Saturday Magazine

In the last segment for this week’s show,  Macca and Kenny  talk to Lucio Ribeiro Chief AI & Innovation Officer, TBWA Australia; Forbes Australia columnist; co-founder DISRUPT AI Film Festival  The AI movie revolution apparently belongs to young digital natives pressing one magic button. Except the festival data says the average Australian entrant was nearly 45, the strongest films took hundreds of decisions, and most creators were men using a stack of foreign-owned tools. Lucio Ribeiro helped run the experiment, and he’s back with the results. Sources:  DISRUPT AI Film Festival white paper — DISRUPT AI Film Festival, 2026 DISRUPT research report — Swinburne Figshare, 2026 TBWA AI research: creative AI as national infrastructure — Little Black Book, 2026 SAG-AFTRA statement on synthetic performer — SAG-AFTRA, 2026 Australia AI copyright debate — Guardian Australia, 1 July 2026 The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Lucio Ribeiro Chief AI & Innovation Officer, TBWA Australia; Forbes Australia columnist; co-founder DISRUPT AI Film Festival appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live on air by, Tania Davidge: Executive Director and Chief Curator, Open House Melbourne. Cian Davis: Director, Bates Smart Melbourne Most of us walk past Melbourne’s most interesting buildings without ever seeing what is inside. Open House Melbourne changes that for one weekend, and this year one of the star attractions is Orica House, often described as Australia’s first skyscraper. Tania Davidge and architect Cian Davis join us. Open House Melbourne Weekend runs 24–26 July 2026. The program opens buildings, infrastructure and design practices to the public through tours, talks and events. Orica House, completed in 1958 and historically known as ICI House, is widely regarded as Australia’s first skyscraper and a landmark of postwar modernism. Bates Smart staff will lead guided tours on 25 and 26 July. Useful angle for Cian: what the building introduced technically and culturally; what has survived; and how adaptive reuse can preserve modernist architecture without freezing it in time. NICA: The Joys of Circus runs on 24 and 25 July and marks 25 years of the National Institute of Circus Arts. It adds a celebratory performing-arts dimension to a weekend often perceived as building-focused. Tania Davidge and Cian Davis Open House Melbourne Weekend 2026 — Open House Melbourne, accessed 10 July 2026 2026 Program Broadsheet — Open House Melbourne, 23 June 2026 Meet the team — Tania Davidge — Open House Melbourne, accessed 10 July 2026 Orica House event listing — Open House Melbourne, 2026 NICA: The Joys of Circus — Open House Melbourne, 2026 The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Tania Davidge: Executive Director and Chief Curator, Open House Melbourne, Cian Davis: Director, Bates Smart Melbourne appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny talk to Asso. Prof. Brad E. Tucker  Astrophysicist and cosmologist, ANU; about space junk, debris and ‘space balls’. Six spherical objects were found around Forrest Beach and nearby north Queensland beaches in early July. Emergency services established exclusion zones and removed them. The Australian Space Agency says they are likely pressure vessels from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere. The precise launching state had not been publicly confirmed at the time of briefing. Hazard claims must be qualified: residual hydrazine or other propellant is a plausible reason for caution, but public reporting had not established that these particular vessels contained toxic fuel. Under international space law, the launching state retains ownership of space objects and may be liable for damage. Australian must work through diplomatic and technical channels to identify and, if requested, return debris. Human injury from falling space debris is exceptionally rare, but uncontrolled re-entry is becoming a larger governance issue as launch rates rise. Sources:  Australian Space Agency reveals likely origin of Queensland “space balls” — Guardian Australia, 6 July 2026 How “space balls” put Forrest Beach in the global spotlight — Guardian Australia, 11 July 2026 Dr Brad Tucker: The Future of Space — Australian National University, accessed 10 July 2026   The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Asso. Prof. Brad E. Tucker Astrophysicist and cosmologist, ANU; Space Balls and Debris appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Senator Shoebridge is a NSW Greens senator and former barrister. Since June 2025 his federal portfolios include foreign affairs, defence, home affairs, justice and digital rights. He has attacked the government over what the Greens describe as a $29 billion defence blowout and argues procurement changes do not address structural waste or AUKUS risk. Digital accountability is live: the Senate recently ordered the Privacy Commissioner to release a report into American Express technology-security failures after a long-running investigation. He is also prominent in the debate over foreign-owned AI data centres, arguing that government policy must protect Australian jobs, water, energy and data rather than simply facilitate large US technology investments. Senator David Shoebridge profile and portfolios — Parliament of Australia, accessed 10 July 2026 David Shoebridge — latest media — Australian Greens, 1 July 2026 Senate orders release of American Express privacy report — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Angus Taylor attacks One Nation economic plan — ABC News, 9 July 2026 The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Senator David Shoebridge Aust. Greens Sen. for NSW; State of affairs in Parliament appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Kenny and Macca are joined live on-air by Ruby Grant is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS). The $477,590 Australian Research Council-funded Out in Suburbia project, led by La Trobe University’s ARCSHS, investigates LGBTQ+ wellbeing in outer suburbs. It combats the lack of localized suburban support by uncovering how geography impacts mental health Current evidence reveals that LGBTQ+ people living in outer suburban areas experience higher rates of psychological distress and suicidal ideation than those in inner cities, alongside lower community connectedness. To bridge this gap, the Out in Suburbia team is co-designing tailored strategies with local councils and adapting the How2 LGBTQ-inclusive organisational change program for local governments. Ruby is a sociologist specialising in LGBTQ community health and wellbeing. Her research projects have explored lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women’s sexual health, LGBTQ mental health, trans affirming healthcare, bisexual health, and LGBTQ-inclusion in education and healthcare. Ruby is the leading scholar of Tasmanian LGBTQ community wellbeing, with her work providing key insights into the role of place in shaping LGBTQ identity, health, belonging and inclusion in regional and rural areas. Ruby draws on feminist and queer perspectives from sociology, social geography, and public health to develop new understandings of the needs and experiences of LGBTQ people, with a strong focus on partnering with Government and community organisations to promote diversity and inclusion. She is the author of Sexual Citizenship and Queer Post-feminism, and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. At ARCSHS, Ruby leads QSOX: Queer Women’s Substance Use Over Time (LP210100122), a longitudinal qualitative project exploring LBQ women’s use of alcohol and nicotine. This project uses feminist and critical drugs scholarship to examine the roles of alcohol and nicotine in LBQ women’s lives and communities, offering a more nuanced perspective extending beyond minority stress explanations for higher rates of substance use among this population. As a longitudinal study, QSOX aims to examine factors influencing changes in substance use and help seeking behaviours among LBQ women across an 18 month period. In leading this project, Ruby draws on her extensive experience in engaging community organisations, co-ordinating a steering committee of partners including: Thorne Harbour Health, ACON, LGBTIQ Health Australia, Quit Victoria, and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA). Sources:  Out in Suburbia project page — La Trobe University / ARCSHS, accessed 10 July 2026 Major funding for outer suburban LGBTQ wellbeing — La Trobe University, 2025 Associations between residential location and LGBTQ experiences — Gender, Place & Culture, 2024 The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Ruby Grant, Snr Research Fellow, ARCSHS, La Trobe Uni; ‘Out in Suburbia’. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live on-air by Rachel Withers Freelance writer; Crikey contributor; co-host, Spin Cycle on Triple R. The Coalition is trying to outflank One Nation, the teals are becoming a party without quite calling themselves one, and now a government envoy wants a new body looking over the ABC’s shoulder. To separate the politics from the spin, we’re joined by writer and broadcaster Rachel Withers. Rachel Withers is a freelance writer with an unfortunate penchant for Australian politics. She is the former editor of The Politics and currently co-hosts Spin Cycle on Triple R radio. Sources:  Envoy calls for independent oversight of ABC — ABC News, 9 July 2026 ABC and SBS reject call for Israel-coverage oversight — Guardian Australia, 9 July 2026 Proposed solutions are ill-conceived and dangerous — Guardian Australia, 10 July 2026 IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism — IHRA, accessed 10 July 2026 Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism — JDA, 25 March 2021 Rachel Withers author profile — Crikey, accessed 10 July 2026 The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Rachel Withers Freelance writer; Crikey contributor; co-host, Spin Cycle on Triple R appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are in the hosting seats this week as they discuss the news, views, reviews of the week that was. The post Sat, July 11th, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Kenny appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our last segment for the week, was a very special one for Macca. Joining us live in the studio is one of the organisers of the Melbourne Tartan Festival, a celebration of Scottish culture, music, dance and community right here in the heart of Melbourne. The centrepiece is tomorrow’s Tartan Day Parade down Collins Street, with hundreds of pipers, drummers, dancers, clans, societies and even Scottie dogs. And this year there’s something extra special: a world record attempt for the largest ladies pipe band ever assembled.  The Melbourne Tartan Festival is an annual celebration of Scottish culture, music, dance, clans, community and heritage in the heart of Melbourne. It was first held in 2018 and is a joint initiative of the Victorian Scottish Heritage Cultural Foundation and the Scots of Victoria Co-ordinating Group. (Victorian Scottish Heritage Foundation)  The Melbourne Tartan Day Parade is on Sunday 5 July 2026, starting at 2.00 pm on Collins Street from the Spring Street / Old Treasury Building end. Expect pipers, drummers, Highland dancers, clan and society representatives, and Scottie dogs. The parade heads down Collins Street, turns into Regent Place, and finishes with a short recital near The Westin. (Melbourne Tartan Festival) The post Sat, 4th July, 2026: Melbourne Tartan Festival: Bernadette Rae, Glenrae Dancers Campbell Wilson, Pipe Major of City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Joining Macca and Paul live on air this week was Giordano Nanni, founder of The Juice Media and the creator of the brutally funny Honest Government Ads series, which takes the kind of language governments use to sell us things and strips it back to what they might be saying if they were accidentally telling the truth. His latest target is Palantir, the US data and surveillance giant now embedded in government systems around the world, including here in Australia. Giordano Nanni is the Melbourne-based founder/writer behind The Juice Media, best known for the satirical Honest Government Ads series. Before satire, he completed a PhD in history, researched settler-colonialism, published books, and worked on the public-facing Coranderrk inquiry/verbatim theatre project. He has said YouTube gave him a much larger, more democratic platform than academia for sparking public debate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBW9QCVDSjY   The post Sat, 4th July, 2026: Giordano Nanni, Founder of The Juice Media / Honest Government Ads. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

As one of Australia’s leading financial and political commentators, Sally’s role at Canstar is to help Australians make better financial decisions. As Canstar’s spokesperson, Sally provides her insights daily on trends and changes in the personal finance sector, translating often-complicated topics to help people understand how they might be impacted. She also helps identify and advocate for excellence in banking, insurance, energy and other key financial services sectors.  With mounting cost-of-living pressures, every dollar counts. That’s why a few well-chosen switches could see you saving more than $10,000 a year. That’s a nice little chunk of extra change in your back pocket! Canstar’s Cost of Living Comparison looked at a wide range of everyday bills—from mortgages and credit cards, through to home and health insurance, utilities and even groceries—to see where households could cut costs. And the results are certainly illuminating. We considered the kind of household expenses you might typically see in a year, then explored potential savings. In some cases, savings came from switching to the cheapest product, and in others, from selecting Canstar 5-star rated products that balance cost and value. Individual results will vary, but our findings show just how much can be saved by reviewing and comparing everyday expenses. Here are our top tips to save heading into the new year: Shop around for loans Your mortgage or car loan could be quietly costing you more than necessary. For example, if you’re paying off a $600,000 home loan or a $40,000 five-year car loan, your interest rate might be well above others on the market, and you could stand to save thousands annually simply by switching to a provider with a more competitive rate. By switching to a 5-star rated product, you could enjoy meaningful savings while maintaining quality service. Insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. Canstar found that, by selecting a 5-star rated policy, a 40-year-old non-smoker could save: $244–$332 per year on income protection insurance $170–$252 per year on life insurance Hundreds more on home, contents, car, or health insurance The post Sat, 4th, 2026, Sally Tindall, Director of Data Insights, Canstar, Cost of Living Crisis. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

  Macca and Paul talk to Dan Powell – LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, NAIDOC Week, 2026 Dan is a proud Yorta Yorta Aboriginal man (he/they) and the First Nations How2 Program Coordinator at Rainbow Health Australia (La Trobe University), where he coordinates a best-practice model helping Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations better support Rainbow Mob and improve LGBTIQ+ and First Nations health outcomes. A 2025 NAIDOC Pride Award winner, he brings a rich background spanning Aboriginal Youth Justice, case management, and disability services to his work advancing inclusion for Queer and Koorie communities across Victoria. Outside of work, he’s a devoted dog dad who loves music and a good boogie with friends. The post Sat, 4th July, 2026: Dan Powell – LGBTIQ First Nations Senior Project Coordinator, NAIDOC Week, 2026 appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

As the USA leads into the 250th anniversary of American Independence, Bruce Wolpe talks Macca and Paul through what’s going on in the USA right now. Bruce also discusses his review of the hottest new book on Trump by Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman of the NY Times.  It will be in Saturday’s AGE  print edition. Trump earned $US2 billion+ in his first year as president.  This issue will metastasize. “American Pride Falls to 25-Year Record Low,” found Gallup. “Just a third of the public believes the American Dream still exists,” found the AP. “Nearly identical shares of adults from Trump, Harris and swing states say they believe the nation’s best years are in the rearview mirror — 58% in all,” NBC News. President Trump returned to the White House with an epiphany about mixing business and politics during his first term in office. “I found out that nobody cared,” Mr. Trump told The New York Times in January, revealing a remarkable indifference to potential conflicts of interest. That was months before Mr. Trump’s latest financial disclosure revealed on Tuesday that he made about $1.4 billion from his family’s cryptocurrency businesses during his first year back in office — even as the Trump administration has relaxed regulation of crypto companies. By tradition, American presidents have generally tried to avoid appearing to profit from the presidency, often taking actions to separate themselves from the kinds of corporate entanglements that could create conflicts of interest. Mr. Trump has chosen a different path, smashing through the few norms he paid even glancing attention to in his first term, like having his family restrain its international business activity. “I got no credit in the first term,” he said in January. Now, he and his family have amassed a mammoth windfall, and so far at least, Mr. Trump appears largely unconcerned that he will face the kind of political fallout that would discourage other leaders from similar moneymaking endeavors. Even before the release of his financial filing, polling showed disapproval among Americans when it came to Mr. Trump’s handling of his family’s business. One Pew Research Center survey from September found that more than 60 percent of Americans felt that Mr. Trump in his second term “definitely or probably” had “improperly” used the office of the presidency to enrich himself, friends and his family. The same poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believed that Mr. Trump had not set a high moral standard for the presidency. Overall, Mr. Trump pulled in at least $2.2 billion during his first year back in office, a figure that includes other parts of his vast holdings, like real estate assets. That is compared with at least $622 million his enterprises brought in for all of 2024, before he returned to the White House. And it eclipses the revenue reported by Mr. Trump’s family business in 2020, the last full year of his first term, when it suffered steep declines as the pandemic upended the hospitality industry. And Mr. Trump and his family in his second term have only doubled down when it comes to business ventures that are profiting from his administration’s actions. Donald Trump Jr. has also expressed similar sentiment to his father, saying that his family got no credit for its restraint in Mr. Trump’s first term. That includes legislation that Mr. Trump signed last July to promote a form of cryptocurrency called stablecoin, four months after his family-backed firm introduced its own stablecoin. With his two sons standing just feet behind him on Wednesday, Mr. Trump appeared unconcerned when asked about criticism that he was profiting from his presidency. “We’re all profiting,” Mr. Trump said as he once again spotlighted the stock market. “I’m profiting because I have a lot of money and a lot of cash and I give it to institutions. I don’t know if they know what they’re doing or not, but they buy a vast array of things.” Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm, 1789 Capital, invested in Vulcan Elements three months before the company received a $620 million government loan. Investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, which is headed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s sons, has been a financial adviser or underwriter for many startups that have received government support. The post Saturday, 4th July, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow, US Study Centre, 250th anniversary of American Independence appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are in the hosting seats this week. Their first guest for the weeks is local federal member for Mcnamara, Josh Burns as they discuss the week that was in politics and Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. “Vile, threatening abuse is being levelled at witnesses to the antisemitism royal commission, the inquiry has heard, while a Labor MP has said attacks on his partner were heightened because they were stacked with misogyny. Meanwhile, data analysis has shown how quickly factual reports are transformed into conspiracy theories online, and that while there was a spike in antisemitism after the Bondi terror attack, there was a “huge spike” in anti-Muslim hate. “The royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion is hearing evidence of “the dissemination of antisemitic content and other forms of hateful speech in the online environment, as well as antisemitism in traditional media and broadcasting”. On Tuesday, Labor MP Josh Burns told the inquiry while he and his office receive thousands of abusive messages, his partner, Victorian Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell, is attacked because of her association with him. He is Jewish, she is not”. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/30/georgie-purcell-antisemitic-misogynistic-abuse-jewish-partner-commission-ntwnfb https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-30/social-media-giants-slammed-bondi-antisemitism-royal-commission/106854480 The post Saturday, 4th July, 2026: Josh Burns, Federal ALP MP for Mcnamara, Update, Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny spoke to Andee Tay from Pinkdot, 2026. The 18th edition of Pink Dot Singapore (Pink Dot 18) took place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hong Lim Park. Under this year’s official campaign theme, “Come Get Personal,” the long-running LGBTQ+ advocacy rally focused deeply on individual lived experiences, community histories, and family structures. The sweltering heat did not keep thousands of people away from Hong Lim Park for the 18th edition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rally Pink Dot on Saturday (Jun 27). Supporters of all ages were decked out in various hues of pink, carrying umbrellas, fans and various flags as they gathered under the blazing afternoon sun with friends and family members. This is the fourth year of Pink Dot since the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, a decades-old law criminalising gay sex. Pink Dot spokesperson Andee Tay also spoke to www. Channelnewsasia.com, ahead of this year’s event aimed to remind people that behind the issues and discussions surrounding the LGBTQ community are people’s lived experiences. “A lot of Singaporeans probably have never met a queer person, don’t understand the realities and the experiences that queer people in Singapore live, and we want to bring that back into the park, we want to create an opportunity for people to come and get personal with the queer community in Singapore,” he added. The post Sat, 27th June, 2026: Andee Tay, Pink Dot, Singapore 2026. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live in the studio by Chris Lewis, Lyric Finance; What does the Budget mean for the property market? Chris Lewis is an experienced Australian finance broker and the founder of Lyric Finance, a boutique mortgage and financial advisory firm based in Melbourne, Victoria. An avid traveller, Chris has visited more than 60 countries in his time. He’s also a keen hiker and runner, with multiple marathon finishes under his belt. Chris’ drive to reach success in both his personal and professional life is what makes him the ideal Finance Broker to assist clients in achieving their own goals and aspirations using the vehicle of finance. The post Sat, 27th June, 2026: Chris Lewis, Lyric Finance; What does the Budget mean for the Property market? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live on air by Peter Khalil – MP for Wills & Asst Min. for Defence as they discussed AUKUS and the latest Iran update. The Hon Peter Khalil MP is the Federal Member for Wills and the Assistant Minister for Defence. First elected in 2016 and representing the Australian Labor Party, his electorate includes northern Melbourne suburbs like Brunswick, Coburg, and Pascoe Vale. The Hon. Peter Khalil MP is the Assistant Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Wills. Peter was first elected to the House of Representatives for Wills, Victoria in 2016. Previously, Peter was the Special Envoy for Social Cohesion from July 2024 to May 2025, Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security from September 2022 to October 2024, and has held numerous committee positions. Peter is a second generation Australian. His parents migrated from Egypt to Melbourne for a better life. He grew up in public housing and played AFL and tennis semi-professionally after leaving school. Peter went on to study a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law at the University of Melbourne and a Master of Laws at Australian National University. Prior to entering Parliament Peter was the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Strategy and Communications at SBS and a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner. He also has served as a foreign policy and national security adviser to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. He has also worked as a public servant at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence. The post Sat, 27th June, 2026: Peter Khalil – MP for Wills & Asst Min. for Defence, AUKUS and Iran Update. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live on air by Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute; The New Daily. As they discuss  Dirt-digging to discredit independent journalists and Government transparency. Amy is renowned for her incisive political commentary and extensive experience as a journalist, author, and former Guardian Australia political reporter. Amy regularly appears in national media and is celebrated for her powerful writing on gender, politics, and social justice. Her work continues to influence public debate and policy discussions across Australia. https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/political-operatives-are-trying-to https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/legacy-medias-refusal-to-scrutinise   The post Sat, 27th June, 2026: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute; The New Daily; Dirt-Digging Targeting Journalists appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca, Kenny and John are joined live in the studio by Charlie Lewis, Reporter at large, from Crikey, as they discuss the fall of Sir Keir Starmer and Pauline Hanson at the National Press Club. Charlie Lewis is Crikey’s reporter-at-large, focusing on politics, culture, history and the US. Got a tip? Contact him securely on Signal @clewis.25. He was Crikey’s Tips and Murmurs editor between 2020 and 2025. He has previously worked across government and unions and was a researcher on RN’s Daily Planet. He currently co-hosts Spin Cycle on Triple R radio. https://www.crikey.com.au/2026/06/18/pauline-hanson-speech-national-press-club-media/ “When it comes to the One Nation leader, observers and the media often struggle to hold her accountable. It is widely understood that critics and interviewers rarely “lay a glove on her”. This is largely because the political establishment’s tactics often backfire, allowing her to frame criticism as elite bias or unfair “pile-ons” https://www.crikey.com.au/2026/06/23/keir-starmer-uk-prime-minister-resigns-labour/ “Keir Starmer’s time as UK prime minister gives the impression of a man who was never the main character of his own story” The post Sat, 27th June, 2026: Charlie Lewis – Reporter at large, Crikey, Close encounters with Pauline at the Press Club appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live in the studio by Joyster, award winning Australian film critic and writer Glenn Charlie Dunks as they discuss Stephen Spielberg’s latest film, ‘Disclosure Day’. Glenn Charlie Dunks is an award-winning Australian film critic and writer based between Melbourne and New York. Known for his two Australian Film Critics Association (AFCA) Awards, he specializes in documentary film and Australian cinema, regularly appearing on JOY 94.9 radio and contributing to top-tier publications. For ten years, Glenn has been an active part of the Australian film scene as a critic and journalist. Getting his start with the Geelong/Surf Coast-based street press Forte Magazine, he progressed to writing regularly for Trespass and Onya Magazine as well as his personal blog. In 2010, Glenn began writing film reviews and features for Australian print institution The Big Issue. In the following decade, he has contributed to world-renowned publications such as The Guardian, Vanity Fair and The Film Experience where he covers documentary film on a weekly basis. In Australia, his work has been published across outlets including Metro Magazine, ScreenHub, Flicks Australia, Junkee, SBS Film, SBS Sexuality, Broadsheet, Quickflix, Concrete Playground and the online edition of Overland Journal. He is also the regular film critic for Air Nuigini’s Paradise Magazine. His work has been republished by IndieWire’s Women and Hollywood blog and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance union’s quarterly print publication The Equity Magazine. He has also been spotlighted by The Age. The post Sat, 20th, June, 2026: Glen Charlie Dunks, Film Critic, ‘Disclosure Day’. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Sanmati Verma is a highly prominent human rights advocate and attorney who serves as the Legal Director of the Migration Justice team at the Human Rights Law Centre. Based in Melbourne, Australia, she is an accredited specialist in immigration law certified by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and has spent more than a decade litigating complex migration and human rights matters Sanmati joined the Human Rights Law Centre in 2022 to lead the Centre’s Migration Justice team. She holds specialist accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria in immigration law and has practiced exclusively in the field for over a decade. Before joining the Centre, Sanmati was a partner at Clothier Anderson, a specialist immigration firm in Melbourne, where she led a significant pro bono practice and litigated several leading cases relating to immigration detention, visa cancellation and ‘character’ powers. She has previously worked with the Legal Aid Society NYC, Victoria Legal Aid, and the Western Suburbs Legal Service, where she co-founded the International Student Legal Advice Clinic in 2010. In 2023, Sanmati received an inaugural Community Engagement Grant from the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne, to complete a community-led study of the visa cancellation regime. In addition to her work at the Centre, Sanmati is an advisor to the United Workers Union, co-chair of the Visa Cancellations Working Group, and serves on the board of the Migrant Workers Centre. Her work has been recognised through the Law Institute of Victoria’s Emerging Lawyer Award (2016) and Paul Baker Award for Administrative Law (2024). She was also conferred with the John Gibson Award for Refugee Law by the International Commission of Jurists (Victoria) (2023). Sanmati holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), and a Master of Public and International Law (Hons I) from the University of Melbourne. The post Sat, 20th, June, 2026: Sanmati Verma, Legal Director – Principal Lawyer Accredited Specialist – Immigration Law -Human Rights Law appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are joined live on air by Mitch Brown, Former West Coast Eagles Defender, as they discuss the FIFA World Cup 2026. The post Sat, 20th, June, 2026: Mitch Brown – Former West Coast Eagles Defender, FIFA World Cup Highlights appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Kenny and Macca are joined live on air, by phone this week, not in the studio as usual, by Rachel Westaway, Lib Prahran, Shadow Asst Min Small Business + Hospitality as they discuss State politics. Rachel Westaway is an Australian politician serving as the member for Prahran in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since winning the 2025 Prahran state by-election. She is a member of the Victorian Liberal Party. With a background in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and as former Assistant Freedom of Information Commissioner for Victoria, she brings extensive experience in public service. Rachel has lived in South Yarra for 20 years and is actively involved in the community, including serving as President of the Thai Australian Chamber.   The post Sat, 20th, June, 2026: Rachel Westaway, Lib Prahran, Shadow Asst Min Small Business + Hospitality appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Kenny and Macca are joined live on air by Karina Lester, Snr Aboriginal Language Expert, Adelaide Uni, AUKUS Review. Karina Lester, is the Aboriginal Co-Manager and Senior Aboriginal Language Expert at The University of Adelaide’s Mobile Language Team (MLT). She is a Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman who grew up on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far north-west of South Australia. Growing up on the APY Lands in South Australia, she is a prominent voice in language revitalization, anti-nuclear advocacy, and cultural preservation. She is a second-generation survivor of the 1953 British Nuclear Tests at Emu Field. As the daughter of the late, renowned Indigenous activist Yami Lester—who was blinded by the nuclear fallout—she frequently speaks on global platforms (including addressing UN Treaty Negotiations in New York) regarding the intergenerational health and environmental impacts felt by her people. The post Sat, 20th June, 2026: Karina Lester, Snr Aboriginal Language Expert, Adelaide Uni, AUKUS Review appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are in the hosting seats this week. John Wintle is on panel. Agnes was this week’s production assistant and James is doing the podcast. Macca and Kenny’s first guest this week is a legend of Australian 70s and 80s Rock Music and a monumental figure in environmentalism, Indigenous Rights and anti-Nuclear activism. Midnight Oil front-man, and former ALP environment minister, Peter Garrett lead an independent inquiry into the Aukus defence pact, launched by a group of Labor veterans and public figures concerned proper scrutiny has never been applied to the $368bn defence plan. Garrett,  will be the lead commissioner on the five-month community-based investigation, being launched on the 9th of June of this year, it will hold public hearings and take written submissions before delivering a final report by 30 October.   ‘Labor agreed to support the deal for Australia to acquire nuclear submarines in collaboration with the US and the UK, negotiated under the Morrison government and announced in 2021. As part of the agreement, Australia is funding upgrades to the US defence industrial base and will start receiving second-hand nuclear submarines in 2032’. Garrett said the new inquiry – supported by trade unions and non-profit organisations – would consider if the subs can be delivered on time and on budget, how nuclear waste will be managed and if Australia’s defence and strategic interests are well served by the deal. He has previously lashed Aukus,  saying the plan “stinks” and represents “the most costly and risky action ever taken by any Australian government”. “This inquiry is doing the job that a proper parliamentary inquiry should be doing,” Garrett told Guardian Australia’. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/17/peter-garrett-says-nuclear-submarine-deal-most-costly-and-risky-action-ever-taken-by-an-australian-government Photograph: Adam Ferguson/The Guardian The post Sat, 20th June, 2026: Peter Garrett, frmr Environment Minister and Midnight Oil front-man, Independent AUKUS Review. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena, Macca and Paul  are joined live on air  by Alex Makin, Lord Mayor, City of Port Phillip, Latest in City of Port Phillip; Outside Broadcast: Sth Melb. Market Alex Makin, has lived in Port Phillip for over a decade, residing in Port Melbourne and the Montague Ward, drawn to its vibrant community and central location to beaches, markets, arts and culture. Alex brings extensive experience from both the private and not-for-profit sectors. He founded and ran a consulting business for nearly a decade before transitioning into strategic management roles within the not-for-profit sector. Alex is also a lecturer in postgraduate studies teaching Business Strategy, Marketing and Data Analytics. His leadership journey began as one of Victoria’s youngest politically independent Mayors. He previously served on Maroondah City Council (2005 to 2012) and as Mayor in 2010, where he helped transform Ringwood into a dynamic urban centre. He will be drawing on this experience to help Fishermans Bend fulfil its potential as Australia’s largest urban renewal. L Photos courtesy of Betty Sujecki and James WF Roberts/Red Wolf Press Aust. The post Radiothon 2026; Sat, 13th June: Alex Makin, Mayor City of Port Phillip, Outside Broadcast: Sth Melb. Market appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The final guest for this week was Sophie Torney, she joined Nevena and Paul live in on-air. Kew has been Sophie’s home for her and her family for nearly thirty years. Sophie Torney, former Mayor of Boroondara, current Councillor is an Australian businesswoman, tech entrepreneur, and community independent politician who served as the Mayor of the City of Boroondara (2024–2025). She is prominently known as a community “teal” independent candidate contesting the inner-east Melbourne state seat of Kew, against state Liberal and Opposition leader Jess Wilson. In November 2024, she was elected by her peers to serve as the Mayor of Boroondara for the 2024–2025 term, completing her leadership role in late 2025. During her mayoral term, she focused heavily on implementing the council’s Climate Action Plan, shifting facilities to all-electric power, and expanding the city’s green spaces and trail networks. The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Sophie Torney, Studley Ward Councillor, Fmr Mayor Boroondara, Independent Seat of Kew appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul are joined live the studio by filmmaker and writer, John Safran as they discuss the re-launching of the Reality TV Show, Race Around the World. John Safran is a Melbourne writer and filmmaker. His book Puff Piece, exploring Big Tobacco and vaping, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. His debut, Murder in Mississippi, won the Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime. His latest documentary, Who The Bloody Hell Are We?, looking at the secret history of Australia, was nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts award. His first two television series John Safran’s Music Jamboree and John Safran vs God won the Academy’s comedy awards. Squat is his fourth book published by Penguin Random House.   The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: John Safran, Reality TV Show, Race Around the World 2026. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul are joined live on air by Cameron McTernan, Lecturer & Researcher at Adelaide University; as they discuss the  implications of Gina Rinehart – Australia’s richest person – buying into Southern Cross Austerio Cameron is a researcher and educator at Adelaide University specialising in social media, political communication and media industries. He is currently an: Executive Committee member for the Australian and Aotearoa-New Zealand Communication Association Researcher for The Global Media and Internet Concentration Project (Australian and Aotearoa-New Zealand teams) Areas of interest and research include Media Diversity and Pluralism in Australia, Political Communication, Social Media and Streaming Services. Teaching areas include Communication and Social Media. Current teaching profile for 2026 is: MDIA 2021    Research Methods in Media and Communication MDIA 2101    Creating Content for Media MDIA 1017    Social Media Audiences and Algorithmic Cultures Read his book: Social Media in Society (Palgrave Macmillan) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2025-1029 The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Cameron McTernan, Lecturer & Researcher at Adelaide University; Implications of Gina Rinehart – Australia’s richest person – buying into Southern Cross Austerio appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Next, Nevena and Paul are joined live on air by Rohan Best, Assoc Prof – Dept of Economics, Macquarie Business School; as they discuss cost-of-living relief through energy policy and pricing. Rohan’s research covers economics and finance, including energy economics and household finance. His publications have been in journals such as Energy Economics, Ecological Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics, Energy Policy, Applied Energy, the Energy Journal, the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the Economic Record, the Australian Journal of Public Administration, and the Journal of Cleaner Production. He is  interested in policy development to reduce inequality and improve cost-effectiveness, such as through equitable reverse auctions. The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Rohan Best, Assoc Prof – Dept of Economics, Macquarie Business School; Cost-of-living relief through energy policy and pricing appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is  Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow, US Study Centre, Latest from Washington DC; as Bruce, Nevena and Paul discuss the latest news from Washington and Trump’s upto.   Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre. Bruce is a regular contributor on US politics across media platforms in Australia. In recent years, Bruce has worked with the Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM’s chief of staff. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that across the United States, parties are choosing their candidates for the midterm elections in November, and there is a shift among Democrats towards more relatable, practical solutions to lure swinging voters turned off by the party’s elitist image at the last general election. USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe was quoted in the article on the upcoming midterms and what it could look like for US Democrats. https://www.ussc.edu.au/the-democrats-taking-the-fight-to-the-republicans The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow, US Study Centre, Latest from Washington DC. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guests on air are friends of the show Georgie Purcell and Josh Burns. Georgie has recently been in the press for  helping the hamlet of Elphinstone end plans to start a puppy farm in the area. An application for a proposed dog breeding facility in Elphinstone in Central Victoria has been withdrawn following lobbying from residents and animal activists. The puppy farm had planned to operate 24 hours a day and house up to 150 dogs including corgis, golden retrievers and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. The application for the facility, lodged with Mount Alexander Shire Council in April, stated it “mandates scheduled caesarean sections at specialised veterinary clinics”. Animal Justice MP and Member for Northern Victoria Georgie Purcell said it would have been an “extraordinary” first. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-04/breeder-withdraws-plan-for-controversial-puppy-farm/106753744     Youth Housing Josh was on air today to discuss the Federal Government’s Youth Housing crisis campaign. This budget will deliver nearly $60 million over four years to directly address the youth housing penalty, providing thousands of young Australians access secure housing, helping to reduce youth homelessness. The Federal Government will invest $59.4 million over four years from 2026-27 for community housing providers (CHPs) to help house young people at risk of housing insecurity and homelessness. The new Youth Housing Supplement will provide funding to community housing providers (CHPs) that house eligible young people receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. Funding will help offset the lower rental income associated with housing young people on lower-rate income support payments, making it easier for providers to offer homes to vulnerable young Australians. The measure is expected to support: 2,325 young people from 1 January 2027 2,500 young people in 2027-28 4,000 young people in 2028-29 4,355 young people in 2029-30 Funding profile ($m) 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 Total 6.0 12.0 19.2 22.3 59.4   Why does this matter? Young people are now among the groups most at risk of homelessness in Australia, with 19 to 24-year-olds experiencing the highest homelessness rate of any age cohort. At the same time, many young people face a structural barrier accessing community housing. Most community housing providers charge income-based rents, typically around 25 per cent of a tenant’s income plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA. Because Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY are significantly lower than payments such as JobSeeker, the Disability Support Pension and the Age Pension, providers receive substantially less rental income from housing young people. In some cases, providers receive up to 54 per cent less rental revenue from a young tenant compared with an older tenant on the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension. Sector organisations have argued this creates a “youth housing penalty” where young people can unintentionally become harder to house within the current funding model, despite often having high levels of vulnerability and support needs. Young people are now among the groups most at risk of homelessness in Australia: Nearly 40 per cent of people presenting alone to homelessness services are under 25. Thousands of young people are turned away from homelessness services each year because support is full. Many cycle between couch surfing, crisis accommodation, unsafe housing and rough sleeping. Housing and homelessness organisations have argued for years that the current system creates a structural disincentive to house young people. The Youth Housing Supplement directly responds to this issue by helping providers absorb the revenue gap and create more pathways into stable housing. The Home Time campaign, the measure responds to extensive advocacy from the Home Time campaign, a national alliance supported by more than 170 housing, homelessness and social welfare organisations across Australia. Home Time has campaigned for reforms that recognise the unique drivers of youth homelessness and create long-term housing pathways for young people, rather than relying solely on crisis accommodation and emergency responses. The proposal also responds to recommendations from the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, which identified a youth housing supplement as a targeted way to reduce youth homelessness. Atlas spent a decade moving in and out of homelessness as a young person. During that time, he saw many other young people fall through the cracks, including peers who lost their lives while homeless. He says stable housing can fundamentally change the trajectory of a young person’s life. “This Youth Housing Supplement is an incredible investment from the federal government into on the ground action that will make it easier for young people to get out of homelessness and find safety.” “I was in and out of homelessness for 10 years, and in those years, I saw too many people lose their lives. Kids who died on the streets, kids who never truly had a chance to find anything else. Investments like this one will save lives.” Atlas says the measure gives hope to young people who have become accustomed to falling through the cracks. “I can’t fully articulate what this supplement means for the young people who are currently experiencing homelessness.” “This subsidy is just the first step of many in the changes we need to make to create a truly equitable system but for the first time in a long time there is hope.” “Helping more people into homes is a big focus of this Budget.” “Right now, it’s too hard for too many Australians to get into their own home and get ahead and that’s why we’re building more homes, fast-tracking approvals, and helping thousands of young people to pay the rent.” Treasurer Jim Chalmers “When a young person has a safe place to live, everything else becomes more possible – education, health, and stable employment.” “This investment is about unlocking safe and secure housing for vulnerable young Australians so they have the solid foundation they need to build strong, secure and independent lives.” Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek “The fact that young Australians are now among the groups most at risk of homelessness should stop us in our tracks, and that’s why this government is acting.” “Getting a roof over your head can change the course of a young person’s life, bringing stability, safety and the chance to build a future.”   =Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil         The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Georgie Purcell, Animal Justice Party: Puppy Farms & Josh Burns, ALP, Macnamara; Youth Homelessness Campaign. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Elizabeth Birch is one of the most influential figures in modern LGBTQ+ rights advocacy in the United States. A lawyer and former Apple executive, she led the Human Rights Campaign from 1995 to 2004, transforming it into America’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organisation and helping bring issues of equality and inclusion into mainstream political and corporate life. Black Tie Dinner, the largest LGBTQ fund-raising dinner in the Nation, presents an annual award in Birch’s honor called the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award. The award is given annually to an individual, organization, or company that has made a significant contribution of national scope to the LGBTQ community. Elizabeth Birch was the first recipient of the award in 2004, and later returned to the dinner in 2009 to present the award to Judy Shepard.  The Black Tie Dinner is held annually in Dallas, Texas. When Birch took over, the LGBTQ+ rights movement in America was still fighting for basic workplace protections and public acceptance. She transformed the Human Rights Campaign from a relatively modest advocacy group into a major political force in Washington. During her tenure: Membership grew dramatically. The budget increased several-fold. HRC became a mainstream political lobbying organisation. She became one of the most recognisable LGBTQ+ advocates in America. She is often credited with helping shift LGBTQ+ rights from a niche activist issue into a mainstream civil rights issue discussed by major corporations and politicians. One of the most fascinating parts of her story is that she worked inside Apple before becoming a full-time activist. She helped push corporate America toward domestic-partner benefits and LGBTQ+ workplace protections, arguing that equality was good for innovation, recruitment and culture. In 2000, Birch became the first leader of a major LGBTQ+ organisation to address a US national political convention when she spoke at the Democratic National Convention. At the time, that was considered a major breakthrough for LGBTQ+ visibility in American politics.   The post Sat, 6th June, 2026: Elizabeth Birch, famed, American LGBTIQA+ Activist. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined live in the studio by city of Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin, as they discuss the 2026, St Kilda Film Festival. The St Kilda Film Festival (SKFF) 2026 runs from Thursday 4th June to Sunday 14th June 2026 across various iconic venues in St Kilda, Melbourne. As Australia’s longest-running short film festival, this year’s event showcases a record-breaking selection of over 190 short films, including comedy, horror, documentaries, and animation. Because it is an Academy Awards-qualifying event, winning films are eligible for consideration at the Oscars The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Alex Makin, Mayor, City of Port Phillip, ‘St Kilda Film Festival 2026’. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined live in the studio by Anna Brown from Equality Australia, as they discuss the ‘Hands off our Protections’ petition. CEO Anna Brown’s fingerprints are on nearly every major reform for LGBTIQ+ people in recent years. She played a critical role in the campaign for marriage equality co-chairing the Equality Campaign. Our communities are facing some of the most serious attacks on our rights and protections in many years. Right now, multiple Bills are being pushed that would strip protections from trans people and take a wrecking ball to Australia’s anti-discrimination laws more broadly. No one should be singled out for exclusion because of who they are. Sign our petition now calling on MPs to stand up for our communities. Now is the time for our communities and allies to come together and push back. Sign the petition today. https://equalityaustralia.org.au/hands-off-our-protections/ The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Anna Brown, Equality Australia, Hands off our Protections! Community Petition! appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined live on air by Ohad Kozminsky, Community Engagement Dir – Jewish Council of Aust. ‘The Difference between Israeli and being Jewish’; and the Royal Commission. Ohad Kozminsky teaches students from a range of faith and cultural backgrounds at a Secondary School in Melbourne. His teaching includes Holocaust history, Jewish literature, and the philosophy of ethics and human rights. He is an elected member of the AEU Victoria Branch Council and the AEU Maribyrnong region. Ohad is of Arab-Jewish and European-Jewish heritage. He attended a Jewish school in Melbourne. The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Ohad Kozminsky, Community Engagement Dir – Jewish Council of Aust. ‘The Difference between Israeli and being Jewish’; and the Royal Commission. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Paul and Macca are joined live in the studio by Sabine Ostrowski, QUIT, as they discuss World No-Tobacco Day! (Sunday 31st May)   Sabine Ostrowski is the State Manager at Quit Victoria, leading major public health initiatives, cessation platforms, and anti-vaping campaigns aimed at protecting vulnerable Australians. Ostrowski has championed ensuring smoking and vaping cessation support is accessible to specific communities, including Indigenous populations and LGBTQIA+ groups. Illicit Tobacco Action: She has advocated for stricter enforcement against illicit tobacco, highlighting how cheap black-market products undermine efforts for people trying to quit. The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Sabine Ostrowski, QUIT, World No-Tobacco Day! (Sunday 31st May) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul talk to David Gibson about a bill introduced into Parliament to address the historic treatment of LGBTI personnel in the Australian Defence Force is being welcomed as a long-overdue step toward justice. The Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation) Bill 2026, introduced by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh, will enable eligible Defence personnel convicted solely on the basis of consensual homosexual activity to apply to have those convictions extinguished. “Chair of GRAI (GLBTI Rights in Ageing Inc), David Gibson, said the introduction of the legislation marks an important milestone in recognising the harm caused by past policies that targeted homosexual service members. “As a former Army officer who was discharged back in 1989 because of my sexuality, this is not just policy for me. It is personal,” Gibson said. “Careers were lost. Reputations were damaged. Many former personnel carried that trauma quietly for decades.” The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: David Gibson, Chair GRAI in Perth, Fmr Army Captain, Dismissed for his Sexuality; Senate inquiry into the Defence Force Discipline Amendment appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Rachel Payne stayed a little bit longer to continue with Paul and Macca; they are joined by Rachel Withers, co-host Spin Cycle Triple R. Rachel Withers is a freelance writer with an unfortunate penchant for Australian politics. She is the former editor of The Politics and currently co-hosts Spin Cycle on Triple R radio.   The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Rachel Payne, MP Legalize Cannabis Vic & Rachel Withers, co-host Spin Cycle Triple R, Federal Politics Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined live in the studio by Rachel Payne, MP, Legalize Cannabis Victoria; as they discuss state politics and what’s happening with LCV heading into the election. Rachel Payne is not your standard politician. She came from humble beginnings, left home at sixteen and has direct experience using welfare, government, housing, and legal services. Rachel worked hard to earn a Master of Public Policy and has held leadership and policy roles at Centrelink, the Eros Association and the Family Court of Australia. Rachel is also a cannabis consumer. She prefers to consume cannabis over other medications, drugs and/or alcohol for relaxation and to help manage anxiety and endometriosis symptoms. Rachel joined the Legalise Cannabis Party to champion social justice, improve community wellbeing and to get rid of outdated cannabis laws. She wants Victoria to leverage the many economic, environmental, and tax opportunities cannabis presents. Rachel lives in the south-east with her partner and their two cats. She loves swimming in the sea, live music gigs and cooking up a storm for friends. The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Rachel Payne, MP Legalize Cannabis Vic, Member for South-Eastern Metropolitan Region appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul Horwell are in the hosting seats this week, their first guest is Joy Media CEO Paul Scott-Williams. Paul discussed with the Sat Mag team what’s happening for Radiothon 2026, our sponsor and a very special announcement for Saturday Magazine–a live broadcast… The post Sat, 30th, May, 2026: Paul Scott-Williams, CEO Joy Media: Radiothon Update. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Cruise ship quarantines, Ebola outbreaks, diphtheria deaths in Australia — it can sometimes feel like we’re back in the middle of a global health scare. So how worried should we actually be? Joining us back in the studio is infectious diseases specialist Dr Fernando Gordíllo Altamirano. Fernando is a medical doctor from Ecuador with a master’s degree in infection and immunity from the University of Sydney. At the Monash University-based Barr Lab, he’s tackling the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Specifically, he’s looking at bacteriophage therapy as a treatment strategy against multi-drug-resistant bacterial pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii. The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Dr Fernando Gordíllo Altamirano, Hantavirus, Ebola and first recorded deaths in Australia from s in Australia from Diphtheria appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest knows the criminal underworld from the inside out. Rohan Pike spent years with the AFP investigating serious organised crime and he’s here to talk about the explosive rise of Australia’s illicit tobacco trade, a black market now linked to gang violence, fire-bombings and billions in lost tax revenue. Is the situation with illicit tobacco out of control and what could be done about it? https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/how-australias-worldleading-tobacco-tax-is-fuelling-a-violent-black-market/news-story/fbc4714f9263d7a7606cfa21a399440b?utm https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/australias-illicit-tobacco-trade-funding-organised-crime-and-deadly-gang-violence/news-story/58dc10f0660ff3e99f7fb239b5eacdda?utm_ https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/JulianHill/Pages/tougher-penalties-illicit-tobacco-offenders.aspx? The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Rohan Pike, ex Aust Border Force & co-founder of illicit tobacco strike force, Tobacco Wars; is the situation with illicit tobacco out of control and what could be done about it? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Up next, live in the studio is friend of the station and friend of the programme, Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens). Aiv Puglielli is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing North-East Metropolitan Region for the Victorian Greens. With a background in the arts as a composer and producer, Aiv brings a creative lens to politics and is an advocate for climate action, housing justice and community-led solutions. Aiv has worked across grassroots campaigns and in parliament since 2022, focusing on progressive policies that protect the environment while supporting workers and local communities. The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Aiv Puglielli, MP Greens, NE Metro, Latest from State Parliament appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is Andrew Wilkie is one of Canberra’s most fiercely independent voices. The federal member for Clark in Tasmania is a former military intelligence officer turned whistleblower. He’s spent years taking on both major parties and is one of parliament’s strongest advocates for gambling reform, political integrity and accountability. Andrew Wilkie, great to have you with us. Andrew Wilkie is the independent federal member for Clark in Tasmania and has served in the House of Representatives since 2010. A former Army officer and intelligence analyst, he became nationally known after resigning in protest over the Iraq War. In parliament he has built a reputation as a fiercely independent voice on gambling reform, government accountability, whistle-blower protections and political integrity.   The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Andrew Wilkie, MP; His take on the latest announcements from the Federal Government on Gambling appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest on Saturday Magazine, is  Patrick Keyser, the father of Gemma O’Toole, one of 11 Australians detained by Israeli forces after joining a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza this week. The activists say they were trying to break what aid agencies describe as a catastrophic humanitarian blockade, with Gaza now facing mass starvation, collapsed hospitals, and a civilian death toll that has reached levels many international observers say are almost without precedent in modern conflict. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. Detainees allege beatings, humiliation, stress positions, sexual abuse, Tasering and deprivation of food and water. Israel denies the allegations. Global outrage intensified after Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released video of bound detainees kneeling on the ground while he taunted them and called them terrorists. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the footage as ‘shocking and unacceptable’.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/penny-wong-condemns-israeli-minister-over-shocking-and-unacceptable-treatment-of-flotilla-activists-ntwnfb?utm_source=chatgpt.com The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Patrick Keyzer, father of one of the 11 Australians on the flotilla intercepted by Israel attempting to reach Gaza appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Bruce’s piece is essentially an argument that America has become dangerously desensitised to the behaviour of President Donald Trump.  He argues that Trump’s public conduct, language and social media behaviour now reveal a president in what he calls a “troubled state”, but that Republicans, the White House and much of the media have normalised it rather than confronting it. Bruce’s latest article essentially argues that America has become dangerously desensitised to the behaviour of President Donald Trump. He argues that Trump’s public conduct, language and social media behaviour now reveal a president in what he calls a “troubled state”, but that Republicans, the White House and much of the media have normalised it rather than confronting it. Wolpe says Trump oscillates between moments of apparent discipline — like his recent summit with Xi Jinping — and then immediately reverts to erratic, grievance-filled behaviour once out of the diplomatic spotlight.   Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre. Bruce is a regular contributor on US politics across media platforms in Australia. In recent years, Bruce has worked with the Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM’s chief of staff. Bruce is author of Trump’s Australia, an examination of Donald Trump’s possible return to the presidency and the issues presented to Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2023), The Committee, a study of President Obama’s legislative agenda in Congress (University of Michigan Press, 2018, 2d Edition September 2021) and Lobbying Congress: How The System Works (Congressional Quarterly Books, 1990, 1996).     https://www.theage.com.au/national/an-oyster-farmer-a-firefighter-a-kennedy-the-democrats-taking-the-fight-to-the-republicans-20260521-p5zzm3.html https://www.axios.com/2026/05/22/trump-iran-meeting-resume-war-deal The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow, US Study Centre, Has Trump finally lost it and why is nobody calling him out ? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our first guest is one of Australia’s sharpest political interviewers and commentators. She’s become a defining voice in Australian political journalism: incisive, relentless and never afraid to push politicians on the tough issues. You’ll know her from the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Radio National Breakfast and previously Q+A. Patricia Karvelas joins us now on the line now. Patricia Karvelas is one of Australia’s leading political journalists and broadcasters. She hosts Afternoon Briefing on ABC News and is a regular voice across the ABC’s political coverage, including major federal budget and election broadcasts. Previously the host of Q+A and Radio National Breakfast, Karvelas is known for her incisive interviews, deep Canberra contacts and sharp analysis of Australian politics, media and public policy. Before joining the ABC, she worked as a senior political reporter and columnist with The Australian and other major news outlets. She is widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential political interviewers. Macca and Kenny talk to PK about her insights into the latest in Australian politics The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Patricia Karvelas, ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Australia’s Current Political Climate. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Gavin Macleod, Executive Creative Director, Emotive; Bold New Safe Sex Campaign from Four Seasons Naked Condoms Sydney, 12th May, 2026. STI rates are rising among young Australians, but the message about safe sex isn’t getting through. Now, Four Seasons Naked Condoms is taking a radically different approach, launching a bold new campaign that turns the risks of unprotected sex into giant, cinematic monsters designed to be impossible to ignore. As a heritage brand in Australia for decades, Four Seasons Condoms is on a mission to make the conversation around protection more approachable for Gen Z. According to data from the Kirby Institute, Australia recorded more than 101,000 chlamydia cases in 2024, with around half among people aged 20–29, alongside rising rates of gonorrhoea. At the same time, research from La Trobe University shows condom use among young Australians is declining, with more than half not using one the last time they had sex. “In general practice we see young patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections every single day” said Dr Lucy Herron, GP at Coogee Beach Doctors. “Chlamydia is very common and is a particular worry as it often has no symptoms but can cause a serious infection and even infertility if not detected early. Others, like gonorrhoea and syphilis, are unfortunately much more common than they were a few years ago. Really common infections like herpes have no cure at all, and can lead to annoying symptoms like irritation and pain, which can come and go for the rest of your life.” Instead of traditional health messaging, the campaign uses humour and spectacle to bring those risks to life. The hero film begins with an intimate moment between two young adults, where a decision not to use a condom quickly spirals into chaos. A giant baby crashes through the city, followed by grotesque STI creatures representing gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis tearing through streets and buildings, turning abstract risks into something visible and confronting. “STI rates are rising, and traditional messaging isn’t cutting through,” said Michael Porter, Director at Four Seasons Condoms. “We wanted to create something people would actually watch and talk about, using entertainment to make the risks feel real.” Women’s health advocate Grace Toombs and founder of Hey June Health said the approach reflects how younger audiences engage with the topic. “Sexual health shouldn’t feel awkward or taboo, but a lot of messaging still does. When you approach it through humour and culture, it opens the door for more honest conversations.” AI filmmaking techniques were used to create the cinematic scale and surreal characters, bringing the concept to life in a way that would traditionally require blockbuster-level production. The campaign rolls out nationally across Snapchat, supported by social and creator-led amplification and was created by independent creative agency Emotive in partnership with AI film production specialists, AiCandy Australia. The post Sat 16th, May, 2026: Gavin Macleod, Executive Creative Director, Emotive; Bold New Safe Sex Campaign from Four Seasons Naked Condoms appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Stephen Bartos, Prof of Economics, Uni. of Canberra, as they discuss whether or not the federal budget has gone far enough to correct generational inequality with changes to Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax? Stephen Bartos is a former deputy secretary of the commonwealth finance department and currently is a professor at the University of Canberra. The post Sat 16th, May, 2026: Stephen Bartos, Prof of Economics, Uni. of Canberra, Does the Federal Budget go far enough with changes to Negative Gearing and CGT? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul  talk to Kieran Rooney, from The Age, about the State Budget. Kieran Rooney is a Victorian state political reporter at The Age. Image courtesy of the The Age. What we can expect at the upcoming Victorian election. And with One Nation on a roll and more micro-parties, who should we we watching? And with One Nation on a roll and more micro-parties, who should we be watching?   https://www.instagram.com/p/DX3hq5_jt9O/?img_index=3 https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-unveils-election-year-hip-pocket-splurge-despite-debt-soaring-to-199-billion-20260504-p5zti4.html The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Kieran Rooney – The Age, SMH, VIC State Budget Analysis, What we can expect at the upcoming Victorian election? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.