The Morning Edition
1,196 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★ - 14 ratingsThe Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The Drop: The most anticipated movies of the summer
December 16, 2022 18:01 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBSome of the biggest movies of the year are about to hit our screens over the next few weeks, including a billion dollar Avatar sequel, a Steven Spielberg drama, and a film starring Cate Blanchett in what is being described as her best ever performance. Today on The Drop comedian and film buff Gen Fricker joins the show to breakdown what to keep out eye out for at the cinema. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi a...
‘Are you even listening?’: Inside Scott Morrison’s robo-debt hearing
December 16, 2022 06:30 - 10 minutes - 9.77 MBEarlier this year, a royal commission into the infamous robo-debt scheme was established. Former prime minister Scott Morrison was social services minister when the robo-debt scheme was being planned, and treasurer when it was implemented. And this week, he appeared before the commission as a witness. His performance has been described as a “trainwreck”. At one point, the commissioner asked him if he was “even listening". Today, federal political reporter Angus Thompson on Scott Morrison’...
Why this chatbot could change the world
December 15, 2022 04:46 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBThere has always been something magical about artificial intelligence, and OpenAI’s latest trained bot ChatGPT seems to be no exception. AI technology can now write code better than humans, create new artworks, diagnose disease, and turn a thought bubble into a fully-fledged film script. So is AI finally coming of age? Today, national science reporter for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Liam Mannix joins Kate Aubusson to discuss the new chatbot that some say could change the world...
Could protesters bring down the Islamic Republic?
December 14, 2022 00:58 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBThree months ago, the death of a young Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, sparked protests across Iran. Since then, there has been a brutal crackdown.Despite that, the protests continue to gather pace as large segments of the Iranian public demand a change in government. Today, Iranian-Australian academic and journalist Saba Vasefi on the greatest challenge to the Iranian government since the 1979 revolution. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener ...
How the deadly shooting in Queensland unfolded
December 13, 2022 04:50 - 11 minutes - 11 MBLast night, in a remote property in a rural area about 300 kilometres west of Brisbane, Queensland police shot dead three people. It came after an ambush at the location left two police officers dead, as well as a member of the public. The six deaths in the Western Downs region make the incident among the most fatal in the states' recent history. Today, Sean Parnell, Editor of The Brisbane Times, joins Chris Zappone to explain what happened. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe....
Will Albanese's plan to lower energy bills work?
December 12, 2022 05:42 - 14 minutes - 13 MBAustralians will soon have cheaper power bills, after a deal was struck between the federal and state governments at a national cabinet meeting to lower energy prices. Since then, the deal has been met with resistance by energy companies and analysts who say it goes too far. It’s also proven politically tricky, with the Greens and the Coalition both criticising the plan. Today, chief political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, David Crowe joins Rachel Clun to discus...
The Drop: The White Lotus, and the best TV shows out now
December 09, 2022 18:01 - 37 minutes - 34 MBOne of TV’s best shows is about to wrap up its second season, and things are taking a dark and chaotic turn. Plus, the best new shows on TV right now - including Colin from Accounts, Slow Horses and Fleischman is in Trouble. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone in...
The battle over Sydney's future
December 09, 2022 04:17 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBLast year, Sydney’s housing affordability hit its worst level in a decade. Right now, the median price of a house in Sydney is just shy of $1.5 million, and the typical apartment costs more than $800,000. To try and combat this crisis, plans have been put in place to develop high-density, high-rise apartment blocks in the city’s West. But those plans have been riddled with problems, and have gotten many local residents offside. Today, chief reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald, Jorda...
Should 16-year-olds have voting rights?
December 08, 2022 02:25 - 9 minutes - 8.78 MBReducing the voting age to 16 will be one of the first issues put to parliament in the new year as the Greens push to give younger Australians a say in politics. It’s the second time the party has attempted to get the voting age lowered. So will it work this time? And should 16 year-olds have voting rights? Today, economics correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Rachel Clun joins Kate Aubusson to discuss the fight to lower Australia's voting age. Click on the links to s...
Rate rises: Are they working, and when will they stop?
December 07, 2022 03:25 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBThis year, the Reserve Bank of Australia has embarked on a mission to fight historic levels of inflation by raising interest rates. Yesterday, those rates rose to a 10 year high of 3.1%. But are the rate rises helping? And when will they stop? Today, senior economics correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Shane Wright joins Chris Zappone to discuss the year in inflation, rate rises, and wages and what we can expect for 2023. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe....
From rapper to alleged terrorist
December 06, 2022 05:16 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBThe case of Melbourne man Neil Prakash dominated headlines nearly a decade ago as war raged in Syria. Prakash allegedly joined and aided IS, the Islamic State, between 2014 and 2016. Now, he has been extradited to Australia and charged with six terrorism related offences. He could face a life sentence. Today, crime reporter at the age Marta Pascual Juanola on the extradition of the alleged terrorist Neil Prakash. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio...
The bid to end Australia’s energy crisis
December 05, 2022 06:13 - 12 minutes - 11 MBThis week, at a meeting of the national cabinet, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is going to sit down with his state and territory counterparts to try to hammer out an agreement on how they might cut soaring energy prices. It is an infernally difficult task, and any solution they might arrive at is going to have its downsides and its opponents. But something has to be done. Australia is currently facing its worst energy crisis in over 50 years - and costs for households and businesses...
Why the Lehrmann rape charges were dropped
December 02, 2022 05:51 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBToday the retrial of former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been aborted and charges dropped. According to the prosecutors, the trial could not proceed because of the unacceptable risk continuing it would pose to Brittany Higgins’ life. Columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald Jacqueline Maley chats to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel, about the end of the Lehrmann trial and what it tells us about our legal system’s capacity to help victims. ...
The Australian companies making the four-day work week a reality
December 01, 2022 01:37 - 12 minutes - 11 MBA trial involving 30 Australasian companies has just hit the halfway mark, and increasingly, it’s employers who are keen to capitalise on what the four-day work week could do for their bottom lines. But why now? What do we stand to gain? And what in all practicality would a four-day work week look like? Today on Please Explain, The Age's social affairs editor Jewel Topsfield joins host Kate Aubusson to discuss the question: is the death of the five-day work week a radical pipe dream or si...
What are the Chinese protests about?
November 30, 2022 05:37 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBRight now, China is experiencing the most significant public protest of the Communist Party’s rule since the Tiananmen Square demonstrations in 1989. The unrest raises questions about the viability of China’s zero Covid policy, and puts the ruling Chinese Communist Party and its vaunted leader, Xi Jinping, under pressure. Today on Please Explain, North Asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw joins Chris Zappone to discuss the unfolding protests in China, and what they might mean for Xi Jinping’s ...
The Stuart Robert scandal
November 29, 2022 03:24 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBA cache of leaked emails. Relationships with vendors in Canberra. And a backbencher MP who arranged meetings between cabinet members and government contractors. While senior federal Coalition MP Stuart Robert wasn't paid for these introductions or advice, the emails open a keyhole into the murky world of influence in Canberra. Today, Chief Political Correspondent for The SMH and The Age David Crowe joins Chris Zappone to discuss his reporting. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe...
Victoria votes: Another Danslide for Labor as the Liberals' soul-searching begins
November 28, 2022 03:52 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBIt was an extraordinary result in the Victorian election over the weekend with Premier Daniel Andrews winning an historic third term in Parliament. Labor potentially increases its number of seats from the previous election, which has been described as a Danslide. It went against the prediction of many pundits and surprised a lot of people, including both political parties. Today on Please Explain, Victorian political reporter Paul Sakkal joins The Age's acting editor Michael Bachelard to ...
The new COVID wave is here. Here’s what you’re in for
November 25, 2022 01:59 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBCOVID infections are on the rise, as a fourth wave is underway across the country. Immunity from both vaccines and prior infection have allowed the majority to live out a so-called COVID normal. But the reality of long covid and the immunocompromised means we’re still seeing serious consequences and deaths. Today, national science reporter Liam Mannix, on the new Omicron variants and how we can best protect ourselves and others this summer. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscrib...
Chris Hemsworth and Alzheimer's: What is the ApoE4 gene?
November 24, 2022 02:56 - 8 minutes - 8.1 MBMovie star Chris Hemsworth revealed that in the course of filming 'Limitless', he was confronted with his biggest fear. The 39 year-old has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s Disease - a debilitating condition that affects an estimated 24 million people worldwide with no known cure. Today, lifestyle digital producer Lauren Ironmonger speaks to health editor Kate Aubusson about this Apo-E-4 gene and the implications of genetically screening perfectly healthy people. Subscribe to The A...
The handshake that changed everything
November 23, 2022 04:32 - 14 minutes - 13 MBFor six years, Australia has been on one end of an increasingly frosty relationship with China, marked by export bans, angry words, and growing distrust. Last week, a series of meetings on the sidelines of the G20 in Bali may have changed that. China's leader, Xi Jinping met directly with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the first meeting between the country's leaders since 2016. While there's no shortage of differences between the countries, the tone has changed, opening possibiliti...
The collapse of crypto
November 22, 2022 04:13 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBCryptocurrency has grown from an idea first promoted in 2008 to a multi trillion dollar industry. But recently, an exchange seen as one of the keystones of this brave new world of investment, FTX, has collapsed. Its downfall has triggered steep losses for investors, as well as soul searching and renewed calls for regulation. Today, money editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Dominic Powell on whether we are seeing the beginning of the end of crypto. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: ...
How Daniel Andrews became our most divisive premier
November 20, 2022 18:01 - 18 minutes - 17 MBThis weekend, the polls will close in Victoria’s state election. While the race is tightening, Premier Daniel Andrews is the strong favourite. Over the last couple of years Andrews has become one of the most recognisable figures in Australian politics - but also one of the most divisive. So who is the Victorian premier really, and how did he cultivate his cult-like status? Today, state political reporter and author of ‘Daniel Andrews: The revealing biography of Australia’s most powerful ...
COP27: 'Australia is walking the talk'
November 18, 2022 04:59 - 11 minutes - 11 MBWith only one day left to negotiate, the pressure is on the world’s biggest emitters to reach a consensus on crucial negotiations at COP27, the UN climate conference. National environment and climate editor Nick O’Malley speaks to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel about how the process is going and Australia’s role at the conference. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to spot a narcissist
November 17, 2022 04:12 - 13 minutes - 12 MB‘Narcissist’. It’s become a handy insult for anyone who is kind of full of themselves. Donald Trump is a narcissist, Elon Musk, even former prime minister Kevin Rudd was famously diagnosed as a ‘Grandiose Narcissist’ by a psychiatrist who had never even met him But what is a true narcissist? How do we spot them? And what harm could they possibly cause? Today on Please Explain, lifestyle writer Samantha Selinger-Morris joins Kate Aubusson to tell us about the real narcissists in our midst...
A barrage of missiles: Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine
November 16, 2022 03:35 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBLast week, the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson was liberated after nearly nine months of Russian occupation. The withdrawal of Russian forces from the city was labelled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “the beginning of the end of the war.” But overnight, the narrative of this war appears to have shifted again. Russia has fired roughly 100 missiles into Ukraine in the biggest such attack of the war. Two people have been killed by missiles - which Russia denies firing - i...
Secret letter reveals Liberals’ last-ditch appeal to Scott Morrison
November 14, 2022 18:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBA letter from 13 moderate members of the Coalition asked then-prime minister Scott Morrison to strengthen climate targets, ultimately to no avail. On this episode of Please Explain, national affairs editor James Massola talks to economics correspondent Rachel Clun about the fall of the Morrison government in the 2022 election, and how climate policy - or lack thereof - played an important part in the story. You can read James Massola and Peter Hartcher's piece here. Subscribe to The Ag...
What led to Scott Morrison’s wipeout?
November 14, 2022 04:29 - 9 minutes - 8.27 MBAfter holding the country’s top job since 2018, Morrison - and the Liberal Party he led - lost this year’s federal election. The defeat was so resounding that the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, once pipped to take over from Morrison, lost his own seat, as once-safe Liberal seats turned teal for independents elected by disaffected voters. National affairs editor James Massola speaks to economics correspondent Rachel Clun about what went wrong for the Coalition as bushfires and COVID swept the n...
What is Mastodon — and can it rival Twitter?
November 11, 2022 03:36 - 9 minutes - 8.81 MBHundreds of thousands of Twitter users have fled the platform since Elon Musk took over last week. They’re swapping tweets for toots, on Twitter alternative, Mastodon. Mastodon is decentralised, meaning it's not run by one big corporation or CEO, but a bunch of servers operated by thousands of people. Technology reporter Tim Biggs chats to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel about decentralised social media and its pros and cons. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ S...
The midterm election message for Donald Trump
November 10, 2022 05:40 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBIn the lead up to the US midterm elections, a torrent of polls suggested voters would punish Joe Biden’s party in favour of Republicans, amid rising worries about inflation and the state of the economy. But on Tuesday, the expected red wave failed to materialise. While votes are still being counted and Republicans could still win Congress, the GOP will likely have the narrowest of a majority - if at all in the Senate. Today on Please Explain, North America correspondent Farrah Tomazin ...
The silver lining of long COVID
November 09, 2022 03:41 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIn Australia, it’s estimated that 250,000 people suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a condition characterised by overwhelming tiredness and physical exhaustion. Despite its debilitating effects, research into ME/CFS has been serially underfunded, and it’s often been dismissed as psychosomatic. But now, we are beset with a new disease that bears striking similarities: long COVID. And ME/CFS advocates say we are in danger of repeating the same mistak...
A nation mourns the death of Cassius Turvey
November 08, 2022 05:08 - 14 minutes - 13 MBWARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are warned that the following episode contains references to deceased persons. As he walked home from school, Cassius Turvey was attacked and later died. His death has led to an outpouring of grief around the country, with over 44 different vigils being held for the 15-year-old Indigenous boy. Megan Krakouer, a good friend of Cassius's mother Mechelle, helped organise these vigils. Today on Please Explain, she speaks to Chris Zapp...
How do leaders negotiate on climate in a time of chaos?
November 07, 2022 02:16 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBOver the next 24 hours around 70 world leaders will arrive in Egypt for the COP27 climate talks. Since last year’s meeting in Glasgow the world has been racked by crises - including historic floods across swathes of Asia and droughts and heatwaves across Europe, the United States and Africa where millions now face famine. Today, research director at the Climate Council Dr Simon Bradshaw, joins national environment editor Nick O'Malley to discuss what climate negotiations might achieve in t...
'Chief Twit': Where to next for Elon Musk at Twitter?
November 04, 2022 04:45 - 14 minutes - 13 MBElon Musk’s first week as the owner of social media giant Twitter has been a tumultuous one. He’s fired the board, scared off celebrities with a blue tick remodel - and now there are reports that he has plans to fire roughly half the company’s workers. Today, technology reporter Nick Bonyhady speaks to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel on the week that was and what we can expect from Twitter under Elon Musk. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/lis...
Five lions, a zoo, and one great escape
November 03, 2022 03:53 - 9 minutes - 8.66 MBYesterday morning, residents of the Sydney suburb of Mosman were woken by a booming alarm. This was no drill. Five lions had escaped from their enclosure at Taronga Zoo just down the road. So how did these apex predators launch their daring escape winning the hearts of Sydneysiders who haven't been this entranced by a rebellious gang of animals since three baboons escaped from an inner city hospital complex in 2020? Today on Please Explain, crime reporter Sally Rawsthorne joins Kate Aubuss...
Rate rises, house prices and Australia's inequality problem
November 02, 2022 05:21 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBThe reserve bank has raised interest rates again this week, taking them to a nine-year high. The rise will further increase the cost of mortgages, and hit the most vulnerable borrowers the hardest: the younger households that have struggled to get into the housing market. Culture news editor and columnist for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, Osman Faruqi joins digital foreign editor Chris Zappone to discuss how generational inequality has become exposed by the RBA’s latest moves. Su...
The assault on Pelosi: What's driving political violence in the US?
November 01, 2022 03:54 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBViolence, threats and intimidation have increasingly become a feature of America’s political life. Last week, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, the US speaker of the House, was assaulted inside his home in San Francisco. And just last year, thousands of rioters descended on the Capitol, storming through the hallways, in an attempt to reverse the outcome of the Presidential election. Today on Please Explain, US Correspondent Farrah Tomazin joins Chris Zappone to discuss what’s happening in t...
“25 hour shifts”: Exposing Australia’s largest sex rings
October 31, 2022 02:06 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBBijun Xie, aka 'The Hammer' is a Chinese organised crime figure deported from the UK for running sex trafficking rings. Now he's in Australia, doing the same thing here. In this episode of Please Explain, journalist Nick McKenzie discusses his extensive investigation into sex trafficking, organised crime and visa fraud in Australia. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“No choice but to discharge the jury”: The Lehrmann trial aborted
October 28, 2022 05:02 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBYesterday, Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial was abruptly aborted due to juror misconduct. Over the last few weeks many of us have been closely watching the trial of Lehrmann, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins. Today, columnist Jacqueline Maley talks to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel on what played out in court and what happens next. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nup to the Cup: Has Gen Z turned its back on the races?
October 27, 2022 06:01 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBHorse racing organisers know they have a problem: and it’s not the alleged mistreatment of horses that’s got them making big changes to their Spring carnival events. The elephant in the room - or more aptly, on the field - is the dwindling numbers of young people heading to the races. Today on Please Explain, national fashion editor Melissa Singer joins Kate Aubusson to discuss Generation Z's relationship with the races. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omny...
Federal budget: Ross Gittins and Peter Hartcher answer your questions
October 26, 2022 04:45 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MBLast night, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the Albanese government’s first budget and gave us our first real insight into how he plans to manage the Australian economy. But the budget papers run into the thousands of pages and unless you’re a massive fiscal nerd, you’re probably unlikely to read them. So, today on Please Explain, economics editor Ross Gittins and political and international editor Peter Hartcher join the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Bevan Shields, to answer you...
What does the budget mean for you?
October 25, 2022 18:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBLabor has handed down its first budget, amid an uncertain economic outlook and as cost of living pressures bite at home. This budget was about delivering on election promises, including increasing child care subsidies. It has also revealed soaring energy prices and rising interest rates will drag household spending down to near-recessionary levels by the end of next year. Chief political correspondent David Crowe and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright join economics correspondent ...
The case of Charlie Teo, Australia’s most controversial neurosurgeon
October 25, 2022 06:43 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBTo some Dr Charlie Teo is a risk-taking, lifesaving neurosurgeon, willing to take on the medical establishment in order to offer operations most doctors would refuse. Others believe he has given families false hope and performed expensive operations that were never going to have success. In this week's Please Explain, The Sydney Morning Herald's Kate McClymont discusses what she discovered in her investigation into Dr Teo. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See o...
The messy race to become Britain's next PM
October 24, 2022 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBThe political chaos that has dogged UK politics since Brexit crept onto centre stage in 2015, reached another inflection point over the weekend. In the past hours Boris Johnson announced he would not contest the leadership vacated by Liz Truss, who upon her resignation last week became Britain’s shortest serving Prime Minister. Johnson had been so intent on running again for the top job that he cut short a holiday in the Bahamas. Today on Please Explain, UK-based reporter for the Herald a...
The last days of the Lehrmann trial
October 21, 2022 06:08 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBRight now, a jury is deliberating on a final verdict in one of the most high profile sexual assault cases in Australia’s history: the trial of Bruce Lehrmann. Lehrmann has been accused of allegedly raping his former colleague, Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. Columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald Jacqueline Maley, talks to audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel from the courtroom, about the case before the jury. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnys...
The Australian athletes standing up to energy giants
October 20, 2022 05:07 - 14 minutes - 13 MBSome of Australia's most high-profile athletes are taking a stand against cashed-up sponsors, leading to a new wave of political action in sport. In netball, the Diamonds rallied around the rookie shooter Donnell Wallam when she raised concerns over Netball Australia's new $15 million deal with Hancock Prospecting, owned by Gina Rinehart. Meanwhile Australia's men's cricket captain, Pat Cummins, confronted Cricket Australia bosses to object to a $40 million deal with the energy company Ali...
How doctors are rorting Medicare
October 19, 2022 06:04 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBBilling dead patients, giving radiation to children and billing for consultations that never happened: these are just a few example of the ways in which the Medicare system has been rorted by medical professionals. On today's episode of Please Explain, investigative journalist Adele Ferguson joins Chris Zappone to discuss her story on Medicare misuse and how it affects Australians. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...
Are floods the new normal?
October 18, 2022 04:17 - 10 minutes - 9.4 MBFloods in Victoria have swamped or cut off almost 35,000 homes, resulting in deaths and people going missing. Towns like Echuca, Mooroopna, Nagambie, Rochester and Shepparton have been inundated. Sixty alerts have been issued and the state has seen some of the biggest evacuation efforts in its history. Today on Please Explain, environment reporter at The Age Miki Perkins joins Chris Zappone to discuss the flood crisis that has no end in sight. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscr...
The relentless rise of Xi Jinping
October 17, 2022 08:55 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIn 2012 Xi Jinping, the privileged son of a top party official was elevated to become General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Some outside observers were unimpressed at a man known for his earnestness and ideological purity rather than vaulting ambition or command presence. Since then Xi has made himself the most powerful man in the world’s most populous region, if not in the world. This week he will secure a third term as secretary, at China’s National Party Congress, an event ...
Drug cartels exposed by government hack and Victoria's flood crisis
October 14, 2022 05:19 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBA mass data leak obtained by the Age and Sydney Morning Herald has revealed the vast scale of drug importation into Australia, and what the AFP is doing to stop it. Investigative journalist Nigel Gladstone joins audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel to share the story behind the data leak, and what it might mean for the AFP’s investigations. Plus, parts of Victoria have seen rainfall as high as 200mm over the past couple of days and thousands of people across Tasmania and NSW are under evacuati...
How will Australia fare if the world tips into recession?
October 13, 2022 03:29 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBThe International Monetary Fund says four in 10 economies will suffer a recession over the next 12 months. The bleak prediction comes ahead of a major meeting between the IMF, central bankers and global finance ministers, including Australia's treasurer Jim Chalmers, who has just arrived in Washington for the gathering. Chalmers says Australia won't be among the four tanking economies. But he'll raise concerns with the US Federal Reserve about the impact that blunt and brutal tightening of...