The Morning Edition

Labor’s baby a ‘honeypot of fraud’ and the gas tax’s viral moment

Today, we are talking about one of the federal budget’s trickiest customers - the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor was once like a proud parent of the NDIS, but now even the minister in charge, Mark Butler, is describing the scheme as a honeypot for organised crime. Also this week, an inquiry about taxing offshore gas exports went kind of viral due to a David Pocock question about beer and an appearance from a podcaster called Punters Politics. Joining host Jacqueline Maley is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos. Background reading * Natassia Chrysanthos’ latest story on the NDIS [https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-s-sweeping-ndis-overhaul-to-boot-160-000-from-program-20260422-p5zq4s.html?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=inside_politics&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom] * All of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s political news and analysis. [https://www.theage.com.au/politics?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.

The ‘axis of upheaval’ that's forming against the West

Since the Cold War ended more than 35 years ago, many of us have likely not given much thought to Bloc warfare. Those nuclear threats that the Western and Eastern Blocs hurled at each other? A thing of the past. But lately, the beginnings of a return to Bloc warfare have revealed themselves. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on the group of countries that are assisting each other to fight wars. And why few have heard of their grouping. ---------------------------------------- Next Thursday, we'll be airing a special episode with Peter, in which he will be answering your questions. So if you have any questions about the state of our world that you've been dying to ask Peter, or a topic you'd love him to discuss, emails us at podcasts@nine.com.au [podcasts@nine.com.au] and we may feature it on air next week.  Background reading * Peter Hartcher's article:  Trump’s madcap folly emboldening this ‘axis of upheaval’ [https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/trump-s-madcap-folly-emboldening-this-axis-of-upheaval-20260420-p5zpd2.html] * Peter Hartcher's columns and stories. [https://www.smh.com.au/by/peter-hartcher-hve0w?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.

The likely change to the capital gains tax and the 'Ponzi scheme' of housing

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is slated to make a big change to the tax system, with the centrepiece of the May budget a change to taxing capital gains on property. Will the likely tweaks reduce skyrocketing house prices, or address intergenerational inequality? Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright talks about who this change will cost, who it will benefit, and by how much. Background reading: * Shane Wright's story, 'CGT like it's 1999.' [https://www.theage.com.au/politics?utm_source=omny&utm_medium=podcast_notes&utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&utm_content=&utm_term=newsroom] * The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's up-to-date political coverage. [https://www.theage.com.au/politics?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.

The uprising in women's basketball

There’s been something of a revolt in women’s basketball in the United States, and two Australians – Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor – are among the biggest winners. Today, sports reporter Frances Howe on the multimillion-dollar deals netted by these Australian stars, as a result of a very simple demand, and what it means for women in sport.   Background reading * The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's series on Australia's richest athletes [https://www.theage.com.au/sport/motorsport/jett-used-to-share-a-sandwich-with-his-family-to-save-money-now-he-s-one-of-australia-s-richest-athletes-20260330-p5zjxz.html]. * Frances Howes' story on the WNBA. [https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/it-s-life-changing-australian-basketball-star-signs-record-5-million-wnba-deal-20260412-p5zn5p.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.

How Lego became the black market’s hottest trade

Just picture it: under the cover of night, police detectives raid a clandestine drug lab in Melbourne belonging to an organised crime gang. But instead of picking through just the usual: beakers, wads of cash and perhaps the unmistakable acetone odour of ICE, they stumble on something else. Boxes upon boxes – upon BOXES – of Lego. Today, senior reporter Chris Vedelago on why your kids’ favourite toy has become the underworld’s new favourite currency, and why it’s so good for laundering dirty money. 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.