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The trial of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins never reached a verdict – and Lehrmann still strenuously maintains his innocence.

When the most high profile sexual assault trial in Australia was called off, and any hope of a retrial abandoned, there was one question: how did it come to this?

The actions of one juror might have led to the mistrial, but there was more to the story: concerns about how the media covered the trial were followed by explosive allegations against the ACT police and how they handled the case.

Now, an inquiry is trying to get to the bottom of how justice failed to reach a verdict.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Claire Connelly, on the first week of stunning revelations, backflips and whether this inquiry can deliver answers.

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Claire Connelly.

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There comes a time when politicians say ‘enough is enough’ and they leave parliament.

Often they depart the stage without anyone really noticing, other times it’s worth pausing and marking their storied parliamentary careers.

That’s the case for Stuart Robert, who has called time on politics after 16 years – during which time he presided over the robo debt scandal, a bag of Rolexes, and made his name as Scott Morrison’s ‘brother Stewie’.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on the incredible parliamentary life of Stuart Robert and the last scandal hanging over his departure.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

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Since the budget dropped on Tuesday night, the Coalition and some parts of the media have begun to pick a very strange fight.

It’s over whether some of the most vulnerable in the community should really get more help than middle-class Australian households with two incomes.

It pits the two against each other and ignores a much bigger cost coming down the pipeline: tax cuts that will benefit the wealthiest Australians the most.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno on the strange politics at play and why there are bigger questions we should be asking.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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There’s one relationship the Liberal Party has always prized: its relationship with business.

Other support bases for the party have ebbed and flowed, but the party has always drawn from the ranks of corporate Australia, and advocated for their interests.

Now, strangely as the party finds itself in electoral crisis, its federal leader, Peter Dutton, is speaking out against heads of business on a surprising topic: the Voice to Parliament.

Today, former Liberal MP and contributor to The Saturday Paper Julia Banks, on how the Liberal Party is losing corporate Australia.

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Guest: Former Liberal MP, lawyer and leadership consultant, Julia Banks.

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Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a responsible budget, and one that helped Australians as costs soar.

There was some relief, but it wasn’t as generous as some advocates hoped.

So, has this Labor government threaded the needle, or did it avoid the most difficult challenges we face?

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton, on Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ first full May budget.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent, Karen Middleton

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Tonight’s budget promises relief for Australia’s single parents, who will receive extra income support until their youngest child turns 14.

It’s a reversal of a controversial decision made by the Gillard government. 

So does this signal a broader attempt to address the standard of living for the most vulnerable Australians? Or, is it a rare bit of relief in an otherwise tough budget?

Today, Finance Minister and Minister for Women Katy Gallagher on how her own time on the single parent payment shaped her views and what the government is doing about the housing crisis. 

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Guest: Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher.

Host: Scott Mitchell.

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If, over the weekend, you watched the coronation of King Charles, stood up in your living room and read out a pledge of allegiance – you were probably in the minority of Australians.

But that was the invitation from the palace in the lead-up to Saturday evening’s coronation ceremony.

So, how relevant is King Charles III? Is a republic now possible? And how quickly could another referendum be upon us?

Today, co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement and human rights activist Craig Foster on the coronation, Anthony Albanese’s decision to attend and the path to a republic.

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Guest: Co-chair of the Australian Republican Movement, Craig Foster

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Today, writer Quentin Sprague, with his piece from The Monthly. 

He examines the recent revelations of “white hands on black art” – reports of White gallery figures instructing and even working on the canvases of Indigenous artists – and examines how white Australia applies the idea of ‘authenticity’ onto the work of Indigenous artists.

Quentin will read his story, ‘White privilege and black disadvantage in the Aboriginal art industry’ after a short conversation.

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The economic news got worse this week, with the RBA unexpectedly raising interest rates and some dire economic forecasts.

So far, it looks like the economic assistance the government will offer in the upcoming budget will be targeted. It probably won’t raise JobSeeker — except for over 55s — and it’s unlikely to pause rising HECS debt.

So, after a decade or more of young people falling behind economically, will we see any help at all on budget night? And what are the political risks if the government doesn’t offer something?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the priorities going into budget night – and what Anthony Albanese is thinking as he visits London.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Missiles that can precisely target enemy forces 500 kilometres away are the future of the Australian defence forces, according to the recent defence strategic review.

What we are defending ourselves with today is woefully inadequate for our strategic circumstances, the review found.

But other big questions are emerging: how will we pay for the changes it’s proposing? Can we save money on purchases we’ve already agreed to? And how will our neighbours react to a more capable Australian military?

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on how military spending lost its way and the challenging path towards making our forces fit for purpose.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.

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