The Front

Blunt, sweary and indispensable - that’s the cliche of political chiefs-of-staff like the West Wing’s CJ Cregg. Today we hear the stories of the real-life CJs, behind the thrones of Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, Julia Gillard and more. Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arrests and anti-Israel chanting have marred a Europa League football clash in the British city of Birmingham featuring Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa - the favourite team of William, the Prince of Wales.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the jury’s motel arrangements to a crown prosecutor’s ‘unfair’ words: today we dig into exactly how mushroom murderer Erin Patterson says she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police prosecutor and magistrate note the non-appearance of Bruce Lehrmann in a Tasmanian court where he’s due to defend a charge of stealing a Toyota Prado in November 2024. Plus, smart watches and wearable digital glasses banned in daycare centres. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ultra charismatic self-proclaimed social democrat has just been elected mayor of New York - and made himself a seriously formidable enemy in Donald J Trump, the ultimate New Yorker. Zohran Mamdani is just 34 and he’s been elected on a sweeping set of promises: to control rent, make childcare free and overhaul public transport. Is he the future of the Democrats - or a false dawn? That’s today’s episode. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who composed our music. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, and Stephanie Coombes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Beshear, Governor of the US state of Kentucky, said he expected the death toll from a plane crash at Muhammad Ali International Airport to rise. Plus, Becks is knighted and the Ashes squad is unveiled.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s nearly 50 years since the dismissal of the Whitlam government - a story that shaped the journalism, and the life, of our own editor-at-large Paul Kelly, who back then was a 28-year-old political correspondent literally sprinting through Parliament to break the news. I interviewed Paul for a documentary we’re publishing today - and in this episode of The Front, he tells us his story of Australian politics’ most dramatic day. You can see the full documentary, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on The Australian’s website or YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s in virtual solitary confinement in a women’s prison surrounded by terrorists and child abusers - but mushroom murderer Erin Patterson isn’t going quietly, lodging an appeal against her convictions. The DPP is appealing too, against the ‘manifestly inadequate’ 33-year minimum sentence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior heads will roll at Optus over September’s fatal triple 0 outage - just not yet. That’s the takeout from a Senate inquiry into the three deaths, including a baby, that resulted when emergency calls failed after the telco botched a routine network upgrade. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The British government is examining stripping Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of the medals he won in 1982’s Falklands War, where he served as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition has sunk to its worst approval rating in 40 years of Newspoll, while leader Sussan Ley has plunged further into the negatives. Can she – and the party – continue? You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Front. Remember Piss Christ? Bill Henson. Blue Poles. Why do Australians get so angry about art? Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three generations of Royals have brutally frozen out their own siblings - Elizabeth, William and now Charles, who’s buckled to pressure from the Prince and Princess of Wales to strip Prince Andrew of his title.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How on earth was an adventurous 80-year-old lady left behind by her luxury cruise ship? Three decades after the horrific deaths of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, tragedy strikes the Great Barrier Reef again. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump is heaping praise on Anthony Albanese, declaring he’ll sort out North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un and talking up his friendship with China’s Xi Jinping - all while talking a big game about nuclear weapons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prince of Wales - whose wife Catherine wants Prince Andrew out of her family’s life - has reportedly issued an edict to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie that their own titles may be at risk. Today - how the young Royals plan to eject their embarrassing uncle. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Gaza turmoil rages and hostage families wait for 13 more bodies to be returned, Israel is accusing Hamas of taking a hostage’s remains, burying them under rubble and then digging them up in a staged moment for cameras.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech success story WiseTech weathered allegations of sexual drama - now it's being raided by the cops. What’s going on at Australia’s most dramatic company? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s one of Australia’s most exquisite tourist destinations, but now Queensland Police and the coroner are investigating how an 80-year-old solo traveller died after apparently ‘failing to board’ her cruise ship, the 120-berth Coral Adventurer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior Iranian officer from the ultra-elite Quds Force orchestrated antisemitic attacks in Australia and around the world, according to Israeli spy agency Mossad. Today: who is Sardar Ammar? You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Andrew says he’ll leave the Royal Lodge where he’s lived rent-free for decades – if he gets two properties in return. Plus, the PM puts Beijing on notice and a big Ashes update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At influential century-old Sydney talk station 2GB, Mornings host Mark Levy has found himself at the centre of a complicated business deal featuring some very colourful characters. There’s no suggestion of wrongdoing - just a fabulous Sydney story. Plus - why Nine Radio’s stars might soon be reporting to a new boss. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boss in his sad bastard era - that’s the theme of a new biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. It’s about the period of isolation and melancholy that birthed Springsteen’s stark, deeply personal 1982 album, Nebraska. Today we hear from Jeremy Allen White about the time he had to ask Springsteen to give him some space. Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak, who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China and India have fallen in behind Donald Trump’s tough new sanctions on Russian oil, dramatically curtailing their orders for crude oil. That’ll force up prices. Also in today’s headlines: Energy Minister Chris Bowen summons the ghost of Margaret Thatcher to persuade conservatives on net zero. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince William and King Charles consider Prince Andrew, ex-Duke of York, an existential threat to the Crown. As the UK debates booting Andrew - who denies wrongdoing - from his home and stripping his princely status, we discuss the memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Nobody’s Girl. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey ad edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grand new ballroom and a whole lot of bulldozers - Donald Trump is bringing property developer energy to the White House, demolishing the storied East Wing to create a $300 million ballroom at “no taxpayer expense”. Plus, Aldi’s billion-dollar bonanza and an alleged child killer named in Parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone from central banks to jewellery fans were rushing to buy gold - until suddenly the price crashed on Tuesday night. What’s going on - and where will it stop? Markets Editor David Rogers joins us. You can read more about this episode, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher claims she doesn’t have anything further to say about Brittany Higgins’ allegation she was raped in the Parliament House office of her former boss, Linda Reynolds. Plus, gifts exchanged at the White House and a clash over Kevin Rudd’s old tweets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese’s long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump went better than anyone expected – and Kevin Rudd deserves part of the credit, despite an awkward confrontation with the President. Editor-At-Large Paul Kelly shares his take. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A triumphant White House meeting for Anthony Albanese, with a rare earths deal and positive AUKUS talk - but the President confronts ambassador Kevin Rudd in a supremely awkward moment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The talented, mercurial politician who can distil an idea better than anyone in politics says he’s quitting the National Party and maybe considering joining Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. Today, Greg Sheridan on the latest snafu in an Opposition struggling to hang on to its own talent. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, and Stephanie Coombes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Professionals” allegedly used power tools and a crane to pull off a brazen robbery of one of the world’s most-famous museums. Plus, Albo touches down in DC and the latest from Queensland’s troubled DNA lab.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A supremely awkward hosting dilemma at Nine Entertainment’s Today program is just one of the human resources nightmares unfolding in broadcast television. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes has a blockbuster finale in cinemas and now HBO’s renewed companion show The Gilded Age for season 4. What’s his secret formula for making history sexy? Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shocking footage of a young woman being stabbed in the chest in an unprovoked attack on a Melbourne city street has plunged the Victorian government into damage control mode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former minister Linda Reynolds - Brittany Higgins’ ex-boss - wants justice. Her new targets: Labor foes Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months after her death, Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre’s memoir is published, including an allegation Prince Andrew considered it his ‘birthright’ to have sex with her. The Duke of York denies any wrongdoing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The parents of Victorian school children are being cut out of potentially life-altering decisions about how to care for gender dysphoric children by the state’s school system, but the state government doesn’t want to talk about it. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, and Stephanie Coombes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has warned Hamas to hold up its side of a peace deal if they don’t want the US to intervene. Plus, cautious words from the RBA and Candace Owens’ court loss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buoyed by his success in the Middle East, Donald Trump has indicated he’ll turn his attention to the conflict raging between Russia and Ukraine. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Israeli hostages are freed in return for nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners - and a lingering heartbreak for the remaining 28 deceased captives. You can read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saleh al-Jafarawi, one of Gaza’s most prominent influencers, reportedly killed in clashes between Hamas and rival militias as Israeli forces pull back and Donald Trump flies in to greet hostages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.