Podcast · News

Hack

by triplej · English · News

Hack brings you the stories that matter to young people. Every weekday host Dave Marchese and the triple j Hack team cover the latest news, politics and culture from all around Australia.

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 30 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 29 minNew

Freedom of religion or discrimination? Plus, the impacts of a live-streamed execution

In Australia today, you can still lose your job for being gay, getting divorced, or getting pregnant. How? Because of exemptions for religious schools that they say are about freedom of religion, not discrimination. But a new bill has been introduced to change those exemptions. We unpack both sides of the discussion. Plus, can Australia stop an execution from being live streamed? Listen now: 01:14 – Live-streamed execution 12:02 – Sex Discrimination Act Guests: Dr Victoria Fielding, Strategic Communications at Adelaide University Michelle Pearse, CEO of the Australian Christian Lobby James,…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

12 Oct 2026 · 29 minNew
Coming home botched, WA’s ‘mega uni' + Trump’s surprise ceasefire
An estimated 15,000 Aussies head overseas for surgery each year – but some people are stepping off the plane home with botched results and infections. We hear about what changes Aussies are getting done overseas, and what's going wrong. And, three of Western Australia's biggest universities are potentially merging, but not everyone is happy about it. Plus, Trump has called an ‘energy ceasefire’ between Ukraine and Russia, which was a surprise to Ukraine’s President Zelensky. So... what exactly is an ‘energy ceasefire’? Listen now: 01:13 – University merger 12:26 – Energy ceasefire 18:40 –…
9 Oct 2026 · 23 min
DEEP DIVE: Why politicians can't stop talking about immigration
This week the Coalition dropped it's new migration policy. It's promised to slash the number of international students coming to Australia and put a bigger focus on skilled migrants. So how does this stack up to what Labor and One Nation are proposing? And what would it mean for Australia's economy? On this week's Deep Dive, host Dave Marchese speaks to ABC Finance presenter Alan Kohler to unpack the Coalition's migration plan. Plus, Dave asks Liberal MP Andrew Hastie if his party is just copying Pauline Hanson. Guest: Alan Kohler, ABC Finance Andrew Hastie, Liberal MP, Shadow Minister for…
9 Oct 2026 · 29 min
THE SHAKEUP: The cost of being single, what next for Christa Pike + AI election ads
Christa Pike is alive, talking, and reportedly ‘angry’, after surviving a botched execution. So what happens now? And, a One Nation electoral ad has gone viral this week – but not only for its content. It’s raised the question, should AI be allowed in political ads? Plus, is the ‘singles tax’ real? Apparently, it’s costing people thousands of dollars a year... Also, would you cheat... in a marathon? A fitness influencer’s been caught hitching a ride mid-race. Host, Dave Marchese, is joined by Daily Aus Editor-in-Chief , Billi FitzSimons, and comedian, Billy D’Arcy. Listen now: 04:10 – What…
8 Oct 2026 · 31 min
Hastie's haters, landmark ruling for NSW coal mine + giving away 10% of your income... forever
What are the risks of cutting back on immigration? Yesterday, the Coalition released its long-awaited migration policy to dramatically cut back on international students in favour of skilled migrants. Today, Liberal MP Andrew Hastie joined hack to respond to criticism about the plan. And, we unpack a landmark High Court decision for a NSW coal mine and fossil fuel emissions. Plus, would you commit to donating 10% of your income forever? How about a kidney? We’re joined by Hu Pennington - who has done both of those things - to hear about ‘effective altruism’. Listen now: 01:13 – The Coalition…
7 Oct 2026 · 19 min
INTERVIEW: The 'effective altruist' who gave up his kidney
How far would you go to help people you have never met? Would you commit to giving away a proportion of your income for the rest of your life or even donate a kidney? Hu Pennington has done both in the name of "effective altruism" — a social movement centred around positive impact and charity. In this chat with Dave, Hu explains why he decided to give his kidney to a stranger, and how his family reacted when he told them. Guests: Hu Pennington, Effective Altruism Australia board member Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on…
7 Oct 2026 · 31 min
Christa Pike survives, the coalition's migration plan + networking out bush
The stories that matter to The Coalition have dropped their new migration policy with promises to slash visa numbers across the board. So what do the experts think? And how does it compare to the Labor and One Nation plans announced earlier this year? Plus, Christa Pike is talking in hospital after surviving a failed execution last week. Pike, 50, has been on death row for 30 years after murdering her classmate in 1995. So, what went wrong with the execution and what happens now? And, how do you network when your nearest colleague is hundreds of kilometres away? We unpack the new initiative…
6 Oct 2026 · 31 min
OpenAI says sorry, publicly owned supermarkets + is the plague back?
The big tech companies were in the hot seat today, ready to be grilled at a parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence. We listened in to find out what they were asked, and what they had to say. And, the Greens want to force Coles and Woolworths to sell off 200 stores so they can be publicly owned - much like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan for his city. Why do this? To make groceries cheaper, says Max Chandler-Mather. But we have more questions. Plus, there's been reports of a suspected plague death in Russia that has health experts monitoring closely. So, how worried should we…
2 Oct 2026 · 12 min
DEEP DIVE: The illegal trade targeting Aussie reptiles
Australia's native reptiles are highly sought after overseas, with some fetching hundreds and thousands of dollars. But exporting live native reptiles for commercial purposes is illegal — so criminal networks are finding other ways to get them out of the country. This week, we're looking at the illegal trade in Australian reptiles, and the unlikely group of people getting caught up in it. Host Gabby Katanasho is joined by Dr Sebastian Chekunov, who's extensively researched wildlife crime, to unpack how the trade works, where our reptiles are going, and why it matters Guest: Dr Sebastian…
2 Oct 2026 · 31 min
THE SHAKEUP: The Cornell case, the rebrands we hated + what happens if you date at work?
The lawsuit alleging a gang rape at Cornell University has sparked a cultural movement that might be the biggest since #MeToo. It's all anyone is talking about right now... but do enough men join the conversation when it really matters? And, how do we create a culture that doesn't enable sexual violence? And, Donald Trump decided AI needed a rebrand this week, and signed an executive order to rename it "Super Intelligence", or "SI". Catchy? Jury's out, but it got us thinking, what are some of the great rebrand flops of all time? Also, the Singapore government is trying to play cupid... for…
1 Oct 2026 · 31 min
New Greens leader just dropped, mid-flight cockpit attack + Australia’s DV ‘national crisis’
Just 24 hours ago, the Greens got a new leader. David Shoebridge shares what he wants young people to know, how the party will combat its ‘unserious’ reputation, and his promise of a ‘red-hot fight’ against Labor and One Nation. Plus, a plane flying to Tel Aviv dropped more than 15-thousand feet, in less than a minute, with a bloody struggle in the cockpit. We get into what's known. And, we're joined by Noongar woman, victim-survivor and DV advocate, Alison Scott. In 2019, her sister was murdered by her partner. She explains what it will take to protect some of the most vulnerable in our…
30 Sep 2026 · 25 min
INTERVIEW: 'It never leaves you.' The pain of advocacy after your sister is murdered
Warning: This story contains images and descriptions of an Indigenous person who has died. How do we stop women and children being murdered? It's a question politicians, communities and families have been grappling with for decades. And, it seems we're still looking for the answer. Last month, across 10 hours, three women were allegedly killed by men they knew in separate attacks. Politicians have called the deaths 'profoundly distressing' but said more funding alone won’t solve this problem. So what will? Alison Scott has been working in this space for nearly three decades. She is a…
30 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Contraception myths, Man City found guilty + what's AI at uni costing you?
A recent study found a majority of popular TikToks about birth control weren't posted by medical professionals. So, how do you sift through this so-called 'expert' advice online? And one of the biggest football teams in the world, Manchester City, is currently wrapped up in one of sports' biggest scandals... and they've been found guilty. So how serious is this, and what will happen to the club that has dominated the English Premier League for the last decade? Plus, what happens when 31 tonnes of whale washes up on an Aussie beach? The local council hauls it to the tip... but how do they get…
29 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Drugs, firearms and... Aussie reptiles? 15-year interest rate high + Beau Lamarre-Condon trial
Internationally the reptile trade is big business – and Aussie reptiles are being pulled into it. We learn how criminal syndicates are smuggling Australian animals out of the country. Also, the Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates to the highest level since 2011. But how does that actually impact young Aussies? Plus, the Beau Lamarre-Condon trial has started. He's accused of the double murder of his former lover, Jesse Baird, and Jesse's new boyfriend, Luke Davies. We bring you up to speed on what happened in the first week of the trial. Listen now: 01:12 - Interest rates rise 11:32 - Beau…
28 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Politics in the family group chat, Iran's rejected offer + footy underdogs
It’s a typical weeknight at home: you’re sitting at the dinner table, arguing with your parents about politics. Sound familiar? Some research suggests Gen Z is the least likely generation to support One Nation, while support among Gen X and Boomers is strongest. So what’s it like when you and your parents can’t see eye to eye on politics? And we get into Iran’s offer to open the Strait of Hormuz – a global shipping route that’s key to rising fuel prices around the world – and just how quickly the US Government rejected their proposal. Plus, have you heard about the ‘snack exchange’? Part…
25 Sep 2026 · 15 min
DEEP DIVE: The AI FIFO worker selling adult content online
Have you ever been unsure if something in your feed was real or AI? Well, you’re not alone – it’s even getting hard for the social media platforms to spot them. We looked into one FIFO influencer, Bindi Raye, who has 85k followers across Instagram and TikTok. She looks like a regular woman sharing her life online – posting pictures of her life at the mine site, at the beach, or at the footy – but she’s actually one of several generative AI accounts pushing their followers to pay-walled AI adult content. In the deep dive this week, host Ali Angeloni is joined by Dan Miller, senior lecturer in…
25 Sep 2026 · 30 min
THE SHAKEUP: Tones & I NRL drama, living at home forever + are you lurking online with a 'finsta'?
How would you feel if your favourite artist didn’t play their biggest hit? Tones and I has pulled out of her headline performance at the upcoming NRL Grand Final, and apparently, it’s because she didn’t want to perform her most popular song. We get into this, plus, if we should even have pre-game entertainment. And, the latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey is out, revealing that half of young Aussies are living at home with their parents. We unpack why this might have gone up, and chat about why it’s mostly men who still live at home. Also, Channing Tatum…
24 Sep 2026 · 30 min
AI agent hacks Medicare + who is still romantic in 2026?
So, an OpenAI agent went rogue and infiltrated Australian Government websites a few months ago – and we only found out today. We unpack what went wrong, why the government didn’t know and what happens next. And, we’re joined by Gumbaynggirr artist and activist Aretha Brown to chat about why she is leaning into joy, why she describes the relationship between artists and some galleries as 'parasitic' and how it feels to be a real romantic in 2026. Listen now: 01:16 - OpenAI Medicare hack 14:15 - “The most romantic job in the world” Guests: John Lyons, Americas editor, ABC News Aretha Brown,…
23 Sep 2026 · 28 min
INTERVIEW: The most 'romantic' job in the world
Aretha Brown has been in the public eye since she was 16 years old when a speech she gave at an Invasion Day rally made national headlines. Last year, she became one of the youngest artists ever selected for the National Indigenous Triennial at the National Gallery and her art collective, Kiss My Art, has painted more than 65 murals around the world. Now Aretha is preparing for her first solo show, Born Romantic. In this week's long listen, Aretha tells Ali why she is leaning into joy, why she describes the relationship between artists and some galleries as 'parasitic' and how it feels to be…
23 Sep 2026 · 29 min
Do you care if your porn is AI? Trump threatens Iran + AFL fans brave the Nullarbor
Have you ever been unsure if something in your feed was real or AI? Well, you’re not alone. We look into a FIFO influencer who has almost 85,000 followers, but she’s actually one of several generative AI accounts pushing their followers to pay-walled AI adult content. And, we hear about US president Donald Trump’s threat towards Iran in his address at the United Nations General Assembly, and the reasons behind the high fuel prices we’re seeing around Australia. Plus, the AFL Grand Final is this weekend at the MCG, featuring two non-Victorian teams. We find out the lengths some fans are going…
22 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Are young Aussies condemned to work forever? Boycott against Trump + dating app dangers
The federal government has looked ahead – 40 years ahead, in fact – as they predict what the future of Australia will look like. We unpack the government's latest Intergenerational Report to find out exactly what young people can expect in 2065. And, US President Donald Trump has banned three media outlets from the White House. He has called the outlets "fake news" and now, other TV networks in the US are boycotting out of support. Plus, a new Australian study has highlighted the dangers women are facing on dating apps. What are they being subjected to? And should the government's Digital…
21 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Are we in a DV crisis? Sudan civil war + the impact of fast fashion
It has been a "horrific" weekend of alleged domestic violence incidents in NSW, with three women and a child killed. The Police Commissioner says he can't remember a weekend like this, and the NSW opposition leader says "we need to be doing so much more". And, while the United Nations has called it the world's largest humanitarian crisis, it doesn't make headlines often – the Sudan civil war continues to cause mass displacement, risk of famine, and sexual violence. Plus, new research has revealed that despite shoppers knowing the harm fast fashion causes to the environment, they're buying…
18 Sep 2026 · 14 min
DEEP DIVE: What Molly's friends wish they knew about domestic violence
Molly Ticehurst was 28 years old when her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Billings, broke into her house and murdered her. Her death sparked outrage right across Australia because Billings was out on bail for domestic violence offences at the time. Two years later, Molly's friends and family are still coming to terms with her death. They're sharing her story in hopes of helping others in a similar situation. In this week's deep dive, Molly's best friends open up about what it's like to lose someone you love to domestic violence and what they wish they knew before Molly died. Plus, you'll hear from an…
18 Sep 2026 · 31 min
THE SHAKEUP: HYROX pooer, Sheeran v Macklemore + that Sydney Sweeney ad
How far would you go to win? Australian athlete Joanna Wietryzk kept competing despite soiling herself during a HYROX event ... and she went on to win. Some respect the hustle, some are furious. And, all of Ed Sheeran's support acts (including his backing band) have ditched his tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped for voicing his support of Palestine on stage. Is music inherently political, or should the two be separate? Plus, was Sydney Sweeney's sexualised gambling ad damaging to women's sport? Host Luke Siddham Dundon is joined by Amy Kimball Tassell, executive producer of…
17 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Labor's immigration plan is here + the grief of dementia as a carer
The government has announced its long-awaited shake-up of Australia's immigration policy. So, what is Labor proposing? And watching a loved one with dementia slowly lose their sense of self can be devastating and lonely. We hear from sisters Adelaide and Lucinda, who have a message for other young people in caring roles. Listen now: 01:21 - Explaining Labor's immigration plan 13:40 - Caring for someone with dementia Guests: Professor Alan Gamlen, social scientist, ANU College of Asia & the Pacific Adelaide and Lucinda Miller
16 Sep 2026 · 33 min
INTERVIEW: Caring for someone while they forget
What’s it like to watch someone you love slip away? Sisters Adelaide and Lucinda Miller found themselves caring for the woman who looked after them growing up – their nana – as she slowly faded away to dementia. Over 10 years, they watched dementia steal her memories, identity and sense of self. They've made a documentary about their experience, called Nansie, which was released last year and premiered on SBS this month. In this week's long listen, Adelaide and Lucinda open up about their relationship with their nana, and what they've learnt about the disease, which kills more Australians…
16 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Aussie music vs AI battle reignites, buying a house with a heartfelt letter + Enviro Minister explains himself
Leaked documents reveal Labor is considering a proposal to make artists' work available for use by AI companies to train their models by default. So is the government selling artists out to big tech? Plus, we ask Environment Minister Murray Watt why he's abandoning a major recycling scheme. And we hear from a first-home buyer with an unusual entry into the property market: a heartfelt letter to the seller. Listen now: 01:20 - AI copyright controversy explained 12:24 - Interview with Minister Murray Watt 22:39 - Can a letter buy you a house? Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on…
15 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Macklemore silenced? Pauline's immigration plan + banana farmers fuming at Coles
Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian statements on stage. We get into who controls the stadiums. And, One Nation has unveiled its immigration plan, which includes significant cuts to international student numbers. Critics have said this plan could cripple the economy and shut down university campuses. Plus, Coles is ditching local bananas in the home of the Big Banana, Coffs Harbour. So how complex is Australia's food supply chain and how does it impact local suppliers? Listen now: 01:09 - One Nation immigration plan 12:47 - Coffs Harbour bananas…
14 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Will AI really end us? Supporting a friend through DV + Sydney Sweeney backlash
Employees and CEOs of some of the world's biggest tech companies are sounding the alarm about AI. Could it really wipe out the human race, as some have warned? And we talk about ways you can support a friend experiencing domestic violence, as we hear the story of Molly Ticehurst, who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2024. Plus, dozens of athletes are speaking out about Sydney Sweeney's ad for a sports betting company. Listen now: 01:10 - Calls for AI to slow down 11:29 - The story of Molly Ticehurst 24:58 - Why athletes are furious over Sydney Sweeney's ad Guests: Toby Walsh, Scientia…
11 Sep 2026 · 19 min
DEEP DIVE: Can the government really get big tech to turn off algorithms?
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan to force tech companies to give users the option to opt out of algorithms. The Prime Minister says this will protect people from harm and give users more control over what they see online, but critics argue the ultimate goal is censorship. So would you opt out if you had the choice? And how will this all work? In this week's deep dive we unpack the government's plan for a digital duty of care, and what it could mean for your social media feed. Guest: Sophie Scamps, independent MP Cam Wilson, national AI reporter, ABC Get the whole…

About Hack

Hack brings you the stories that matter to young people. Every weekday host Dave Marchese and the triple j Hack team cover the latest news, politics and culture from all around Australia.

Hack is a English news podcast from triplej. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: triplej
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 30 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id78995043

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