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This week China tried to sign up 10 pacific nations to a new regional security pact.Pacific leaders walked away from the deal – but just for now, and Chinese diplomats are hopeful they’ll get the deal done eventually.If it happens, it would be another huge shift away from Australia by Pacific leaders.So what is China offering? How did Australia lose the trust of our neighbours? And if China’s influence grows in the South Pacific what does it mean for us?Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman, on the race to make deals in the South Pacific.Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For four years, one Tamil family, with their two small children have been living in community detention.The parents, Priya and Nades, have maintained for years that they just want to return to their home in Queensland, Biloela and now they finally can.How did they learn they would be able to return? And what does the decision say about the future of immigration policy in Australia?Today, journalist Rebekah Holt, who spent election night with the Nadesalingam family, on the moment the family realised they could finally go back to Biloela.Guest: Journalist, Rebekah Holt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stunning victories of six new teal independents, in seats the Liberal Party thought were unloseable, has redrawn the political map in Australia.Throughout the campaign, critics of these Independents suggested they had powerful backers who were co-ordinating things behind the scenes.According to the Liberal Party, chief among them was Simon Holmes à Court, the founder of climate lobby group Climate 200.But the Independents themselves maintained they were not coordinating, and the funding from Climate 200 came with no strings attached.Today, Simon Holmes à Court, on how the Independents really won their seats.Guest: Founder of Climate 200, Simon Holmes à Court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Saturday’s election result, the Coalition have begun a post-mortem on what went wrong as incoming Liberal leader Peter Dutton vows the party won’t become ‘Labor-lite’. And, in his first week as Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has wasted no time in sending signals about the kind of government he intends to lead.But as votes are still being counted in an election that has reshaped the political map. What do the results mean for the future of Australian politics? What will the greatest challenges for the new parliament be? And where will the battle lines be drawn?Today, to analyse all the latest events, we’re joined by chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, election analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue and columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hillsong Church was started in Sydney by Brian and Bobbie Houston. It went on to become one of the world’s greatest Pentecostal forces. That was until a series of scandals forced Brian and Bobbie out. Now leaked emails show exactly how the family responded.Guest: Author of Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World Elle Hardy.Background reading: The Hillsong emails in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Liberal Party examines its electoral defeat, questions are being asked about the party’s future. The frontrunner for the leadership is Peter Dutton. But what kind of Opposition would he lead? And is the moderate wing of the party, all but wiped out by independents, now dead? Today, former Liberal leader and columnist for The Saturday Paper John Hewson on what went wrong for the Coalition on election night - and what lessons the party should take from the defeat.Guest: Former Liberal leader and columnist for The Saturday Paper John Hewson.Background reading: A choice between two lessers in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now, one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers, Ben Roberts-Smith, is suing Nine newspapers over a series of articles alleging war crimes. As the case has played out, we have learned extraordinary details about Australia’s most secretive operations during the war in Afghanistan, with evidence being aired in civil court.  Some witnesses have told the court they saw Ben Roberts-Smith unlawfully kill people — others say he was acting inside the rules of engagement.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton on the latest evidence in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.Background reading: Ben Roberts-Smith trial calls next witness in The Saturday Paper.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost a decade of conservative government in Australia has ended.Votes are still being counted, but it looks like the Liberal and National Party have suffered their worst result in decades.The Greens, independents and minor parties have had historic wins, and will wield significant power in the new parliament.But the government will be led by Anthony Albanese, Australia’s 31st Prime Minister – it’s something even he didn’t think was possible just a few years ago.So how did it all come together? How did Labor react on the night? And while they have won government, are there big lessons in this result that the party will have to take onboard?Today — we go inside the Labor party at the moment it won victory. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s election day, but when will the results start coming through? When will we start to know who’s winning? And what should we all look out for, which seats should we pay attention to?To answer these questions, we decided to speak to election analyst, Ben Raue, about the most important races to pay attention to and how we should be watching results.We hope you enjoy Ben’s guide to watching the election and that it helps make sense of what is shaping up to be a remarkable election night.Guest: Election analyst for The Tally Room, Ben Raue.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s all come down to this. On Saturday night, Australia will decide it’s next government and next Prime Minister.The final week of the campaign saw Scott Morrison, who is trying not to be a bulldozer, bulldoze a child during a media appearance at youth soccer training in Tasmania.And Labor released the costings on its policies, just two days out from the election.The party says it’s policies will only cost 7.4 billion dollars more than the Coalition’s, a figure that pales in comparison to the overall 220 billion dollar deficit.Today, to analyse all the latest events, we’re joined by:Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton,Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno, andElection analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue.Guest: Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno, and election analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.