The outdated trans study still doing damage

In the 1970s, eight children in Perth were sent to a psychiatric hospital to be ‘treated’ for being transgender. Their experiences became the basis of a medical study that claimed kids could be cured of their identity.

Now, nearly forty years after it was released, that same study is being cited in arguments against trans healthcare and being used to shape policy and law.

Today, Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, Mon Schafter, on how a forgotten experiment from another era is still influencing the culture war over trans healthcare.

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Spotify and the AI arms race

Recently, Spotify’s founder, Daniel Ek, announced he’s stepping back from running the company.

He leaves as one of the richest men in his home country of Sweden – with Forbes estimating his wealth at $9.6 billion.

In a departure note to staff, Ek said he wants to focus on creating more European “supercompanies” – companies he described as “developing new technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time”.

The move comes months after Ek’s involvement in the global defence industry was revealed, prompting an artist backlash, with some pulling their music from the platform.

Today, we’re bringing you an episode we recorded in July with author and journalist Liz Pelly, which exposes Ek’s investments in AI-based military technology and Spotify’s embrace of AI in music.

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'ISIS brides' and broken environment laws

Labor is trying to land one of its toughest reforms – an overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws.

Environment Minister Murray Watt says he wants to speed up housing and energy project developments, make it clear where construction can and can’t go ahead, and create a federal environment watchdog.

After a failed deal with the Greens in the last parliament, Labor is now dealing with the Coalition.

So what will that mean for the environment?

Today, contributing editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis – on Labor’s wheeling and dealing – and the Coalition’s continued identity crisis.

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Why Israel and Hamas agreed to Trump’s peace deal

Almost two years to the day since October 7, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.

The agreement involves the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, with Israel pulling back its troops to an agreed-upon line and allowing aid into Gaza.

The first hostages are expected to be released as soon as this weekend.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on the negotiations that got us here – and what the future of Gaza looks like.

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How Albanese killed the climate wars

Anthony Albanese was first elected on a pledge to fix the climate wars.

The most recent test of that promise was the emissions targets he announced on the world stage.

But if the targets themselves don’t meet the standards set by scientists – and the policy underpinning them hasn’t dramatically altered – what’s really going to change?

Today, journalist Nick Feik on the inadequacies in the government’s climate policy – and how the media has allowed a political narrative to overshadow the reality of the climate crisis.

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Why Albanese won't solve the housing crisis

The government says it wants to make it easier for Australians to buy a home. Its latest expansion of the five per cent deposit scheme means almost anyone, regardless of income, can now buy a home with a fraction of the usual savings required for a deposit.

It is the boldest version yet of a policy first introduced under the Morrison government.

But behind the promise of affordability is a political calculation: there are far more votes to be won from rising house values than from cheaper homes.

Today, leading economist Saul Eslake on Labor’s home-buyer scheme, why similar policies have failed in the past, and what it would really take to fix the housing crisis.

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Is another Coalition spill brewing?

It started with a series of posts on social media.

Nostalgic images of Australia from decades ago, accompanied by statements like "we're starting to feel like strangers in our own home”

WA Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s public posts about what he’s calling “out of control” immigration, as well as housing and energy costs have now led to his resignation.

While that means he’s on the backbench right now, the conservative MP has made no secret about his ambition to lead.

Today, political reporter Karen Middleton, on Andrew Hastie’s rebellion – and what it means for Sussan Ley’s future.

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How the gambling lobby infiltrated social sports at Parliament House

Every Wednesday morning during sitting weeks, politicians, staffers, public servants and journalists gather for a friendly game of sport. It’s meant to be casual, even wholesome.

But recently, that club, the Parliament Sports Club, quietly re-registered as a lobbying organisation. Its board includes the Prime Minister. Its members include representatives from the major sporting codes – and one of its sponsors is the gambling lobby.

All of this is happening while the government sits on a report that recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling ads; a ban that experts say is urgently needed to protect families and communities from the harms of gambling.

Today, media reporter for Crikey Daanyal Saeed, on how a casual sporting meet up became a vehicle for lobbyists, and what it tells us about the gambling industry’s grip on politics.

You can read Daany’s reporting here: https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/30/parliament-sports-club-gambling-lobby/

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