The Morning Edition

Immigration has been a vexed subject in Australia and used in political campaigns, past - and present.   We are a nation, after all, that enacted what became known as the White Australia policy way back in 1901. And who can forget John Howard’s potent ‘stop the boats’ election campaign? Meanwhile, just recently, we’ve experienced an unprecedented surge in migrant numbers. So the issue is once again at the heart of a federal election, to be held in less than five weeks’ time.  Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on what impact immigration has on our economy.  For more: Read Shane Wright's piece in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald here.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Anthony Albanese couldn't name the cash rate, or the unemployment rate on day one of his last campaign, it was a moment that could have lost him the election. But, as associate editor Tony Wright says, he was up against Scott Morrison who was "on the nose" across the nation. And that was before Morrison spear-tackled a child at a soccer match. Campaigns can win, and lose, an election and Wright has seen a few since his first campaign covering Bob Hawke in 1983. Wright speaks to Jacqueline Maley in the latest episode of our election podcast, Inside Politics.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could happen to anyone. Your pet - let’s face it, the best person in the house - goes missing. So you take to social media, to help track him or her down. So, how does it go from this, to getting sued, and becoming embroiled in a million dollar legal battle, that drags on for years? Today, investigative reporter Harriet Alexander, on the dodgy vet, the pet detective and the fate of one beloved King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Teddy.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, an election date has finally been called and we are staring down the barrel of a five week campaign before voting day on May 3. Here -  from the newsrooms of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald - we’ll bring you our humble podcast twice a week for the duration of the campaign. There’s going to be a lot of news around so we’re here to help you navigate your way through the barrage of information with the most trusted voices in Australian journalism. Among them are national affairs editor James Massola, and federal political reporter Natassia Chrysanthos, who join Jacqueline from the Canberra studio.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this early episode of Inside Politics, we come to you soon after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton gave his budget reply speech on Thursday night, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese all but certain to call an election on Friday morning. Did Dutton's speech, which moved to intensify the contest over household budgets, one-up the government's budget earlier in the week? Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley dissects all the news with chief political correspondent David Crowe and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Donald Trump have an overarching plan?  Lots of commentators have rejected this idea – Trump just does what he wants, when he wants, as the thought strikes him. But, says international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, many of his initiatives, or desires, share a common narrative. Today, Hartcher discuss how the United States, under Donald Trump, is becoming more like China.  For more:Day by day, Trump’s America becomes more like Xi’s China, Peter Hartcher, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald China Heritage, Geremie R. BarméSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a federal election just around the corner, has Treasurer Jim Chalmers managed to help ease our financial pain without going on a spending spree, which would inevitably lead to being blamed for fuelling inflation?Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, speaks to Samantha from within the budget lock-up in Parliament House, on the surprise new tax cut for every Australian, whether those who are millennials or Gen Z (who together will make up the largest percentage of the voting population this year) are being helped disproportionately and who, if anyone, has been left behind. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cosmetic injectables, like Botox and dermal fillers, are a boom industry in Australia and running alongside this is easy access to telehealth appointments, which have led some people to getting injectables after a consultation with a doctor that lasts only 52 seconds. Today, senior reporter Henrietta Cook and investigative reporter Clay Lucas, on how often unintended and tragic consequences, like permanent blindness, can arise from these procedures. And whether this is an industry that is slipping through the cracks, in terms of adequate regulatory oversight. Read the series on The Age and Sydney Morning Herald here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For months now, American president Donald Trump has been saying that Canada should become part of the United States.  At first, many treated it as a joke. But now, as Canadians might say, the gloves are off. Its leaders have hit back, forcefully. And Canadian comedian Mike Myers sparked a viral social movement that has swept the country, after he appeared on Saturday Night Live, motioned to his arms, and mouthed the words: “Elbows up!” Today, former Higher Commissioner to Canada, Scott Ryan, on just how much damage Trump can do to Canadian sovereignty. And whether his threats might help determine who becomes the next Canadian prime minister.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as Treasurer Jim Chalmers puts the final touches on his pre-election budget, the local threat emanating from Donald Trump's global trade war is becoming clearer.Labor is boosting Australia's subsidised medicine scheme, but US big pharma companies want to boost their profits down under.Meanwhile Peter Dutton is under pressure to set out a clear platform before the May election, and next week will be one of his last big chances.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.