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Barrie Cassidy and Sean Kelly (filling in for Tony Barry this week) go straight to Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s stoush with Pauline Hanson over an animated cartoon. Is Hastie one of the few politicians willing to take on the One Nation leader? And could this be the beginning of the Liberal party fighting back? Staying with One Nation: what does the coverage of Warren Pickering’s press conference this week say about how the media – and the public – treats political leaders differently? And the prime minister continues to come under scrutiny over grants awarded to a golf club in his elec...

After a slow start to the week, the criminal trial of Alan Jones accelerated with a swift succession of witnesses taking the stand. Through a former politician, close friends and loyal associates, the court heard details of alleged indecent touching, scornful text messages and declarations of an ‘unbreakable bond’ with Jones.Nour Haydar speaks to media correspondent Amanda Meade to unpack the cross-examinations, key testimonies and courtroom revelations

One Nation’s proposal to allow people to access 3% of their super contributions for three years is touted as a lifeline for lower-income earners who are struggling to get by. But with no modelling by the party to show the long-term effects, are we better off with our money in super or in our pockets? Economist and Guardian columnist Greg Jericho speaks to Matilda Boseley about One Nation’s ‘sugar hit’ policy – and the superannuation reform that could actually ease the cost-of-living crisis

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy look across the water to Germany, where the rightwing political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has had a landslide state election win. As some commentators draw parallels to the Maga movement, they examine how Donald Trump is influencing global leaders and movements. Also in this episode: why are White House staffers being subjected to polygraph tests? And George Clooney criticises the US administration in Venice

Rates of smoking in Australia are the lowest they’ve ever been, but at the same time, the illicit trade has never been bigger. It’s estimated 80% of the tobacco trade is now illicit and the same taxes that helped curb smoking are now fuelling organised crime. One Nation and the Coalition both believe cutting the tobacco excise is the only way to stop crime. But with the potential for reform on the table, Matilda Boseley speaks to senior reporter Henry Belot about why the tobacco lobby are keen to influence debate

As the federal government prepares to introduce digital duty of care laws, social media users could soon be given the option to turn off their recommendation algorithms entirely. But with the Coalition warning of internet censorship and big tech relying on these feeds for revenue, would an opt-out switch actually make platforms safer? Technology reporter Josh Taylor joins Reged Ahmad to unpack Labor’s proposed crackdown on social media algorithms

Dotted like an outline around parts of Australia’s coast are military bases – the majority of which the US has control of or access to. Now a special Guardian investigation reveals the breadth of Donald Trump’s US military presence in the country, to a scale that the Australian public might not be aware of. Some analysts are warning it represents a ‘saturation’ or ‘colonisation’ of the Australian continent. Senior reporter Ben Doherty speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether America’s strong military presence in Australia could drag us unwillingly into war

Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots

Barrie Cassidy and George Megalogenis (filling in for Tony this week) examine George’s new book, Three Shocks: Who We are Becoming in the 21st Century, and how these forces are reshaping our national identity and Australian politics. They also look at the politics of the housing market and Barrie responds to a listener who questions his analysis of One Nation’s inability to get over the “wall” around the cities Best Australian books out in September House prices could fall 10%, analysts predict, as fourth interest rate hike looms

As talkback titan Ray Hadley took the witness box in Alan Jones’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial, the court heard accounts of a tearful disclosure, a secret contract and decades of professional animosity. Under cross-examination, explosive text messages laid bare the full extent of the station’s high-stakes internal power struggle. Host Nour Haydar and Guardian media correspondent Amanda Meade are back to take you through week five of the trial of Alan Jones

The death of a 16-year-old in Sydney’s northern beaches from a suspected act of sexual strangulation has put a spotlight on the dangerous trend – a trend that more than half of people under 40 say they’ve tried. The case raises difficult questions about young people and risky sex, consent, and the responsibility of the porn industry. Today, Matilda Boseley speaks to global editor Lucy Clark and lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman about why so many people wrongly believe sexual choking is ‘safe’, and the education and regulation that can combat it

Thirty years after Tupac Shakur’s death, a man has been found guilty of killing the hip-hop legend. Helen Pidd talks to William Shaw and Jessica Hill about the conclusion to Tupac’s murder trial, and the star’s life, legacy and untimely death

Nearly a week after a catastrophic glacier collapse struck the Nepal-China border, the death toll continues to rise as emergency teams search through heavy mud and submerged hydro tunnels. With thousands still unaccounted for, including dozens of Australian travellers, international rescue operations are racing against time. Guardian reporter Cait Kelly speaks to Rafqa Touma from Kathmandu about the devastation on the ground, the search for survivors and what happens next

One Nation has claimed victory in the Western Australian seat of Secret Harbour, delivering a massive blow to a safe Labor stronghold. With voter frustration over cost-of-living issues boiling over, what does this mean for the major parties heading into the next elections? Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, joins Reged Ahmad to unpack One Nation’s rise and how Labor is struggling to respond

When Jackson Pollock painted Blue Poles, his masterpiece of American abstract expressionism, little did he know it would become one of Australia’s most fascinating political controversies. The piece ensnared everyone from Gough Whitlam to the shah of Iran, only to end up in Canberra’s National Gallery as a symbol of our nation’s burgeoning modernity. With the news that Blue Poles is relocating from Canberra to Perth, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to Rafqa Touma about the colliding worlds of art and politics featured in his book, Blue Poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the painting...

Tony Barry and Sean Kelly, sitting in for Barrie Cassidy, examine the politics of immigration and asylum after contradictory policy statements this week from Labor and One Nation. They discuss how much Labor is being led by One Nation and whether the government is doing enough to make the case for migration. They also talk about the concessions made by the Albanese government to the states on GST and renewable energy for datacentres, as well as the bumpy economic road ahead for Labor, with new inflation numbers suggesting possible interest rates hikes in the future Albanese vows refugee intake won’t...

Hundreds of people are missing or have been killed after a catastrophic flash flood hit Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. Entire villages have been destroyed, many of which were popular pilgrimage and trekking destinations for tourists. Lucy Hough talks to global editor Devika Bhat about how the devastating event unfolded

Week four of the Alan Jones trial zeroed in on a single afternoon 20 years ago, to a luncheon hosted by the veteran broadcaster. A man referred to in court as Complainant C alleges he was indecently assaulted in the presence of other guests, an allegation Jones denies. So what have witnesses recalled from that afternoon two decades ago and why has one high profile lunch guest been accused of ‘tailoring’ his evidence? Nour Haydar speaks to Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, to unpack a week of courtroom exchanges, revealing text messages, and an unusual turn by the prosecution.

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast Decoding America, co-hosts Jonathan Yerushalmy and Reged Ahmad explore why datacentres in the US have provoked such anger – and whether that could harm Republicans in the midterms given Donald Trump is such a supporter of the growing industry. They also look at why the US and Canada are fighting over tariffs. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, is pushing back and both countries could be on the cusp of a full-blown trade war. Finally: why does the Trump administration’s secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, have his very own YouTube show –...

Following a sexual assault allegation linked to the Sydney Swans, the AFL community’s response quickly shifted to premiership points and player suspensions. But for many fans, the real issue isn’t on-field fallout, it’s how the football industry responds when allegations of violence against women emerge. Host Matilda Bosley is joined by sports writer and editor Martin Pegan to unpack why, and how, the conversation needs to change.

More than two years ago, Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed by the Israel Defense Forces while travelling in a convoy with humanitarian organisation World Central Kitchen. Israel’s decision on Wednesday to clear its soldiers of criminal liability has sparked widespread condemnation, from Frankcom’s family to the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who called the move an “outrage”. Now, as calls grow for accountability, an apology and potential reparations, political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about a new low in Australia and Israel’s relations You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

Natalie Harp is Donald Trump’s most devoted aide: she travels the world with him, types his Truth Social posts, and even pens the US president ‘adoring’ letters. But reports that Harp had no official security clearance for a year has raised questions about the people Trump allows into his inner circle. So just who is Natalie Harp? The Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith speaks to Reged Ahmad about Harp’s journey from cancer survivor to Trump supporter – and how one Democrat senator put her in the global spotlight

This week, the Albanese government passed major reforms to online gambling advertising and deep cuts to rein in NDIS spending – all with the Coalition’s support. David Pocock has long been a vocal critic of the government’s approach to both of these issues, saying Labor and the opposition have failed to stand up to vested interests on gambling reforms. And while he agrees NDIS cuts are needed, he says major parties have ignored expert evidence on the value of community participation and are handing over important decisions to algorithms with little scrutiny. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the indepe...

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine the two deals made this week between the Coalition and Labor on gambling advertising and the NDIS. They also look ahead to the upcoming byelection in the Western Australian electorate of Secret Harbour, which sits within Andrew Hastie’s electorate. Could One Nation again emerge victorious? If so, what threat would that pose to the federal Liberal MP’s political fortunes? And after the break the Barries take a question from Neil in Bendigo, a super fan of the show, about when Albanese is likely to go and who could take the leadership

In the third week of the trial of former talkback radio star Alan Jones, a complainant took to the witness box to recount his time working at 2GB. Complainant C detailed allegations of indecent assault, a power dynamic, and why he felt he had to ‘cop it’. The defence has argued Jones never indecently assaulted the complainant. Nour Haydar is joined by media correspondent Amanda Meade to unpack the evidence and intense cross-examination

In this episode of Guardian Australia’s US politics podcast, co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy look at what the reported food shortages and mental health crisis on the USS Lincoln say about whether the US military is stretched too thin as the war on Iran drags on. They also look at Donald Trump’s vaccine executive order and why experts are fearful it could spread vaccine hesitancy to Australia. Finally, what’s the update on Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s long-running bromance?

New South Wales will become the first state to undertake Australia’s biggest gun buyback in 30 years in a jointly funded scheme in response to the Bondi beach terror attack. The move has been welcomed by many, but has also been met with opposition from the Coalition and One Nation who say it unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners. Rafqa Touma speaks to reporter Penry Buckley about whether the buyback will work and why the scheme has angered so many

Christopher Berry-Dee has been a pioneer of the true crime genre for years. The UK’s all-time bestselling true crime author is a self-proclaimed expert in serial killers, persuading them to give interviews and laying out their crimes in extensive detail. ‘Persuasive,’ says Sirin Kale after speaking to many who know him, ‘that’s a word that comes up a lot.’ However, after an investigation with fellow investigations correspondent Lucy Osborne, Sirin tells Annie Kelly about a much darker side to Berry-Dee, who has been accused by multiple women of violence, rape and sexual assault. Berry-Dee denies the allegations

With just months to go before New Zealand voters head to the polls, the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, has survived his second leadership spill in just four months. As flagging poll numbers, a sluggish economy and high-profile gaffes build pressure on Luxon, can the embattled leader retain his grip on power through November? The Guardian’s New Zealand correspondent Eva Corlett joins Reged Ahmad to look inside NZ politics and whether the PM can make it to election day

From immigration to inflation, housing sits at the heart of most political debates. But political parties are struggling to come up with a coherent message – and no one has a clear plan to fix the crisis. The Liberal senator and shadow housing minister, Andrew Bragg, last week said his plan to cut immigration is the solution – but so far he’s fuzzy on the details. And the government wants house prices to fall but doesn’t seem to want to take credit for it when they do. Reged Ahmad speaks to economist Saul Eslake on what really works and why politici...

Federal parliament has returned from winter break with a frenetic start to the second half of the political year. There were days of commentary and squirming over ‘melon-gate’ and, with Labor planning to make a deal with the Coalition to pass gambling reforms, there are still doubts about the government’s ambition in its second term. In an ‘ask me anything’ edition of the Australian Politics podcast, Tom McIlroy, Krishani Dhanji, Josh Butler and Sarah Basford Canales from Guardian Australia’s Canberra bureau answer questions from listeners and readers

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry look at Liberal senator Andrew Bragg’s speech this week in which he outlined his plan to solve the housing crisis – a plan that doesn’t have the support of his own party. The Barries also discuss the ‘melon-gate’ controversy, with Tony asking if a conservative politician would be subjected to more or less outrage if they had done the same thing. Also in this episode, the deal on gambling between Labor and the Coalition

As week two of the criminal trial against Alan Jones draws to a close, intense cross-examination of the first complainant, known as J, comes to an end. After testimony from J’s witnesses, inconsistencies in timelines about the alleged offending 20 years ago threatened to delay proceedings. Guardian Australia media correspondent Amanda Meade joins Nour Haydar to unpack the latest evidence and courtroom roadblocks

After allegations that some betting companies provided gamblers with drugs and sex workers as enticements to keep wagering, pressure to act on gambling reform has mounted from all sides. And this week it seems Anthony Albanese is edging closer to a deal with the Coalition to pass new restrictions on advertising and inducements. But with backbenchers and advocates calling for stronger measures than those now on the table, will the prime minister go harder? Rafqa Touma speaks to the political editor, Tom McIlroy, about the negotiations between Albanese and Angus Taylor on the issue and whether the deal they reach...

When the University of Cambridge appoints a new professor, it doesn’t usually make global headlines. But Jason Arday was different. He was just 37 in 2023 when he became Cambridge’s youngest black professor, specialising in the sociology of race and education. The achievement seemed all the more remarkable because of his incredible backstory. Yet almost as soon as he began his professorship at Cambridge’s Jesus College, the whispers began. Initially, the focus was on his academic scholarship. But, the Guardian’s arts and culture correspondent Lanre Bakare tells Helen Pidd, the allegations snowballed, and soon every aspect of his life sto...

For the past three years, we’ve known him only as a ‘high-profile businessman’, accused and then convicted of raping a woman in his home. Until last week, when the court order suppressing his name was lifted and he was revealed to be Ralph Carr, one of Australian music’s heavyweights, a man who helped bring us the biggest pop stars of the 90s. Names like Kate Ceberano, Vanessa Amorosi and Tina Arena – his ex-wife. Guardian Australia can reveal that dozens of other women who worked for Ralph Carr Management accused him of verbally abusive and intimidating behaviour dating back to the 199...

Just a few weeks ago, the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, was riding high after a successful World Cup. Now, he’s on the brink of losing his job. Infantino has apologised for his controversial plan to sell off the World Cup, but it’s done nothing to dampen the calls for his resignation. So why was the plan so despised, and is it one controversy too far for the man who once awarded Donald Trump a peace prize? Host Reged Ahmad speaks to sport reporter Jack Snape on whether this is the final whistle for Infantino

It’s been a long time since a woman led the Labor party. This term, Tanya Plibersek will become the longest serving woman of the House of Representatives in Australia. Plibersek has held senior cabinet and shadow cabinet roles since 2004, was deputy leader to Bill Shorten between 2013 and 2019, and is one of the most recognisable politicians in the country. But in the conversation of who is in line to be Labor’s next leader after Albanese, Plibersek barely registers, nor do any other women. And this is despite the party achieving gender parity in its caucus. Political reporter Krishani Dhanji spea...

Barrie Cassidy is back, and kicks off the episode by analysing the conflict in the Labor party over migration that led to the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, pulling out of his scheduled press club speech this week. Tony Barry delves into new Redbridge polling suggesting small gains for One Nation and the Coalition at a federal level. And as the conversation turns to Victorian politics, he surprises everyone – including himself – by defending a trade union leader. They also answer some listener questions, and Tony has his say on Jetstar’s new cabin luggage charges.

The criminal trial of veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has begun almost two years after he was arrested over multiple counts of indecent assault and sexual touching – charges he strongly denies. What did week one reveal about the prosecution’s case, and the way Jones treated his alleged teenage victim? Nour Haydar speaks to Guardian Australia’s media correspondent, Amanda Meade, to unpack opening statements and key evidence from the first week of the trial