Navigating differences with China. All in with the British on nuclear submarines. And buckling up for a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. In one week - the directions, difficulties and dilemmas of Australian diplomacy have all been on show. David Speers interviews Defence Minister Richard Marles about the new submarines funding, China, Trump and more.
The Insiders panel, Clare Armstrong, Anthony Galloway, and Shalailah Medhora have plenty to discuss on the domestic front too. The religious discrimination bill is yet again a political hot potato, after Albanese told Labor caucus he could shelve the government’s promised changes to the act – protecting LGBT staff and students from facing discrimination and acting on religious hate speech – unless he gets bipartisan support on the reform.
They also run the ruler over the surprisingly strong unemployment figures out this week, after the biggest monthly jobs gain on record outside of the pandemic period. Economic growth was slowing at the end of 2023, but now appears to have strengthened. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Jack The Insider.