The Morning Edition

The optometrists punished for putting patients before sales

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

If you’ve ever felt that you are being rushed through a healthcare appointment, you’re not alone.

Now a number of optometrists have told our mastheads that they are being pressured to rush appointments, and even skip providing clinical tests, in order to sell, sell, sell.

Today, health reporter Rachel Rasker on the optometry chains allegedly prioritising money over patient health.

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The laxity of rules governing medical devices in Australia is ‘shocking’

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

There are nearly one and a half million registered medical devices on the market in Australia.

Now, you would think that life-saving treatments such as pacemakers, defibrillators and pain pumps would be subject to the same sorts of clinical trials as prescription drugs. Right?
Today, investigative reporter Liam Mannix on which devices have attracted the most complaints, and the medical device under investigation by a coroner after a tragic case in a regional town in Victoria.

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White Lotus: The One Nation edition. Plus the PM’s landmark AI speech

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We switch to sunnier climes this week, to a posh hotel in Sicily. It’s where the TV series White Lotus was filmed, and it’s also where our colleagues at The Australian Financial Review spotted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson poolside with billionaire Gina Rinehart.

So what’s Hanson doing in Europe?

In today’s episode, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about who Hanson met overseas and how that plays for voters back home in Australia.

Also, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this week about the government’s approach to AI.

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Bravado and the backflip: Peter Hartcher on Trump's 24 hours of 'madness'

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

The madness of Donald Trump surfaced again in the past day or so, according to many seasoned onlookers.

First, the president of the United States announced that he would impose a shipping toll on the Strait of Hormuz, something that would jack up petrol prices and spike inflation. Then he backed down, before he then threatened to take out Iranian bridges and power plants – a move that could be considered a war crime.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher reports from Washington DC on what might be the American president’s most consequential flip-flop to date.

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The best and worst moments of the World Cup

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For nearly a century, the FIFA World Cup has carried fans throughout the world to great heights of unity and joy. This year's tournament, which is coming to a close, revealed some of the best of America. Scottish fans were welcomed by the city of Boston, and supposedly drank the city dry, while Japanese fans in Dallas marvelled in the delights of Texas barbecue.

Then there was the game itself and its stars, such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham.

But a maelstrom of complications threatened the sense of inclusion this year, particularly due to host country United States being at war with Iran.

Deputy editor Nick Ralston today discusses the joy and tension he witnessed at matches in the United States and Canada - as well as that viral Aussie chant about Donald Trump.

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More Australians, including Boomers, support a drop in house prices

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

A growing majority of Australians want housing prices to fall, in some cases by more than 20 per cent, according to new polling exclusive to our mastheads.Could it be that our decades-long obsession with growing house prices is finally coming to a halt?Today senior economics correspondent Shane Wright talks about why conventional wisdom about what voters want from housing seems to be wrong.

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One Nation’s newest donors, and why they want to remain secret

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Melbourne property developers, entrepreneurs and small business owners are promising huge sums to Pauline Hanson’s party before November's state election.

They say it’s in return for advocacy on key policy areas. It is advocacy these donors think will be stronger coming from One Nation, rather than the party they once supported – the Coalition.But the identities of these donors are, so far, shrouded in secrecy.

Senior reporter Sarah Danckert says one reason is because they’re feeling some shame about their promise to One Nation.

In today’s episode, Danckert explains why Hanson is attracting more donations from business circles beyond her most wealthiest backer, mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

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Albanese basks in Modi limelight. And, his weird podcast interview

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This week, we’re talking about a visit from Narendra Modi to Australia and why Anthony Albanese wants to bask in the Indian prime minister’s limelight, despite questions around Modi’s human rights record.

And in an environment where One Nation and the Coalition want to go hard on migration, Albanese’s friendship with Modi looks like it stands in stark contrast.

But that’s not what piqued everyone’s interest in Canberra this week. We’re still talking about Albanese’s perplexing podcast interview in which he said he’d "shag" popstar Kylie Minogue and joked about melons and the Japanese PM.

And, we cover the new data that shows how bad Australia’s inflation is compared to other nations.This week’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley and features chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

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‘The world has changed’: Peter Hartcher on China’s extraordinary missile test

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

China launched a rare ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday.It wasn’t just putting nearby countries, like Australia, on notice.

It was making a statement that has changed the world, says international and political editor Peter Hartcher.

He joins Samantha Selinger-Morris to discuss why this missile launch differs greatly from the one China launched two years ago, and why we have yet to hear a response from US President Donald Trump.

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Trump’s red card intervention in the World Cup

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 06:57:35 +0000

Allegations of cheating and sporting corruption have followed the revelation that Donald Trump intervened in the FIFA World Cup to overturn the suspension of an American player. But the ramifications of this unprecedented event might far outlast the tournament.

Today, Sydney Morning Herald deputy editor Nick Ralston and North America correspondent Michael Koziol on the politics of Trump's intervention before the United States' knockout loss to Belgium.

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Why this bird flu is a lot more dangerous than the last one

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Over the weekend, a particularly deadly strain of bird flu was confirmed in NSW for the first time.
This takes the total of confirmed cases nationwide to six.
Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on how much of a risk we’re dealing with.

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A thousand girls, neon lights: Human toll of Thailand’s sex tourism industry

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The death of 17-year-old Thai girl, Thanchanok Donhomla, has shocked Australia, and sparked fear among sex workers in Pattaya. Thanchanok's body was found in a suitcase and dumped in long grass by a railway.
The man accused of murdering her is 45-year-old Australian, Simon Peter Carman. He is being held in the Pattaya Remand Prison.
Today, guest host Benjamin Preiss talks to Southeast Asia correspondent Zach Hope who says, in the world’s sex capital, a rampant industry funded by anonymous male tourists has come into sharp focus.

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Labor’s tax changes hit the property market, will a Liberal ‘rebrand’ turn the party around?

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The government's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes are now legislated, and this week there has been some early data on how these changes are hitting the property market.

Plus, Labor's compromise on gambling advertising reforms and Angus Taylor's leadership of the Liberal Party.

Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.

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Antisemitism is feeding all forms of extremism: Peter Hartcher on ASIO boss’ striking speech

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In December last year, Australia was confronted with its worst-ever incident of antisemitic violence when gunmen killed 15 people on Bondi Beach at a Hanukkah gathering. That came after the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and an arson attack on the Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, or ASIO, has now warned that hatred of Jews is one factor virtually all violent extremist cohorts have in common. How did we reach a point where so many Jews now say they feel unsafe in Australia?

Today’s discussion, guest-hosted by Benjamin Preiss, is with international and political editor Peter Hartcher.

Background reading

It’s the unique hate that inflames all others, and Australia is failing to quell it

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'Only a rort if you're not in on it': Inside the Big Build scandal

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The Victorian government has staked its reputation, to a large extent, on an ambitious infrastructure program – termed the Big Build by state Labor, the program includes major road and rail projects totalling billions of dollars.

Victoria Police however, say there is no doubt gangland-linked corruption has infiltrated the Big Build.

Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie joins Benjamin Preiss on the revelations of wrongdoing within Victoria's Big Build.

Background reading

‘Organised, strategic and out of our remit’: Police issue reality check on Big Build corruption

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Is the Karl Stefanovic saga a midlife crisis or media evolution?

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Karl Stefanovic was the face of Australian morning television for 25 years. Lauded for wearing the same suit for a year to highlight sexism, laughed at for showing up drunk on air following the Logies.

Now he’s agreed to part ways with Nine, the owner of our mastheads, after he featured far-right, anti-Islam British activist Tommy Robinson on his podcast.

Today, columnist and senior journalist Jacqueline Maley on whether the Stefanovic saga is the new rite of passage for the middle-aged man, or, if it signifies a fundamental shift in mainstream media.

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In an age of information overload, this is what happens to our brains

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For decades, neuroscientists have offered opposing theories for how our brains process the risks and rewards of daily life. Some thought our brains dedicate the most energy into managing everyday realities. Others have thought our brains fire up when we’re thrown something unexpected.

Now we have an answer. And it might make you re-think how you live.

Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on findings by researchers from the University of Sydney, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, that might help explain how our brains are functioning, in this age of information overload.

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High risk or the right time? Zali Steggall on the new teal party

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:49:16 +0000

This week independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender announced they would form a new political party, Community Strong Australia.

Steggall was successful as the first teal candidate, winning the prize seat of Warringah on Sydney’s north shore from former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019.

Spender took Sydney’s blue-ribbon electorate of Wentworth from Liberal David Sharma in 2022.But the leaderless Community Strong is a high-risk strategy, as all other teal MPs have declined to join.

Today, Steggall is a special guest on Inside Politics with Jacqueline Maley to talk about, amid the fracturing of the Coalition and the rise of One Nation, why now is the right time for Community Strong Australia.

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Peter Hartcher on Australian nihilism, fear and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

More Australians feel unsafe in the world than ever before, according to new research from the Lowy Institute.

And it is this environment of fear – fear of a bad economy, of terrorism, of immigration – that makes for an environment ripe for a political party like One Nation to prosper.Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how Australia is experiencing a moment he has never witnessed before, and where the solutions lie.

Background reading

This is the Australia that Pauline Hanson has been waiting for – a frightened country

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Starmer ousted: Why the British government is in turmoil

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:19:18 +0000

After months of criticism, and two significant scandals, Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as British prime minister.

So, why is the country on the cusp of having is seventh prime minister in only 10 years?

Today, Europe correspondent David Crowe on Starmer’s drastic fall, and on Andy Burnham, the unconventional politician who’s expected to take his place.

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'Be sensible and keep your mouth shut': The private school facing allegations of control

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

With heritage-listed sandstone turrets and iron gates, the Redeemer Baptist School promises Sydney parents the private school dream: a prestigious, disciplined education for a fraction of the cost.

But its academic awards, state-of-the-art facilities and charitable works conceal a darker reality.
Today education reporter Emily Kowal talks to The Morning Edition host Samantha Selinger-Morris on allegations from former students who say the school ordered them to share bedrooms with teachers, and subjected them to authoritarian control. Or, as the school’s student diary put it, “Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

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From dust to dust: Is human composting the new way to bury the dead?

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For decades now, if someone died, there were two choices: burial, or cremation.

But soon, Australians may get a third choice for how they choose to farewell their loved ones, thanks to a growing trend overseas.

Today, senior writer Bevan Shields on human composting: a method of burial that may give you the ick, but that is giving many others profound peace of mind.

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Falsities, nastiness and the Trump ‘vibe’ tapped: Hanson at the Press Club

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The hottest ticket in Australian politics this week was Pauline Hanson's first address to the National Press Club, which happened on Wednesday.

The Press Club, set up in the early 1960s, has become a rite of passage for any aspiring political leader. But Hanson has been an outsider, and the Press Club represents the type of institution she rejects, so until now the One Nation leader has never made an appearance there.

Her speech, as Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political commentator James Massola discuss, was extraordinary for her position on Australian culture, late-term abortions, Muslim migration and her attack on female journalists.

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Ultimate grudge match: Can the Socceroos silence the American hype?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000

A big first-game upset over Turkey sets the scene perfectly for a grudge match in Australia’s crucial game against the World Cup hosts at 5am on Saturday morning (AEST).

Behind the scenes, a fiery cocktail of history, spiteful friendlies, and straight-up disrespect from American soccer pundits has turned this Group D clash into a highly personal grudge match.

In this bonus episode, host Samantha Selinger-Morris talks to sports reporter Vince Rugari, who will be on the ground in Seattle, to break down the trash talk, the tactical madness of Tony Popovic, and why this insanely talented, multicultural Australian squad might just have the youth and stoicism to silence a hostile American crowd.

Background reading: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/yank-hypocrisy-why-mike-grella-s-socceroos-slander-rings-so-hollow-20260615-p606xk.html

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Donald Trump says he has a peace deal with Iran. But does he?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

What have Iran and the United States actually agreed to in the memorandum of understanding that the two countries announced over the weekend?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher breaks it down for us, to work out if it’s a peace deal, a ceasefire, or something else entirely.

Background reading

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Selective schools: Competition has never been tougher

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This weekend thousands of teenagers will sit the entry exam for one of four select-entry government schools for high-achieving students in Victoria.

It’s a nerve-recking experience and the stakes are high. Many students will miss out on a place.In NSW, competition is also fierce for a spot at select-entry schools. Students in both states spend countless hours preparing for the exams.

Today, Age education reporter Jackson Graham and Sydney Morning Herald education editor Christopher Harris explain how select-entry schooling became such a big deal and such big business.

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‘Breaks every rule’: What the KPMG scandal is all about

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

They are one of the big four accounting firms. Government agencies and major corporations trust them to audit their books and ensure everything is above board.
So what happens when one of these auditors is accused of a catastrophic failure of integrity?
KPMG will face this question and many others when it fronts a Senate inquiry this week. The explosive claims emerged after a whistleblower brought allegations the firm misused confidential client data to potentially win business with other companies.
Today, senior business reporter Colin Kruger explains why this scandal extends well beyond the big end of town and might affect anyone with an investment or super fund.

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How gangsters are still obtaining military-grade guns

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Last week there were a couple of shocking crimes in Sydney. In one, a father and his 15-year-old daughter were forced to flee when a gunman approached them at school pick-up time. In another, assailants in a car filmed themselves as they sprayed bullets from a high-powered firearm into a funeral home.

Today, crime reporter Perry Duffin discusses the gang war in Sydney, and how the underworld is still accessing military-style guns after Port Arthur, and in the wake of the Bondi massacre.

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Polls, the media and what's really driving One Nation’s support

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

With the budget backlash era moving on to something like begrudged resignation, or budget fatigue, we’re expecting Treasurer Jim Chalmers to soon make a few announcements around the tax changes.

While this bubbles along, the only story in politics continues to be One Nation.

Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal debate whether the media and the near-daily reporting on polls are driving more support or exaggerating Pauline Hanson’s true popularity in Australia.

Outside of this, the hard-right party purportedly raised $1.5 million in a single day via a crowd-funding campaign called Fire the Liar. And the Coalition is squabbling over whether to preference One Nation in the next federal election, which is still two years away.

In the meantime, Labor by way of Foreign Minister Penny Wong says in the face of chaos, the government wants to go back to basics and focus on health, education and all the policies it says the other parties are lacking in.

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North Korea just made China back down. Is Trump taking note?

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea this week has put the world on notice that Kim Jong-Un's nuclear program, and ambitions, are stronger than ever. But has Donald Trump taken note?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how North Korea has gone from global pariah to earning the respect of some of the world’s great capitals.

Background reading

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Has the fragile ceasefire in the US-Israel war with Iran been broken?

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, it looked as though tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran had jeopardised a two-month ceasefire. The new hostilities threatened to once again place the Middle East on the precipice of a full-blown regional war.

And then Donald Trump stepped into the fray.

Today Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shanahan discusses what led to these strikes, and what they mean for the fragile negotiations between Iran and the United States.

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Nick McKenzie on the arrest of Mick Gatto and the CFMEU crackdown

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

When one of Australia’s most infamous Victorian gangland figures was arrested last week over an alleged traffic infringement, it raised some eyebrows.

So given Mick Gatto’s centrality in the building industry, was this the Victorian police pulling at straws in some last ditch attempt to crack down on suspected corruption?

Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie on whether this arrest was, as Gatto asserts, “a load of crap”. Or if it’s illustrative of a new dedication by police to clean up an industry that’s been rife with alleged corruption for decades.

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The big baby bust: What happened to Australia’s middle child?

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The fertility rate in Australia is at a record low, and there is judgment all around.

Today, senior journalist Matt Wade and reporter Bronte Gossling on what our exclusive polling tells us about the global population plunge we’re all inching towards; what challenges it will throw at us; and why the demise of the third child may not be a great thing.

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A week of reality checks: ‘Pauline for PM’ and the true state of the AUKUS pact

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This week polls showed, for the first time, One Nation ahead of the major parties and Pauline Hanson as preferred prime minister in second place ahead of Angus Taylor.

Today we're talking about her strategy, her chances in the lower house and any parallels with the United States. Is it time to take Hanson seriously?

And the week would not be over if we didn't mention submarines - but second-hand ones this time. Was this always the intention as the government is saying? We'll unpick it.

Today's episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with guests chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal, and foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott.

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Don’t say it’s a protest vote’: Pauline Hanson on One Nation’s resurgence

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The debate on the rise of Pauline Hanson is shifting rapidly.

This week, for the first time, polls are showing One Nation's primary vote has risen above the Labor Party's.

A conversation that focused on One Nation and the Coalition swapping preferences has now shifted to more profound questions about the long-term configuration of the right flank of Australian politics.

Hanson is yet to face the full force of scrutiny on her policies, her position on race relations and whether her party really is a credible governing outfit.

Pauline Hanson joined chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal for this bonus episode of Inside Politics, recorded in Parliament House on Wednesday.

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Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We know that Donald Trump has long chased after Vladimir Putin’s approval. Remember the time Trump tweeted: “Do you think Putin will be going to the Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow – if so, will he become my new best friend”? That was 13 years ago.

But now the American president is Putin’s match. Just not in the way he’d like.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the humiliation of Trump and Putin by far smaller nations – and where their distinctly “dumb” power might lead us all.

Background reading

While Xi gets smart, Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

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A player suspended, a Pride match bumped: Is the AFL doing more harm than good?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This weekend, there was supposed to be a special game played between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda. It was the teams' annual Pride match, in which the players would wear rainbow jerseys and celebrate diversity, the aim being to boost inclusivity for LGBTQ fans.

But for the first time in a decade, because of a far-reaching scandal involving Saints player Lance Collard, the Pride match was scrapped. Sydney opted to play the game against a different side, at a different time.

Today special correspondent Stephen Brook discusses the role that homophobic slurs play in footy and why the code’s attempts at cracking down on hate may be backfiring.And just a heads-up, this episode contains offensive language.

Background reading

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Tony Abbott is back, but what does it mean for the Liberal Party?

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.
And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.
Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.

Background listening:

Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’.

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A ‘mega ship’ will deliver 30,000 EVs from China. Just how safe is your data?

Sun, 31 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Roughly 5,000 new electric vehicles are due to land this week from China. This is just the first part of a shipment expected from the Chinese car manufacturing behemoth, BYD. The company is due to ship another 25,000 EVs here this year.

Australians are embracing electric vehicles more than ever before, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices. But it also comes with unanswered questions and potential complications.

Today, North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin discusses China's dizzying technological advances in EVs, and whether Australians buying these cars risk being spied on.

Background reading

‘Made in China’ EVs are taking over the streets, but just how safe is your data?

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CGT shemozzle, risk thrown around like 'fairy dust' and...a Teal party?

Thu, 28 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We are officially in week two of budget backlash, and both sides seem pretty dug in.

Today we’re talking about the disagreements about the capital gains tax - the most controversial part of the budget - and if, as some critics said, it will kill business aspirations.

The other news that sparked our interest was the tantalising prospect of the Teal independents forming a party to consolidate their power in the face of a rising One Nation.

Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

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How Gen Z in India turned an insult into a political uprising

Wed, 27 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Gen Z in India are rebelling. Millions of young Indians have signed up to a movement that’s pushing against the unfair advantages that their elders have and they don’t. And though the political movement they've joined is satirical, the Cockroach Janta Party has the Indian government worried.

Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses how serious a threat this movement is to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the other recent youth-led movements that have toppled governments.

Background reading

Peter Hartcher: 'Young people are revolting. India’s ‘cockroach’ campaign is just the latest example.'

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The most powerful man in sport is about to get more powerful

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

State of Origin is rugby league’s night of nights, with Queensland and New South Wales battling it out for supremacy.

But as the teams take to the field tonight, there’s a battle of a different kind taking place in the NRL as power swaps between the biggest names in sports administration - Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo.

Today, national head of sport Neil Breen on the politics of the NRL, and whether too much power may land in the hands of one man.

For more:

'Peter V’landys says the NRL needs ‘Superman and Jesus’ as CEO. That person will be Peter V’landys.'

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Why the era of sniffer dogs at music festivals could be over

Mon, 25 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Drugs and music festivals have gone hand-in-hand for decades. In recent years – especially since a string of overdoses – authorities have employed various strategies to try to curb drug use and avoid tragedies from occurring at festivals around the country.

Depending on where festivals are held, music lovers have been subjected to various degrees of intervention – from having to run the gauntlet of sniffer dogs to intrusive strip searches. That is now changing.

Today, culture reporter Kayla Olaya discusses the 3000 people who sued NSW Police last year over the legality of strip searches, plus we look at recent changes to the policing of drug use at large, live music events.

Background reading

Days of ‘going through a gauntlet of police lined with drug dogs’ are over, says a top cop.

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A secret, a revelation and a life forever changed for cop turned alleged victim

Sun, 24 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

As a police officer who investigated sex crimes, Graeme Simpfendorfer was accustomed to helping victims on what might be the worst day of their life. He found meaning in tracking down the criminals who’d hurt them.

But then came the day when he realised that he, too, was an alleged victim.

The former detective sergeant – who appeared on the reality television show Hunted – talks about what happened when he decided to report his alleged abuse to police. And what it was like to experience the justice system from the other side.

Today’s episode is hosted by Samantha Selinger-Morris.

And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse. Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 and Lifeline 13 11 14.

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Most people don’t have trusts, or multiple houses: Bill Shorten on the budget’s tax changes

Thu, 21 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We’re officially in our budget backlash era, with claims of death taxes, of aspirations killed, and the outraged cries of crypto bros across the nation. Not to mention, of course, the genuine anxiety from regular small business owners and shareholders who are unsure of how all of these changes will affect them.

Our guest this week is former Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, who is now the vice chancellor of the University of Canberra. Shorten knows a thing or two about such backlash, having taken changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax to not one, but two elections — 2016 and 2019.

Hosting today’s conversation is Jacqueline Maley, alongside chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

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Now, it’s Putin’s turn. Will Xi Jinping encourage Russia to end the Ukraine war?

Wed, 20 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in China to meet Xi Jinping, days after the Chinese leader hosted US President Donald Trump.

Will Putin gush over Xi, as Trump was accused of doing?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses the historic concessions Trump has made to China, and what Putin is hoping to achieve from his meeting.

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Almost 20 years of NAPLAN data has revealed something shocking

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

It’s like clockwork. Every March, countless parents, children and teachers across Australia grip their foreheads, wondering about how their NAPLAN scores measure up.

But now, a new study of our country’s national standardised scholastic test has revealed an unsettling trend.

Today, education reporter Nicole Precel on the educational segregation that is thriving in Australia – and what it will take to fix it.

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What Angus Taylor's immigration plan would really mean

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

With the Liberal Party in a political death spiral, it was perhaps inevitable that when Opposition Leader Angus Taylor gave his budget reply speech last week, he’d swing for the fences.

But could his much-awaited immigration policy help fix Australia's housing crisis?

Today, chief political commentator James Massola on what Angus Taylor means when he says his policy proposal “puts Australians first”.

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Why Melbourne's nightclubs have been targeted by a 'Fagin-like' mystery figure

Sun, 17 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Melbourne’s nightlife industry has been beset by violent crimes for much of this year.Under the cover of night, well-known venues - including an iconic French restaurant - have been targeted.
What makes this series of connected crimes interesting is the motive remains a mystery.Some club owners have received an ominous message before an attack, but with no demand attached.
Also notable is the sheer number of teenagers, some as young as 13 years old, recruited over an encrypted messaging app to carry out the crimes.
Our episode today, with crime journalists Chris Vedelago and Carla Jaegar, is guest-hosted by Benjamin Preiss.

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Does a broken promise matter in a broken system, and Angus Taylor’s migrant plan

Thu, 14 May 2026 06:43:15 +0000

The federal budget was pitched as a big moment for a progressive government that wants to equalise wealth and home ownership.

And one of the main attacks from the opposition is that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had to break a promise in order to get there.

So will the broken promise line resonate if the changes are broadly supported by the public?

Also today, Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about Coalition leader Angus Taylor’s plan to centre immigration in his budget reply speech, including that non-citizens should be blocked from welfare payments.

We also check in on One Nation’s Farrer by-election win and how significant a threat the party now poses to Labor.

Background reading:

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Taiwan, trade and the balance of power: What’s at stake when Trump meets Xi Jinping

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

When US President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping this week, it will be a geopolitical heavyweight match-up with enormous stakes, according to Joe Biden’s former deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell.

On the table is everything from global trade to security.

And, at a time when Trump is arguably at his weakest, and Xi at his most paranoid.

Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher on whether Trump may inadvertently lead the United States into unilateral concessions and unintentional appeasement, and what this might mean for the rest of us.

Background reading:

Peter Hartcher - The empire of pain and paranoia that awaits Trump inside Xi’s China
Michael Koziol - The ‘big danger’ for Australia as Trump meets Xi

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Zoomers, boomers and a federal budget that could fix housing

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:03:04 +0000

The federal government has delivered one of the most anticipated budgets in recent history, with the focus on shifting wealth from Boomers and opening more of the housing market to younger wage earners.

In order to get there, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers have enacted an overhaul of negative gearing, capital gains tax and trusts.

Today, we bring you an early episode of The Morning Edition from Parliament House in Canberra, with senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

Peter Hartcher – ‘This budget will be attacked as a nightmare. That’s exactly what the PM wants.’
Paul Sakkal – ‘Albanese gambles on support from younger Australians as he dramatically shifts wealth.’

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Will One Nation push Labor to reshape our society?

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We’re only hours away from the federal treasurer handing down the government’s much-anticipated budget. All eyes have been on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s anticipated - and controversial - changes to taxes that benefit the wealthier members of our society.

But there’s an entirely different factor that is likely to sway the government’s thinking.

Today, political columnist Sean Kelly on what One Nation’s historic win on Saturday could mean for the changes to our society that the government implements, or not.

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‘Popcorn out’ for Farrer by-election, plus the RBA’s pointed comments on government spending

Thu, 07 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The electorate of Farrer is holding a by-election this weekend and we’re expecting the contest will be a good one.

The NSW seat, which hugs the border with Victoria, belonged to former opposition leader Sussan Ley for 25 years. Now, it’s a microcosm of the pressures the Coalition is under from independent candidates and One Nation.

And as Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley puts it, Labor has grabbed the popcorn and is sitting this one out.

Also this week, RBA boss Michele Bullock made some unusually pointed remarks about inflation and government spending when she raised the cash rate again. Plus, we’ve been reporting on tax relief that’s expected to be announced in next week’s budget.

Joining Maley today is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

Background reading:

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Once dominant fascist powers, Japan and Germany are now saving democracy

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

US President Donald Trump never fails to miss an opportunity to punish his allies. This week, it was Germany after Trump announced he’d be pulling 5000 troops from the country after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the US had been humiliated by Iran.

But away from the front-page news, Germany and Japan – another former enemy of the US – have been on the rise.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the stunning turnabout from the two countries that have threatened world peace the most in the past – and how all this will affect us.

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David Attenborough is 100. His legacy may be very different than you think

Tue, 05 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For millions of people, David Attenborough was the man who introduced us to the wonders of the natural world.

But, with Attenborough turning 100 years old on Friday, some are rethinking his legacy, and realising that his biggest achievement might have been missed entirely.

Today environment editor Nick O’Malley and former BBC arts director Jonty Claypole talk about how the world’s most famous naturalist changed our culture.

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Kylie Moore-Gilbert on why Australia's hostage strategy must change

Mon, 04 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Kylie Moore-Gilbert was imprisoned in Iran for more than years, accused of being a spy.

Five years after her release, the research fellow in security studies at Macquarie University is calling on the Australian government to change its strategy towards hostages.

Today, Moore-Gilbert speaks about how the era of "quiet diplomacy" is – in some hostage cases –over.

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'This is far from over’: The case of Kumanjayi Little Baby

Sun, 03 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

On the evening of Anzac Day, a man is alleged to have set in motion a series of events that sparked a national outcry, broke hearts, and ignited rage in Alice Springs.

Today's episode comes after the news that 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was charged on Sunday with the murder of a five-year-old girl in a tiny Alice Springs community.
We cross to the Northern Territory to journalist Hannah Murphy, from WA Today, on the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Background reading:

Jefferson Lewis charged with murder over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
A week on, Alice Springs is a town forever changed.

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A fiery air crash in the Top End – and a miracle by Aussie doctors who saved a US marine

Sun, 10 May 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Travis Reyes, a 21-year-old US marine, remembers feeling smug as he sat with his feet dangling out the door of a military aircraft, soaring high above a gulf in the Northern Territory.

Yes, dozens of military personnel had died in these hybrid aeroplane/helicopters over the years. But the take-off from Darwin had been smooth.

Today, senior reporter Grant McArthur on the 23 marines who crashed in the bush, shocking the globe. And the world-first medical experiments by quick-thinking Australian doctors aimed at helping Travis Reyes survive against all odds.

Background reading

Grant McArthur's full story: 'A fiery air crash, a face-eating fungus and minutes from death in the Top End: How The Alfred’s doctors saved this US marine.'

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Why young people are so angry about housing, and whether this budget will fix it

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Inflation figures were out this week, and it wasn’t good news. Next week’s interest rates figures from the Reserve Bank aren't looking crash hot either. So how do these results impact Jim Chalmers’ impending budget and what are the chances the treasurer will press ahead with changes to taxes and housing?

We also chat about the government’s new favourite buzzwords from ‘intergenerational equity’ to ‘resilience’ and what they really mean.

And finally, we discuss whether Angus Taylor’s argument that Welcome to Country greetings were overused was a dog whistle from the opposition leader, or reflects a broad sentiment in the community.

Joining host Jacqueline Maley this week are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

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Mark Butler on the NDIS, private health and vaccine hesitancy

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

When the National Disability Insurance Scheme was created in 2013, it was proof that a rich society could find the money to help people living with a disability. This was social democracy at work.

Twelve years on, it has turned into a $62 billion behemoth, on track to cost more than the age pension.

The Albanese government last week admitted the scheme was at risk of collapse. It announced a root-and-branch overhaul to remove 300,000 Australians from the scheme in the space of a few years.

The man leading the contentious reform agenda is Health Minister Mark Butler.

The 55-year-old South Australian has emerged as one of Labor’s most energetic ministers, taking on big tasks in aged care, tobacco control and disability support.

He’s also been asked if he might be the next Labor leader after Anthony Albanese.

He joins this bonus episode of Inside Politics with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

Background reading

Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal – New NDIS eligibility tool will be ‘relatively blind’ to diagnoses.
Natassia Chrysanthos – ‘Am I disabled enough?’ The question autistic participants are asking after NDIS overhaul.

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Peter Hartcher answers your questions about Iran, Trump and the state of the world

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Regular listeners will know Peter Hartcher – he’s our international and political editor and a weekly voice on The Morning Edition, helping us dissect and process the extraordinary times that we’re living in.

Every week we get a lot of comments from our listeners, so we put a call out for the burning questions you’ve wanted to ask Hartcher. Today we've collated a selection of them for this special episode.

Background reading

Peter Hartcher's latest column – Trump says he’s won the war. No one has told the Iranians.

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The Australian philanthropist and the alleged $1.6 million sequin-studded fraud

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

It's shaping up to be a story of profound betrayal – if the allegations are proven in court.

On the one hand is one of Australia's most influential and richest philanthropists, a woman who doesn't use email or indeed a computer.

On the other is her personal secretary, whom she entrusted with access to her intimate personal and financial details.

Today, chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont on the case of Judith Neilson, Annalouise Spence and the alleged $1.6 million sequin-studded fraud.

Background reading

Kate McClymont's story – 'Profound betrayal’: The billionaire and her secretary’s $1.5m sequin-studded fraud.
And ‘Overwhelming case’: Billionaire’s ex-secretary refused bail over alleged $1.6m fraud.

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Trump and the Washington attack: This shooting is different

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Within hours of the shooting, right outside where US President Donald Trump was dining at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, the American president was venting his anger.

Not, notably, about the gunman firing shots in the lobby of the hotel. But at a journalist who read out what the suspected shooter allegedly thinks about Trump.

Today Bruce Wolpe, a senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre, on why this shooting differs - in such a crucial and dangerous way - from the two attempts on Trump's life during the 2024 election campaign, and the reckoning that is now spreading throughout Washington as a result.

Airtasker of the underworld, offshore gangs and the uniquely Australian crime

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Prohibition-era gangs, mafia dons, the notorious Melbourne’s gangland wars and the rise of flashy outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Crime in Australia has had a few iterations, and has mirrored crime occurring in the rest of the world.

But now we’re in a new era.

Today investigative reporter Marta Pascual Juanola on how organised crime has changed and the uniquely Australian trend that has emerged.

Read Marta's story on organised crime here.

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Labor’s baby a ‘honeypot of fraud’ and the gas tax’s viral moment

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Today, we are talking about one of the federal budget’s trickiest customers - the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Labor was once like a proud parent of the NDIS, but now even the minister in charge, Mark Butler, is describing the scheme as a honeypot for organised crime.

Also this week, an inquiry about taxing offshore gas exports went kind of viral due to a David Pocock question about beer and an appearance from a podcaster called Punters Politics.

Joining host Jacqueline Maley is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos.

Background reading

Natassia Chrysanthos’ latest story on the NDIS
All of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s political news and analysis.

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The ‘axis of upheaval’ that's forming against the West

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Since the Cold War ended more than 35 years ago, many of us have likely not given much thought to Bloc warfare. Those nuclear threats that the Western and Eastern Blocs hurled at each other? A thing of the past.

But lately, the beginnings of a return to Bloc warfare have revealed themselves.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the group of countries that are assisting each other to fight wars. And why few have heard of their grouping.

Next Thursday, we'll be airing a special episode with Peter, in which he will be answering your questions. So if you have any questions about the state of our world that you've been dying to ask Peter, or a topic you'd love him to discuss, emails us at podcasts@nine.com.au and we may feature it on air next week.

Background reading

Peter Hartcher's article: Trump’s madcap folly emboldening this ‘axis of upheaval’
Peter Hartcher's columns and stories.

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The likely change to the capital gains tax and the 'Ponzi scheme' of housing

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is slated to make a big change to the tax system, with the centrepiece of the May budget a change to taxing capital gains on property.

Will the likely tweaks reduce skyrocketing house prices, or address intergenerational inequality?

Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright talks about who this change will cost, who it will benefit, and by how much.

Background reading:

Shane Wright's story, 'CGT like it's 1999.'
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's up-to-date political coverage.

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The uprising in women's basketball

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

There’s been something of a revolt in women’s basketball in the United States, and two Australians – Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor – are among the biggest winners.
Today, sports reporter Frances Howe on the multimillion-dollar deals netted by these Australian stars, as a result of a very simple demand, and what it means for women in sport.

Background reading

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's series on Australia's richest athletes.
Frances Howes' story on the WNBA.

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How Lego became the black market’s hottest trade

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Just picture it: under the cover of night, police detectives raid a clandestine drug lab in Melbourne belonging to an organised crime gang. But instead of picking through just the usual: beakers, wads of cash and perhaps the unmistakable acetone odour of ICE, they stumble on something else.
Boxes upon boxes – upon BOXES – of Lego.

Today, senior reporter Chris Vedelago on why your kids’ favourite toy has become the underworld’s new favourite currency, and why it’s so good for laundering dirty money.

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No ‘drill baby drill’ moment: Chris Bowen on oil shock’s impact on green Australia

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

A fire at a Geelong oil refinery - one of two refineries left in Australia - has heightened anxiety around fuel supply.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen joins the Inside Politics podcast today to address the impact of this fire and the scramble for petrol and diesel imports as the nation grapples with one of the most severe oil shocks in history.

The pugilistic minister, a lighting rod in the debate about Australia's renewable energy transition, joins chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and energy correspondent Mike Foley to discuss the rocky path to a green economy, and Australia's position to deal with the war and subsequent energy crisis.

You can read Sakkal and Foley's story on our websites here, and all our federal political coverage here.

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Trump or Netanyahu – who pushed who into the Iran war?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Seven weeks into the US-Israel war with Iran, the narrative that Donald Trump was pushed into the war by Benjamin Netanyahu, and that the US president is an agent of Israel, still permeates the internet.How much truth is there to these claims?Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher talks about who really is driving the war, and why it matters.

Read Hartcher's column here.

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My niece needs the NDIS. Yes, it must be cut – but with a scalpel, not a chainsaw

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

As our journalist James Massola put it, his niece Mattea is like most three-year-olds: boisterous and bursting with energy.Mattea is also not like most three-year-olds: from the moment she was born, her parents have had to grapple with a complex set of problems that make life very different.I’m Samantha Selinger-Morris, and you’re listening to The Morning Edition, from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.Today, chief political commentator James Massola on Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme and what next month’s expected cuts to the scheme really mean.

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Harry and Meghan’s 'grifting': What the royals are doing Down Under

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

For years, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have been tanking in popularity polls. Meghan is now the second-most disliked royal, beaten only by the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

So why is this faux-royal tour occurring down under when the British monarchy is arguably on the nose?

Today, senior writer Bevan Shields comments on recent bullying accusations against Prince Harry, what they're doing here this week - and how much they're charging us for the pleasure.

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Albanese’s gambling reform – big money versus the 'nanny state'

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been slammed – over the course of years – for failing to crack down on the more than 1 million gambling ads broadcast every year on Australia's free-to-air TV and radio, not to mention the rest of our gambling industry, which has driven some families to financial ruin.

Then, finally, just over a week ago, came the prime minister’s announcement of a gambling overhaul.

Today, business reporter Kishor Napier-Raman on just how much so-called “filthy money” our government is taking away from stakeholders, and if there’s any chance these reforms might break the link between children and sports wagering.

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Matt Canavan on his love of EVs, and calling out Pauline Hanson

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The new leader of the Nationals, Matt Canavan, is a former Marxist from the suburbs who was once a Productivity Commission economist and then, a firebrand right-wing senator.

Canavan joins Inside Politics today with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal at a time when the Nationals are battling for survival against an ascendant One Nation.

The pair discuss Australia's over-reliance on the US, Canavan's dislike of identity politics, his surprising love of electric vehicles and, to cap it off, religion.

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Peter Hartcher: Donald Trump is now a ‘genocidal tyrant’

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

US President Donald Trump has backed down, at the eleventh hour, from his horrifying threat to - as Trump put it himself - unleash destruction on Iran’s entire civilisation.

Both sides have now said they have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how to make sense of the events of the last 24 hours. And whether in two weeks, the world is likely to be, yet again, on the brink of carnage.

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Nick McKenzie on the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:27:36 +0000

The Australian Federal Police today arrested war hero Ben Roberts-Smith over the war-crimes murders of five unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners during the Afghan War.The arrest comes after a quiet, five-year-long investigation into Roberts-Smith, which reportedly involved tapped phones, listening devices, and raids by secretive Office of the Special Investigator detectives.Today, investigative reporters Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard reveal how this arrest unfolded, and what happens next.

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The court judgment that could change the treatment of Australian women giving birth

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

There was a significant judgment in a Victorian court last week, one that is causing a great deal of controversy in the medical community.
The case centres on what happened when a woman presented to a regional hospital to give birth.The woman, Larissa Gawthrop, was in labour – but the hospital refused to admit her until she’d undergone a vaginal examination. For the hospital, this test is routine, but Gawthrop had been really clear in her birth plan – she’d only consent to an examination if there was an urgent medical reason.
What happened next, according to the court decision, was tantamount to assault, and the judge awarded Gawthrop $275,000 in damages.
Today, senior writer Wendy Tuohy discusses the landmark case and its implications for the medical community.

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An Australian study linked vaping to cancer for the first time. Why all the backlash?

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Many of us probably have a hunch that vaping is bad for our health.

Questions about just how bad have been around for years.

So why, then, has there been a backlash by health researchers against a new study, that has now declared that the evidence is in, and e-cigarettes are likely to cause oral and lung cancer?

Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on the main warnings contained in this Australian study.

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A national address, nailing down the budget, and Hastie’s ‘striking’ interview

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000

This week we debate the merits of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s national address before getting stuck into what’s happening with the budget. With the world in a bit of a shambles, we found it interesting that the PM hasn’t totally killed off the idea of reforms in the budget to things such as capital gains tax and negative gearing.

But, as our guest and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright says, this is the most difficult budget to piece together since the response to the global financial crisis in 2008.

Finally, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about a fascinating interview Andrew Hastie gave recently.

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Peter Hartcher: Donald Trump is on the cusp of walking away from Iran

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000

US President Donald Trump says he’s nearly done with the war in Iran, declaring: "We will be leaving very soon." His secretary of state also said on Wednesday that he can "see the finish line".

This would be significant, but only if the Americans were in control of the war.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher argues the United States has leached power in this war, while the Iranian regime is in its element.

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Nick McKenzie on how North Korean spies are infiltrating Australian companies

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Investigative reporter Nick McKenzie logged on to a Zoom call to meet the man who said he was Aaron Pierson.

McKenzie was also hiding his real identity, posing as a recruiter for an Australian tech company. The whole thing was a set-up, a trap for someone McKenzie suspected to be a spy for North Korea.

Today, McKenzie talks about the new way spies are targeting Australian businesses, and what happened in that Zoom call.

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The dramatic end to the hunt for Dezi Freeman

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:03:04 +0000

In a sudden conclusion to one of Australia’s most intensive manhunts, self-described sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman was shot dead by police on Monday morning.

For more than 200 days, Freeman evaded police after killing two police officers at a rural property in Porepunkah, in Victoria’s High Country, on August 26 last year.

In a bonus episode today, crime reporter Melissa Cunningham on how the deadly saga of Dezi Freeman came to an end.

For all the latest on this story, visit theage.com.au or smh.com.au.

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Albanese has a petrol plan. Will it help, or boost inflation?

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

The government has finally announced its national fuel security plan to help us cope with one of the worst global oil crisis the world has seen.

After meeting with the heads of all states and territories in a special meeting of the national cabinet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was acting now to be “overprepared" for any worsening of the crisis that has resulted from the war in the Middle East - now in its fifth week, and showing no signs of stopping.

Today, hear federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos on what relief Australians will get out of this plan, and whether the government’s measures will boost inflation.

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After the flood: Exploring the link between disasters and dementia

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

When the murky and fast-flowing water surged into their house in northern Victoria, Brian and Glenys Mulcahey were determined. They would save their home of more than 50 years.

In the end, they couldn’t. But what they didn’t know then, during that devastating flood in 2022, was that the worst was still to come.
For Brian Mulcahey was never the same again; the previously active man slid into a state of listlessness, and was later sent to a mental health facility.

Today, regional editor Benjamin Preiss on the link between dementia and natural disasters.

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The EU trade deal, and One Nation’s South Australian election

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

This week, while we were all freaking out about the oil crisis – and rightly so – European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen visited to finalise a trade deal between Australia and the EU. Negotiations for this have been on and off for eight years, so it was not a moment too soon that we signed it.

But, as Jacqueline Maley and Paul Sakkal discuss, this wasn't just about delicious foodstuffs from Europe, and indeed, Europeans getting access to our delicious foodstuffs; it was also about shoring up our strategic security in a very uncertain time.

And, we also talk about One Nation's election unexpected result in South Australia.

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Peter Hartcher on why the Iran conflict is spiralling out of control

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

How can we make heads or tails of where the Iran war is headed, and when it might end, when Donald Trump changes his strategy with whiplash speed?

One minute, the US President says he’ll drop more bombs on Iran, “just for fun”. The next he decides to lift sanctions on Iranian oil and says that he’s having “productive” negotiations with his enemy.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on whether this war will lead us all into a recession, and what Trump said that reveals how much political trouble he’s now in.

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Will the Kyle and Jackie O implosion unleash Sandilands globally?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

As much as we love to hate Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O, who for so long ruled Australia's most expensive radio program, the implosion of their show is consequential.

And not just in a business sense – although if Sandilands is successful in the lawsuit he launched against his former employer this week, it could take the entire radio network down.

Today, media writer Calum Jaspan on whether Sandilands might take his brand to another platform, and turn it into a political force, with an even greater focus on the grotesque and vulgar – and what’s happened to Jackie O.

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Explaining the petrol problem and whether gas is next

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

You’ve noticed the hike in prices at the petrol pump, but how high might prices go?

And are we at risk of running out of petrol?

Today, energy reporter Nick Toscano on what plans our government and the fuel companies have to manage this crisis.

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'Looksmaxxing’ is the dark new trend and Australian men are leading it

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

"Looksmaxxing" is a trend on social media where, as the name suggests, men aim to "maximise" their appearance in sometimes extreme ways. There are tales of breaking legs in order to be taller, and talk of "bone smashing" – where young men claim they are hammering their faces to heighten their cheekbones.
Today, Becca Rothfeld, a writer with The New Yorker magazine, talks about where this movement came from and why so many of its stars are Australian.

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Is it really time to panic about petrol supply?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

This week we’re talking about the enormous global volatility the government is dealing with, courtesy of the US-Israel war on Iran, and whether we need to be worried about things like our fuel supplies.

Also, with this global instability and an interest rate rise this week, will Treasurer Jim Chalmers water down his budget ambitions, or press on with major changes to intergenerational equity and tax?

The Inside Politics team of Jacqueline Maley and Paul Sakkal also find time to touch on the electorate of Farrer, which is shaping up to hold one of the more interesting byelections.

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Trump unloads on Australia, and MAGA official quits over Iran war

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

For someone who has said he’s already won the war in Iran, US President Donald Trump sure is angry.

On Tuesday night, he lashed out at allies, including Australia, that have declined to send ships to the Middle East to help put a stop to the oil crisis caused by the war.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher speaks on the attacks Trump is now facing from within his own party over the war, and who’s really winning in this conflict.

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New study shows medicinal cannabis 'doesn't work'

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Medicinal cannabis has been increasingly used, legally, to relieve symptoms and treat conditions such as anxiety or chronic pain.

Today, health reporter Angus Thomson on the Australian researchers who’ve found there is no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective at treating anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Oscars popularity contest: Why the 'best' films don't always win

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

By now, you’ve probably seen the Reddit threads blowing up over which movie should win the best picture Oscar today.

How can Ryan Coogler’s Sinners – a vampire horror musical set in the Jim Crow era – not win, say angry cinephiles, noting that it’s the most nominated film in Oscar history.

And yet, One Battle After Another, the Leonardo DiCaprio starring film about a government that has devolved into an authoritarian regime, is touted as the favourite.

Today senior culture writer Karl Quinn and culture and lifestyle writer Nell Geraets, on which films tend to win at the Oscars, and which often get shut out. And whether Timothée Chalamet will be punished for his comments knocking ballet and the opera.

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Why the timeline of the Iranian women’s football team defection makes some people liars

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

This week, we talk about the incredible story of the Iranian women's soccer team, some of whom defected and were given asylum in Australia. It was a wonderful story, and a great public relations coup for the government.

Plus, the legacy of outgoing Nationals leader David Littleproud, and we examine the somewhat controversial style of the incoming leader Matt Canavan.

Joining host Jacquline Maley is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and national security correspondent Matthew Knott.

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Trump's 'need for violence'. And have we joined the war on Iran?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

It could be argued that no American president has been as enamoured with violence as Donald Trump. He appears to relish all of it: the spectacle, the promise of it taking place, and, lately, its bloody reality, as - at the time of recording - American bombs continue to drop on Iran.

So, is this the key to to understanding the US president's motivation or all the other wars he’s planning?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on which country Trump has set his sights on next, and whether Australia is now at war with Iran.

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How the Iranian women’s soccer team escape unfolded

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:52:24 +0000

Five female Iranian soccer players, in Australia competing for the Asian Cup, escaped in the night from their handlers to seek refuge from their home country, which is in the middle of a war with the US and Israel.Initially another two women decided to join them and defected a day later, but on Wednesday afternoon, one of the pair changed their mind and contacted Iranian officials with the intention of returning home.Today, in a bonus episode, crime and justice reporter Amber Schultz joins us from Malaysia, where she has been tracking the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran.

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Reporting from Lebanon: How far will the Iran war expand from here?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Thousands of people in Lebanon have fled their homes due to Israeli airstrikes and forced evacuations as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated this week.

Today, Europe correspondent David Crowe and photojournalist Kate Geraghty report from Lebanon, after the US and Israel’s war on Iran expanded to the region.

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How a group of Australian gamblers beat the Texas lottery

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0000

The lieutenant governor of Texas has called it “the biggest theft from the people of Texas in the history of Texas”. He was referring to the work of Australian gamblers who scooped up a $US95 million jackpot.

And this is the kicker: they did it by buying up nearly every single lottery ticket and, they say, by following all the rules.
Today, investigative reporter Patrick Begley on the Australians who took down the Texan lottery.

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