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In this discussion, Tom McIlroy, political editor at The Guardian Australia, and Dan Jervis-Bardy, chief political correspondent, tackle the pressing challenges facing Prime Minister Albanese. They delve into his recent legislative wins, including the nature laws, while cautioning against the risks of inaction on inflation and housing. With rising far-right sentiment, they analyze the implications for Labor's future reforms. McIlroy and Jervis-Bardy also highlight the political turmoil within the Coalition and the potential impact of populism on Labor's strategy.

Ella Archibald-Binge, an Indigenous affairs reporter, takes listeners on a journey to revive First Nations languages in Australia. She shares insights from communities working to bring back the Gumbangir language through bilingual education. Students express pride in learning their mother tongue, while elders recall the challenges of language suppression. Ella explores her roots in the Gamilaroi language, emphasizing the deep connections between language, place, and identity. The podcast is a heartfelt look at the power of language revival and community resilience.

Sussan Ley, an Australian politician and opposition leader who once served as federal environment minister, shares insights on her challenging role within the party. She voices disappointment over the government’s deal with the Greens on outdated nature laws and discusses the implications for business and energy approvals. Ley highlights the importance of skilled visas to address workforce shortages, while also reflecting on her leadership journey, including addressing internal pressures and appealing to younger, environmentally conscious voters.

Erika Kirk – the widow of Charlie Kirk, the rightwing activist killed in Utah in September – has indicated she would be willing to support JD Vance in a 2028 presidential bid. Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, invites senior Republicans on to her podcast for discussions with conservative women. And the Trump administration is developing baby-boom policies it hopes will help gain the backing of women in the midterm elections. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi about the Republican drive to win over women

Lenore Taylor, Editor of Guardian Australia, joins Mike Ticher, the head of their newsroom, and Josephine Tovey, the national news editor, to unravel Pauline Hanson’s controversial burqa stunt in parliament. They explore the dynamics of political attention-seeking and its influence on media coverage. The discussion highlights the impact of such stunts on community sentiment, particularly regarding Muslim Australians. The panel also examines the ethical complexities of reporting and the dangers of normalizing fringe views in political discourse.

Nino Bucci, a Justice and courts reporter for The Guardian, dives into the chilling case of fugitive Dezi Freeman, who remains on the run after a violent incident in Porepunkah. He paints a vivid picture of the town's tense atmosphere, where residents are gripped by fear. Bucci explores police theories about Freeman's possible whereabouts and the challenges faced during the manhunt, including the use of drones. He also touches on bizarre conspiracy theories surrounding Freeman, leaving listeners questioning the complex layers of this ongoing mystery.

Piotr Sauer, a Russian affairs reporter for The Guardian, shares insights into the dramatic shifts in peace negotiations over Ukraine. He details the evolution from a 28-point plan to a 19-point proposal, emphasizing contentious terms like territory concessions and military limits. Sauer highlights the differing moods in Kyiv and Moscow, the role of US diplomacy, and Ukraine's goals for reconstruction and security guarantees. He also reflects on the complexities of these negotiations and the ongoing war fatigue affecting public sentiment in both nations.

Israel’s latest strike in Beirut on Sunday, which killed at least five people and wounded 28, has dramatically escalated existing tensions in the region and left many in Lebanon anxious about what may follow. Beirut-based journalist William Christou speaks to Nour Haydar about the Lebanese government and Hezbollah’s responses to the strike and Israel’s ongoing presence in south Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement.

Technology reporter Josh Taylor unpacks the staggering rise of the Bureau of Meteorology's website redesign costs from $4 million to a whopping $96.5 million. He discusses user complaints, the confusing redesign features, and the lack of effective beta testing for key stakeholders like farmers. Taylor highlights contract blowouts with Accenture and Deloitte, compares the spending to other high-traffic sites, and shares insights on political backlash and the push for accountability. Join him as he delves into the chaotic world of public sector IT spending.

Geoff Lemon, a Guardian Australia writer, shares on-the-ground insights, while Ali Martin provides tactical analysis as a cricket correspondent, contributing valuable post-match context. Jim Wallace focuses on player behavior and media reactions. The discussion dives into England's shocking batting collapse, revealing errors from senior players and analyzing root causes. The panel also debates tactical changes for England, Australia's pink-ball advantage, and praises Mitchell Starc's match-winning performance, leaving the future of the series intriguingly uncertain.