The Morning Edition

White Lotus: The One Nation edition. Plus the PM’s landmark AI speech 16.07.2026 26мин

We switch to sunnier climes this week, to a posh hotel in Sicily. It’s where the TV series White Lotus was filmed, and it’s also where our colleagues at The Australian Financial Review spotted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson poolside with billionaire Gina Rinehart. So what’s Hanson doing in Europe? In today’s episode, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about who Hanson met overseas and how that plays for voters back home in Australia. Also, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this week about the government’s approach to AI.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bravado and the backflip: Peter Hartcher on Trump's 24 hours of 'madness' 15.07.2026 17мин

The madness of Donald Trump surfaced again in the past day or so, according to many seasoned onlookers. First, the president of the United States announced that he would impose a shipping toll on the Strait of Hormuz, something that would jack up petrol prices and spike inflation. Then he backed down, before he then threatened to take out Iranian bridges and power plants – a move that could be considered a war crime. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher reports from Washington DC on what might be the American president’s most consequential flip-flop to date.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best and worst moments of the World Cup 14.07.2026 20мин

For nearly a century, the FIFA World Cup has carried fans throughout the world to great heights of unity and joy. This year's tournament, which is coming to a close, revealed some of the best of America. Scottish fans were welcomed by the city of Boston, and supposedly drank the city dry, while Japanese fans in Dallas marvelled in the delights of Texas barbecue. Then there was the game itself and its stars, such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham. But a maelstrom of complications threatened the sense of inclusion this year, particularly due to host country United States being at war with Iran. Deputy editor Nick Ralston today discusses the joy and tension he witnessed at matches in the United States and Canada - as well as that viral Aussie chant about Donald Trump.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Australians, including Boomers, support a drop in house prices 13.07.2026 18мин

A growing majority of Australians want housing prices to fall, in some cases by more than 20 per cent, according to new polling exclusive to our mastheads.Could it be that our decades-long obsession with growing house prices is finally coming to a halt?Today senior economics correspondent Shane Wright talks about why conventional wisdom about what voters want from housing seems to be wrong.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation’s newest donors, and why they want to remain secret 12.07.2026 20мин

Melbourne property developers, entrepreneurs and small business owners are promising huge sums to Pauline Hanson’s party before November's state election. They say it’s in return for advocacy on key policy areas. It is advocacy these donors think will be stronger coming from One Nation, rather than the party they once supported – the Coalition.But the identities of these donors are, so far, shrouded in secrecy. Senior reporter Sarah Danckert says one reason is because they’re feeling some shame about their promise to One Nation. In today’s episode, Danckert explains why Hanson is attracting more donations from business circles beyond her most wealthiest backer, mining magnate Gina Rinehart.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albanese basks in Modi limelight. And, his weird podcast interview 09.07.2026 22мин

This week, we’re talking about a visit from Narendra Modi to Australia and why Anthony Albanese wants to bask in the Indian prime minister’s limelight, despite questions around Modi’s human rights record. And in an environment where One Nation and the Coalition want to go hard on migration, Albanese’s friendship with Modi looks like it stands in stark contrast. But that’s not what piqued everyone’s interest in Canberra this week. We’re still talking about Albanese’s perplexing podcast interview in which he said he’d "shag" popstar Kylie Minogue and joked about melons and the Japanese PM. And, we cover the new data that shows how bad Australia’s inflation is compared to other nations.This week’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley and features chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The world has changed’: Peter Hartcher on China’s extraordinary missile test 08.07.2026 20мин

China launched a rare ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday.It wasn’t just putting nearby countries, like Australia, on notice. It was making a statement that has changed the world, says international and political editor Peter Hartcher. He joins Samantha Selinger-Morris to discuss why this missile launch differs greatly from the one China launched two years ago, and why we have yet to hear a response from US President Donald Trump.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s red card intervention in the World Cup 07.07.2026 18мин

Allegations of cheating and sporting corruption have followed the revelation that Donald Trump intervened in the FIFA World Cup to overturn the suspension of an American player. But the ramifications of this unprecedented event might far outlast the tournament. Today, Sydney Morning Herald deputy editor Nick Ralston and North America correspondent Michael Koziol on the politics of Trump's intervention before the United States' knockout loss to Belgium.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why this bird flu is a lot more dangerous than the last one 06.07.2026 16мин

Over the weekend, a particularly deadly strain of bird flu was confirmed in NSW for the first time.This takes the total of confirmed cases nationwide to six.Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on how much of a risk we’re dealing with.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A thousand girls, neon lights: Human toll of Thailand’s sex tourism industry 05.07.2026 18мин

The death of 17-year-old Thai girl, Thanchanok Donhomla, has shocked Australia, and sparked fear among sex workers in Pattaya. Thanchanok's body was found in a suitcase and dumped in long grass by a railway.The man accused of murdering her is 45-year-old Australian, Simon Peter Carman. He is being held in the Pattaya Remand Prison.Today, guest host Benjamin Preiss talks to Southeast Asia correspondent Zach Hope who says, in the world’s sex capital, a rampant industry funded by anonymous male tourists has come into sharp focus.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labor’s tax changes hit the property market, will a Liberal ‘rebrand’ turn the party around? 02.07.2026 24мин

The government's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes are now legislated, and this week there has been some early data on how these changes are hitting the property market. Plus, Labor's compromise on gambling advertising reforms and Angus Taylor's leadership of the Liberal Party. Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos join Jacqueline Maley to discuss. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Antisemitism is feeding all forms of extremism: Peter Hartcher on ASIO boss’ striking speech 01.07.2026 22мин

In December last year, Australia was confronted with its worst-ever incident of antisemitic violence when gunmen killed 15 people on Bondi Beach at a Hanukkah gathering. That came after the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and an arson attack on the Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, or ASIO, has now warned that hatred of Jews is one factor virtually all violent extremist cohorts have in common. How did we reach a point where so many Jews now say they feel unsafe in Australia? Today’s discussion, guest-hosted by Benjamin Preiss, is with international and political editor Peter Hartcher.   Background reading It’s the unique hate that inflames all others, and Australia is failing to quell it Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Only a rort if you're not in on it': Inside the Big Build scandal 30.06.2026 21мин

The Victorian government has staked its reputation, to a large extent, on an ambitious infrastructure program – termed the Big Build by state Labor, the program includes major road and rail projects totalling billions of dollars.  Victoria Police however, say there is no doubt gangland-linked corruption has infiltrated the Big Build.  Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie joins Benjamin Preiss on the revelations of wrongdoing within Victoria's Big Build.   Background reading ‘Organised, strategic and out of our remit’: Police issue reality check on Big Build corruptionSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Karl Stefanovic saga a midlife crisis or media evolution? 29.06.2026 15мин

Karl Stefanovic was the face of Australian morning television for 25 years. Lauded for wearing the same suit for a year to highlight sexism, laughed at for showing up drunk on air following the Logies. Now he’s agreed to part ways with Nine, the owner of our mastheads, after he featured far-right, anti-Islam British activist Tommy Robinson on his podcast. Today, columnist and senior journalist Jacqueline Maley on whether the Stefanovic saga is the new rite of passage for the middle-aged man, or, if it signifies a fundamental shift in mainstream media.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an age of information overload, this is what happens to our brains 28.06.2026 17мин

For decades, neuroscientists have offered opposing theories for how our brains process the risks and rewards of daily life. Some thought our brains dedicate the most energy into managing everyday realities. Others have thought our brains fire up when we’re thrown something unexpected.Now we have an answer. And it might make you re-think how you live.Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on findings by researchers from the University of Sydney, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, that might help explain how our brains are functioning, in this age of information overload.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High risk or the right time? Zali Steggall on the new teal party 25.06.2026 26мин

This week independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender announced they would form a new political party, Community Strong Australia. Steggall was successful as the first teal candidate, winning the prize seat of Warringah on Sydney’s north shore from former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019. Spender took Sydney’s blue-ribbon electorate of Wentworth from Liberal David Sharma in 2022.But the leaderless Community Strong is a high-risk strategy, as all other teal MPs have declined to join. Today, Steggall is a special guest on Inside Politics with Jacqueline Maley to talk about, amid the fracturing of the Coalition and the rise of One Nation, why now is the right time for Community Strong Australia.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Hartcher on Australian nihilism, fear and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation 24.06.2026 21мин

More Australians feel unsafe in the world than ever before, according to new research from the Lowy Institute. And it is this environment of fear – fear of a bad economy, of terrorism, of immigration – that makes for an environment ripe for a political party like One Nation to prosper.Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how Australia is experiencing a moment he has never witnessed before, and where the solutions lie.   Background reading This is the Australia that Pauline Hanson has been waiting for – a frightened country Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starmer ousted: Why the British government is in turmoil 23.06.2026 19мин

After months of criticism, and two significant scandals, Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as British prime minister.So, why is the country on the cusp of having is seventh prime minister in only 10 years?Today, Europe correspondent David Crowe on Starmer’s drastic fall, and on Andy Burnham, the unconventional politician who’s expected to take his place.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Be sensible and keep your mouth shut': The private school facing allegations of control 22.06.2026 18мин

With heritage-listed sandstone turrets and iron gates, the Redeemer Baptist School promises Sydney parents the private school dream: a prestigious, disciplined education for a fraction of the cost.  But its academic awards, state-of-the-art facilities and charitable works conceal a darker reality.Today education reporter Emily Kowal talks to The Morning Edition host Samantha Selinger-Morris on allegations from former students who say the school ordered them to share bedrooms with teachers, and subjected them to authoritarian control. Or, as the school’s student diary put it, “Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From dust to dust: Is human composting the new way to bury the dead? 21.06.2026 20мин

For decades now, if someone died, there were two choices: burial, or cremation. But soon, Australians may get a third choice for how they choose to farewell their loved ones, thanks to a growing trend overseas.Today, senior writer Bevan Shields on human composting: a method of burial that may give you the ick, but that is giving many others profound peace of mind.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.