Once dominant fascist powers, Japan and Germany are now saving democracy

‘Popcorn out’ for Farrer by-election, plus the RBA’s pointed comments on government spending

The electorate of Farrer is holding a by-election this weekend and we’re expecting the contest will be a good one. The NSW seat, which hugs the border with Victoria, belonged to former opposition leader Sussan Ley for 25 years. Now, it’s a microcosm of the pressures the Coalition is under from independent candidates and One Nation. [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/f-the-lot-of-youse-inside-the-deep-political-bitterness-of-the-farrer-byelection-20260506-p5zugm.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=inside_politics&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom] And as Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley puts it, Labor has grabbed the popcorn and is sitting this one out. Also this week, RBA boss Michele Bullock made some unusually pointed remarks about inflation and government spending when she raised the cash rate again. Plus, we’ve been reporting on tax relief that’s expected to be announced in next week’s budget. Joining Maley today is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal. Background reading: * '‘F’ the lot of youse: Inside the deep political bitterness of the Farrer byelection.' [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/f-the-lot-of-youse-inside-the-deep-political-bitterness-of-the-farrer-byelection-20260506-p5zugm.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=inside_politics&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom] * ‘That’s assault’: One Nation volunteer grabs Liberal senator’s phone in clash outside polling booth [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/fugitive-farley-ducks-tv-cameras-in-farrer-as-taylor-takes-firm-line-against-one-nation-20260506-p5zu63.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=inside_politics&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.

Once dominant fascist powers, Japan and Germany are now saving democracy

US President Donald Trump never fails to miss an opportunity to punish his allies. This week, it was Germany after Trump announced he’d be pulling 5000 troops from the country after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the US had been humiliated by Iran. But away from the front-page news, Germany and Japan – another former enemy of the US – have been on the rise. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the stunning turnabout from the two countries that have threatened world peace the most in the past – and how all this will affect us. 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.

David Attenborough is 100. His legacy may be very different than you think

For millions of people, David Attenborough was the man who introduced us to the wonders of the natural world. But, with Attenborough turning 100 years old on Friday, some are rethinking his legacy, and realising that his biggest achievement might have been missed entirely. Today environment editor Nick O’Malley and former BBC arts director Jonty Claypole talk about how the world’s most famous naturalist changed our culture. 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.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert on why Australia's hostage strategy must change

Kylie Moore-Gilbert was imprisoned in Iran for more than years, accused of being a spy. Five years after her release, the research fellow in security studies at Macquarie University is calling on the Australian government to change its strategy towards hostages. Today, Moore-Gilbert speaks about how the era of "quiet diplomacy" is – in some hostage cases –over. 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.

'This is far from over’: The case of Kumanjayi Little Baby

On the evening of Anzac Day, a man is alleged to have set in motion a series of events that sparked a national outcry, broke hearts, and ignited rage in Alice Springs. Today's episode comes after the news that 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was charged on Sunday with the murder of a five-year-old girl in a tiny Alice Springs community. We cross to the Northern Territory to journalist Hannah Murphy, from WA Today, on the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby. Background reading: * Jefferson Lewis charged with murder over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby [https://www.smh.com.au/national/jefferson-lewis-charged-with-murder-over-death-of-kumanjayi-little-baby-20260503-p5zt87.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom]. * A week on, Alice Springs is a town forever changed. [https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-week-on-alice-springs-is-a-town-forever-changed-20260502-p5zt4q.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.