Welcome to Covered, a podcast that helps you figure out what’s going on in the news and how you feel about it. Here to guide you through the biggest stories of the week, are your hosts journalists Jodi Lee and Annie Pullar.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 04 Jul 2026 16:07:46 GMTThu, 19 Mar 2026 06:14:02 GMT60Annie Pullar & Jodi Lee<p><b>Welcome to Covered, a podcast that helps you figure out what’s going on in the news and how you feel about it. Here to guide you through the biggest stories of the week, are your hosts journalists Jodi Lee and Annie Pullar.</b></p>episodicAnnie Pullar & Jodi Leeanniepullar8@outlook.comnoThis week on Covered, Pauline Hanson takes her monocultural pitch to the country at the National Press Club, her biggest speech in thirty years and a clear play to be taken seriously as a leader. We ask the question her critics keep laughing off, could she actually be Prime Minister. Then to the spate of shark attacks along the NSW coast, brought into focus by the recent mauling at Coogee, and the bigger question of why it keeps happening. Plus Norwegian royal stepson Marius Borg Høiby, jailed four years for rape.

]]>2f2e99c7-fd64-45ee-a02b-9592cc32734fFri, 19 Jun 2026 02:50:20 GMT<p>This week on Covered, Pauline Hanson takes her monocultural pitch to the country at the National Press Club, her biggest speech in thirty years and a clear play to be taken seriously as a leader. We ask the question her critics keep laughing off, could she actually be Prime Minister. Then to the spate of shark attacks along the NSW coast, brought into focus by the recent mauling at Coogee, and the bigger question of why it keeps happening. Plus Norwegian royal stepson Marius Borg Høiby, jailed four years for rape.</p>no00:41:13112Pauline Hanson's Monoculture Pitch, Sydney's Shark Problem and a Royal Convicted of RapefullThis week on Covered, Labor tried to fundraise off the threat of One Nation and it backfired spectacularly, handing Pauline Hanson a million dollar war chest and the slogan Fire the Liar. We get into the spin war that swallowed Australian politics, right down to the billboard truck targeting Jacinta Allan that dragged ditch the witch back into the conversation. Then to the FIFA World Cup, where Trump's America is threatening to derail the biggest sporting event in history, with Iran's team driving across the Mexican border to play and fans from a dozen countries locked out. Plus Australia is in a baby drought with the fertility rate hitting a record low.

]]>5b47cd36-cd9b-428c-99e8-2ff382929babFri, 12 Jun 2026 06:13:15 GMT<p>This week on Covered, Labor tried to fundraise off the threat of One Nation and it backfired spectacularly, handing Pauline Hanson a million dollar war chest and the slogan Fire the Liar. We get into the spin war that swallowed Australian politics, right down to the billboard truck targeting Jacinta Allan that dragged ditch the witch back into the conversation. Then to the FIFA World Cup, where Trump's America is threatening to derail the biggest sporting event in history, with Iran's team driving across the Mexican border to play and fans from a dozen countries locked out. Plus Australia is in a baby drought with the fertility rate hitting a record low.</p>no00:38:19112Pauline Hanson's Million Dollar Week, Trump's World Cup Mess and Australia's Baby DroughtfullThis week on Covered, the ABC is facing accusations of hypocrisy after making Grace Tame the face of a new podcast about autism, with the appointment dividing ranks inside the national broadcaster itself. Then harrowing bodycam footage of 18-year-old Henry Nowak dying handcuffed in a UK street has triggered riots and a reckoning about race and policing that has the country asking who police actually protect. And finally, how high is too high? That is the question the NSW government is trying to answer after announcing sweeping reforms to drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients.

]]>715bfe47-02bb-4a34-b4f8-714ca924d4efFri, 05 Jun 2026 07:01:48 GMT<p>This week on Covered, the ABC is facing accusations of hypocrisy after making Grace Tame the face of a new podcast about autism, with the appointment dividing ranks inside the national broadcaster itself. Then harrowing bodycam footage of 18-year-old Henry Nowak dying handcuffed in a UK street has triggered riots and a reckoning about race and policing that has the country asking who police actually protect. And finally, how high is too high? That is the question the NSW government is trying to answer after announcing sweeping reforms to drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients.</p>no00:37:38111Grace Tame's ABC Controversy, the UK Murder Dividing a Nation and NSW's Cannabis Driving ReformfullThis week on Covered, the teal independents are in talks to form a political party but there's a real divide over whether a party and genuine independence can actually coexist. An Australian family is fighting to bring controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo back to Australia after he was banned from operating here, and we break down why his case is so divisive. And the Enhanced Games wrapped in Las Vegas, the doping-permitted Olympic alternative that put $25 million US in prize money on the table and earned almost universal ridicule.

]]>7aff4e40-560e-4632-9657-c53489da5c1fFri, 29 May 2026 05:42:47 GMT<p>This week on Covered, the teal independents are in talks to form a political party but there's a real divide over whether a party and genuine independence can actually coexist. An Australian family is fighting to bring controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo back to Australia after he was banned from operating here, and we break down why his case is so divisive. And the Enhanced Games wrapped in Las Vegas, the doping-permitted Olympic alternative that put $25 million US in prize money on the table and earned almost universal ridicule. </p>no00:31:40110The Teals Want a Party, Charlie Teo's Exile, and the Enhanced Games VerdictfullThis week on Covered, the budget backlash explodes into a full-blown revolt as small business owners flood social media with AI-generated memes and the opposition seizes on the chaos. Rugby league is rocked by the devastating news that South Sydney star Jai Arrow has been diagnosed with MND at just 30. And a mass shooting at a California mosque carried out by two teenagers inspired by Christchurch killer Brenton Tarrant brings one of the darkest chapters in our region's history back into devastating focus.

]]>53877633-2920-4ee5-8b29-fb5a7d4b3ce0Fri, 22 May 2026 03:32:05 GMT<p>This week on Covered, the budget backlash explodes into a full-blown revolt as small business owners flood social media with AI-generated memes and the opposition seizes on the chaos. Rugby league is rocked by the devastating news that South Sydney star Jai Arrow has been diagnosed with MND at just 30. And a mass shooting at a California mosque carried out by two teenagers inspired by Christchurch killer Brenton Tarrant brings one of the darkest chapters in our region's history back into devastating focus.</p>no00:35:51110Budget Backlash, Jai Arrow's MND Diagnosis & the Christchurch Link to a US Mosque ShootingfullThis week on Covered, the budget of broken promises lands and we unpack who really wins and loses. Angus Taylor fires back with welfare for Australians only, as the Liberal Party fights for survival against One Nation. And five Australians are stranded after a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a disease riddled cruise ship leaves three people dead.

]]>5e27aaa0-7100-4af9-a66c-1b979c0616adFri, 15 May 2026 01:51:14 GMT<p>This week on Covered, the budget of broken promises lands and we unpack who really wins and loses. Angus Taylor fires back with welfare for Australians only, as the Liberal Party fights for survival against One Nation. And five Australians are stranded after a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a disease riddled cruise ship leaves three people dead.</p>no00:41:3118The Budget of Broken Promises, Angus Taylor's Last Shot and Australia's Hantavirus NightmarefullThis week on Covered, Australia's so-called ISIS brides touch down in Sydney and Melbourne after more than a decade away, and the AFP was waiting. We unpack the arrests, the children, and why the political fallout for the Albanese government is only just beginning. Then, crocodile wrangler and Netflix star Matt Wright is denied early prison release, meaning he will miss the birth of his third child by days. And in Queensland, a cabinet affair has exploded into a full blown integrity crisis - two ministers, a two year romance, and a multimillion dollar Olympic decision that raises serious questions about conflict of interest at the top of the Crisafulli government.

]]>6b3d1786-c769-400f-881d-0b7afd8dd93eSat, 09 May 2026 10:49:24 GMT<p>This week on Covered, Australia's so-called ISIS brides touch down in Sydney and Melbourne after more than a decade away, and the AFP was waiting. We unpack the arrests, the children, and why the political fallout for the Albanese government is only just beginning. Then, crocodile wrangler and Netflix star Matt Wright is denied early prison release, meaning he will miss the birth of his third child by days. And in Queensland, a cabinet affair has exploded into a full blown integrity crisis - two ministers, a two year romance, and a multimillion dollar Olympic decision that raises serious questions about conflict of interest at the top of the Crisafulli government.</p>no00:34:1918ISIS Brides Home, Matt Wright's Prison Blow and Queensland's Ministerial Love TrianglefullThe Bondi interim report is out and the biggest takeaway is confronting - authorities say there was likely nothing that could have been done to prevent the attack. We unpack what the recommendations actually say and why that conclusion is raising eyebrows. There’s also been a third alleged assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump. We get into the man reportedly at the centre of it including the bizarre, rambling manifesto calling himself “the friendly assassin.” Plus Australia’s ISIS brides saga takes another turn, with a group of women and children reportedly stopped from returning after attempting to fly back.

]]>40dc330c-531f-4c4e-aa8c-935bed7812b2Sat, 02 May 2026 02:35:11 GMT<p>The Bondi interim report is out and the biggest takeaway is confronting - authorities say there was likely nothing that could have been done to prevent the attack. We unpack what the recommendations actually say and why that conclusion is raising eyebrows. There’s also been a third alleged assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump. We get into the man reportedly at the centre of it including the bizarre, rambling manifesto calling himself “the friendly assassin.” Plus Australia’s ISIS brides saga takes another turn, with a group of women and children reportedly stopped from returning after attempting to fly back.</p>no00:35:0318Bondi Attack ‘Couldn’t Be Stopped’, Trump Assassination Plot & ISIS Brides BlockedfullCarlton footballer Elijah Hollands has been admitted to hospital and the club has a lot of questions to answer. WorkSafe Victoria is now investigating whether Carlton met its duty of care after Hollands was left on the field against Collingwood in a state that stopped the nation. Rebel Wilson is in court being sued by the lead actress of her own film, and the details are wild. Plus the federal budget is weeks away and we're breaking down what capital gains tax and negative gearing actually mean for you.

]]>81901505-ccea-43ad-a1d3-f615d8965b3aFri, 24 Apr 2026 03:54:21 GMT<p>Carlton footballer Elijah Hollands has been admitted to hospital and the club has a lot of questions to answer. WorkSafe Victoria is now investigating whether Carlton met its duty of care after Hollands was left on the field against Collingwood in a state that stopped the nation. Rebel Wilson is in court being sued by the lead actress of her own film, and the details are wild. Plus the federal budget is weeks away and we're breaking down what capital gains tax and negative gearing actually mean for you.</p>no00:29:0015Carlton under fire over Elijah Hollands, Rebel Wilson sued & the property tax debate heating upfullAustralia's fuel crisis just got a whole lot worse after a fire ripped through one of the country's only two remaining oil refineries. We debunk some of the biggest myths around Australia's fuel supply and how the PM's fortnight in a hardhat across Asia has actually paid off. Then to Hungary where voters have toppled strongman Viktor Orban in a landslide that's raising a bigger question - is the global far right losing its grip? And Harry and Meghan have touched down in Australia for what smells a lot like a royal tour, only they're not royals anymore and they're charging up to three grand for the privilege.

]]>154bf6ea-000b-463e-8ce8-c4b6e230c7b1Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:02:17 GMT<p>Australia's fuel crisis just got a whole lot worse after a fire ripped through one of the country's only two remaining oil refineries. We debunk some of the biggest myths around Australia's fuel supply and how the PM's fortnight in a hardhat across Asia has actually paid off. Then to Hungary where voters have toppled strongman Viktor Orban in a landslide that's raising a bigger question - is the global far right losing its grip? And Harry and Meghan have touched down in Australia for what smells a lot like a royal tour, only they're not royals anymore and they're charging up to three grand for the privilege.</p>no00:27:1914Geelong refinery up in flames, Hungary's far right falls & Harry and Meghan's not-so-royal tourfullIt's been a week! Australia's most decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crime murder. We break down the charges, the public arrest that's divided the country, and why the way it was carried out is raising just as many questions as the allegations themselves. Then, Today Show host Savannah Guthrie returned to breakfast television two months after her elderly mother Nancy was abducted from her home in Arizona and hasn't been seen since. We talk about how the network handled her comeback, what was said and what deliberately wasn't. AND finally a moment that genuinely had us in tears. Humans went to the moon and came back! NASA's Artemis II crew completed a ten-day mission and splashed down in the Pacific.

]]>24fca0b1-8941-446d-93f4-3dbe35428b52Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:30:39 GMT<p>It's been a week! Australia's most decorated living soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crime murder. We break down the charges, the public arrest that's divided the country, and why the way it was carried out is raising just as many questions as the allegations themselves. Then, Today Show host Savannah Guthrie returned to breakfast television two months after her elderly mother Nancy was abducted from her home in Arizona and hasn't been seen since. We talk about how the network handled her comeback, what was said and what deliberately wasn't. AND finally a moment that genuinely had us in tears. Humans went to the moon and came back! NASA's Artemis II crew completed a ten-day mission and splashed down in the Pacific.</p>no00:28:263Ben Roberts-Smith Behind Bars, Savannah Guthrie's Return to TV & Humans Just Went to the Moon fullIt's been a week! The PM gave a national address on the fuel crisis and somehow left the country more rattled than before he started talking. We unpack why it's been called everything from a flop to a waste of airtime and what it tells us about how this government is handling the crisis. Then, after 216 days on the run, Australia's most wanted man Dezi Freeman has been killed in a police shootout and the details of how it all ended are something else. And in a story you genuinely could not make up, Jackie O has dropped an $82 million lawsuit on ARN, meaning both her and Kyle are now suing the company for a combined $160 million, all seemingly because of a conversation about Prince Andrew's horoscope. We've got the best bits from nearly 300 court documents and trust us, it's juicy.

]]>03f73da1-1923-411d-b927-1d38ae99af86Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:03:45 GMT<p>It's been a week! The PM gave a national address on the fuel crisis and somehow left the country more rattled than before he started talking. We unpack why it's been called everything from a flop to a waste of airtime and what it tells us about how this government is handling the crisis. Then, after 216 days on the run, Australia's most wanted man Dezi Freeman has been killed in a police shootout and the details of how it all ended are something else. And in a story you genuinely could not make up, Jackie O has dropped an $82 million lawsuit on ARN, meaning both her and Kyle are now suing the company for a combined $160 million, all seemingly because of a conversation about Prince Andrew's horoscope. We've got the best bits from nearly 300 court documents and trust us, it's juicy.</p>no00:35:3712Albo's National Address Backfires, Dezi Freeman Shot Dead & Kyle and Jackie O's $160M War With ARNfullIt’s been a week! Talk of fuel shortages and potential restrictions, influencers furious over new rules for the federal budget lock-up, more than 1,000 ABC staff walking off the job, and Emma Lawrence making history in the NRL commentary box. We break down what’s actually going on, what’s driving it, and why each of these moments matters.

]]>7c3339b2-9a21-4f12-9bda-5a78919bef31Sun, 29 Mar 2026 08:42:56 GMT<p>It’s been a week! Talk of fuel shortages and potential restrictions, influencers furious over new rules for the federal budget lock-up, more than 1,000 ABC staff walking off the job, and Emma Lawrence making history in the NRL commentary box. We break down what’s actually going on, what’s driving it, and why each of these moments matters.</p>no00:33:4711Fuel Fears, Budget Influencers, The ABC Walkout & An NRL Firstfull