7am

The first week of hearings at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion opened with Jewish Australians describing what life now feels like.
Jewish community groups say reported antisemitic incidents in Australia have surged since October 7.
But the commission is not only hearing about what’s happened. It’s also being asked to answer a difficult question: what counts as antisemitism – and where is the line between political speech, criticism of Israel, and hatred directed at Jews?
Today, historian of modern Jewish life and culture David Slucki, who leads Monash University’s research into antisemitism, on how antisemitism should be understood, measured and responded to.

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Guest: Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, David Slucki
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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Last year – after months of pressure over youth crime, and claims the system had become too soft – Victoria passed what it proudly called the toughest bail laws in the country.
At the time, legal and human rights experts warned the laws would put more children in custody and disproportionately affect First Nations people.
Now, the Allan government is doubling down. In this week’s state budget, it said bail refusals were at record highs – and promised more money for corrections, faster youth crime hearings and a rewrite of sentencing laws.
But the deeper question hasn’t changed: should bail be a right or a tool for crime prevention?
Today, we’re returning to Daniel James’ conversation with legal academic Professor Marilyn McMahon on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what that means for justice.
This episode was originally published in March, 2025.

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Guest: Professor in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon
Photo: AAP Image/Con Chronis
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The seat of Farrer in NSW has been empty since the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.
Today, a new member will be elected, and while the race is tight – One Nation’s David Farley is ahead in the polls.
He’ll be picking up Coalition preferences, but faces a strong challenge from independent Michelle Milthorpe.
So will One Nation win its first federal lower house seat? And if so, what will that signal for the future of conservative politics?
Today, ABC Election analyst Casey Briggs on the fight for Farrer.

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Guest: ABC Election Analyst, Casey Briggs
Photo: AAP Image/Simon Dallinger
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Late yesterday, four women and nine children arrived in Australia from Syria.
The women, who originally left the country to be part of the Islamic State caliphate, have spent the years since its collapse in Syrian refugee camps.
Many of their children, who are Australian citizens too, have never been here before.
But they aren’t the first to come back – since 2019, women and children like them have been returning.
What they’re returning to has become more and more hostile, with politicians maintaining they aren’t welcome, and police threatening arrest.
Today, Professor Michele Grossman, expert on violent extremism from Deakin University, on our responsibility to these citizens and the danger of politicising their position.

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And special credit for the audio of Australian children inside al-Roj refugee camp goes to William Christou and the Guardian.

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Guest: Expert on violent extremism from Deakin University, Professor Michele Grossman
Photo: AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad
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A flotilla of boats carrying aid towards Gaza was still hundreds of kilometres from the coast when the Israeli navy moved in.
Australian activist Zack Schofield was on one of the 50 boats. He says the first sign something was coming was the sound of drones overhead; then radio warnings, military vessels, and soldiers boarding the ship.
What happened next is now the subject of serious allegations and competing accounts.
Today, Zack Schofield on the interception at sea, what he says happened in Israeli custody, and why the flotilla may still try to reach Gaza.

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Guest: Australian activist, Zach Schofield
Photo: Supplied
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