The Morning Edition

Have your kids met Dot yet? You might not think so; Dot is an AI companion. But these companions are becoming ubiquitous - sought after to provide everything from solace to friendship. And even love. “The vibe”, said Dot’s creator Jason Yuan, “is, you turn to Dot when you don’t know where to go, or what to do or say.” But reports are surfacing of disastrous consequences from relationships that people, including children, are forming with AI companions.  Today, international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, on all of this. Plus Meta’s AI companion, which is capable of fantasy sex - and even the abuse of children.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring you this bonus episode today, on Wednesday April 30th, after the first day of what’s become known as the mushroom trial. This is the case that centres around a quiet country lunch that resulted in three people dead, and another fighting for life, after the food they ate contained - as a jury was told - death cap mushrooms. To tell us what unfolded in court today, we’re joined by The Age’s court reporter Erin Pearson.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never happened in Australia. But should we have a federal Minister for Men? Dan Repacholi, a Federal Labor MP, who is currently campaigning for re-relection, says it’s a “no-brainer”. He knows how taboo it is. That to promote the idea risks him being labeled anti-woman. But tragedies and struggles in Repacholi’s electorate - and his own experience - have convinced him of the need to speak out.Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent, Matthew Knott, on the movement across the globe, pushing for this idea. And whether it could happen in Australia.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salmon farming is not something most voters consider when they go to the polls on election day. But for Tasmanian voters, it is a huge and often divisive issue. This debate about the environmental effects of salmon farming is playing out in an election where any other discussion of the environment is pretty much non-existent. Which is curious because energy policy goes hand-in-hand with the environment and that is a decisive topic of this election. It’s also curious that the federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has been very quiet during the campaign. National environment and climate reporter Bianca Hall and energy correspondent Mike Foley join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, modern-day Welcome to Country ceremonies have been an established ritual in Australia, performed by Indigenous elders, far and wide. But on Anzac Day last Friday, during the hush of the dawn service remembering war veterans, Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Mark Brown was booed, and jeered at, while performing the ceremony in Melbourne.  And then that night, a planned Welcome to Country ceremony was ditched at a high-profile sporting event. Today, federal politics reporter Natassia Crysanthos, on how - and why - the ritual has become weaponised. And Kamilaroi elder Uncle Len Waters, on what all Australians should be asking themselves now.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is one of Australia’s natural wonders and every year, almost half a million people enjoy its wild and sprawling environment. But as visitor numbers swell, the question of how tourists coexist with some of the island’s oldest residents, the dingo, becomes more important. Twenty four years after a nine-year-old boy was fatally mauled by two dingoes on K’gari, strategies to manage the animal - and humans - haven’t stopped attacks from occurring. Today, we speak with Brisbane Times journalist Courtney Kruk on the story of the dingoes of K’gari/ on the danger that can’t be tamed on K’gariSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Crowe, chief political correspondent, and Jim Reed, who runs the Resolve Political Monitor poll, dive into the complexities of political polling. They discuss how polling methodologies have evolved since errors in the 2019 election. Insightfully, they explore the challenges of representing diverse demographics and the importance of random sampling. With a close look at current voter sentiment, they warn of tight races influenced by economic changes, revealing how polls can shape and sometimes miss the true electorate mood.

Peter Hartcher, an international and political editor, dives into Vladimir Putin's recent proposal for Ukraine amid the complex backdrop of geopolitical tensions. The discussion highlights the implications of the U.S. potentially stepping back from peace efforts, and how this may jeopardize Ukraine's sovereignty. Hartcher reveals the challenges of ongoing negotiations and the dire necessity for increased support from European allies. With an emphasis on the stark realities of military aid and the war's trajectory, the conversation sheds light on the future stability of Eastern Europe.

Aisha Dow, an investigative reporter at The Age, sheds light on the alarming trend of Australian women being involuntarily sectioned. She discusses the historical roots of this issue, linking 19th-century misconceptions about women to modern-day misdiagnoses. Personal stories reveal the devastating impacts of wrongful detentions and the pervasive medical misogyny still present in mental health assessments. Dow emphasizes the urgent need for better communication in healthcare and reforms to ensure women’s voices are heard and respected.

Joining the conversation are Alexandra Smith, NSW political editor, and Rachael Dexter, City reporter for The Age. They dive into the rising influence of teal independents, outlining how these candidates challenge the traditional two-party system. The discussion highlights the competitive races in Kooyong and Bradfield, riddled with controversies and shifting voter sentiments. They also touch on how climate policies are reshaping the political landscape and the implications this has for the Liberal Party as they face unexpected challenges from their opponents.