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For someone who’s been accused of breaking an election promise, Anthony Albanese isn’t hiding.

The prime minister and his front bench have been out selling their new tax cuts, giving interviews and addressing the National Press Club.

So what makes the government confident they’ve made the right call? And how does it set up the political chessboard for the first week of parliament?

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on Anthony Albanese’s biggest call and how he made it.

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

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2024 will be democracy’s biggest year. 

Over four billion people will head to the polls, with major battles in the United States, India, South Africa and Indonesia.

One person watching this closely is Anne Applebaum. She was calling out authoritarianism spreading around the world while western leaders were still shaking hands with Vladimir Putin. 

So, where could the world’s politics be heading? 

Today, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and writer for The Atlantic Anne Applebaum, on democracy’s biggest test and how it can survive.

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Guest: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and writer for The Atlantic, Anne Applebaum

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The ABC has started the year fighting off accusations of racism, unlawful dismissal and a failure to protect journalists from outside attacks. 

The case of Antoniette Lattouf’s sacking, a description which the ABC denies, has ignited a debate about the broadcaster’s editorial policies, its coverage of the war in the Middle East and its vulnerability to external lobbying and pressure. 

So, are the policies, the reporters, or the leaders to blame for the ABC’s problems?

Today, associate editor of The Saturday Paper Martin McKenzie-Murray, on the generational divide emerging at the national broadcaster.    

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Guest: Associate editor of The Saturday Paper, Martin McKenzie-Murray

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Last weekend’s decision by the International Court of Justice was heralded as a victory by many.

South Africa and the Palestinian Authority saw it as a vindication, as orders have been made to prevent any genocidal acts in Gaza and the ICJ will move towards a full trial.

Others heralded it as a win for Israel, with the court refusing to make an order for the end of military action against Hamas.

Today, expert in international law and Professor of Law at the University of California Davis Chimene Keitner, on what the ICJ really considered and what their interim decision means.

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Guest: Expert in international law and Professor of Law at the University of California Davis Chimene Keitner

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The Labor government promised it would return transparency to government once elected at the 2022 election. More than anyone else that mission was given to the new first law officer of Australia: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

So how has he measured up to Labor’s promise?

Today, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, on his essay in the new edition of The Monthly and his vision of a more honest Australian government.

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Guest: Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus.

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The stage three tax cuts the Labor government said they’d deliver will be altered and now be of greater benefit to lower and middle-income earners.

What does the change mean for all of us? Is there such a thing as a good promise to break? And does this decision signal that Anthony Albanese is taking a new approach to being prime minister?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on what to make of the big changes coming to our pay packets.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Surrounded by what we know as the Kakadu National Park, the Northern Territory’s Ranger Uranium Mine finally ceased processing in 2021, after nearly 50 years of operation. 

With the mine now closed, Kakadu’s traditional owners are seeking that the government make good on the original promise of a national park in their care.

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Guest: Writer and photographer Anthony Ham

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This year, the attempt to whip up nationalism over January 26 has taken a different turn.

While politicians and the media talk about pride in celebrating Australia Day, many businesses and cultural institutions are moving ahead with not recognising a holiday that celebrates colonisation.

So is the culture war actually failing? Is the debate over? And in the shadow of the referendum defeat, what is the state of the push for justice for Indigenous Australians?

Today, writer and host of The Mission on 3RRR radio Daniel James, on what this year’s debate about January 26 tells us about the direction of the country.

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Guest: Writer and host of The Mission on RRR radio Daniel James

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All over the world, humanity is rushing to regulate the development of artificial intelligence.

Now, the Australian government has announced its first steps toward controlling the development of AI. But is it already too late? And do we really understand what the risks are?

The technology is advancing at such a fast pace that some examples are becoming indistinguishable from real life.

Today, Professor Toby Walsh, author of Faking It, on whether Australia is going far enough to regulate AI and the consequences of getting it wrong.

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Guest: Author of Faking It, Professor Toby Walsh

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For years, Gabriel Shipton has been desperately advocating for the release of his older brother, Julian Assange. 

It’s a fight that may have nearly reached its end. Next month, Julian Assange has one final chance, to request an appeal of his extradition to the United States.

If it fails, medical experts insist Assange will take his own life. 

Today, Gabriel Shipton on his brother’s last shot at freedom. 

Warning: this episode discusses suicide.

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Guest: Filmmaker and brother of Julian Assange, Gabriel Shipton

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