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Mar 19, 2025 • 15min

It's not only Trump, America's inequality is 'savage'

From the relative comfort of our distant homes, it’s easy to look at the United States, and the grotesque inequality its people suffer and wonder: how did that happen? But, it’s no accident. It’s by choice. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on the historical decisions made by American leaders that have led to this moment. And the perfect storm that president Donald Trump has created, to super-charge the inequality.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 18, 2025 • 16min

The tobacco tax causing carnage in our streets

A tax on tobacco has long seemed like a great idea, at least to the politicians who put them in place. It would deter smokers. And raise revenue at the same time. What could possibly go wrong?Lately, a lot. Because gangland warfare over illegal tobacco has been ramping up in Victoria. In February, an innocent young woman was killed, after becoming trapped inside a townhouse targeted in a firebombing attack.Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, on whether these unintended consequences will pressure the government to reduce its tobacco tax. And whether it can crack down on the illegal market, and the violence.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 17, 2025 • 17min

The subs that launched a thousand...questions. On board the AUKUS submarine

These are the submarines that have launched a thousand ships, or rather, reams of news stories and hours of debate in parliament.  Because they don’t just come with an eight billion dollar price tag. Each. They also come with some serious political baggage.  They are the infamous nuclear-powered boats that we have signed on the dotted line to purchase through the AUKUS agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom.  Our foreign affairs and security correspondent recently stepped inside one, in order to find out: are these submarines really that special? Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 16, 2025 • 17min

Is CFMEU corruption any closer to being stamped out?

In July last year, an investigation from investigative journalist Nick McKenzie revealed that underworld figures and bikies had infiltrated one of the country’s most powerful unions, and major building projects in Victoria and NSW.  The investigation led to an immediate response, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying his government wanted to “make sure that we stamp out corruption” within the CFMEU, and Victorian premier Jacinta Allen declaring that the rotten culture within the union was one “that must be pulled out by its roots”. Now, Nick McKenzie, through a new joint investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and 60 Minutes, has revealed what’s come of those declarations. And why the rot and wrongdoing hasn’t stopped.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 13, 2025 • 23min

Inside Politics: How our reporter helped to break the Trump tariff story

The verdict is in: Australia will not be granted an exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium, despite hopes President Trump would look favourably on one of its most loyal allies and grant us one.  The news was greeted with dismay in Canberra, with the Prime Minister saying the decision the government giving a somewhat muted response, and the Opposition blaming it on the government.  So what does this mean for our relationship with our closest ally? Will the US impose more tariffs on us in the future? Did the government cock up the handling of this delicate diplomatic issue?  Plus we will delve into the strange case of the caravan-full of explosives and the fake terror plot. With both sides of politics accusing the other of weaponising this incident, who is in the right?Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 12, 2025 • 16min

Peter Hartcher on Trump's tariff war, and what it means for Australia

So, it’s happened. Donald Trump has slapped a massive tariff on our aluminium and steel exports to the United States. This, after our government has spent weeks trying to forestall this event. So, how will it impact our economy? Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what message the American president is sending to Australia. And whether this decision, added to Trump’s other erratic moves made in his first 53 days in office, might just will lead our country, and others, down the road to a “nervous breakdown”.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 11, 2025 • 17min

Dutton’s work from home culture war

As I record this introduction, I am, like so many Australians now, working from home. It’s a luxury I’ve enjoyed, for some days, since the pandemic forced most of us out of our offices. But could these sweet days be coming to an end? Because Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced that if he’s elected, he’ll force public servants back into their offices five days a week. And some businesses like Woolworths, Amazon and Tabcorp have announced return to work mandates for their staff, too, over the last 12 months.  Today, senior columnist Jacqueline Maley, on whether we’re still productive, when we work from home. And if the Coalition would actually force public servants back to the office.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 10, 2025 • 13min

Cyclone Alfred and insurance: Will our premiums ever drop?

Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have been downgraded, but homes across NSW and Queensland still remain at risk of major flooding. Now thoughts are turning to what the cost will be. Just how many people were insured against the destruction? And how many will be able to claim back money in what’s now being called an 'insurance catastrophe'?  Today, business journalist Sumeyya Ilanbey, on what it will take for insurance premiums to come down, after steady rises over the last couple of years. Especially as global warming increases the frequency, and cost, of climate disasters.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 9, 2025 • 21min

Is Albo coming to a 'bro-cast' near you?

Nearly every poll has been suggesting that this election is going to end up in a hung parliament, with neither Labor nor the Coalition able to achieve a majority. Which means that just one or two percentage points can mean the difference between forming government. Or not.  So, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be deploying all the strategies to win each vote, including the podcast interview. This was a unique feature of the American election, with Donald Trump targeting young men, including on gaming and conservative podcasts, to help him return to the White House. So, are our leaders coming to a bro-cast, or a girl-cast, for that matter, near you? Today, deputy federal editor Nick Bonyhady, on whether podcast interviews might help sway the federal election, as they did in the United States. And what risks our politicians may face, when they enlist, say, sex-positive influencers or tech bros to relay political messages. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mar 6, 2025 • 20min

Inside Politics: Cyclone Trump, Alfred and the forces sweeping an election awry

Well, the world order is rocky and looking to get rockier.  US President Donald Trump has had a spectacular falling-out with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, and waging a damaging trade war, while China is cruising war ships off the Australian coast. And the conflict in Gaza is unresolved.  Not to mention closer to home, South East Queensland and northern NSW now have Cyclone Alfred bearing down on them. So, how will all this uncertainty affect the election campaign? And how can the leaders keep the focus on ordinary people, when there is so much going on around us? Today on Inside Politics, chief political correspondent David Crowe, and national security correspondent Matthew Knott, join host Jacqueline Maley.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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