Best Backbench Podcasts (2026)

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Labor backbencher pens letter to Allan government pleading for more police at local station 1:39

Play Pause

18h ago1:39

1:39

Victorian Labor backbencher Sarah Connolly has publicly called for increased police presence at Sunshine Station, writing an open letter to the police minister citing a 13% rise in local crime over the past year. The plea comes during a Labor-supported summer trial that redeploys protective services officers from train platforms to shopping strips …

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Ep 077 “The CG Mailbag: Question Time and the Backbenchers Lament 26.1” 50:38

2d ago50:38

50:38

It’s been quite some time since I have responded to “mail” so I have curated five questions to address:. What are your thoughts on the Maduro and VZ kerfuffle? How do you fix the defense acquisition system and fraud? What should the US Navy do in the 21st century? How did GEN Paul Emil Lettow-Vorbeck do it? Are American SOF capable of 21st century …

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Ep 077 "The CG Mailbag: Question Time and the Backbenchers Lament 26.1" 50:37

2d ago50:37

50:37

It's been quite some time since I have responded to "mail" so I have curated five questions to address:. What are your thoughts on the Maduro and VZ kerfuffle? How do you fix the defense acquisition system and fraud? What should the US Navy do in the 21st century? How did GEN Paul Emil Lettow-Vorbeck do it? Are American SOF capable of 21st century …

1
Catastrophic Victorian bushfires destroy homes at Longwood East 4:46

1h ago4:46

4:46

Catastrophic bushfires in Victoria have destroyed multiple homes in the Longwood East and Roughy areas, with three people currently unaccounted for. Resident Ally McIver lost her family home and shed after evacuating with only minutes to spare when wind conditions changed unexpectedly. 92 fire crews from New South Wales have arrived to assist Victo…

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Major yacht fire destroys three vessels at Spit Bridge Marina 1:49

4h ago1:49

1:49

A major fire broke out at the Spit Bridge Marina in Mosman at 3.30am, destroying three luxury yachts that subsequently sank. Approximately 40 firefighters from 12 fire trucks battled the blaze for two hours, successfully preventing it from spreading to dozens of other moored vessels. Four people were assessed for smoke inhalation, and authorities a…

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Multiple boats destroyed in Spit Bridge Marina fire 0:36

7h ago0:36

0:36

A major fire broke out at Spit Bridge Marina in Mosman, Sydney's north shore, at approximately 3:30am, engulfing four vessels in flames. One yacht has sunk and another is destroyed and expected to sink, while four people were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Forty firefighters responded to the emergency at the marina. See omnystudio.com/l…

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Teenage girl killed in Sydney's southwest crash 0:30

7h ago0:30

0:30

A fatal collision between a Toyota Hilux and Mazda sedan in Appen, Sydney's southwest, has claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl. The crash occurred around 8pm, leaving a 46-year-old man and 30-year-old woman in critical condition, while a 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries. Police investigations into the incident are ongoing. See omnystudio…

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Extreme weather grips Australia at both ends 6:09

7h ago6:09

6:09

Severe weather events are impacting both ends of Australia simultaneously. Victoria faces catastrophic bushfire conditions with winds up to 100km/h and temperatures in the 40s, forcing evacuations in dozens of towns including Longwood and areas near Seymour, marking the first catastrophic fire rating since the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. Queenslan…

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Elvis fans rock Parkes for the King's 91st birthday 1:40

17h ago1:40

1:40

Thousands of Elvis Presley fans gathered in Parkes to celebrate what would have been the King's 91st birthday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Central Coast man shot dead after mental health standoff 1:46

18h ago1:46

1:46

There's to be a full inquiry after a Central Coast man was shot dead by police during a mental health emergency. It was a tragic end to a six hour standoff, which saw the man trying to stab an officer after tasers and pepper spray failed to subdue him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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First home buyer scheme drives up affordable house prices 1:44

18h ago1:44

1:44

Labor's first home buyer guarantee scheme, allowing purchases with a 5% deposit, has contributed to accelerated house price growth in affordable suburbs across Australia. Properties below the scheme's price threshold have risen 3.6% in three months nationally, outpacing homes above the cap at 2.4%. Perth and Brisbane have experienced the strongest …

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Americans fork out $1000 a head to hear from the hero of the Bondi terror attack 1:33

18h ago1:33

1:33

New York has rolled out the red carpet for Bondi hero, Ahmed al Ahmed. He is in the US for medical treatment and also received a superstar welcome. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Teen joyride ends in horror crash near Lithgow 1:29

18h ago1:29

1:29

Two 13-year-old boys are in hospital and officers are under investigation after a police chase ended in a shocking crash near Lithgow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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A family dog is safe and well after an 11-hour mission to retrieve her from a wombat hole 1:52

18h ago1:52

1:52

A missing dog's furry best friend has helped pull off an incredible rescue in Alexandra, northeast of Melbourne. Millie, the hero pooch, led the way after Ella, the Border Terrier, got stuck in a wombat hole for 11 hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Thieves target temple in Melbourne's north twice in two months 1:49

19h ago1:49

1:49

Cruel thieves have targeted a temple in Melbourne's north twice in the space of two months. This time, they broke in with an angle grinder, stealing cash donated for people in need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Adelaide fighter wanted by US police for sexual assault 1:49

20h ago1:49

1:49

Adelaide martial arts fighter Izaak Michell, 25, is wanted by Texas police on second-degree felony charges of serious sexual assault after allegedly fleeing the United States. A fellow martial artist has publicly claimed to be a victim, prompting authorities to issue an arrest warrant and place him on a most wanted list with a $1,000 reward. US pol…

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Deadly ICE shooting sparks protests in Minneapolis 0:40

20h ago0:40

0:40

A 37-year-old mother, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis after she reversed her car and then surged forward towards an official during an immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration maintains the officer acted in self-defence. The shooting has triggered tense protests and clashes between locals and …

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Yungblud mania hits Sydney as Melbourne transforms for Hollywood 1:20

21h ago1:20

1:20

British singer Yungblud drew large crowds at an art exhibition in his honour in Newtown, Sydney's inner west, ahead of his Australian tour starting this Saturday. Meanwhile, Melbourne's CBD has been transformed into New York City for the filming of 'Empire City', a Hollywood action thriller starring Gerard Butler and Hayley Atwell. The ten-week sho…

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Bondi terror hero seeks treatment in New York 1:10

21h ago1:10

1:10

Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the Bondi terror attack hero who was shot five times while wrestling a gun from gunman Sajid Akram, has arrived in New York to seek a second medical opinion. The father of two is speaking with American TV networks about his decision not to shoot after disarming the gunman, explaining his actions were driven by humanity and a desire …

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Massive manhunt for gunman in WA outback 1:26

21h ago1:26

1:26

A 58-year-old man, Kenneth Giles, is wanted by police after allegedly shooting his partner in the hand during an altercation at a home in Mullewa, 450 kilometres northeast of Perth. A massive police manhunt involving detectives, forensics and heavily armed officers is underway in WA's Mid-West, with authorities warning locals to avoid the area and …

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'Get the F##K out of Minneapolis': Mayor's powerful message to ICE agents 2:58

22h ago2:58

2:58

A 37-year-old US citizen and mother, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operations. The incident, captured on video, shows Good's vehicle surrounded by immigration officers before an agent fired three shots, killing her as her car moved forward. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned th…

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Man fatally shot during Central Coast police siege 3:18

24h ago3:18

3:18

A 49-year-old man was fatally shot by police during a siege at a home on Wells Street, Springfield, on the Central Coast. Police attended the address for a welfare check with a mental health clinician when the man armed himself with edged weapons, barricaded himself inside, and later lit an aerosol can. After the man attempted to stab an officer mu…

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Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed Al Ahmed arrives in New York for treatment 1:21

1d ago1:21

1:21

Bondi terror attack hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has arrived in New York for medical treatment, also taking time to visit a holy Jewish site in Queens with Bondi Rabbi Yehoram Ulman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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The Kyle Anzalone Show [GUEST] Patrick Henningsen: Venezuela: America’s Next Disaster? 47:36

1d ago47:36

47:36

A president is kidnapped, the government remains, and we’re told it isn’t regime change. We pull back the curtain on what our guest calls “regime changeover,” a strategy that uses spectacle and lawfare to force leverage without admitting occupation. From sanctions that harden national unity to a reworked indictment against Nicolás Maduro that quiet…

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UK provides support as US seize Russian shadow fleet tanker 2:12

1d ago2:12

2:12

The US Coast Guard, in a joint operation with UK forces, has seized the Marinara (formerly Bella One), a Russian-flagged oil tanker part of an estimated 500-vessel shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil for Iran and Russia. The vessel repeatedly changed its name and flag registration to evade interdiction, sailing under Ghanaian and Russian flags…

1
US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker 3:14

1d ago3:14

3:14

U.S. Coast Guard forces have seized the Bella One, a Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela's sanctioned ghost fleet of approximately 1,000 vessels trafficking illegal oil globally. The tanker, which had changed flags multiple times and was reportedly shadowed by Russian submarines, is now under U.S. control with its crew facing prosecution…

1
Final Bondi terror attack victim farewelled 0:41

1d ago0:41

0:41

Peter Mar, a retired detective and devoted family man, was honoured at a funeral service at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. He was remembered as a pillar of the Randwick Rugby Club and described as an incredibly moral and honest man who believed in justice. Hundreds of mourners, including the Prime Minister, opposition leader, and New South Wales Pr…

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Knife-wielding intruder terrorises Windsor Gardens family 0:37

1d ago0:37

0:37

A knife-wielding intruder broke into a family home in Windsor Gardens, Adelaide, at approximately 3am on Tuesday morning, threatening the parents during the invasion. The offender stole the family's car before abandoning it in Salisbury North. Police are actively searching for the suspect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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US seizes Venezuelan oil tankers; WA manhunt underway 6:01

1d ago6:01

6:01

US forces have seized two Russian-flagged oil tankers near Iceland and in the Caribbean, both allegedly linked to Venezuela and accused of violating international sanctions. The coordinated operations involved multiple US agencies tracking vessels that had changed names and flags to evade law enforcement. Meanwhile, Western Australian police are hu…

1
US seizes two oil tankers linked to Venezuela 2:34

1d ago2:34

2:34

The United States has seized two oil tankers in separate operations near Iceland and the Caribbean, with both vessels allegedly linked to Venezuela and accused of sanctions violations. The coordinated seizures involved multiple US agencies including Homeland Security, with one Russian-flagged tanker tracked for weeks after attempting to evade autho…

1
Manhunt underway after rural shooting near Perth 0:35

1d ago0:35

0:35

Western Australia Police are searching for 58-year-old Kenneth Giles, who allegedly shot a woman during a domestic violence incident on a rural property near Malua, north of Perth. The woman was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. Giles is believed to have fled the scene in a Nissan Patrol ute and is described as 173 centimetres tall w…

1
France and the UK pledge to put boots on the ground in Ukraine 1:44

1d ago1:44

1:44

The UK and France will put boots on the ground in Ukraine under a revised peace plan. Europe, the US and Ukraine have agreed to new security guarantees once the fighting stops, seen as a key step in reaching a ceasefire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Woman critical after Melton South house fire 1:34

2d ago1:34

1:34

A Melton South woman is fighting for life after neighbours rushed to save her from a burning home. The home was engulfed within minutes and witnesses say she was fortunate to survive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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White House threatens further violent attacks on neighbouring countries 2:36

2d ago2:36

2:36

Donald Trump's White House has threatened further violent attacks on neighbouring countries, warning using military force to take Greenland is an option. It's sparked fears of a split in NATO, as the US strikes a deal to access Venezuela's oil just days after taking its president. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Weekly rents surge in Sydney as city’s cheapest suburbs revealed 1:41

2d ago1:41

1:41

Weekly rents in Sydney have gone up more than $40 in the past year and 2026 won't bring any relief. But 7NEWS can reveal the cheapest suburbs with the most stock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Brynne Edelsten's mum makes 13,000 KM mercy dash to secure her daughter's freedom 1:41

2d ago1:41

1:41

Former socialite and accused drug trafficker Brynne Edelsten has been bailed out by her mother, who has flown in from the US. She put up a $5000 surety to secure her daughter's freedom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By 7NEWS Podcasts

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Tactical team bodycam shows arrest of Toyota heist gang 1:21

2d ago1:21

1:21

Queensland police have dismantled a sophisticated car theft ring that stole 60 Toyota vehicles using black market hacking tools to bypass security systems without keys. Seven foreign nationals face 300 charges after tactical police discovered vehicles hidden in shipping containers at a Brisbane car yard, destined for the UAE. Only 15 of the 60 stol…

1
Robotic puppy offers hope for dementia patients 2:44

2d ago2:44

2:44

TomBot is a highly realistic robotic puppy designed to provide companionship for seniors with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The lifelike robotic pet was developed after the founder's mother with Alzheimer's rejected traditional substitutes when her real dog had to be removed for safety reasons. Research shows robotic animals significantly…

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'Absolutely critical': Extreme heat warning issued for Sydney 5:13

2d ago5:13

5:13

Extreme heat conditions are forecast for Sydney and Western Sydney, with temperatures expected to reach close to 44 degrees Celsius over the coming days. New South Wales health services and emergency personnel are preparing for increased demand, with additional resources being deployed to handle heat-related incidents. Critical safety measures incl…

1
Thousands of cattle lost in Queensland floods 1:29

2d ago1:29

1:29

Severe flooding along the Diamantina River has devastated cattle stations across Queensland's Winton, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and McKinlay Shires, with thousands of head of cattle lost. Helicopter pilots are conducting emergency fodder drops to stranded livestock mobs while producers remain isolated in their homes, unable to access properties except…

1
PM announces $38m flood relief for Queensland 0:49

2d ago0:49

0:49

The Prime Minister visits flood-affected western Queensland to announce a $38 million emergency rescue package jointly funded by federal and state governments. The support includes repairs to Cloncurry Airport, fodder drops for stranded livestock, and $21 million in disaster grants for farmers. A potential cyclone threatens far north Queensland wit…

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Sydney protest ban extended after Bondi attack 0:43

2d ago0:43

0:43

Sydney police have extended a ban on large protests across the metropolitan area for an additional two weeks, citing ongoing safety concerns following the Bondi attack. The Commissioner notes heightened community tension during the funeral period for Bondi victims, though smaller gatherings remain permitted if they don't spill onto city streets. Th…

1
Trump defends Venezuela raids amid impeachment calls 2:26

2d ago2:26

2:26

US President Donald Trump has authorised military raids in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores, who appeared in a New York court pleading not guilty to drug and weapons charges. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting expressing concerns about potential breaches of international…

1
Hit and run leaves ute flipped in Belmore 1:30

3d ago1:30

1:30

A hit and run crash in Belmore left a ute overturned on Benaroon Road, with two men fleeing the scene after colliding with another vehicle. The innocent Polestar driver was taken to hospital with minor neck and back injuries. One of the men later presented himself at Campsie Police Station and was released without charge, leaving police with unansw…

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Sydney protest ban extended after Bondi attack 1:19

3d ago1:19

1:19

The NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has extended the ban on large protests across metropolitan Sydney for another two weeks due to ongoing safety concerns following the Bondi attack that claimed 15 lives. Smaller gatherings remain permitted but cannot spill onto city streets, with the decision to be reviewed in a fortnight ahead of potential Inv…

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Hit-and-run driver flees after dramatic crash captured on CCTV 2:44

3d ago2:44

2:44

An Isuzu utility and a Toyota sedan collided on Benaroon Road in Belmore, with the Isuzu crashing into a parked car and rolling onto its roof. The driver of the Isuzu fled the scene on foot, while the Toyota driver was taken to hospital with neck and leg injuries. Local business owners express shock at the hit-and-run incident, describing the drive…