When one of Australia’s most infamous Victorian gangland figures was arrested last week over an alleged traffic infringement, it raised some eyebrows.So given Mick Gatto’s centrality in the building industry, was this the Victorian police pulling at straws in some last ditch attempt to crack down on suspected corruption?Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie on whether this arrest was, as Gatto asserts, “a load of crap”. Or if it’s illustrative of a new dedication by police to clean up an industry that’s been rife with alleged corruption for decades.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, 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.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. Not much pride in the AFL’s LGBTQI+ efforts. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.Background listening: Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roughly 5,000 new electric vehicles are due to land this week from China. This is just the first part of a shipment expected from the Chinese car manufacturing behemoth, BYD. The company is due to ship another 25,000 EVs here this year. Australians are embracing electric vehicles more than ever before, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices. But it also comes with unanswered questions and potential complications. Today, North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin discusses China's dizzying technological advances in EVs, and whether Australians buying these cars risk being spied on.Background reading ‘Made in China’ EVs are taking over the streets, but just how safe is your data? Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially in week two of budget backlash, and both sides seem pretty dug in. Today we’re talking about the disagreements about the capital gains tax - the most controversial part of the budget - and if, as some critics said, it will kill business aspirations. The other news that sparked our interest was the tantalising prospect of the Teal independents forming a party to consolidate their power in the face of a rising One Nation. Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gen Z in India are rebelling. Millions of young Indians have signed up to a movement that’s pushing against the unfair advantages that their elders have and they don’t. And though the political movement they've joined is satirical, the Cockroach Janta Party has the Indian government worried. Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses how serious a threat this movement is to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the other recent youth-led movements that have toppled governments. Background reading Peter Hartcher: 'Young people are revolting. India’s ‘cockroach’ campaign is just the latest example.'  Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.