Saturday Magazine

Cruise ship quarantines, Ebola outbreaks, diphtheria deaths in Australia — it can sometimes feel like we’re back in the middle of a global health scare. So how worried should we actually be? Joining us back in the studio is infectious diseases specialist Dr Fernando Gordíllo Altamirano. Fernando is a medical doctor from Ecuador with a master’s degree in infection and immunity from the University of Sydney. At the Monash University-based Barr Lab, he’s tackling the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Specifically, he’s looking at bacteriophage therapy as a treatment strategy against multi-drug-resistant bacterial pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii. The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Dr Fernando Gordíllo Altamirano, Hantavirus, Ebola and first recorded deaths in Australia from s in Australia from Diphtheria appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest knows the criminal underworld from the inside out. Rohan Pike spent years with the AFP investigating serious organised crime and he’s here to talk about the explosive rise of Australia’s illicit tobacco trade, a black market now linked to gang violence, fire-bombings and billions in lost tax revenue. Is the situation with illicit tobacco out of control and what could be done about it? https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/how-australias-worldleading-tobacco-tax-is-fuelling-a-violent-black-market/news-story/fbc4714f9263d7a7606cfa21a399440b?utm https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/australias-illicit-tobacco-trade-funding-organised-crime-and-deadly-gang-violence/news-story/58dc10f0660ff3e99f7fb239b5eacdda?utm_ https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/JulianHill/Pages/tougher-penalties-illicit-tobacco-offenders.aspx? The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Rohan Pike, ex Aust Border Force & co-founder of illicit tobacco strike force, Tobacco Wars; is the situation with illicit tobacco out of control and what could be done about it? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Up next, live in the studio is friend of the station and friend of the programme, Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens). Aiv Puglielli is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing North-East Metropolitan Region for the Victorian Greens. With a background in the arts as a composer and producer, Aiv brings a creative lens to politics and is an advocate for climate action, housing justice and community-led solutions. Aiv has worked across grassroots campaigns and in parliament since 2022, focusing on progressive policies that protect the environment while supporting workers and local communities. The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Aiv Puglielli, MP Greens, NE Metro, Latest from State Parliament appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest is Andrew Wilkie is one of Canberra’s most fiercely independent voices. The federal member for Clark in Tasmania is a former military intelligence officer turned whistleblower. He’s spent years taking on both major parties and is one of parliament’s strongest advocates for gambling reform, political integrity and accountability. Andrew Wilkie, great to have you with us. Andrew Wilkie is the independent federal member for Clark in Tasmania and has served in the House of Representatives since 2010. A former Army officer and intelligence analyst, he became nationally known after resigning in protest over the Iraq War. In parliament he has built a reputation as a fiercely independent voice on gambling reform, government accountability, whistle-blower protections and political integrity. The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Andrew Wilkie, MP; His take on the latest announcements from the Federal Government on Gambling appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our next guest on Saturday Magazine, is Patrick Keyser, the father of Gemma O’Toole, one of 11 Australians detained by Israeli forces after joining a humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza this week. The activists say they were trying to break what aid agencies describe as a catastrophic humanitarian blockade, with Gaza now facing mass starvation, collapsed hospitals, and a civilian death toll that has reached levels many international observers say are almost without precedent in modern conflict. The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. Detainees allege beatings, humiliation, stress positions, sexual abuse, Tasering and deprivation of food and water. Israel denies the allegations. Global outrage intensified after Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released video of bound detainees kneeling on the ground while he taunted them and called them terrorists. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the footage as ‘shocking and unacceptable’.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/penny-wong-condemns-israeli-minister-over-shocking-and-unacceptable-treatment-of-flotilla-activists-ntwnfb?utm_source=chatgpt.com The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Patrick Keyzer, father of one of the 11 Australians on the flotilla intercepted by Israel attempting to reach Gaza appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Bruce’s piece is essentially an argument that America has become dangerously desensitised to the behaviour of President Donald Trump. He argues that Trump’s public conduct, language and social media behaviour now reveal a president in what he calls a “troubled state”, but that Republicans, the White House and much of the media have normalised it rather than confronting it. Bruce’s latest article essentially argues that America has become dangerously desensitised to the behaviour of President Donald Trump. He argues that Trump’s public conduct, language and social media behaviour now reveal a president in what he calls a “troubled state”, but that Republicans, the White House and much of the media have normalised it rather than confronting it. Wolpe says Trump oscillates between moments of apparent discipline — like his recent summit with Xi Jinping — and then immediately reverts to erratic, grievance-filled behaviour once out of the diplomatic spotlight. 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. Bruce is author of Trump’s Australia, an examination of Donald Trump’s possible return to the presidency and the issues presented to Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2023), The Committee, a study of President Obama’s legislative agenda in Congress (University of Michigan Press, 2018, 2d Edition September 2021) and Lobbying Congress: How The System Works (Congressional Quarterly Books, 1990, 1996). https://www.theage.com.au/national/an-oyster-farmer-a-firefighter-a-kennedy-the-democrats-taking-the-fight-to-the-republicans-20260521-p5zzm3.html https://www.axios.com/2026/05/22/trump-iran-meeting-resume-war-deal The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow, US Study Centre, Has Trump finally lost it and why is nobody calling him out ? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Our first guest is one of Australia’s sharpest political interviewers and commentators. She’s become a defining voice in Australian political journalism: incisive, relentless and never afraid to push politicians on the tough issues. You’ll know her from the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Radio National Breakfast and previously Q+A. Patricia Karvelas joins us now on the line now. Patricia Karvelas is one of Australia’s leading political journalists and broadcasters. She hosts Afternoon Briefing on ABC News and is a regular voice across the ABC’s political coverage, including major federal budget and election broadcasts. Previously the host of Q+A and Radio National Breakfast, Karvelas is known for her incisive interviews, deep Canberra contacts and sharp analysis of Australian politics, media and public policy. Before joining the ABC, she worked as a senior political reporter and columnist with The Australian and other major news outlets. She is widely regarded as one of the country’s most influential political interviewers. Macca and Kenny talk to PK about her insights into the latest in Australian politics The post Sat, 23rd May, 2026: Patricia Karvelas, ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Australia’s Current Political Climate. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Gavin Macleod, Executive Creative Director, Emotive; Bold New Safe Sex Campaign from Four Seasons Naked Condoms Sydney, 12th May, 2026. STI rates are rising among young Australians, but the message about safe sex isn’t getting through. Now, Four Seasons Naked Condoms is taking a radically different approach, launching a bold new campaign that turns the risks of unprotected sex into giant, cinematic monsters designed to be impossible to ignore. As a heritage brand in Australia for decades, Four Seasons Condoms is on a mission to make the conversation around protection more approachable for Gen Z. According to data from the Kirby Institute, Australia recorded more than 101,000 chlamydia cases in 2024, with around half among people aged 20–29, alongside rising rates of gonorrhoea. At the same time, research from La Trobe University shows condom use among young Australians is declining, with more than half not using one the last time they had sex. “In general practice we see young patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections every single day” said Dr Lucy Herron, GP at Coogee Beach Doctors. “Chlamydia is very common and is a particular worry as it often has no symptoms but can cause a serious infection and even infertility if not detected early. Others, like gonorrhoea and syphilis, are unfortunately much more common than they were a few years ago. Really common infections like herpes have no cure at all, and can lead to annoying symptoms like irritation and pain, which can come and go for the rest of your life.” Instead of traditional health messaging, the campaign uses humour and spectacle to bring those risks to life. The hero film begins with an intimate moment between two young adults, where a decision not to use a condom quickly spirals into chaos. A giant baby crashes through the city, followed by grotesque STI creatures representing gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis tearing through streets and buildings, turning abstract risks into something visible and confronting. “STI rates are rising, and traditional messaging isn’t cutting through,” said Michael Porter, Director at Four Seasons Condoms. “We wanted to create something people would actually watch and talk about, using entertainment to make the risks feel real.” Women’s health advocate Grace Toombs and founder of Hey June Health said the approach reflects how younger audiences engage with the topic. “Sexual health shouldn’t feel awkward or taboo, but a lot of messaging still does. When you approach it through humour and culture, it opens the door for more honest conversations.” AI filmmaking techniques were used to create the cinematic scale and surreal characters, bringing the concept to life in a way that would traditionally require blockbuster-level production. The campaign rolls out nationally across Snapchat, supported by social and creator-led amplification and was created by independent creative agency Emotive in partnership with AI film production specialists, AiCandy Australia. The post Sat 16th, May, 2026: Gavin Macleod, Executive Creative Director, Emotive; Bold New Safe Sex Campaign from Four Seasons Naked Condoms appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Stephen Bartos, Prof of Economics, Uni. of Canberra, as they discuss whether or not the federal budget has gone far enough to correct generational inequality with changes to Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax? Stephen Bartos is a former deputy secretary of the commonwealth finance department and currently is a professor at the University of Canberra. The post Sat 16th, May, 2026: Stephen Bartos, Prof of Economics, Uni. of Canberra, Does the Federal Budget go far enough with changes to Negative Gearing and CGT? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Kieran Rooney, from The Age, about the State Budget. Kieran Rooney is a Victorian state political reporter at The Age. Image courtesy of the The Age. https://www.instagram.com/p/DX3hq5_jt9O/?img_index=3 https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-unveils-election-year-hip-pocket-splurge-despite-debt-soaring-to-199-billion-20260504-p5zti4.html The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Kieran Rooney – The Age, SMH, VIC State Budget Analysis appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul are joined live in the studio by Michael Galea MP State Member for S. E. Metro Region. Galea holds key roles, including Deputy Chair of the Legal and Social Issues Committee and the Select Committee on the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector. He is also a member of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee and the Select Committee on the 2026 Commonwealth Games Bid, along with being a participating member of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee. Galea is an LGBTIQA+ Advocacate: Serves as Co-Chair of the Victorian Government’s LGBTIQA+ Ministerial Taskforce, focusing on equality and safety. Some of the topics discussed in the interview were: as the budget designed for the election? What do you say to small business owners being squeezed out of Melbourne by highest tax burden in Australia and soaring violent crime/fire-bombings? The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Michael Galea MP State Member for S. E. Metro Region; is the State Budget designed for the November Election? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul speak to Dr David Hayward is Emeritus Prof. Public Policy & the Social Economy at RMIT; Response to Vic State Budget Dr David Hayward is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy and the Social Economy at RMIT University. He is the Chair of the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Regulation Review. He is also Chair of Fire Rescue Victoria’s Strategic Advisory Board. He is a former Dean of Business at Swinburne University (2004-2009), Dean of Social Science at RMIT University (2004-2016), and member of the Board of Directors of the Royal Melbourne Hospital (he Chaired the Finance Committee) (2008-2013). He is a life member of the Victorian Council of Social Service and in 2015 was invited to become a seconded member of its governing board (resigned in June 2018). In 2013, he was elected (twice re-elected unopposed) as Chair of RMIT’s Academic Board (the University’s principal academic committee), retiring in December 2018, during which time he also served on University Council and its Infrastructure and Information Technology sub-committee. David’s research interests are the funding of social policy, with a focus on the State Governments. The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Dr David Hayward is Emeritus Prof. Public Policy & the Social Economy at RMIT; Response to Vic State Budget appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul are joined live on air by Son Vivienne, CEO Transgender Victoria, as they discuss the priorities for the rest of the year as CEO of Victoria’s leading body for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary (TGD) people. Son is the CEO at Transgender Victoria, a lead advocacy, education and peer support community led organisation and not-for-profit. Informing this role, Son has a background in academia and over 30 years experience in media-production and research across digital self-representation, online activism, queer identities, and rhetorical strategies/feminist practices for speaking and listening across difference. Their work on digital storytelling is published as ‘Digital Identity and Everyday Activism: Sharing Private Stories with Networked Publics’ (Palgrave, 2016). Their latest 2023 book is called ‘Queering Safe Spaces: Being Brave Beyond Binaries’ available here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793618849/Queering-Safe-Spaces-Being-Brave-beyond-Binaries The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Son Vivienne, CEO Transgender Victoria, Priorities for the rest of the Year Facing Transgender Victoria appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Paul talk to Joe Ball – Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Update on IDAHOBIT Weekend May 17 marks the date in 1990 that homosexuality was removed from the WHO Classification of Diseases. Over three decades later, LGBTQIA+ communities still face discrimination – but every one of us can make a difference. Will you stand against discrimination? A worldwide celebration of gender and sexual diversities and a call to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community to fight discrimination. The first Mardi Gras pride march was held in Sydney in 1978, which was met with violence from police. Those who marched were beaten inside police cells and had their names published by the Sydney Morning Herald. Tasmania was the last jurisdiction in Australia to decriminalise homosexuality in May 1997. The majority of Australians today were alive during a time when it was illegal to be gay. The Marriage Equality plebiscite was held in 2017. While marriage equality was passed, 38.4% of Australians who voted (4.8 million people) voted against it. The first IDAHOBIT was held in 2005 and is today acknowledged by millions of people globally. While IDAHOBIT has evolved over these years, the purpose remains the same – celebrate the progress we have made while also raising awareness for the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today. Joe Ball was appointed as Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities on 23 September 2024 for a three-year term. Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services. Commissioner Ball is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan. He has previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards. This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the Community Advisory Committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee. Joe was previously CEO of Switchboard Victoria for eight years, where he led the establishment of Rainbow Door, the statewide LGBTIQA+ family violence and mental health helpline. Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders. In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia. The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Joe Ball – Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Update on IDAHOBIT Weekend appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

For the first time ever Nevena and Paul are co-hosting together, Macca is a way and our executive producer Kenny is down on the coast. Nevena and Paul discuss the week that was, what’s happening this week on the show everything happening at the Pride Centre and Delta’s Eurovision campaign. The post Sat, 16th May, 2026: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Paul appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Saturday Magazine’s own Paul Horwell, now CEO of Vic. Pride Centre joined the team live on-air from The Melbourne Exhibition Centre to discuss the 125th Anniversary of Australia’s First Sitting of Parliament in Melbourne in 1901. The post Sat, 9th, 2026: Paul Horwell, CEO VPC, 125th Anniversary of Australia’s First Parliament appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Fiona and Macca are joined live on-air by Michael Wilson, Research Fellow at the Movember Institute of Men’s Health; as they discuss Men’s Mental Health Michael Wilson is a Research Fellow focused on men’s mental health and suicide prevention, based with Orygen at the University of Melbourne. Since 2018, Michael has published and presented research both nationally and internationally across a range of subjects, including healthy masculinities and mental health in young men, improving training for mental health practitioners around engaging and responding to help-seeking men, and understanding risk and protective factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours in men. His research currently focuses on men’s mental health and suicide risk in the context of intimate partner relationship breakdown. The post Sat, 9th, 2026: Michael Wilson, Research Fellow at the Movember Institute of Men’s Health; Men’s Health appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Fiona and Macca are joined live on air by Nicholas Huxley, International Educator and Fashion Designer; as they discuss the annual Met gala red carpet hits and misses Nicholas Huxley was born and brought up in Papua New Guinea as one of five boys. His mother worked as a correspondent for the ABC and his father was managing editor of the Times Courier newspaper. Huxley began his training in 1973 at East Sydney Technical College’s Fashion Design course, now TAFE NSW Fashion Design Studio, and after a few years in the industry, began teaching at the same institution until his retirement as head teacher in 2018. He has been a teacher, mentor and studio presence for notable designers including Akira Isogawa, Alex Perry, Nicky Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Dion Lee, Romance Was Born and Academy Award nominated Costume Designer Janet Patterson. He was instrumental in developing showcase opportunities for students at Australian Fashion Week and Strand Arcade runway shows. In his youth, during their Australian tours, Nicholas befriended the likes of Bette Davis and Zsa Zsa Gabor, for whom he tailored a purple wool pencil skirt and jacket. As an active designer he has worked in film, TV, fashion magazines creating illustrations for Elle, Vogue and Marie Claire, and dressed film star Nicole Kidman. In 1989 Nicholas was nominated for an AFI award for Costumes for Sons of Steel and has won two Fashion Industry of Australia awards. He has received nine nominations for the NSW Government Fashion Laureate Award and a nomination for the Fashion Group International Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also served on a number of design juries and design-based committees including the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards in 2017. In 2015, Nicholas was invited by Miami Dade College to assist them in establishing the Miami Fashion Institute, which offers a degree course and he has been a supporter of the Fiji/Pacific Islands Fashion Week since its inception. He travels extensively and is an avid collector of jewellery, clothing, art and decorative objects. His first solo art exhibition was held at Maunsell Wicks in 2018. The post Sat, 9th, 2026: Nicholas Huxley, International Educator and Fashion Designer; Met Gala Red Carpet Hits and Misses appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Fiona are joined live in the studio by Rachel Westaway, Lib Prahran, Shadow Asst Min Small Business + Hosp. State budget response, firebombing epidemic, Libs retain Nepean in the by-election, in this extended interview the Sat Mag team and Rachel discuss factionalism in politics, the rise of One Nation and what is emerging as the new political alignments in Australia, as well as the rise of Reform in the UK. The post Sat, 9th, 2026: Rachel Westaway, Lib Prahran, Shadow Asst Min Small Business + Hosp. State budget response, firebombing epidemic, Libs retain Nepean in the by-election appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Fiona are joined live on air by Ged Kearney, MP Cooper – Asst Min for Prevention of Family Violence, as they discuss the new policy initiative National Healthy Men Community Conversations. The Albanese Labor Government is has launched the national Healthy Men Community Conversations project to support the health and wellbeing of men and boys. The project will deliver a series of community conversations across the country, bringing together the public and organisations working to support men’s health and wellbeing, as well as those engaged in family, domestic and sexual violence prevention. The project aims to explore and encourage help-seeking and connection for mental, physical and social wellbeing and health among men. The project will be led by the Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney, and the Special Envoy for Men’s Health, Dan Repacholi. The National Healthy Men Community Conversations will: Conversations from the tour will inform future government policies and programs as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s broader commitment to working in partnership with communities to improve outcomes for men and boys, while supporting safer, healthier relationships for all Australians. The project kicks off with a Healthy Masculinities Roundtable hosted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, with representatives from government and academia bringing expertise in family safety and services, legal affairs, gender-based violence, online safety, gender equality, social cohesion and men’s physical and emotional health. The Albanese Labor Government is also extending funding for the Healthy Masculinities Trial and Evaluation Program (Healthy MaTE) through to 30 June 2027. Healthy MaTE trials and evaluates schools and community based activities to encourage healthy expressions of masculinity and promote respectful relationships among boys and young men. It is funded through the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32. The 12-month extension, is supported by an additional $861,000. More information on the government’s work to improve men’s health outcomes is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website. More information on the government’s work to end family, domestic and sexual violence is available on the Department of Social Services website. Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney is quoted as saying, “ The Albanese Labor Government is committed to working with men and boys, because when we do, we know we strengthen families and communities for generations to come. “We want men to feel confident seeking support when they need it, and to know that reaching out is an act of strength. “The data shows that when men feel supported and socially connected, they are better able to build respectful, healthy relationships. Understanding what strengthens connection and wellbeing is key to fostering strong and positive relationships”. The post Sat, 9th, 2026: Ged Kearney, MP Cooper – Asst Min for Prevention of Family Violence, National Healthy Men Community Conversations appeared first on Saturday Magazine.