Triple Murder Chloe Hooper Photo: AAP Image/Anita Lester See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 days ago

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15 min
26/10/2025

The NACC has a trust problem

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has over 200 employees, an annual budget of $60 million, and has received more than 5,000 referrals. It also hasn’t made a single major corruption finding in the two years it’s been operating. And adding to questions around performance and credibility, it was recently revealed that the NACC’s Chief Commissioner, Paul Brereton, has been consulting for the Defence Force while leading the federal watchdog – which has oversight of the ADF. Today, journalist Nick Feik on the missteps and mismanagement of the NACC, and whether it has any hope of regaining public trust. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist Nick Feik. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26/10/2025

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16 min
25/09/2025

Labor's guilt in the Optus failure

The communications watchdog has opened a formal investigation into Optus after a 13-hour failure blocked about 600 triple-zero calls – now linked to three deaths. The government is furious, calling it “completely unacceptable”, and warning of “significant consequences”. But is it actually their fault too? Today, journalist and contributor to Crikey, Michael Sainsbury, on what went wrong and how the government’s choices led to this disaster. You can read Michael’s reporting at https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/23/optus-000-outage-labor-blame/ If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Journalist and contributor to Crikey, Michael Sainsbury Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25/09/2025

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16 min
12/11/2025

Is Albanese pressuring Labor to keep quiet on gambling?

A letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reopened the fight over gambling reform. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is calling for a free vote in parliament on a ban on gambling advertising, saying it has significant support across the chamber. Inside Labor, many MPs say they want change – but are too afraid to speak publicly. It follows a Four Corners investigation that showed how online betting is harming Australians – and how the systems meant to protect them are failing. The government says it is acting, but two-and-a-half years on from a cross-party inquiry led by the late Peta Murphy, it has yet to implement any of its recommendations. Today, ABC investigative reporter Steve Cannane on what his Four Corners reporting uncovered, and how Labor MPs are being kept quiet. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: ABC Investigative reporter, Steve Cannane Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12/11/2025

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17 min
18/10/2025

This is Alice Springs: The coppers

Police are everywhere in Alice Springs. You see them driving pursuit vehicles and caged vans on the streets, or stationed outside the bottle shop checking IDs. But more police doesn’t mean less crime – it just means more people are getting locked up. As Alice Springs reels from the police shooting of Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker, and in the wake of an apology from the Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy for systemic racism, Daniel James wants to find out whether it's possible to mend the broken relationship between the coppers and the Indigenous community. In the second episode of our three part series, Daniel visits the police headquarters to meet the Arrernte woman tasked with one of the most challenging jobs in Alice Springs – to fix the culture inside the police force. This series was originally published in October 2024. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Hosted and reported by Daniel James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18/10/2025

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31 min
21/10/2025

Trump and Albanese’s new friendship

Anthony Albanese was so chuffed with his meeting with US President Donald Trump that the prime minister joked he’d use Trump’s endorsement in his next campaign ads. While Trump is used to a procession of world leaders coming through his door, there was more at stake for Albanese, who is trying to manage an increasingly difficult relationship. In the end, the two leaders struck a major critical minerals agreement that will see billions in US investment pumped into Australia, and made assurances the AUKUS deal is on track. But there are lingering questions about what that deal will mean for our relationship with China and whether AUKUS will really go ‘full steam ahead’. Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton on what went on inside the room when the two leaders met, and what it all means for the Australia–US alliance. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Press gallery journalist, Karen Middleton Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21/10/2025

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17 min
22/10/2025

The ‘playbook’ lobbyists use to delay climate action

When Professor Christian Downie appeared before a Senate inquiry into climate and energy misinformation, he warned that Australia is facing coordinated campaigns designed not to debate climate solutions, but to stall them. Professor Downie has spent years inside boardrooms and the lobbying world studying how these campaigns are built – tracing the billions spent on messaging by lobby groups, PR firms and think tanks – and outlining what he calls “the climate obstruction playbook”. It’s a strategy refined in Washington and increasingly echoed in Australia. Today, Professor at ANU’s School of Regulation and Global Governance and Director of the Governing Energy Transition Lab, Christian Downie, on how the obstruction playbook has been so successful in stopping action on climate change. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Professor at ANU’s School of Regulation and Global Governance and Director of the Governing Energy Transition Lab, Christian Downie Photo: REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22/10/2025

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16 min
03/10/2025

'What happens if the US goes batshit crazy?'

Anthony Albanese recently returned from a major overseas trip, rubbing shoulders with royalty and sharing the stage with world leaders. But behind the scenes, there were also quiet discussions about a possible Plan B for AUKUS. With parliament about to sit again, his government faces pressure from the crossbench over defence and foreign policy – while the Opposition is consumed by internal divisions and power plays. Today, contributing editor at The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on what Albanese really brought back from his overseas tour, and how the coalition's implosion is reshaping politics in Canberra. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Contributing editor at The New Daily Amy Remeikis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03/10/2025

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15 min
28/10/2025

Why the ACCC is suing Microsoft

Tech giants have invested billions into AI – and are looking for ways to get a return. So when Microsoft offered its customers its new AI function “co-pilot” recently, it told them they’d need to pay a higher price for their subscription – or cancel. AI was now part of the deal, whether they wanted it or not. Except it wasn't. Now, the ACCC is suing Microsoft – alleging they intentionally misled customers to make them believe they had to pay more. It’s part of a bigger campaign to crack down on big tech’s subscription tactics. So can the regulator take on a 6 trillion dollar company and win? Today, principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall on the ACCC’s David and Goliath battle to make Microsoft pay – and what needs to change to protect customers from tricky price hikes. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28/10/2025

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16 min
27/10/2025

How profit beats safety in childcare

When Joshua Brown was arrested for allegedly abusing children at childcare centers across Melbourne, it exposed a horrifying reality: patchwork regulation and an understaffed, profit-driven industry is failing children. Months on, as state and federal governments try to deal with the fallout – and as the Albanese government pumps record investment into the early childhood sector – experts say children still aren’t safe in childcare. Today, crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch on the tension between rapid business growth – and child safety – at the heart of the childcare sector. And just a warning this episode discusses allegations of child sex abuse. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27/10/2025

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18 min

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

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DAILY NEWS
Ange McCormack delves into Australia's housing crisis. This five-part series investigates the decision-makers, the effect on a generation destined for rental living, and who profits from record prices.

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NEWS
Listen to Australia's best writers and thinkers read out longform essays from The Monthly magazine, the country's leading publication on politics, current affairs and culture.

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NEWS