7am

A whole new galactic battleground has just opened up.
The United States has declared it has weapons in space, and it’s ready to use them.
So, are we entering a new era where the opening moves of a war could happen hundreds of kilometres above us?
Today, Senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Dr Malcolm Davis on the space weapons now at the ready, and the likelihood of an orbital offensive.

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Guest: Senior analyst at ASPI, Dr Malcolm Davis
Photo: National Air and Space Intelligence Center
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Last year, the company that ran Australia’s immigration detention network for over a decade, British conglomerate Serco, lost its contract, but not before helping build what’s been called one of the world’s ‘most extreme and secretive’ detention regimes.
The question at the time was whether its replacement – American private prison operator MTC – would be any better.
Eighteen months later, we have an answer. Recorded incidents across the detention network have more than doubled – from almost 800 to over 1,600 – since MTC took over.
At the same time, Australia’s offshore detention system on Nauru is expanding – hundreds more people are being transferred to the island, and the Albanese government has announced plans to expand immigration detention as part of its crackdown on visa overstayers.
Today, journalist Denham Sadler on the private companies paid billions to run Australia’s immigration detention system – and the warnings that were there before MTC took over.
This episode was originally published in January, 2025.

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Guest: Journalist Denham Sadler
Photo: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft
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Migration is shaping up to be the next big battleground in federal politics as Labor desperately tries to wrestle back control of the narrative from One Nation.
But does this week’s long-awaited plan leave the government stronger or weaker politically?
And could going harder on Pauline Hanson hold the key to tackling One Nation? This week, the major parties gave it a try as some of Hanson’s nasty comments came back to bite her.
Today, Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis on immigration politics and whether some things are off limits, even for Pauline Hanson.

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Guest: Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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After one false start and a hell of a lot of political pressure from the right, Labor has finally unveiled its long-awaited immigration plans.
Backpackers, students and visa overstayers will all be targeted by the measures – designed to bring net overseas migration down from around 300 thousand, to 225 thousand by 2028.
So what impact will the overhaul have on our economy, our communities, and on Labor’s re-election prospects?
Today, journalist Peter Mares – who writes extensively on immigration for Inside Story magazine – on what’s in store, and whether the issue Labor’s addressing is a political problem, or a real one.

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Guest: Inside Story Magazine journalist Peter Mares
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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Last week, countries including the UK, Canada and France announced plans to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
In the past, Australia has joined its overseas allies in actions on Israel. This time it’s different – with Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, saying Australia isn’t considering joining the ban.
So – why not?
Today, Commissioner on the UN’s Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel, Chris Sidoti, on Australia’s responsibilities, and its failures.

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Guest: Commissioner on the UN’s Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Chris Sidoti
Photo: AP Photo/Leo Correa
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.