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Last night, Josh Frydenberg delivered his last budget before the Morrison government goes to the polls. It was a pitch to voters worried about the cost of living, with new payments and bold claims about an economic turnaround.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on what the government is promising and what it tells us about an election that could be called in the next few days.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the war in Ukraine enters its second month, it’s clear that a swift and easy victory for Russia was never a possibility. Russian forces are now fighting Ukraine on three fronts, but have failed to capture any major cities, with battles stalled as Ukrainians resist. So did Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimate Ukraine’s strength? And if so, what is he likely to do next?Today, historian and contributor to The Saturday Paper Mark Edele on how the war in Ukraine will end. Guest: Historian and contributor to The Saturday Paper Mark Edele.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, the federal court found the environment minister has a duty of care to young Australians when making decisions regarding climate change. This month, that decision was overturned. But for the teenagers involved in the case, it is not the end. Today, Anjali Sharma on her fight for action on climate change.Guest: Climate Activist, Anjali Sharma.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death of Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has ignited claims of bullying within the party. Meanwhile, heavy losses for the Liberals in the South Australian election could have dire implications for Scott Morrison.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the unseen forces driving both stories.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, Energy Minister Angus Taylor made changes to the Australian carbon market that crashed the value of government-issued carbon credits.The changes made it cheaper for big companies to pollute. They also cost the government as much as $3.5 billion.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why Taylor did it and what it means.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As further details emerge about the federal response to the flood crisis in Northern NSW, it has become clear that the government did not send troops when it could have.Since then, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has gone silent on a recovery package already finalised by the NSW state government.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on Morrison’s blame shifting and the consequent fallout. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, we’ve known Australia’s mental health system is overwhelmed and under-resourced. As a result, those who need help can end up trapped in the criminal justice system. These outcomes aren’t new; they can be traced back to colonisation. Today, author of a new Quarterly Essay on the mental health system Sarah Krasnostein on how Australia’s history of incarceration and shame informs the current crisis. Guest: Writer and criminal lawyer, Sarah Krasnostein.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government frames itself as the responsible economic manager. But many of the claims it makes about the economy do not stack up. The government uses economics to say it has no choice on some policies - when the opposite is often true.Guest: Economist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Richard Denniss.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, writer Richard Cooke will be reading his story from the latest edition of The Monthly.It’s called ‘Market of the apes: NFTs and digital art’, and in it, he explores how the art market has been transformed by NFTs, and how artificial intelligence might transform art itself.Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly, Richard Cooke.Background reading: Market of the apes: NFTs and digital art in The Monthly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an election inches closer, both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese are seeking to define their public images. For Albanese, that’s involved an appearance on 60 minutes, and after a near death experience, a so-called glow-up. For the prime minister, it’s about turning negatives into positives, and attacking his opponent. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the battle lines being drawn, and just how personal this contest is likely to get.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.