7am

In the 1970s, eight children in Perth were sent to a psychiatric hospital to be ‘treated’ for being transgender. Their experiences became the basis of a medical study that claimed kids could be cured of their identity.
Now, nearly forty years after it was released, that same study is being cited in arguments against trans healthcare and being used to shape policy and law.
Today, Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, Mon Schafter, on how a forgotten experiment from another era is still influencing the culture war over trans healthcare.
This episode was originally published in October 2025.

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Guest: Walkley Award-winning journalist and founding editor of ABC Queer, Mon Schafter
Photo: Supplied: Jayne McFadyen
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It’s the on-again, off-again political drama that has turned Australian politics into something resembling a soap opera.
For the second time in a year, the Liberal and National parties have split, rendering the coalition dead – again.
The break-up has once again thrown Sussan Ley’s leadership under the bus, shattered the opposition’s ability to challenge the government – and underscored deeper pressures from an ascendant One Nation.
Today, contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on the break-up, the fallout, and the ex sitting on the sidelines who can’t get enough of the spectacle.

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Guest: Contributing editor of The New Daily Amy Remeikis
Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
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Donald Trump has invited Australia to join his new “Board of Peace” – a Trump-led body he says will help bring peace to Gaza.
But the invitation comes with a warning. Some leaders say the board could undermine the United Nations – and Trump himself has suggested it might even replace it.
Trump has spent years attacking the United Nations as ineffective – and this term, his administration has moved to pull the US out of dozens of UN agencies.
So is this a peace plan, or a power play?
Today, UN analyst at the International Crisis Group, Maya Ungar, on the real agenda behind Trump’s Board of Peace and whether Australia should join.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: UN analyst at the International Crisis Group, Maya Ungar
Photo: EPA/LAURENT GILLIERON
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Labor’s watered-down hate speech laws passed the Senate.
The following day, the bigger story wasn’t the bill.
Three senior Nationals – Bridget McKenzie, Susan McDonald and Ross Cadell – were forced off the opposition frontbench after defying shadow cabinet and voting against the legislation.
Then, after a late night emergency meeting, the rest of the Nationals frontbench followed suit, quitting their roles in a show of solidarity.
Now, the Liberal National partnership is hanging in the balance and Sussan Ley’s leadership is again under threat.
Today, Press Gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on how hate speech blew up the Coalition.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist Karen Middleton
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Elon Musk first launched his AI tool Grok, he called it “rebellious” and anti-woke.
But over the summer, what that meant took a disturbing turn.
The chatbot, which is embedded in Musk's social media platform X, started creating sexualised images of women and children without their consent.
Anthony Albanese has staked his legacy on keeping children safe online, so what is he doing to protect them from Grok?
Today, associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson, on whether it’s time for the government to get off X.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram
Guest: Associate editor at Crikey, Cam Wilson
Photo: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.