Today we have something special and a little bit different because Tony Wright, one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism.
For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first prime minister he covered, while Paul Keating often rang Tony at home in the mornings to, at first, berate, and then debate, the stories he had written.

He witnessed great moments - such as the apology to the stolen generations - and the fracturing of Australian politics from the Rudd-Gillard era.

Today, Tony talks to Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

Background reading

• ‘Hawkie would like to see you’: Lessons, power and nostalgia from 30 years in the press gallery

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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We know that Donald Trump has made a habit out of rewarding dictators and throwing off the shackles of long-standing relationships with allies.

Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses Donald Trump’s latest appeasement of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and the threats he’s issued to Oman.

Background reading

• Trump threatens to bomb ally Oman as US-Iran war agreement expires
• Trump praises North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, slashes military drills with Seoul

The Morning Edition 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.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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Another scandal involving an alleged sexual assault has erupted in the AFL.
One player from the Sydney Swans football team was spoken to by police after an alleged sexual assault said to have taken place in the early hours of Monday.
Today, The Age’s chief AFL writer, Jake Niall, discusses what's known, and not known, about what's unfolded.

And, just a note, we're not suggesting the players are under investigation by police, just that they are assisting with their inquiries.

Background reading: 

• 'Men run the AFL and it is time they fixed its dark underbelly.'
• ‘Extremely disappointed’: Cox breaks silence as police release update on Swans investigation.

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Our four biggest banks say that fewer people are taking out mortgage loans. One has even forecast a significant fall in house prices in two cities.

Meanwhile, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has issued a stern warning ...

Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright discusses whether the housing bubble is indeed starting to burst.

Background reading

• Air is coming out of the housing bubble. Is now the time for first home buyers?

The Morning Edition 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.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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Which dog owners among us haven’t wondered about their pets: What are they thinking? Do they like me? Are they – oh no! – judging me?

Well, a new study has revealed that dogs are even better at reading our emotions than chimpanzees, our closest evolutionary relative.

Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on how researchers reached this conclusion, and how to help our dogs lead their best lives.

The Morning Edition 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.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.

Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.

What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.

So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?

While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.
Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?

Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

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Donald Trump has suffered a cascade of humiliations at the hands of Iran and Iranian allies in the last two weeks.
But, according to international and political editor Peter Hartcher, humiliation is the least of Trump's problems now.
In today's episode, Hartcher discusses the strikes from Houthi rebels over the weekend, which confirm a new front to this war. And the significance of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan creating a new pact, dubbed the 'Islamic NATO'.

The Morning Edition 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.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

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Car insurance in Australia has leapt by nearly 50 per cent in the last six years and this week, the financial regulator blasted insurers for failing to adequately explain to customers why they have jacked up prices by so much.
So what's behind the spike in premiums?
Insurers talk about the cost of repairing cars these days and global volatility, but there's plenty of evidence that companies will reduce the cost if you threaten to walk.
Today's guest, national consumer affairs reporter Elias Visontay, talks about the real reason premiums have risen so steeply, and what you can do about it.


The Morning Edition 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.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Sandilands commanded massive audiences on commercial radio before his now infamous sacking. And on Monday, his new subscriber-only live show was launched.

It was the old Sandilands but even more uncensored, and with a political bent, featuring guests such as NSW Premier Chris Minns and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

So why do we care, and what does this new era of media – free of the rules of commercial radio – signify? And why would politicians appear on his show anyway?

Today's guests are culture reporter Kayla Olaya and senior columnist Jacqueline Maley.

The Morning Edition 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.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a win that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, an unabashedly left-wing epidemiologist has been chosen as the Democrat nominee to fight for a senate seat in Michigan in November.

Some see it as a desperate move at a time when the Republican Party is moving full steam ahead to prosecute opponents such as Dr Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden's former COVID tsar, who was browbeaten just over a week ago in a heated Senate hearing.

Today, North America correspondent Michael Koziol discusses why Democrats are gambling their ability to regain power in November on an insurgent who has argued for the US to cut military aid to Israel. And why Republicans are grilling Fauci on his decisions during the COVID pandemic.

The Morning Edition 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.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Inside Politics, we take a look at some of the major policy challenges facing the Albanese government – from migration numbers, to gambling-advertising reform and the news media bargaining code between Australian media and big tech companies.

Joining host Jacqueline Maley are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

Background reading:

• Coalition will force Albanese to cede ground on gambling reforms
• Needs work: Burke’s plans for migration overhaul delayed due to cabinet questions
• ‘Publicity-seeking extremists’: V’landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal

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