Insiders

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.

How many older Australians is the government willing to squeeze to help fund a bigger and better aged care sector? And how hard is it willing to squeeze them?

The Albanese Government’s latest effort to meet its climate targets is focused on the vehicle industry. It wants to bring Australia into line with the rest of the developed world – with a new emissions standard. Under the plan – car makers would have to sell more electric and low emissions vehicles from next year. If they’re only selling gas guzzlers – they would have to pay a price. Consultations closed on Monday night – and unsurprisingly the industry is split between those who sell diesel utes – and those who sell electric cars. The Coalition is opposing the whole thing. But this could be a mere skirmish in the bigger debate that’s coming. Peter Dutton has confirmed he’ll soon announce a policy to roll-out large-scale nuclear plants on the sites of old coal generators. The cost is unknown – and the government says it’s an idea from fantasy land.David Speers interviews Energy & Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen about the government’s view on the nuclear debate and industry feedback to the emission standards. Anna Henderson, Jennifer Hewett, and Peter Hartcher are on the couch to discuss the government’s new superannuation paid parental leave scheme, the Greens’ ambitious new housing policy, the ASEAN summit and more. 

The Liberal Party this week preselected its candidate for the safe seat of Cook – vacated by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Simon Kennedy is a management consultant. He doesn’t currently live in Cook and ran unsuccessfully for the party in another seat at the last election. Still – he won a thumping majority when branch members voted on Monday night. Gwen Cherne – the only woman in the race ran a distant third – despite living on the border of the electorate, despite an impressive international CV and despite an endorsement from John Howard. So what happened? And is the Liberal Party doing enough to address the problems identified in its own review after the last election – when women turned against the Morrison Government?David Speers talks to Charlotte Mortlock, founder of Hilma’s Network – which is trying to boost the number of women in the Coalition’s parliamentary ranks – to find out why more women aren’t being preselected in the Liberal Party.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.

Peter Dutton is confident of his ability to turn public opinion around — but can he convince Australians that nuclear energy is the best way to transition to net zero emissions?

Insiders takes the stage for a special live show – with an audience – from Adelaide Writers Week. David Speers' guest is South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, while a panel of returning favourite Sarah Martin, Mark Kenny and Clare Armstrong discuss the washup of the Dunkley by-election.

Yesterday’s by-election was billed as a crucial mid-term test for both sides of politics. And when the results came in last night – the Albanese Government emerged as the winner. At the close of counting – Labor’s primary vote remained virtually unchanged – at 41%. The Liberal vote jumped nearly 7% - but this was largely scooping up votes on the right – thanks to One Nation and the Palmer United Party deciding not to run.For the government – it’s vindication of the Prime Minister’s gamble to break a promise and offer everyone a tax cut.While for the Opposition – the strategy of blaming the government for everything from cost-of-living pain, the release of immigration detainees and a so-called “ute tax” weren’t enough.David Speers interviews Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan about the results. Niki Savva, Paul Sakkal, and Patricia Karvelas give their analysis from the couch. Mike Bowers talks the week in pictures with Fiona Katauskas.