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With an election called, Labor leader Anthony Albanese has six weeks to convince Australia he would make a better prime minister than Scott Morrison. The challenge is to avoid the mistakes of the last Labor election campaign, but as a small target, can he still be inspiring enough to win over voters – and secure a majority?Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper and biographer of Anthony Albanese, Karen Middleton, on his rebrand and what it tells us about Labor’s strategy.Guest: Author of Albanese: Telling It Straight, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years in public life, Scott Morrison can still seem hollow and one-dimensional. According to his biographer, this is deliberate. But with the election now running, Morrison faces one of the strange truisms of politics: that what helped him win last time could be what costs him victory this time. Sean Kelly, author of The Game: A portrait of Scott Morrison, on what we know about the prime minister and what that tells us about the kind of campaign he will run.Guest: Author of The Game Sean Kelly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the countdown to the federal election on, both sides of politics are attempting to shore up internal support and reassure voters. Labor is still firmly ahead in the polls, but the race is getting tighter, at least according to newspoll. In an unprecedented development, however, members of the Liberal Party have begun turning on Scott Morrison.Today columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the fight ahead.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From The Monthly and LiSTNR comes The Politics Podcast, a new daily podcast that cuts through the noise and delivers you the in-depth analysis of the moments that defined the day in politics. Hosted by Rachel Withers from The Monthly, The Politics Podcast drops at 5.30pm each weekday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the country, COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. Yesterday, NSW recorded more than 24,000 new cases and in Victoria there were more than 12,000. While deaths and hospitalisations have not hit the highs of January, over 2,500 Australians are in hospital and the figure has been rising. So, what’s driving the spread of COVID-19 right now? Today, Professor Raina MacIntyre, a member of the World Health Organization’s advisory group, on what we’re misunderstanding about the current wave of infections, and what the long term costs are. Guest: Professor Raina MacIntyre.Background reading: Why Australia’s daily Covid cases are on the rise again in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fifteen years after winning the safe seat of Cook, the true story of Scott Morrison’s ugly preselection fight can now be revealed. For the first time, statutory declarations show how Morrison allegedly used race and religion to undermine a rival.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton, who broke the story, on what really happened and what it tells us about Scott Morrison as a politician. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen MiddletonBackground reading: ‘Actually a Moslem’: The true story of Morrison’s ruthless preselection in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann Marie Smith died from staggering neglect in her Adelaide home. Her carer was sentenced for manslaughter, but many in the Disability community believe that the charge should have been murder.Today, Disability activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Georgia Cranko on what happened to Ann Marie Smith, and what the case tells us about how society treats Disabled people. Guest: Disability activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Georgia Cranko.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than in any other election, next month’s poll will feature a defining number of independent candidates. They represent a new, well-organised reaction against the major parties. For the Liberals, they also represent a threat that may one day see the party split.Today, contributor to The Monthly Margaret Simons on the independents who could go on to hold the balance of power.Guest: Contributor to The Monthly Margaret Simons.Background reading: Independents and the balance of power in The Monthly.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions relies in part on the success of the federal government’s carbon market. But explosive claims from a former head of the government’s integrity body show almost all the money spent on emissions reduction has gone to projects that did not contribute to reductions.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the man blowing the whistle on the Morrison government’s sham carbon projects. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the ways survivors of child sexual abuse or violent crime can seek redress is through compensation. But, at that point, some discover that the perpetrators have hidden their assets - in their superannuation funds, where it can’t be reached.It’s a common enough problem that four years ago, the government promised to fix it. So far, however, it has failed to act on that promise. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Bri Lee on the loophole being exploited, and why the government has failed to act. Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Bri Lee.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.