The big baby bust: What happened to Australia’s middle child?

The big baby bust: What happened to Australia’s middle child?

The fertility rate in Australia is at a record low, and there is judgment all around. Today, senior journalist Matt Wade and reporter Bronte Gossling on what our exclusive polling tells us about the global population plunge we’re all inching towards; what challenges it will throw at us; and why the demise of the third child may not be a great thing. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

A week of reality checks: ‘Pauline for PM’ and the true state of the AUKUS pact

This week polls showed, for the first time, One Nation ahead of the major parties and Pauline Hanson as preferred prime minister in second place ahead of Angus Taylor.  Today we're talking about her strategy, her chances in the lower house and any parallels with the United States. Is it time to take Hanson seriously? And the week would not be over if we didn't mention submarines - but second-hand ones this time. Was this always the intention as the government is saying? We'll unpick it. Today's episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with guests chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal, and foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Don’t say it’s a protest vote’: Pauline Hanson on One Nation’s resurgence

The debate on the rise of Pauline Hanson is shifting rapidly. This week, for the first time, polls are showing One Nation's primary vote has risen above the Labor Party's. A conversation that focused on One Nation and the Coalition swapping preferences has now shifted to more profound questions about the long-term configuration of the right flank of Australian politics. Hanson is yet to face the full force of scrutiny on her policies, her position on race relations and whether her party really is a credible governing outfit. Pauline Hanson joined chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal for this bonus episode of Inside Politics, recorded in Parliament House on Wednesday. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do

We know that Donald Trump has long chased after Vladimir Putin’s approval. Remember the time Trump tweeted: “Do you think Putin will be going to the Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow – if so, will he become my new best friend”? That was 13 years ago. But now the American president is Putin’s match. Just not in the way he’d like. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the humiliation of Trump and Putin by far smaller nations – and where their distinctly “dumb” power might lead us all. Background reading * While Xi gets smart, Trump and Putin are showing the world what dumb power can do [https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/while-xi-gets-smart-trump-and-putin-are-showing-the-world-what-dumb-power-can-do-20260601-p602ui.html] Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

A player suspended, a Pride match bumped: Is the AFL doing more harm than good?

This weekend, there was supposed to be a special game played between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda. It was the teams' annual Pride match, in which the players would wear rainbow jerseys and celebrate diversity, the aim being to boost inclusivity for LGBTQ fans. But for the first time in a decade, because of a far-reaching scandal involving Saints player Lance Collard [https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-question-that-exposed-a-massive-flaw-in-the-afl-s-fight-against-homophobia-20260506-p5zugb.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom], the Pride match was scrapped. Sydney opted to play the game against a different side, at a different time. Today special correspondent Stephen Brook discusses the role that homophobic slurs play in footy and why the code’s attempts at cracking down on hate may be backfiring [https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/not-much-pride-in-the-afl-s-lgbtqi-efforts-20260520-p5zz4u.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom]. And just a heads-up, this episode contains offensive language. Background reading * The question that exposed a massive flaw in the AFL’s fight against homophobia [https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-question-that-exposed-a-massive-flaw-in-the-afl-s-fight-against-homophobia-20260506-p5zugb.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom]. * Not much pride in the AFL’s LGBTQI+ efforts [https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/not-much-pride-in-the-afl-s-lgbtqi-efforts-20260520-p5zz4u.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom]. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ [https://subscribe.smh.com.au/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.