The verdict is in: Australia will not be granted an exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium, despite hopes President Trump would look favourably on one of its most loyal allies and grant us one. 

The news was greeted with dismay in Canberra, with the Prime Minister saying the decision the government giving a somewhat muted response, and the Opposition blaming it on the government. 

So what does this mean for our relationship with our closest ally? Will the US impose more tariffs on us in the future? Did the government cock up the handling of this delicate diplomatic issue? 

Plus we will delve into the strange case of the caravan-full of explosives and the fake terror plot. With both sides of politics accusing the other of weaponising this incident, who is in the right?

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So, it’s happened. Donald Trump has slapped a massive tariff on our aluminium and steel exports to the United States. This, after our government has spent weeks trying to forestall this event.

So, how will it impact our economy?

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on what message the American president is sending to Australia. And whether this decision, added to Trump’s other erratic moves made in his first 53 days in office, might just will lead our country, and others, down the road to a “nervous breakdown”.

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As I record this introduction, I am, like so many Australians now, working from home. It’s a luxury I’ve enjoyed, for some days, since the pandemic forced most of us out of our offices.

But could these sweet days be coming to an end? Because Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced that if he’s elected, he’ll force public servants back into their offices five days a week. And some businesses like Woolworths, Amazon and Tabcorp have announced return to work mandates for their staff, too, over the last 12 months. 

Today, senior columnist Jacqueline Maley, on whether we’re still productive, when we work from home. And if the Coalition would actually force public servants back to the office.

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Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have been downgraded, but homes across NSW and Queensland still remain at risk of major flooding.

Now thoughts are turning to what the cost will be. Just how many people were insured against the destruction? And how many will be able to claim back money in what’s now being called an 'insurance catastrophe'? 

Today, business journalist Sumeyya Ilanbey, on what it will take for insurance premiums to come down, after steady rises over the last couple of years. Especially as global warming increases the frequency, and cost, of climate disasters.

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Nearly every poll has been suggesting that this election is going to end up in a hung parliament, with neither Labor nor the Coalition able to achieve a majority. Which means that just one or two percentage points can mean the difference between forming government. Or not. 

So, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be deploying all the strategies to win each vote, including the podcast interview.

This was a unique feature of the American election, with Donald Trump targeting young men, including on gaming and conservative podcasts, to help him return to the White House.

So, are our leaders coming to a bro-cast, or a girl-cast, for that matter, near you?

Today, deputy federal editor Nick Bonyhady, on whether podcast interviews might help sway the federal election, as they did in the United States. And what risks our politicians may face, when they enlist, say, sex-positive influencers or tech bros to relay political messages. 

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Well, the world order is rocky and looking to get rockier. 

US President Donald Trump has had a spectacular falling-out with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, and waging a damaging trade war, while China is cruising war ships off the Australian coast. And the conflict in Gaza is unresolved. 

Not to mention closer to home, South East Queensland and northern NSW now have Cyclone Alfred bearing down on them.

So, how will all this uncertainty affect the election campaign?

And how can the leaders keep the focus on ordinary people, when there is so much going on around us?

Today on Inside Politics, chief political correspondent David Crowe, and national security correspondent Matthew Knott, join host Jacqueline Maley.

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It’s only been six days since what has become known as “the wildest dust-up ever televised from the Oval Office”. But of course, six days within the Donald Trump administration, isn’t your average person’s six days. 

In this time, Trump has made the extraordinary move to pull all military funding from Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s press secretary has responded by saying that American policy now “largely aligns” with Russia’s interests. And Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new peace plan on social media. 

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on how long Ukraine can survive without American support. And the signs we might have missed that show that Trump is incontrovertibly an agent of Putin.

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Communities in Queensland and NSW have been spotted panic buying, and stripping supermarket shelves bare, as they brace themselves for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Because while the cyclone has already whipped up waves more than eight metres tall, in one area off the coast of Queensland, it’s expected to hit land tomorrow, or Friday. But just how bad might the damage be, this time around?

Today, senior meteorologist Angus Hines, from the Bureau of Meteorology, on why Tropical Cyclone Alfred is so unusual, and where it’s expected to hit. And on the increasing numbers of Australians who are looking to social media, and storm-chasing websites, rather than government trackers, for information about this cyclone.

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A meeting of world leaders is an ordinarily staid affair. With much hand-shaking, head-nodding and talk of ‘friendship’. But not this one between American president Donald Trump browbeat and Ukrainian president Vlodomir Zelensky.

So what happens now?

Zelensky flew to London and attended a critical summit with European leaders, who have sworn to support him and Ukraine, and draft a new peace plan.

Today, Europe correspondent Rob Harris, on the so-called 'coalition of the willing' and whether it might be enough to protect Ukraine from Russia, without U.S support.

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The world is full of doom and gloom, so today we're bringing you something a little bit different for your Monday.

It's a conversation with David Wenham, the Australian actor who has starred in blockbusters like Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Spartan epic, 300.

More than 20 years ago, though, he played a character by the name of John Frances Spiteri, a two-bit criminal and ex-addict in the Aussie indie classic Gettin' Square.

Wenham now stars in a spin-off about Spiteri, called Spit, which debuts this week.

Today, David Wenham on why, here in Australia, and unlike North America or the United Kingdom, we celebrate the downtrodden, the criminal and the devastated, rather than classic success stories.

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Remember Anthony Albanese’s Copacabana house drama? The PM was dragged in the media for buying a 4.3 million dollar home on the NSW central coast in the middle of a cost of living crisis. 

Well now the opposition leader is facing a few questions of his own. This week, our national affairs editor James Massola has done a bit of digging, and has revealed Peter Dutton’s extensive, and rich, history of property dealings. 

At the same time, News Corp has published allegations about Dutton’s share trading in the middle of the global financial crisis. Aside from denying he’s done anything dodgy, he’s also argued  that the  information is the work of Labor’s “dirt unit”.

Today, our intrepid reporter James Massola joins us to talk through these stories, and delves into this mysterious “dirt unit”. 

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