Anthony Albanese’s $13 billion critical minerals deal with Donald Trump has been touted as a huge win – one that strengthens our relationship with our most powerful ally – and delivers massive US investment in our national interest.

But while Australia and the US talk it up as a blow to China’s stranglehold on these important commodities, questions remain about the cost: to our communities, to our environment, our health – and the economy.

Today, Professor Susan Park from the University of Sydney, on what’s actually in our critical minerals deal – and how Trump’s quest for rare earths will come at Australia’s expense.

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Guest: Professor of Global Governance in International Relations, University of Sydney, Susan Park

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Tech giants have invested billions into AI – and are looking for ways to get a return.

So when Microsoft offered its customers its new AI function “co-pilot” recently, it told them they’d need to pay a higher price for their subscription – or cancel. AI was now part of the deal, whether they wanted it or not.

Except it wasn't. Now, the ACCC is suing Microsoft – alleging they intentionally misled customers to make them believe they had to pay more. It’s part of a bigger campaign to crack down on big tech’s subscription tactics.

So can the regulator take on a 6 trillion dollar company and win?

Today, principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall on the ACCC’s David and Goliath battle to make Microsoft pay – and what needs to change to protect customers from tricky price hikes.

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Guest: Principle of Good Company Law Hannah Marshall

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When Joshua Brown was arrested for allegedly abusing children at childcare centers across Melbourne, it exposed a horrifying reality: patchwork regulation and an understaffed, profit-driven industry is failing children.

Months on, as state and federal governments try to deal with the fallout – and as the Albanese government pumps record investment into the early childhood sector – experts say children still aren’t safe in childcare.

Today, crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch on the tension between rapid business growth – and child safety – at the heart of the childcare sector.

And just a warning this episode discusses allegations of child sex abuse.

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Guest: Crime reporter at The Age Sherryn Groch

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The National Anti-Corruption Commission has over 200 employees, an annual budget of $60 million, and has received more than 5,000 referrals.

It also hasn’t made a single major corruption finding in the two years it’s been operating.

And adding to questions around performance and credibility, it was recently revealed that the NACC’s Chief Commissioner, Paul Brereton, has been consulting for the Defence Force while leading the federal watchdog – which has oversight of the ADF.

Today, journalist Nick Feik on the missteps and mismanagement of the NACC, and whether it has any hope of regaining public trust.

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Guest: Journalist Nick Feik.

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When Anthony Albanese met with Donald Trump, the two leaders cut a deal on critical minerals worth $13 billion.

And as we settle into a new phase of the relationship with our most important ally – this is Australia’s crucial bargaining chip, as the US tries to break China’s grip on the supply chain of critical minerals.

China’s global domination has been in the works for decades – a grand plan that gives China ready access to materials essential for everything from fighter jets to wind turbines. It also gives Beijing extraordinary leverage over Western economies and defence forces.

Today, columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs Ian Verrender, on China’s long game on critical minerals domination – and the old pile of mining waste in Western Australia which could upend it.

This episode was originally published in July 2025.

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Guest: Columnist for Australian Foreign Affairs, Ian Verrender

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Barnaby Joyce has announced he would not recontest his seat of New England, saying his “relationship with the leadership of the Nationals in Canberra has unfortunately, like a sadness in some marriages, irreparably broken down”.

People are now guessing whether his flirtation with One Nation will turn into marriage.

So does the former Nationals leader belong in Pauline Hanson’s party – and will he be any happier there?

Today, journalist and founder of Rampart News, Joe Aston, on whether this is the end of Barnaby’s turbulent career in politics – or the start of a new chapter.

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Guest: Journalist and founder of Rampart News, Joe Aston

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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“We are in this together… we’ll play some more soon.”

That’s what Prince Andrew wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 – the day after a photo of Andrew with accuser Virginia Giuffre hit the papers.

The email undercuts the prince’s claim that the two had cut ties in 2010, and is part of a new stream of documents surfacing as US Congress releases tens of thousands of pages from the Epstein files.

And as the revelations about Prince Andrew keep coming – he’s now dropped his titles and royal honors.

Today, reporter and author of The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Lucia Osborne-Crowley, on the scandals enveloping Prince Andrew, and whether we should expect more to come out about people in Epstein’s orbit.

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Guest: Author of The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, Lucia Osborne-Crowley

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When Professor Christian Downie appeared before a Senate inquiry into climate and energy misinformation, he warned that Australia is facing coordinated campaigns designed not to debate climate solutions, but to stall them.

Professor Downie has spent years inside boardrooms and the lobbying world studying how these campaigns are built – tracing the billions spent on messaging by lobby groups, PR firms and think tanks – and outlining what he calls “the climate obstruction playbook”. It’s a strategy refined in Washington and increasingly echoed in Australia.

Today, Professor at ANU’s School of Regulation and Global Governance and Director of the Governing Energy Transition Lab, Christian Downie, on how the obstruction playbook has been so successful in stopping action on climate change.

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Guest: Professor at ANU’s School of Regulation and Global Governance and Director of the Governing Energy Transition Lab, Christian Downie

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