Earlier this month the High Court overturned 20 years of precedent, ruling that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful. It led to the immediate release of dozens of people. Some murderers, some sex offenders, and others who had failed on character grounds to remain in Australia - but none of them could be returned to their home countries. Since that November 8 court ruling, the federal government has been scrambling to find a solution, rushing through legislation to impose tough restrictions on the people who were released. Now the High Court’s full decision has been released, the government is facing political pressure from the Coalition to pass new laws that would redetain the worst offenders, in the last few parliamentary sitting days of the year. Today, University of Canberra constitutional and citizenship law expert Professor Kim Rubenstein and chief political correspondent David Crowe on where to next for the government on indefinite immigration detention. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Bruce Lehrmann took the stand for the first day of his defamation trial against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson. The former Liberal staffer is suing the network, and Wilkinson, for what he says are their allegations in a television interview that he raped his former colleague, Brittany Higgins, in Parliament House in 2019. Lehrmann has always strenuously denied the allegations against him. Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on what the court case has revealed about Lehrmann’s changing story with what happened that night in Parliament House, and the continuing fallout from one of the most damaging political sagas in modern Australian history. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re now eight weeks into the deadly war between Israel and Hamas. And one question looms large. What is Hamas’ goal? And who does it serve? The narrative surrounding this vital question has changed many times over the last 35 years. The group has long been viewed by the States, the European Union and others as a terrorist organisation. But a perception of Hamas as freedom fighters has been growing steadily. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how Hamas has sold this image of itself to the world. And what its goal has been, since day one. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s now the fourth day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Dozens of hostages have been released from Gaza, in exchange for the release of more than 100 imprisoned Palestinians in Israel. But what has the hostages' experience in captivity been like? How are they now? And does this extraordinary turn of events - the first pause in almost two months of fighting - signal a greater change in the conflict? Today, national correspondent Matthew Knott on what the loved ones of hostages have told him about their experiences, and what might come next. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you go to see your doctor, and they give you a medical opinion - based on established guidelines by a governing medical body - you tend to trust them. But what if there’s been a hidden flaw in the scientific community for years? One that can lead doctors to recommend certain drugs, or treatments, that are based on studies that end up being deemed untrustworthy? Today, national science reporter Liam Mannix joins Samantha to discuss the worrying rise in retracted scientific papers. And what we should know about how clinical guidelines are created. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saltburn, the dark psychological thriller starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, is the second feature film from writer/director Emerald Fennell after her Oscar-nominated debut, Promising Young Women. It's one of the most divisive films of the year, with some critics describing it as a funny, sharp satire of the rich while others have dismissed it as derivative and messy. Osman, Thomas and Mel review the film (spoiler-free) and discuss the most controversial moments, what works and what doesn't, and how it compares to classics like Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr Ripley. Then they talk about the second episode of The Curse, which is fast becoming one of the best and strangest shows of the year. Plus, the latest season of The Crown and Jim Chalmers' obsession with 90s hip-hop. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate McClymont has been one of the most respected figures in Australian journalism for more than three decades. Her fearless investigative reporting has held the powerful to account and uncovered corruption, fraud and criminal enterprise across politics, business, sport and wider society. Last night, Kate was recognised in Australia’s top journalism awards - the Walkleys. She was given the award for outstanding contribution to journalism. Today, chief investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald, Kate McClymont joins editor of the Herald, Bevan Shields, to discuss her journey into journalism, her outstanding career, and what she has her sights set on next. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a hostage exchange deal was brokered between Israel and Hamas. In Australia, we saw divisive protests over the Middle East conflict, and a strong political backlash from those protests. Meanwhile, on bread and butter issues, the Albanese government is coming under increasing pressure to address the cost of living crisis. Data released this week indicated the economy might soon start losing jobs. Today on Inside Politics, chief political correspondent David Crowe, foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott, and economics correspondent Rachel Clun join Jacqueline Maley to discuss the week in politics. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Kelly Bayer Rosmarin resigned as the CEO of Optus, earlier this week, it wasn’t a surprise. This came only days after Optus unleashed one of the worst ever telecommunications outages in our country’s history. But now there’s a massive question hanging in the air. Who will be Optus’ next CEO?And why is former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian considered a front runner? Especially since NSW’s independent corruption commission found her guilty of serious corrupt conduct, just five months ago? Today, technology editor David Swan on what a new senate committee hearing into the Optus outage has told us about what damage the company inflicted on the public. And the future of Australia’s second largest telecommunications company. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three different wars are being fought across the world right now. And Australia is connected to each one of them. Each war threatens our security, and it’s arguably the first time we’ve been in this position since the Cold War. But, amid the threats, these wars also have lessons to teach us about what particular sort of warfare poses the biggest challenge to our sovereignty. And what has accounted for some surprising, recent, developments in the wars between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on this. And what lesson Vladimir Putin has recently learned the hard way. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a story of two men from vastly different backgrounds whose lives and deaths would see no justice and reveal bigger questions about the institutions that underpin Australian society. On yesterday’s episode, we heard from Anthony Cawsey’s friends about the life he led before it came to a brutal end in Centennial Park. Experts and panels weighed in on whether the murder was a gay hate crime and as detectives swabbed more than 100 people searching for suspects – they had one man, Moses Kellie, in their sights. Today, investigative journalist Charlotte Grieve brings us part two of this series: Moses Kellie. And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of violence and suicide. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this two-part series, we look at a police investigation into a Sydney murder from 2009 – and what came next. Through interviews with dozens of insiders and hundreds of documents – we look behind the scenes to expose new tactics used by detectives to get what they want – through politicians. It’s a story about loss, fairness, power and the Australian character – what is it, who decides and at what cost? Today, investigative journalist Charlotte Grieve brings us episode one in a two-part series: Anthony Cawsey. And a warning, this episode contains sexual references and descriptions of violence. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Fincher's The Killer is deservedly the most popular film on Netflix right now. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack this stylish, cold-blooded thriller starring Michael Fassbender and discuss how it compares to other Fincher classics like The Social Network, Gone Girl, Fight Club and Zodiac. They also review the first episode of Nathan Fielder's new show The Curse, starring Emma Stone. Plus, a conversation about Robbie Williams' documentary, The Buccaneers and a new book about Marvel. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the government rushed through legislation placing tough restrictions on more than 80 people who have now been released from indefinite immigration detention. Those detainees were released after the High Court last week upended two decades of immigration law, ruling that the indefinite immigration detention of non-citizens who can’t be deported was illegal. Debate around indefinite immigration detention flared as a broader debate about migration continued, amid concerns a record level of immigration was adding pressure to inflation and housing in Australia. Today chief political correspondent David Crowe and national affairs editor James Massola on the fallout from the high court decision and the broader conversation about migration in this country. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was big news at the time. In 2019, Australian Federal Police officers, wearing black suits and clutching briefcases, raided the ABC’s headquarters in Sydney before an array of journalists and photographers who were there to capture their every move. The AFP was investigating a leak of documents that formed the basis of a series of stories called the Afghan Files. The source of those documents was military lawyer David McBride, who faces jail time after he was charged with disclosing the confidential information. Today reporter Angus Thompson on the trial of David McBride, which began in court this week. And the question of duty and who it was owed to - the defence force, or the Australian public. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re now more than five weeks into the war between Hamas and Israel, and time is not on Israel’s side. At least in the realm of public opinion. As more and more people around the world cast their eyes on photographs from Gaza - of dying children and people trying to rescue their loved ones from rubble - the pressure on Israel to take steps towards a ceasefire grows. And it isn’t just from American president Joe Biden, who continues to call for Israel to explore “less intrusive action”. Or from Indonesia, which has begun exerting quiet pressure, behind the scenes, for Australia to take a harder line on Israel. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on this, and the results of a new poll which reveals, for the first time, Australian attitudes towards the war. And how it’s laying our principles bare. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, 10 million Optus customers woke to no phone or internet coverage. And then the problems dominoed from there. Melbourne’s entire train network came to a screeching halt, and phone lines to hospitals were down. Some people were unable to call triple zero if they needed to. For several hours, Optus’ CEO was also missing in action, and a two-line statement on the company’s website - that customers without internet couldn’t see - said Optus was “aware of an issue” and was working to restore services “as quickly as possible". Today, technology editor David Swan on getting to the bottom of what caused the 16-hour Optus outage ahead of the CEO's expected appearance before a Senate inquiry this week. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will there ever be peace in the middle east? And if so, how can it be accomplished? This is one of the great questions of our time. Multiple, deadly wars have been fought to try and achieve lasting harmony between people who have been divided for generations. It is at the heart of the latest atrocities that the people in Gaza and Israel have been suffering through, for more than a month. But the problem, says Dr Francesca Albanese, The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian Territories, is that everyone, from politicians to soldiers, have often been fighting for the wrong thing. Today, she joins Samantha to discuss what is needed to stop the seemingly unending suffering in the Palestinian territories, and Israel. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Anthony Albanese completed his first visit to China as prime minister - the first official top-level visit in about seven years. Greeting Albanese in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Australia and China have “worked out some problems”. Albanese said the pace of bilateral visits was increasing, and trade has begun to flow more freely between the countries. It’s a fresh start for Australian-Chinese relations, after a years-long diplomatic and economic freeze, which included disputes over China’s military threats towards Taiwan, the cases of several Australians detained in China, and the $20 billion in trade embargoes. Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe and north asia correspondent Eryk Bagshaw discuss the trip and what it means for the relationship going forward. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will retain "security responsibility" for Gaza, once the fighting stops. But when will that be? The war with Hamas is now in its second month. Thousands of Gazans have died, many buried beneath rubble, as a result of Israeli airstrikes. The living struggle to find food, shelter and water. For Palestinian-Australians like Samah Sabawi, a poet and a writer living in is Melbourne, it’s a nightmare. Sabawi has 75 family members in Gaza, where she was born. Today, she joins Samantha to discuss what her family is experiencing in the battle-strewn territory. And what Palestinians in Gaza think of Hamas. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.