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Today, Anthony Albanese is set to end his isolation and return to the campaign trail after he tested positive for Covid-19 last week. 

As he returns to campaigning in-person, the cost of living has become an even more pressing election issue.

New inflation figures show prices are 5.1 per cent higher today than they were this time last year – which could mean interest rates are raised in the middle of an election campaign.

And in the midst of this China has signed a deal with the Solomon islands, which could see a Chinese base built in the South-Pacific.

Today, to analyse all the latest events, we’re joined by:

Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton,

Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno,

Election analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue

Guests: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno and election analyst from The Tally Room, Ben Raue.

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This election, one person is having more of a say than anyone else when it comes to the political advertising Australians are seeing everyday.

That person is Clive Palmer.

And he’s not only outspending the major political parties by a significant margin, he’s also got a huge personal say in the ads he’s putting onto billboards and TV screens.

That’s because he writes them all himself. 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton on the rise of Clive Palmer and what he is trying to get out of his election advertising blitz. 

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

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In the Northern Territory, there’s a youth detention centre that has been subject to multiple reports, complaints, and a Royal Commission. 

That commission recommended it be shut down, but children as young as 10 years old are still being held there, with reports of minors having been locked inside their cells for 23 hours a day.

Today, journalist for The Saturday Paper, Esther Linder on the grandmother who is fighting for the closure of the Don Dale detention centre. 

Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Esther Linder.

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As the election tightens, there is a very real possibility that neither major party wins the 76-seat majority they need to govern in their own right.

If this happens, they will have to convince independents and minor party representatives in the lower house to join them and form a minority government.

For independents in this scenario, it’s an enormous choice – who do they support, what do they ask for, and who do they make prime minister?

Today, we speak to someone who has made that choice, former Independent Tony Windsor, on how to navigate a hung parliament and how Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese would act in those negotiations.

Guest: Former independent MP, Tony Windsor.

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Earlier this year, Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame went to Canberra together.

The day before, Prime Minister Scott Morrison had delivered an apology to people who had worked at federal parliament, who had been subjected to sexual harassment, assault and bullying.

What Ms Higgins and Ms Tame said at the National Press Club was a devastating indictment of Australia’s political institutions, and as this election campaign continues, it is well worth revisiting.

That’s why today we are spotlighting our episode from February with Rachel Withers, contributing editor to The Monthly, on the week that Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame went to Canberra.

Guest: Contributing editor to The Monthly Rachel Withers.

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With a crucial deadline now passed, Liberal candidate Katherine Deves will almost certainly remain the Coalition’s pick for the seat of Warringah. 

That’s despite her transphobic comments, and the concern expressed about them from senior Liberal figures.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Katherine Deves controversy and how it looks to the independents who could be shaping up as kingmakers.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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The Vote is your essential guide to the 2022 election. We’ll bring you original reporting from around the country, interviews with political candidates and the sharpest analysis from the campaign trail. Building on the reporting of The Saturday Paper and The Monthly, episodes of The Vote will come to you in your regular 7am feed. Hosted by Ruby Jones.

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On the campaign trail, Anthony Albanese struggled to say whether he would change the way people are appointed to the Australian Human Rights Commission. In fact, he didn’t know who the most recently appointed commissioner was.

The reason he was being asked about it though, was because the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions recently threatened to downgrade Australia’s Human Rights Commission to a ‘B’ status.

Today, The Saturday Paper’s national correspondent Mike Seccombe on the state of the Human Rights Commission and what a downgrade would mean for Australia’s voice on the world stage.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Hillsong Church’s growth and success has faltered in recent years.

Founded by Brian Houston in New South Wales, the global megachurch has outposts in 30 countries, including the United States. But mounting scandals at home have led Brian Houston to step aside and now, sensational allegations of misconduct in its US operations have been made public.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on how the leadership of the megachurch has entered a phase of panic and recriminations.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

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Two years ago, the High Court made a landmark decision that prevented the deportation of non-citizen Aboriginal Australians. 

Now, the federal government is seeking to overturn that decision after a man, Shayne Paul Montgomery, used the case to successfully challenge his deportation.  

Today, lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Kieran Pender, on the case of Shayne Montgomery, and concerns around the potential politicisation of the High Court. 

Guest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Kieran Pender.

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