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When Scott Morrison’s government was swept from power in 2022 it was the Coalition’s worst election result in 70 years. The cities deserted them and they lost ground in every state, except Queensland.

The conventional wisdom was it would take Peter Dutton two terms in opposition to turn the Coalition's fortunes around, with a strategy of focusing on Queensland and regional areas this election before recapturing city seats in the next cycle. 

But that long-term plan has disappeared, with Dutton sharpening his immediate focus on the inner-city teal seats he thinks the Coalition can win.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on whether Peter Dutton can reclaim teal electorates with his brand of hardline conservatism.

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

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Just three days before his inauguration, US President Donald Trump announced a new venture into cryptocurrency.

Trump promoted the launch of the token, called ‘$TRUMP’, on social media, inviting his followers to join a “very special Trump Community.”

Within hours of going on sale, the price of the meme coin surged.

Trump has previously sought to cash in on his popularity, selling an array of merchandise including Trump-branded sneakers, fragrances, and even NFT trading cards.

But this newest venture raises fresh ethical concerns about profiting from an industry with deep ties to the incoming administration – one Trump himself has a hand in regulating.

Today, cryptocurrency and tech researcher Molly White on the billions Trump seeks to make off his ‘meme coin’, and the ascendancy of cryptocurrency in the Trump administration.

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Guest: Cryptocurrency and tech researcher, Molly White.

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Jannik Sinner is currently defending his title as the world’s best male tennis player at the Australian Open. But come April, he’ll be defending himself in another arena – the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Last year, the tennis world was shocked by revelations both Sinner and women’s world No. 2 Iga Świątek had tested positive for banned substances.

Their cases were resolved in private, raising concerns their high profiles and considerable resources gave them an unfair advantage when it came to dodging public scrutiny.

Today, sports journalist and author of the Substack “But Do You Actually Like Sport?”, Molly McElwee, on the twin doping scandals overshadowing the Australian Open.

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Guest: Sports journalist Molly McElwee

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Donald Trump will be president again by tomorrow, and he says “everybody” wants to be his friend. And while it might not be everybody, plenty do.

Trump’s broken the record for the amount of money that’s been donated to a US presidential inauguration fund, with $US200 million coming in from billionaires and companies all wanting time with him.

These funds are not just for throwing a party. The money can also be used in secretive ways and aren't subject to the same rules as campaign funds. 

Today, Public Citizen’s lobbyist on ethics and campaign finance, Craig Holman, on who is giving Trump money, and what they’re getting out of it.

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Guest: Public Citizen's Capitol Hill lobbyist on ethics, lobbying and campaign finance rules Craig Holman.

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For so many, Noni Hazlehurst is the patron saint of early childhood nostalgia, known for her magnetic presence on Play School. But Noni has had a long and storied career on stage and screen in Australia – from hosting Better Homes & Gardens to starring in the award-winning one-woman play Mother. On this episode of Read This, Noni chats with Michael about her new memoir, Dropping the Mask.

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This Sunday, Israel and Hamas are due to start a 42-day ceasefire in Gaza as part of a deal that could end the war.

The announcement has prompted thousands of Palestinians to celebrate on the streets of Gaza, where residents have had no reprieve from bombardments and ground battles since 2023. 

If the agreement holds, desperately needed humanitarian aid will reach the people of Gaza, many of whom are living in freezing tents in the middle of winter. Dozens of hostages, who have been held by Hamas, will return home to Israel.

Today, research director at The Washington Institute, Dana Stroul, who was the most senior civilian at the Pentagon focused on the Middle East when the war began. Stroul tells us how the deal was struck and how Trump and Biden each claiming the victory as their own obscures an unlikely alliance.

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Guest: Research Director at The Washington Institute Dana Stroul

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Outgoing Labor minister Bill Shorten has said he’s leaving politics at the end of the month confident with the state of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

As Minister for the NDIS, Shorten has been focused on making reforms to the scheme in an effort to reduce costs and ensure its sustainability.

But despite claims the government’s reform of the NDIS is focused on fraud crackdowns, a third of the savings will come from pushing children off the scheme.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on the children targeted in the NDIS crackdown, and the real intent behind the cuts.

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

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When Cathy McGowan won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2013, it sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The Liberal Party had lost what was supposed to be one of their safe seats.

At the time, McGowan was one of only two independents in the House of Representatives. 

In 2022, the Liberals lost six seats to independents, and at least 51 electorates across the country are currently planning to put forward a community backed independent in this year’s election.

Today, former federal MP Cathy McGowan on which major party candidates should be worried about their seats – and if there’s such a thing as too many independents in parliament.

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Guest: Former federal MP, Cathy McGowan

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In the past few weeks, Elon Musk has posted thousands of times on his social media platform X about British politics, the far-right activist Tommy Robinson and conspiracy theories over a decades-old sex abuse scandal.

Now, the British government’s agenda has stalled as the prime minister faces questions about the theories Musk has elevated. 

It’s a stark example of how the world’s richest man can influence politics in any country, and comes at a time when competitors like Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg are trying to copy Musk’s playbook.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Elle Hardy, on how Musk and Zuckerberg are reshaping the internet and democracy. 

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Elle Hardy

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The 2025 federal election campaign has already begun, even if unofficially. While most Australians are still enjoying their summer, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are already in fight mode.

For Labor, the stakes are high. To secure a second term, they’re hoping to reverse their losses in Queensland and regain popularity with an apathetic electorate. For the Coalition, it’s about regaining ground in suburban seats and capitalising on the government’s self inflicted wounds. 

Today, The Saturday Paper’s associate editor, Martin Mackenzie-Murray, on the “shadow campaign” already underway – and what Labor insiders say is the biggest threat to the government winning a second term.

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Guest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin Mackenzie-Murray

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