Saturday Magazine

Nevena and John discuss the mass student walk-out during the week, in an anti-racism, anti-Pauline Hanson protest.

Students around the country walked out of school to join protests in capital cities and some regions against One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson.

The rallies have been condemned by Ms Hanson, who wrote a message to students on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Whether you know it or not, One Nation and I are fighting for you.”

In Melbourne, hundreds of students gathered outside the State Library in the CBD carrying anti-One Nati...

Nevena and John discuss the plight of David McBride.

Former Australian Army military lawyer David McBride  was released from a Canberra prison on parole after serving a 27-month non-parole period, having been sentenced in May 2024 to five years and eight months for leaking classified defense documents that exposed alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

McBride was sentenced to a maximum five years and eight months in jail in May 2024, but is being released on parole after serving his full non-parole period of 27 months.

McBride pleased guilty to three charges in November after the ACT su...

We are officially at the halfway mark of the 74th Melbourne International Film Festival! Over 300 films, retrospectives, and red-carpet galas have been taking over Melbourne’s cinemas. But beyond the popcorn and packed theatres, what does the festival tell us about the state of cinema today—and where local Australian stories fit on the world stage? Joining us is MIFF Artistic Director, Al Cossar.

The 74th edition features over 300 films, shorts, and XR experiences. Due to record audience demand, MIFF expanded into Southbank (Village Cinemas Crown) alongside staple venues like ACMI, The Capitol, Kino, and The Forum.

Nevena and John are joined live on air by James Noble, Creative director and founder of Reigner Clothing.

James Noble is an Australian fashion designer, film producer, and the founder and creative director of Reigner Clothing, an eclectic Melbourne-based label famous for its vibrant, rhinestone-encrusted, and heavily embroidered western-style suiting

Noble originally worked in film production and hated traditional, corporate clothing. When planning his wedding to prominent Melbourne jeweller Millie Savage, he refused to wear a “boring old suit.” He decided to craft a Nudie Cohn-inspired rhinestone suit himself, sparking the official launch of Re...

Nevena and John are joined live on air by  Elliot Constable, who  was recently crowned the winner of Race Around the World, bringing to an end 100 days on the road.

Unlike previous weeks, contestants on the ABC iview series were able to select their own destination for the reboot’s finale.

For Constable, it was the favelas of Brazil.

Topping the leaderboard of six filmmakers, Constable has won the crown and funding to produce his own project for the ABC.

The post Sat, 15th August, 2026: Elliot Constable, Filmmaker, Race Around the Worl...

From the death of underworld matriarch Kath Pettingill to the tragic killing of Sunshine shopkeeper Van Viet Truong, Melbourne’s crime headlines have felt non-stop lately. At the same time, fire-bombings linked to illegal tobacco are allegedly spilling over into Melbourne’s bars and nightlife. But are these just isolated headlines, or is the face of crime in our city fundamentally changing? ABC Crime Reporter Olivia Jenkins joins us now to make sense of it all. Welcome to Saturday Magazine, Olivia

Two men have been charged and one arrested after a joint agency investigation into the alleged move...

A new Premier, new rules for how we vote, and growing fights over energy and workplace rights—Victorian politics is undergoing a massive reset. Premier Ben Carroll is attempting to carve out a ‘new direction’ for Labor, but with intense pressure over state debt, construction rorts, and controversial legislation, can he reset the narrative in time? With his take is Anthony Galloway, Victorian Political Editor of The Australian.

Anthony had a story last week that the Victorian Labor Government had explored privatising Melbourne Water for five years to rescue the state’s finances. Named “Project Nerva”, the business cas...

Nevena is in the hosting seat this week and her very special guest host is Author and  Media personality John Safran, as they discuss what’s coming up on this week’s programme and the week that was in news, views and reviews.

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Fiona, Robbie, Kenny, John and Macca are joined live on air by Reverend Tim Costello — Alliance for Gambling Reform

The federal government’s proposed gambling reforms have come under sustained criticism from anti-gambling-harm advocates, and this week Reverend Tim Costello told a Senate committee that the legislation fails the Prime Minister’s own tests for reform.

Costello argues that the bill doesn’t do enough to separate gambling from sport, protect children or reduce the saturation of gambling advertising.

He says Australia needs a national gambling regulator, a ban on inducem...

Macca and Kenny are joined by Fiona Patten — Former Victorian MP &a Incoming CEO, Medical Cannabis Council and Robbie Swanks live in the studio

Before she was a Victorian MP, Fiona Patten spent years campaigning on some of the issues politicians were
often most uncomfortable talking about — sex, censorship, reproductive rights and personal freedom.
She went on to help establish the Australian Sex Party with her partner, Robbie Swan, and eventually took that
campaign for law reform into the Victorian Parliament.

Now, as she prepares to move to Canberra to become CEO of t...

There has been a reshuffle in the Victorian Government — and one of the changes particularly relevant to our
listeners is the decision to move Vicki Ward out of the Equality portfolio.

Vicki is now Minister for Public Transport and Creative Industries, while the Equality portfolio has gone to
Steve Dimopoulos, an openly gay minister.

So what does that change mean for Victoria’s LGBTQIA+ communities? Does it represent a change in priorities
for the government, or simply a reshuffling of ministerial responsibilities? And what does Vicki Ward want to achieve in her new...

This year’s Census represents a pretty significant change for Australia’s trans, gender-diverse and non-binary
communities.

For the first time, Australians aged 16 and over will be asked about their gender, alongside a separate question
about sex recorded at birth.

We’re joined by Michelle McNamara and Son Vivienne from Transgender Victoria

Transgender Victoria has spent years advocating for this change, arguing that if communities aren’t counted,
governments can’t properly plan for them.

But there are plenty of questions: Do you actually have to answer the gender que...

Macca and Kenny are joined live in the studio by Jason Heath, who has recently become the new General Manager of Joy Media

The post Saturday, 8th August, 2026: Jason Heath, New GM Joy Media appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Kenny are in the hosting seats this week as they discuss what’s happened in the last 7 days, locally, around the country and globally.

News, views, reviews of the week that was and who’s coming up on this week’s programme.

The post Saturday, 8th August, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Kenny appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca, Kenny and John are joined live on air by Ryan Heath — Launch Editor, POLITICO Australia / Canberra Playbook

Politics is increasingly global — and Australian politics is no exception. The decisions made in Canberra are shaped by what’s happening in Washington, Beijing, Brussels and beyond, while issues like AI, trade, security, climate and social policy increasingly cross-national borders.

POLITICO is launching Canberra Playbook later this month, bringing its particular brand of political intelligence, insider reporting and policy analysis to the Australian capital.

Our guest is the person charged with getting it off the ground...

Macca and Paul talk to Steve MinOn; First Name, Second Name: Best selling debut novel

The journey will be long and difficult, one thousand miles. Try not to be too obvious. Stick to the backroads. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you get there.

Stephen Bolin leaves a bizarre note by his deathbed, asking his sisters to take his body back to his birthplace in Far North Queensland. When they ignore his request, Stephen’s corpse makes the nocturnal pilgrimage alone. But what is compelling him and what will he find there?

His jo...

Macca and Paul talk to MR B-Host of new show on Joy, Methodology about addiction and the everyday struggles of addiction and trauma.

The post Sat, 1st August, 2026; MR B-Host of new show on Joy, Methodology appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul talk to Kate Fitzpatrick, Senior Programmer at MIFF; about this years Melbourne international Film Festival.

Kate has worked in the Arts for over 15 years for organisations such as Australian Centre for the Moving Image. She has served on the jury for Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, WA Screen Awards, Dome Under Film Festival, appeared on panels at SXSW Austin and Sydney, St Kilda Film Festival, Good Movie Mondays podcast, ABC radio and Triple R and was one of Screen International’s Future Leaders in 2024.

The post Sat, 1st August, 2026; Kate Fitzpatrick, Se...

Macca and Paul did a pre-recorded an interview Emily Walter, National Spokesperson for the 2026 Census.

Emily Walter is a senior leader at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and serves as the official Census National Spokesperson for the upcoming 2026 Australian Census, scheduled for Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Specialising in digital services and public-facing data programs, she is the primary public voice leading community outreach, media briefings, and public education campaigns for the national count.

The post Sat, 1st August, 2026; Emily Walter, National Spokesperson for the 2026 Census appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca, Kenny and Paul are joined live on air by Alan Joyce, Former CEO QANTAS.

Alan Joyce: Riding the Jet Stream is a compelling, factual and gripping memoir from one of Australia’s most consequential chief executives. With a network spanning seven prime ministers and countless captains of industry, Alan Joyce provides a no-holds-barred account of some of the most important decisions taken during his career leading one aviation’s most respected brands.

Few chief executives have been tested as relentlessly: the Global Financial Crisis, bitter industrial battles, unrelenting public scrutiny, and the near collapse of a...

Macca, Paul and Kenny are joined live on air by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor, Guardian Australia; as they discuss the week that was in  Victoria and Federal Politics and Pauline Hanson.

Tom McIlroy,  is the political editor for Guardian Australia. Based at Parliament House in Canberra, he spearheads the publication’s coverage of national politics, public policy, and federal elections.

McIlroy was previously a political correspondent with the Australian Financial Review, reporting from the press gallery at Parliament House. Born and raised in Melbourne, he has reported for a range of newspapers in Australia and over...

Macca, Kenny and Paul are in the Driver’s Seat as they dissect and discuss a momentous week in state politics, the news, reviews and views of the last seven days plus so much more.

The post Sat, 1st August, 2026; Weekly Wrap Up with Macca, Paul and Kenny. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest has become something of a political celebrity in her own right. She’s appeared on television, stolen scenes from interviews and probably has stronger name recognition than some backbench MPs. Stella,

Barnaby Joyce unwittingly made headlines this week when during a live interview with the 7:30 Report, he yelled at his dog Stella to “Sit Down” while being asked if he was comfortable with some of Pauline Hanson’s latest decisions – including her recent interview with controversial right-wing figure Tommy Robinson, comments referencing the White Australia policy and the funding of her trip to...

Macca and Kenny talk to Cr Alex Makin Mayor, City of Port Phillip Port Phillip’s 2026–27 Budget: investing in neighbourhoods while balancing rising costs

The City of Port Phillip has adopted its 2026–27 Budget, promising continued investment in parks, streets, libraries, community facilities and services while navigating the financial pressures facing councils across Victoria. Mayor Alex Makin joins us to discuss the budget and the priorities shaping the year ahead.

The City of Port Phillip includes St Kilda, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Balaclava and Elwood. It is also home to the Victorian Pride Centre, JOY Media and ma...

Macca and Kenny are joined live in the studio by Aiv Puglielli Legislative Council Member for Nth East Metro; Aust Greens; as they discuss if Victoria should abolish street auctions? The Greens’ proposal to change how homes are sold

Standing on a suburban footpath while an auctioneer calls for bids has become part of Melbourne’s identity. But should that tradition come to an end? The Victorian Greens say outdoor auctions create unnecessary pressure on buyers and are proposing legislation to move property sales indoors or online instead. Joining us is Greens MP Aiv Puglielli.

The...

Macca and Kenny are joined live on air by Michael Balk President, Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA);

Pay Up: Should AI companies pay for the creative work they use?

Artificial intelligence is changing how we create, consume and discover news, music, books and art. But as AI companies train their models on enormous amounts of creative work, artists, journalists and performers are asking a simple question: if your work is being used to build billion-dollar AI products, shouldn’t you be paid? Joining us this morning is Michael Balk, President of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Al...

Misha and Macca are joined live on air

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 post Sat, July 25th, 2026: Bruce Wolpe; – Snr Fellow, US Study Centre, Uni. Syd; Latest from Washington including Trump’s standing; Iran; Coming M...

Macca and Misha talk live in the studio with Dr Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong; Gambling Reform, Lobbying and Timing of Hecs Indexation, Allied Health Prac payments (+ her take on AI & Data Centre Regulation).

The post Sat, July 25th, 2026: Dr Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong; Gambling Reform, Lobbying and Timing of Hecs Indexation, Allied Health Prac payments (+ her take on AI & Data Centre Regulation) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Misha talk to Zoe Daniel about Proposed AI regulation, job losses at Nine; the ALP Conf; update on
her (+ Rex Patrick’s) high court action on electoral funding

The post Sat, July 25th, 2026: Zoe Daniel, journalist, author & former independent federal MP for Goldstein appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca is joined in the hosting seat, for the first half of this week’s show by Misha Ketchell, Editor-in-Chief of the Conversation.

Misha is the Editor of The Conversation Australia and New Zealand. He has been a journalist for more than 25 years. He was the founding editor of The Big Issue Australia and editor of Crikey, The Reader and The Melbourne Weekly. He was a reporter at The Age and worked at the ABC where he was a TV producer on Media Watch and The 7:30 Report and an editor on The Drum.

Macca and Mi...

Nevena and Macca are joined live on air by Dr Gemma Blackwood, from University of Tasmania; as they discuss Neal the Seal.

If you’ve spent any time online recently, chances are you’ve come across Neil the Seal. Whether he’s smashing
bollards, blocking traffic or taking an afternoon nap in towns across southern Tasmania, Neil has become an
unlikely international celebrity. But according to media scholar Dr Gemma Blackwood, Neil's popularity tells us
as much about us as it does about the seal himself. She joins us this morning to explain why one ch...

Nevena and Macca are joined live on air by Professor Andrew Dodd Professor of Journalism, Uni Melb; On Derryn Hinch’s Passing.

Few Australian media figures have been as divisive—or as influential—as Derryn Hinch. A broadcaster,
newspaper columnist, television host, campaigner and senator, Hinch built a career on exposing injustice,
challenging authority and often testing the limits of journalism itself.

Following his recent passing, Professor Andrew Dodd from the University of Melbourne joins us to reflect on Hinch’s complicated legacy and what it tells us about Australian media today.

Derryn...

Macca and Nevena are joined live on air by Dr Bill Swannie, Senior Lecturer, Thomas More Law School, ACU; Recent MSO vs Latouff rulings and freedom of speech.

Recent court decisions involving the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf have
reignited debate about freedom of speech in Australian workplaces. On the surface, the two cases appear to
point in different directions, raising questions about what employees can say publicly, what employers can
regulate, and where the law now stands. Joining us is Dr Bill Swannie from Australian Catholic University,
whose recent analysis...

Macca and Nevena speak to Kieran Rooney, state Political Reporter; The Age.

The Victorian election is now just four months away, and the political battle is well and truly underway. New
polling, preference deals and campaign strategy are all coming into sharper focus as parties compete for
undecided voters. To help us make sense of it all, we’re joined by Kieran Rooney from The Age.

Victorians will next go to the polls in November 2026, with Labor under Premier Jacinta Allan seeking a fourth
term in government.
An article by Kieran pu...

Justices of the Peace quietly perform thousands of essential services every year, yet many Victorians struggle
to find one when they need one. Despite a recent recruitment campaign, Victoria has just over 3,700 JPs—far
fewer than New South Wales. So why is there such a shortage, and what can be done about it? Rodney Lavin
and Dean Beck from the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices join us to discuss.

Justices of the Peace are volunteer statutory office holders appointed by the Governor in Council. They
perform a range of important community functions, in...

Macca and Nevena talk to Dr Renae Fomiatti Senior Research Fellow, at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) in the School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University; about Peptides and Image Enhancing Drugs;.

Peptides have exploded in popularity, fuelled by social media, fitness culture and the promise of becoming a
healthier, leaner or more youthful version of ourselves. But are they a medical breakthrough, another wellness
trend, or something more complicated? Dr Renae Fomiatti joins us to unpack both the science and the social
forces driving this phenomenon...

The debate around free speech is once again making headlines after videos targeting Aboriginal, Indian
Australian and transgender people prompted complaints and widespread criticism. To unpack where the lines
are drawn between comedy, discrimination and vilification, we're joined by Reuben Kirkham from the Free
Speech Union of Australia.

Australia has no absolute constitutional right to free speech. Instead, freedom of political communication is
recognised as an implied constitutional freedom, while speech is also regulated through Commonwealth, state
and territory laws covering areas such as defamation, incitement, harassment and anti-vilification.

Victoria...

Nevena and Macca are back in the hosting seat this week; as they discuss the news, reviews, views of the week that was and what’s coming up on this week’s programme.

The post Sat,18th, July 2026: Weekly Wrap Up With Nevena and Macca appeared first on 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...

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 ev...