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All episodes by Margaret Simons

Dec 4, 2024 •

This is what political retribution looks like

What happens when you have a democratically elected leader who takes it upon themselves to prosecute their political opponents – as US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to do? In the Philippines, former president Rodrigo Duterte is someone who did exactly that.

Today, the story of Leila de Lima – lawyer, politician and corruption investigator who was wrongly imprisoned by Duterte, but kept fighting.

Jul 10, 2024 •

The China think tank attacked by Wolverines

Margaret Simons keeps an eye on the influence of defence, foreign affairs and security communities in Canberra – and recently the story of one think tank, China Matters, caught her attention. The influential group, dedicated to bettering Australia’s understanding of China, was defunded during a time of aggressive posturing towards the superpower.

Today, Margaret Simons on why this think tank came undone, and how a crew of anti-China politicians called ‘the Wolverines’ led the attack.

Feb 6, 2023 •

The war on drugs’ worst slaughter is going underground

When Rodrigo Duterte became president of the Philippines in 2016 he promised to slaughter drug dealers – and his hardline anti-drug regime lasted until last year, when he was beaten in elections.

But has the end of Duterte really ended the slaughter? Has the new government lived up to its promises? Or do the bodies in Manila’s morgues tell us the war has gone underground?

Apr 4, 2022 • 15m 40s

The outsiders who could dominate the election

More than in any other election, next month’s poll will feature a defining number of independent candidates. They represent a new, well-organised reaction against the major parties. For the Liberals, they also represent a threat that may one day see the party split. Today, Margaret Simons on the independents who could go on to hold the balance of power.

Oct 15, 2020 • 14m 47s

Australia’s medicine shortage

A reliance on imports has left Australia with dwindling supplies of some essential medicines and now experts are warning that manufacturing capabilities at home need to be boosted. Today, Margaret Simons on Australia’s pharmaceutical vulnerability.

Jul 29, 2020 • 13m 51s

Who is Neville Power, the man leading Australia's coronavirus recovery?

The Prime Minister has revamped the National Covid Coordination Commission, the body he tasked with leading Australia’s pandemic recovery. But what do we really know about Neville Power, the man in charge? Today, Margaret Simons on Power’s background, and what the Commission is actually doing.

May 26, 2020 • 16m 06s

The crisis universities should have seen coming

Almost overnight, Australian universities lost billions of dollars in international student fees. Some are asking how they could have been so reckless in depending on this money in the first place.

May 12, 2020 • 14m 19s

Adam Bandt’s green capitalism

Three months since becoming leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt has begun articulating a plan for the party that embraces “green” capitalism, and sees their future in partnership with Labor. Today, Margaret Simons on what we need to know about Adam Bandt.

May 4, 2020 • 15m 16s

The real reason supermarket shelves were empty

When the pandemic hit Australia stores across the country were stripped of food and other essential items. The situation revealed deep vulnerabilities in our food supply system. Today, Margaret Simons on why our supermarkets weren’t prepared for this crisis.

Oct 21, 2019 • 16m43s

A classroom full of dollars

The boom in international education has seen students become commodities. It has also changed the way universities operate - chasing rankings and casualising teaching staff.

Oct 3, 2019 • 17m02s

What drives Penny Wong

Penny Wong is the intellectual leader of the Labor Party. Now the subject of a major biography, her politics is shaped by her experiences of difference and her belief in compassion.

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1421: The fall of Assad: What's next for Syria?