Max Chalmers

01 The Favourite | Secrets after school - ABC listen 12-year-old Alliyah’s clowning around in science class, testing the waters to see how the new teacher will respond. An unusual bond grows between them — and what starts with a death stare and a smirk,...

We've just released part one of a really remarkable new series from Background Briefing. Listen, subscribe, and I'd love to hear your feedback.

This Episode One of The Favourite

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

I’m sure this point has been made elsewhere but not only did they openly lie about how many recommendations were in the robodebt final report, the one they erased was to reform FOI and now they’re heading in the opposite direction. Surprise is not a feature of my reaction.

Targeting journalists is a war crime.
As colleagues, we remember them.
meaa.io/45A4vZ5

YouTube video by withMEAA Stop Killing Journalists

Stop killing journalists.

@withmeaa.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMq8...

Man sets fire to Melbourne synagogue Investigators say a man poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation before setting it alight.

The East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation has been the target of an arson attack.

About 20 people were inside the building when a man set the door alight at about 8pm, but investigators said they were able to escape. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...

Scientist monitoring rock art at Murujuga breaks silence - ABC listen The federal government's provisional approval of Woodside's North West shelf gas project has prompted concerns over the future of rock art in Murujuga, near Karratha. Leading up to the decision, a te...

Exclusive: Lead scientist on the rock art monitoring project at Murujuga, near Woodside's North West Shelf gas project, goes on record.

Professor Ben Mullins says "there's nothing in our report that suggests that industry and the rock art can't coexist"

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Of the many odd twinges of recognition I had reading this, the oddest was remembering the 2018 brouhaha after Peter Van Onselen defended Paul Murray for suggesting the Second World War was fought against socialism

Manipulations of Historical Memory in Orbán’s Hungary In Budapest, the House of Terror museum is a physical embodiment of Viktor Orbán’s ambition to rewrite Hungary’s national myths along authoritarian lines.

Really enjoyed this, by Australian writer Alex Wells. It's about Hungary's culture war, and why it might not be as foreign or irrelevant to you as it first seems thebaffler.com/salvos/house...

Ep 12 - ABC Radio chair-bound - Media Watch An old-school comedian reaches out to an old acquaintance - ABC Chair Kim Williams - for help scoring interviews.

After everything we have gone through - with all the inappropriate intervention of previous chairs and MDs - this is BEYOND disappointing. ABC journos deserve better: to be allowed do their job without the biases of chairs and MDs undermining our independence. @withmeaa.bsky.social

Muslim woman speaks after Anthony Albanese decries "racist" attack - ABC listen An attack on two Muslim women at a shopping centre in Melbourne has put the spotlight on the national response to Islamophobia, as community groups say they're bracing for an increase in violence.

I spoke to Ealaf Al-Esawie, the Muslim woman assaulted in Melbourne last week. She's still having nightmares about the attack.

Anthony Albanese called the attack "racist, criminal behaviour".

You can hear Ealaf here (and then Sally's full interview with Aftab Malik)

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Death Toll in Gaza Likely 40 Percent Higher Than Reported, Researchers Say www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/h...

Former Australian PM Scott Morrison brought in the New Year at Mar-a-Lago (image via his Facebook page)

MP Moira Deeming to remain exiled from Victorian Liberal party room Liberal MPs have voted to keep Moira Deeming out of the parliamentary party after a split- decision vote.

Liberal MPs have voted to keep Moira Deeming out of the parliamentary party after a split- decision vote.

Australia’s media movers and shakers on the biggest threats to journalism From Kate McClymont to Waleed Aly to Joe Aston, we asked 200 of the nation's most influential media figures what they’re most concerned about and how the sector has shifted.

Mostly what you'd expect (the business model, social media, defamation laws, AI). But amid that, some interesting positive notes - including much better reporting of domestic violence

www.crikey.com.au/2024/12/12/m... @crikey.com.au

Murdoch and Bolt papped by our Calum Jaspan. What a pic.

TVeeder has the PM reaching out to dingoes doing it tough

As someone who had a baby this year and now holds a mystical reverence for midwives, I'd be quite intrigued to see them become the shadow hand behind the state

bsky.app/profile/bens...

Had a more detailed look at this. The big increases are in health and social assistance (up 86K) and public administration (up 39k). Nearly 70% of the new members in those areas are women. As the ACTU like to say a typical Australian unionist is a woman working in healthcare.

So, I did a bit of a dig through the quarterly emissions update and the projections, and pulled out a few things. Much of this won't surprise those who follow this closely. But all this stuff deserves continued attention. 🧵

1. Our emissions reductions have basically flatlined since 2020.