The Morning Edition

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.

In a compelling discussion, Barney Zwartz, former religion editor at The Age, reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis following his passing. They explore the Pope's progressive views on issues like same-sex blessings and women's roles, as well as the criticisms he faced. Zwartz also examines how Francis' health challenges might impact global politics. Historical insights paint a picture of the intricate relationship between papacy and political powers, particularly regarding the conclave and the qualities needed in the next Pope.

Australians love a ‘battler’. Images of shearers, Anzacs, and gold diggers are deeply entrenched in our history. Politicians know that too. Why else do we see them in hard hats and high visibility vests? But a couple of moments in this election campaign have hit a nerve. They came from a blue blood Liberal candidate in Melbourne, and the opposition leader’s son in a press conference in Brisbane. Today, Frank Bongiorno, professor of history at the Australian National University, on what happens when members of the political class play down their wealth, in order to commune with the common people.  Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful discussion, Jenny Piper, a Sydney woman whose cancer went undetected for 18 months, shares her heartbreaking journey through healthcare misdiagnoses. She sheds light on the dismissive treatment women face within medical settings, drawing on her own experience as a harrowing example. Health editor Kate Albusin highlights the broader systemic issue of medical misogyny in Australia. Together, they emphasize the urgent need for better communication and validation of women's health concerns to combat ingrained biases in the healthcare system.

This week on the campaign saw the release of competing housing policies, and the appearance of Peter Dutton’s son Harry. But in many ways the campaign continued to be overshadowed by Donald Trump. Labor is making increasingly explicit attacks trying to link Dutton to the US president. And Dutton’s cause wasn’t helped with one of his key frontbenchers aped a Trump slogan. Does this mean the wheels have fallen off the Coalition campaign? Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe and National Affairs Editor James Massola join Jacqueline Maley to discuss. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many of us have been yanking at our hair, or just standing around, slack jawed, as we’ve watched sharemarkets collapse and the chance of a recession barrel towards us - all as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs. But to focus on the economic chaos is to miss the larger domino effect that’s been taking place in the background, as countries begin scrambling for a safe harbour.Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on the “surreal” moment Australia now finds itself in. And how so-called “rare earths” are at the center of it all.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week our revered economics editor Ross Gittins wrote an essay for the Age and Sydney Morning Herald, in which he lamented the state of this election campaign in particular, and Australian politics in general. The essay was titled “They treat us like mugs”, and Ross did not miss with his critique of the timidity and cynicism of the two major parties’ campaigns. Gittins joins Jacqueline Maley in the studio, to talk through his searing critique. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When news surfaced in March, that schools across Australia were recording record levels of violence, with a huge number of principals having either suffered physical abuse, last year, or witnessed it, education reporter Nicole Precel wanted to find out more. What, if anything, could stop principals from being bitten, and teachers from being pushed down stairs, by students? And turn around the often plummeting academic records and mental health of the students at these schools? Today, Nicole Precel, on how two determined principals dramatically altered the culture of a school dubbed, only six years ago, “Australia’s worst school”.  And the trauma they needed to confront, in order to do it.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government and opposition party have both announced policies to address the country's housing crisis, with young people in particular priced out of the market. Labor say they want to drop deposits for mortgages to buy a home to five per cent, while the Coalition want to make mortgage repayments tax deductable.  In an early release episode, Brendan Coates, who is the Grattan Institute's housing and economic security program director, talks through these policies and which could boost housing supply and home ownership.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A year on from Joel Cauchi's apparently indiscriminate stabbing spree at the Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction, what have we learned? Later this month, an inquest into the attack, which claimed the lives of six people and injured another 10, will begin.  Today, chief reporter Jordan Baker, and crime reporter Perry Duffin, on what the coroner hopes to learn and whether any intervention in the lead-up could have prevented Cauchi’s attack.For more: 'At 3.33pm the bloody rampage began. By 3.39pm six innocent people lay dead or dying', Baker and Duffin, The Sydney Morning Herald.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.