This week’s budget shows AUKUS is getting bigger.

The government is putting more money into the agencies, workforce and infrastructure needed for nuclear-powered submarines.

But the deal still relies on the US agreeing to sell them to Australia, and on a Trump administration that has already reviewed AUKUS through an “America First” lens.

And as the program grows, the public still knows very little about what Australia is trading away to keep it alive.

Today, former Director of War Studies for the Australian Army, Dr Albert Palazzo, on the secrecy around AUKUS – and the US military expansion on Australian soil.

This episode was originally published in December 2025.

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Guest: Former Director of War Studies for the Australian Army and adjunct professor at UNSW, Dr Albert Palazzo

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After Labor handed down its fifth budget, Anthony Albanese spent the week answering one question: had he broken his promise?

The government wanted the budget framed as a fairness agenda built around changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and trusts, and a pitch to younger Australians locked out of housing. Instead, the immediate political fight became whether voters could trust the prime minister.

But the noise around broken-promises obscures deeper conversations about what the housing tax changes will actually deliver, the omission of a gas export levy, and the tens of billions of dollars being cut from the NDIS.

Meanwhile, Angus Taylor’s budget reply showed where the Coalition wants the argument to go next: migration, welfare and net zero – as One Nation surges in the polls.

Today, Cheek Media CEO and host of Big Small Talk, Hannah Ferguson, on the ambition, compromises and contradictions in Labor’s budget – and what young voters are being asked to accept.

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Guest: Cheek Media CEO and host of the Big Small Talk podcast, Hannah Ferguson.

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Senator David Pocock has been one of the fiercest advocates for the You win some, you lose more report, known as the Murphy Review, and its recommendations to reduce the harms of online gambling.

It took the Albanese government 1,049 days to formally respond to the landmark inquiry that called for urgent action to reduce gambling harm, including a phased ban on gambling advertising.

When the government did finally release its response this week, it was hidden on budget day and stopped well short of that central recommendation, prompting anger from advocates and crossbenchers who say the government has failed to meet the scale of the problem.

Today, Senator David Pocock on the government’s handling of the Murphy Review, the power of the gambling lobby and why he says the response shows a failure of political leadership.

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Guest: Independent senator David Pocock

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It's a case where the art has been overshadowed by the drama.

The star of Australian film The Deb, singer Charlotte McInnes, is suing Australian actor and director Rebel Wilson for defamation.

Over two weeks of hearings, the court was told about smear campaigns, hacked Snapchats, and the central claim: that Rebel Wilson lied about her star actress.

Rebel is accused of being a fantastical liar who orchestrated a ‘complete revision of history’. She maintains she’s telling the truth – and that she’s a whistleblower who supports women.

A judge is deciding which version of events is true – with a decision expected any day.

Today, senior reporter at The Daily Telegraph, Nathanael Cooper, on the trial, the movie, and the consequences for everyone involved.

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Guest: Senior Reporter at The Daily Telegraph, Nathanael Cooper

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The housing market – and young people without rich parents being locked out of it – has dominated dinner table conversations for years.

This budget the Albanese government decided to try and do something about it: limiting negative gearing and replacing the capital gains tax.

So what difference will that make and how long will it take for anything to change?

One person who can help answer those questions is Stephen Koukoulas.

He’s been an economist for decades, including as Senior Economic Advisor to then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

He’s seen first hand how these tax policies have shaped the housing market and how reversing them has seemed impossible.

Today, economist Stephen Koukoulas on the future of housing in Australia.

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Guest: Economist, Stephen Koukoulas

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It was a budget framed around fairness for workers and for young people locked out of the housing market.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ fifth budget restricts negative gearing – though not for anyone who was already doing it – while also promising to increase housing supply and deliver a $250 tax cut for workers.

Chalmers wants the budget to be seen as ambitious – but is it?

Today, press gallery journalist Karen Middleton, on what the Treasurer is promising - and whether it delivers.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist, Karen Middleton

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Tim Tams and Tiny Teddies aren’t usually the stuff federal court cases are made of, but product by product, dollar by dollar, the ACCC has been building its case against supermarket giants Coles and Woolies over what it claims were fake discounts.

Now, both cases have wrapped and the judge is reviewing the evidence.

With inflation and grocery prices soaring, the timing couldn’t be more crucial.

Today, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, Greg Jericho on the case against the supermarket giants, and its implications for Australian shoppers.

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Guest: Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, Greg Jericho

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It’s something Pauline Hanson has been eyeing for years – and on the weekend, she finally got it: a seat in the lower house.

Her candidate for Farrer, David Farley, did even better than expected: he was elected on 57 per cent of the vote.

It changes things not just for Pauline Hanson and One Nation, but for the country.

Today, contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, on the power of populism right now, and what One Nation wants next.

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Guest: Contributing editor for the New Daily, Amy Remeikis

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