Insiders

Visiting a shopping centre on a Saturday is such a familiar thing to do. The horrific attack at Westfield Bondi Junction has understandably shocked many. And given heightened community tensions – there were fears over what might have motivated such an attack. The NSW police commissioner was last night confident enough to say she did not believe this was an act of terrorism. David Speers interviews Treasurer Jim Chalmers about the latest, as well as getting his take on Iran’s attack on Israel and the government’s new Future Made in Australia act.The panel John Kehoe, Anna Henderson, and David Crowe also turn their minds to the government’s new Future Made in Australia Act. The Prime Minister wants to see a new wave of local manufacturing – powered by clean energy. And to get there – he’s willing to seriously ramp up government subsidies and incentives. How much taxpayers’ money will be spent? And who will be the winners? Also discussed is Penny Wong’s speech on the possibility of Palestinian statehood before a two state solution. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Mark Humphries.

Just how far should the government go when it comes to trying to keep manufacturers in Australia and attract new ones? In a significant pre-budget speech this week, the Prime Minister has suggested the role of government needs to evolve as he flagged a much more interventionist approach and what he's calling a future made in Australia. But why should Australian taxpayers be funding local production of things like solar panels? And how far do you go with this? Where does it end? What or who deserves support? Who doesn't?David Speers talks to the Business Council’s Chief Executive Bran Black about the government’s ambitious new agenda.

The prime minister sees an agenda to grow local green manufacturing as not only economically and strategically vital, but a political no-brainer. But that's only if it all works.

Not good enough.  Australia is demanding more answers and greater transparency – over how Israel managed to launch deadly air strikes on an aid convoy in Gaza. Israel is blaming poor visibility and a communications stuff-up. That hasn’t satisfied the Albanese Government.David Speers interviews Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham about the Coalition’s view of the incident, and how the Opposition believes the government should proceed in their relations with Israel.The panel Paul Sakkal, Karen Middleton, and Katina Curtis also discuss the continuing debacle over migration laws, the appointment of Sam Mostyn as Governor-General, and the Opposition’s position on breaking up the big supermarkets.

Israel's airstrike on a convoy in Gaza earlier this week quickly sparked international condemnation, anger, demands for answers and a lot more pressure on the Netanyahu government over its conduct in this war. The attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed seven people, including an Australian aid worker Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom. Joe Biden says he's outraged and heartbroken. Rishi Sunak has called it an appalling attack. Anthony Albanese is demanding accountability from Israel. But what exactly does that mean? What should accountability look like? What should the independent investigation that’s been promised, actually involve? And could this moment lead to a serious change in the conduct of this war? David Speers explores this potential tipping point in the conflict with Reverend Tim Costello, one of Australia's best known leaders in international aid.

There have been many moments described as "tipping points" since the war in Gaza began nearly six months ago. But this week's deadly Israeli air strike on an aid convoy may prove to be one of the most significant.

Navigating differences with China. All in with the British on nuclear submarines. And buckling up for a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. In one week - the directions, difficulties and dilemmas of Australian diplomacy have all been on show. David Speers interviews Defence Minister Richard Marles about the new submarines funding, China, Trump and more.The Insiders panel, Clare Armstrong, Anthony Galloway, and Shalailah Medhora have plenty to discuss on the domestic front too. The religious discrimination bill is yet again a political hot potato, after Albanese told Labor caucus he could shelve the government’s promised changes to the act – protecting LGBT staff and students from facing discrimination and acting on religious hate speech – unless he gets bipartisan support on the reform.They also run the ruler over the surprisingly strong unemployment figures out this week, after the biggest monthly jobs gain on record outside of the pandemic period. Economic growth was slowing at the end of 2023, but now appears to have strengthened. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Jack The Insider.

An unhappy experience with the Voice referendum explains the Albanese government’s reticence to push ahead on religious freedoms. Even if that means failing to deliver on an election promise.

Housing affordability has been one of the biggest political issues over the last two years since inflation, mortgage rates and rental prices started spiralling. The plight of those trying to buy a home or struggling to pay the rent has focused the attention of many politicians. But what about those who don’t have a roof over their head at all? The housing crisis has forced some – even with full-time jobs – to sleep in their cars or in tents in local parks. And then there are kids with low or no income at all who just can’t stay at home for various reasons but are left couch surfing, or sleeping rough – at a critical time when they should be supported and learning life skills. So what happens when you’re homeless? Where do you turn? And what can actually help turn your life around?David Speers speaks to Brea Dorsett and Tyrah Chan-Hampton, both of whom are Youth Ambassadors for Foyer Foundation – an organisation that helped change their lives.Insiders: On Background digs a little deeper into an issue that will be covered on the show each week with an expert to better understand the debates dominating politics.

A lot of younger Australians don’t think much about aged care. Let’s be honest – if they do think about growing old – it’s usually dreaming of a comfortable retirement when they can stop working and tap into their superannuation – not necessarily what their aged care might involve. But that superannuation we’re all contributing to – could end up being critical to the sort of aged care we ultimately receive. The government has been grappling with how to properly fund aged care – to fix some of the problems identified in a recent Royal Commission report and to accommodate the demographic bulge of baby boomers moving into their senior years. This week the final report of the government’s Aged Care Taskforce was released. It’s recommended more user-pays. Those who can afford to do so – should pay more.Exactly who pays and how much – is now up to the government to decide.  So is this the right approach? And what sort of aged care can we expect in the future?David Speers talks to the youngest member of the Taskforce Report, Thomas Walker – specifically chosen to bring a Generation Y perspective to the aged care debate – to find out why the taskforce is so concerned about how we pay for it.Insiders: On Background digs a little deeper into an issue that will be covered on the show each week with an expert to better understand the debates dominating politics.