Insiders

Join David Speers for the first episode of Insiders: On Background. The new podcast 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.This week, the team visits the seat of Dunkley ahead of a crucial by-election on March 2. Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome, which will determine their immediate political fortunes. David chats to Redbridge pollsters Kos Samaras and Tony Barry about the state of play for both parties, and looks at whether this really will be a referendum on cost of living.

Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome of the March 2 by-election. It will determine their immediate political fortunes and the all-important momentum for 2024.

A group of more than 20 asylum seekers arrived at Beagle Bay on Friday – wandering through crocodile-infested waters to the remote indigenous community north of Broome. It was enough for Peter Dutton to declare the government has lost control of the borders. The opposition had just spent the entire week grilling the Immigration Minister in parliament over the release of 149 detainees – after last year’s High Court ruling. For its part – the government was instead using every Dorothy Dixer to keep selling its re-jigged tax cuts. Immigration versus tax cuts - Question Time was like Groundhog Day. Amidst it all – came some personal highs and lows. The pressure grew on Barnaby Joyce – with his own leader urging him to take a break – after his infamous late-night fall.And the Prime Minister proudly revealed – he’s getting hitched. Listen to the full episode of this week's Insiders.

Amidst the parliamentary ping-pong between Labor's hard sell of its tax cuts and the Coalition's alarm at convicted immigrants on the loose, it's become clear all sides are keeping a close eye on another issue that could prove to be a far more powerful vote driver: housing, says David Speers in this recorded version of his weekly analysis of Australian politics.

The first week of parliament for the year began with the Coalition signing up to the government’s Stage 3 tax changes. It wasn’t thrilled about it – but had little choice. And the Prime Minister relished in the discomfort of his opponents. The fight may not be over though – Peter Dutton is vowing to go to the election with a significant tax reform plan of his own, and accusing the government of wanting to attack negative gearing next. The government’s victory on Stage 3 was quickly followed by a deal with the Greens on workplace relations. Along with greater rights for casuals, truckies and delivery riders – the changes will mean workers can refuse to answer emails, calls and text messages after hours – without facing punishment. Unions are thrilled – businesses alarmed at what they say is another unnecessary dead-weight on the economy. David Speers talks to Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor about the tax and IR debates. The panel Clare Armstrong, Tom Crowley, and Jacob Greber also look at the Nationals’ call for an end to new renewable projects in regional Australia, as well as Labor’s plans for new efficiency standards for the nation’s car fleet.

It's already been a deadly start to 2024 in the Middle East – and over the last week the crisis has escalated. After blaming Iran for the deaths of 3 American soldiers – the US has now struck back - hitting targets in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran's military and its affiliated militias. The US and UK have also launched a new series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.David Speers speaks to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the latest in the Middle East. On the couch is Samantha Maiden, Karen Middleton and Phil Coorey to discuss proposed changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts, a larger than expected fall in inflation and what it means for cost-of-living pressures. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Cathy Wilcox