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As this episode was recorded, the Liberal and National parties were still locked in discussions over the Coalition agreement, after the parties dramatically parted ways earlier in the week. But with a reunion already on the cards, Bridie Jabour spoke with Mike Ticher and former rural and regional editor Gabrielle Chan about why the breakup could be good for regional voters
As the dust settles on the federal election, hard lessons for the losers have dominated the headlines. Did the Coalition run a bad campaign that failed to connect with voters? Or did Australians reject Peter Dutton's Trump-style politics? What should we make of the Greens losing so many seats? And is there a danger in over-interpreting election results? Bridie Jabour talks to the editor Lenore Taylor, deputy editor Patrick Keneally and the national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about why the lessons learned from this election are not as simple as they seem
With one day to go before the election, the polls paint a rosy picture for Labor. Governing with a majority is still a live option for the incumbent government – but pollsters have been wrong before, and a late-night surprise is not off the table. So, after a long campaign which left many voters frustrated with the lack of big promises and big policy – have the major parties earned your vote? Bridie Jabour talks to the editor, Lenore Taylor, and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about the choices progressive voters face as they head to the polls
With the election campaign sputtering to the finish line, much of the coverage has concentrated on the two major parties, and most of their policy offerings have focused on the cost of living. Critics have pointed to the lack of substance and bold policy offerings from both Labor and the Coalition. But polls show about a third of voters are expected to vote for an independent candidate or one from a minor party, with a minority government looking like a distinct possibility. Bridie Jabour talks to editor Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about why the trend away from the major parties may make the parliament more productive
A week in to the federal election campaign and both parties have provided soundbites, but have been light on promises and policy. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, are hyper focused on cost of living, but when asked about their plans to offer real relief answers have been hard to come by.Bridie Jabour talks with the editor, Lenore Taylor, the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about holding politicians to account, and if voters deserve more from their leaders
With the prime minister expected to call the election at any moment, the impact of American politics on our security, economy and defence cannot be underestimated. Australian politics has been dominated by a pre-election budget, but has this overshadowed our ability to guard ourselves against a much more volatile geopolitical climate? Bridie Jabour talks with the editor, Lenore Taylor, head of newsroom, Mike Ticher and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about text leaks, tariffs, and Trump's looming threat
The unofficial election campaign is about to intensify, with a pre-election budget just days away. With political messaging coming thick and fast, both parties will be trying to sell their vision to the public. But with Australian society becoming increasingly fragmented, will the same campaign strategies cut through? Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about what is dividing voters, and how these fractures are shaping our politics
In the past 20 years men have not increased the amount of housework they do, despite women's workloads increasing. While they're at work, women are still earning less than men. And as these inequalities continue to play out, Donald Trump's assault on diversity and inclusion programs threatens to spill over into Australia. Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and the national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about the gender pay gap, and why life for women and men is still not equal
This week the Trump administration announced that it would be the White House, not the independent journalists' association, that decides who gets to cover the president up close. The unprecedented move comes as the Associated Press continues to be barred from the Oval Office and Air Force One, after it refused to follow Trump in renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. And just yesterday, Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post declared that only opinions that support ‘personal liberties' and ‘free markets' would be welcome in the pages of his newspaper. Bridie Jabour talks with editor-in-chief of the Guardian Katharine Viner about the increasing threat to press freedom in the wake of these attacks on the media
Antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks are on the rise. For months the Coalition has accused the Albanese government of making the country less safe for Jewish people. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has written to Anthony Albanese, calling for urgent action to tackle Islamophobia. Pre-existing dividing lines are being inflamed by our politicians, and by the media, leaving the country further polarised.Bridie Jabour talks with editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about how to report on the rise in acts of hate without further inflaming tensions
This week, Anthony Albanese faced his first Trump test. The prime minister tried to carve out an exception for Australia from Trump's promised 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. And while Trump is giving the request ‘great consideration', it won't be the last time the Albanese government will be subjected to the whims of what has already been a chaotic and volatile presidency. Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how Albanese is dealing with Trump
The perks of public office were cast into the spotlight this week after the NSW transport minister, Jo Haylen, was forced to resign. The Labor veteran used her ministerial driver as a chauffeur over the Australia day long weekend. But Haylen is not the first state or federal member of government to lose their job over the use of the public purse. Bridie Jabour talks with Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about why politicians find it so hard to pass the pub test Please fill out our audience survey here: theguardian.com/fullstorysurvey
Peter Dutton wants to slash thousands of government jobs in an Elon Musk-style purge of the public service. But this is not the first time an Australian politician has promised cost-cutting before an election and we don't know much about the potential policy or its consequences. Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the threats to the public service and finding facts during an election campaign
As an election year begins, both the prime minister Anthony Albanese and the opposition leader Peter Dutton have started laying out their priorities and setting the tone for the upcoming election. But with Donald Trump returning to the White House, and as horrific antisemitic attacks continue to dominate our politics, both leaders have found themselves battling for headlines. Bridie Jabour talks with editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about whose pre-election message is cutting through and connecting with voters
How does a hugely successful entrepreneur and parent find the energy, creativity and time to write a novel? Zoë Foster Blake tells Bridie Jabour how she makes the most of 90 minutes and where she starts You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Thinking of breaking up with the booze? Addiction specialist and psychiatrist Xavier Mulenga tells Bridie Jabour the common reasons people think they can't quit and the steps you can take to reduce your alcohol intake You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
This year the gap between the rich and the poor widened in Australia – as the housing crisis deepened and the cost of living hit hard. But while there were moments of despair, there were also times of joy that may give us reason to be hopeful for 2025. Bridie Jabour talks with editor in chief Lenore Taylor, head of newsroom Mike Ticher and national news editor Jo Tovey about the highs and lows of 2024 and and what to expect next year
Last Friday, a large blaze engulfed a synagogue in Melbourne — which authorities are treating as an act of terrorism. It prompted the federal government to set up a special taskforce to investigate antisemitism in Australia. But in the aftermath, Peter Dutton was accused of ‘disgusting' political point-scoring by escalating the Coalition's already growing criticism of the government's response and by attacking Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns.Bridie Jabour talks to the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and the national news editor, Jo Tovey, about Peter Dutton's strongman politics and why he is stoking culture wars
A story splashed across the front of News Corp's biggest-selling tabloid newspapers this week was all about gas. We need to ‘step on the gas', the papers said, to avoid higher bills and blackouts. But the ‘special report' was actually ‘proudly sponsored' by the fossil fuel industry.Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia's editor, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how the mining industry – and the media – are trying to shape the election agenda
A heatwave has hit eastern Australia. As Sydneysiders struggled through the heat, the premier, Chris Minns, asked residents to cut back on their power use to prevent parts of the city from plunging into a blackout. And while the grid strained to keep up with demand, an all-too-familiar debate erupted about the transition to renewable energy.Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia's head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the challenges the Labor government faces when selling its climate credentials during a cost-of-living crisis
The Guardian is no longer posting on Elon Musk's X. The move comes after Musk's hands-off approach has allowed lies and hate speech to spread on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The world's richest man has also become increasingly aligned with the US president-elect, Donald Trump, often using the now toxic social media site to shape political discourse.Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the future of news online, and why the Guardian has quit X
Countries around the world are coming to terms with what a second Donald Trump presidency will mean for their climate policies, trade and economies. In Australia political leaders will be drawing their own conclusions about what the American result means for their own election campaigns.Bridie Jabour talks to the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and the national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about how Trump won and how the media will cover his presidency
In Queensland, the state election has been dominated by one word: abortion. It follows an anti-abortion bill in South Australia that would force women seeking an abortion after 27 weeks and six days – an extremely rare occurrence – to be induced to deliver the child alive, and either to keep it or put it up for adoption. The bill was narrowly defeated by just one vote. As this conversation infiltrates state politics, conservatives have already begun putting it on the national agenda.Bridie Jabour talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and national news editor Josephine Tovey about what the consequences will be when we turn abortion into a culture war
This week, news broke that Anthony Albanese bought a slice of paradise set on the clifftops of the NSW Central Coast. Forking out $4.3m on a property created some bruising headlines for the prime minister, but did he actually do anything wrong?Bridie Jabour talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor, deputy editor Patrick Keanelly and national news editor Jo Tovey about what the anger around the PM's beach house says about the state of the housing crisis
Negative gearing, the tax incentive that benefits investors, has become one of the most controversial policies in Australian politics and is widely viewed to have lost Labor the 2019 election. But this week, it seemed the prime minister was open to considering change, if only for the briefest of moments.Bridie Jabour speaks to chief political correspondent Paul Karp about why Australia could be gearing up for another election battle over housing
Amber Haigh was 19 years old when she disappeared in 2002, leaving behind an infant son. For months Robert and Anne Geeves sat in court accused of her murder but this week the verdict came down from the judge: not guilty. They are now free. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the two ‘indispensable facts' the judge says the prosecution failed to prove.
The Albanese government has seemingly walked back a promise to include questions on sexuality and gender diversity in the next census. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, justified Labor's decision by saying they wanted to prevent a divisive debate in the community, but the decision was met with criticism from LGBTQ+ rights groups. So why is Labor shying away from this conversation?Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor, national news editor Josephine Tovey and head of news Mike Ticher about whether Labor risks losing voters if they don't deliver on their promises
This week Peter Dutton used the war in Gaza to make a political point, accusing the government of bringing people in from the Gaza ‘war zone' and ‘not conducting checks and searches on these people' – claims not wholly true. But what is really driving this divisive debate?Bridie Jabour talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about why Dutton is dominating political discourse with distractions
All the evidence in the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh has now been heard. Reporter Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the final week in the NSW supreme court, each side's closing submissions and what happens next
Last week the supreme court of NSW heard the voices of both accused of murdering Amber Haigh. This week you get to hear them too. Robert and Anne Geeves have both pleaded not guilty and have not testified in court but reporter Ben Doherty was there to hear their original police interviews. He tells Bridie Jabour about the interviews from June 2002. Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
The Australian government has raised the terror threat level from possible to probable. No single issue or ideology led to this rise, but as extremism spreads online – and in our communities – how concerned should we be? Bridie Jabour speaks to Guardian Australia's head of news, Mike Ticher, and deputy editor Gabrielle Jackson about why the threat of terrorism is rising around the world and what we can do to stop it
In court so far we have heard much detail about the two accused of Amber Haighs murder. People have spoken about them and for them but we haven't heard them speak for themselves, until now. This week reporter Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the recordings of Robert and Anne Geeves played to the court Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
More than 10 million people around the country have tuned in to experience the sporting highs and lows of the Olympics. And while there are always controversies, the games in Paris this year have been sucked into a culture war. Bridie Jabour speaks to head of news Mike Ticher, and national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about why some on the right have turned the Olympics into a moral panic
The trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh has now heard 22 days of public hearings. Reporter Ben Doherty has previously heard evidence from those in Amber's community: neighbours, friends, family and people who met her briefly. But this week, he tells Bridie Jabour, the court heard from those who were in charge of the investigation into her disappearance Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
After weeks of chaos on the campaign trail, the new Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has brought some voters new enthusiasm for the US presidential election. But will this early bump propel Harris to the White House? Progressive leaders around the world have countered the chaos of conservatives by projecting calm and by running sensible, risk averse campaigns. Bridie Jabour speaks to Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, national news editor, Josephine Tovey, and head of news, Mike Ticher, about the politics of being sensible and what voters really want in their leader
There have now been 38 witnesses called in the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves, who are charged with the murder of Amber Haigh. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the evidence presented. This week the court heard more about the weeks and months following Amber's disappearance, as well as further testimony and allegations about Robert Geeves' past. Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
For many Australians, as the cost of living continues to bite, it's easy to feel as though everything is going backwards. But are things really as bad as they seem? On many measures things are actually improving, and the sense that the world is in a time of unprecedented crisis does not always match up with the data. Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher about the growing gap between our perception of the world and the reality
As the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh continues, Bridie Jabour speaks to Ben Doherty, who has been watching it unfold. This week he reports on evidence the court heard that Haigh had made a will, events surrounding a late-night visit to a neighbour's house and further details of what's been called ‘the tying up evidence'
For the past two weeks climate protesters in Newcastle have been disrupting the world's largest coal port. But as activists take to more extreme means in their efforts to highlight ecological collapse, new laws have been introduced around the country to try to stop them. Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and climate and environment editor Adam Morton about why, despite the prospect of arrest and jail time, climate-focused civil disobedience is not going away
In Wagga Wagga the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh is now in its third week. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour what was heard in court last week. For the first time prosecution witness testimony about what has been referred to as ‘the tying up evidence' was heard, but it was the subject of some arguments in court. Other witnesses told us more about Haigh's five months as a mother, before she disappeared
Fatima Payman has quit the Labor party but will stay in the Senate as an independent. Her resignation comes after she was indefinitely suspended from the parliamentary caucus because she said she was prepared to cross the floor again in support of a motion on Palestinian statehood. Bridie Jabour talks with deputy editor Patrick Keneally and the head of news, Mike Ticher, about Labor's strict rules on party solidarity and if Payman's exit means Labor needs to change with the times
More than 20 years after Amber Haigh's disappearance, two people stand accused of her murder – one of them the father of her child. Both have pleaded not guilty. Bridie Jabour speaks to Ben Doherty, who's reporting on the trial. They discuss what we learnt about Amber Haigh's life, the prosecution's case against a married couple, and the defence's counterargument that the case against them is weak and based on degraded memories from disapproving members of the community.
Australia is about to become the first country to ban the sale of vapes outside pharmacies. But the so-called ‘world-leading' laws came after Labor compromised in a deal with the anti-prohibition Greens. Bridie Jabour speaks to deputy editor Patrick Keneally and the head of news, Mike Ticher, about getting the balance right on vaping reform
Peter Dutton wants to use the cost-of-living crisis to the opposition's advantage. And while Australian households are under a huge amount of financial stress, polls show people feel Labor isn't doing enough to help them where it hurts most. Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher about why Australian politics is defined by the cost-of-living crisis
If elected, the opposition leader Peter Dutton says he will abandon Australia's 43% emissions reduction target for 2030. The prime minister Anthony Albanese labeled his comments divisive, and climate experts say his position will put Australia in breach of the landmark Paris climate agreement. Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and climate and environment editor Adam Morton about the consequences of putting politics ahead of good climate policy
Despite a bipartisan committee unanimously agreeing to a nationwide ban, gambling ads are still everywhere. Extensive lobbying efforts from broadcasters and other corporate interests have slowed reform while these harmful ads continue to air. But its not just gambling – lobbying has halted progress on the climate crisis and some of the most crucial issues in our society.Bridie Jabour talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher about how lobbying can get in the way of good governance
While the Australian economy has not dipped into recession, consumers are still struggling to afford the essentials. This widening gap between a slightly improving economy and households continuing to feel the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis has been called a ‘vibecession'.Bridie Jabour speaks with deputy editor Patrick Keneally and head of news Mike Ticher about how the economy is making Australians feel and why that may say more than the numbers
Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers will next week present his government's third and possibly final budget of this term. He has said it won't be one of ‘scorched-earth austerity' and will take into account hardships caused by the cost-of-living crisis. But the 2024 Australian federal budget is not without its economic and social challenges and the government needs to convince voters that the economy is in safe hands. Bridie Jabour speaks with editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the Albanese government's budget narrative You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
In Australia – a multifaith and sometimes agnostic country – what role does faith play in the decision-making of those who run the country? With the upcoming release of his book, Plans For Your Good: A Prime Minister's Testimony of God's Faithfulness, Scott Morrison has placed his faith front and centre. But is this something new? Or has religion always been a part of Australia's political democracy? Bridie Jabour speaks with editor in chief Lenore Taylor and deputy editor Patrick Keneally on the nuanced relationship between faith and politics You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
This week, the devastating killings at Bondi junction, the attack at Wakeley and the long-awaited judgment in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial dominated the headlines. Sensitive, traumatic and often violent images flooded people's feeds. Bridie Jabour speaks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of newsroom Mike Ticher about getting breaking news right, and what happens when we get it wrong