Young Australians are struggling to justify how much it's costing them to fill up the tank. 

Around the country, fuel prices have risen above $3 a litre, with some servos running out of both petrol and diesel. 

The government's main response so far has been to halve the tax that's put on every litre of fuel, and to encourage people to take the bus or the train where they can. 

So will this work? 

Because right now, drivers are still paying way more than they were before the conflict in the Middle East started. 

On the deep dive this week, we hear your stories of the fuel crisis, and chat to the Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson about what the Coalition would be doing differently. 

We also ask him about the Coalition's policy on the mounting calls for a profits tax on Australia's gas exports. 

Guests: 

• Tim Wilson, Shadow Treasurer 

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Nearly three years after a major report calling for a ban on gambling advertising, the Prime Minister has finally announced proposed reforms. 

But advocates have slammed the announcement and reckon it doesn't go far enough. 

Plus, we hear from someone who's been travelling around the country to speak with some of Australia's most vulnerable young people.

Why? To get them to write letters directly to the Prime Minister.

Listen now:

01:00 - Gambling ad reforms

19:24 - The message Satara wants the PM to hear

Guest: 

• Mark Kempster, anti-gambling advocate, Alliance of Gambling Reform
• Kate, whose name we've changed to protect her identity
• Josh, whose name we've changed to protect his identity 
• Satara Uthayakumaran, Australian 2025 United Nations Youth Representative 

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Satara Uthayakumaran has had a busy year. 

She's not only been juggling study with caring responsibilities, but has also been travelling Australia as our 2025 Youth Representative to the United Nations. 

As part of her trip, Satara has spoken to some of Australia's most vulnerable young people — including those behind bars, in remote communities, and many who have never felt they have a voice. 

Satara asked the young people she met to write letters to the Prime Minister ... so what did they say? 

In this week's long listen, Satara tells Dave about her travels, the most inspiring people she met, addressing the United Nations, and her own message for the PM. 

Guest: 

• Satara Uthayakumaran, Australian 2025 United Nations Youth Representative 

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Is Iran winning the war? Donald Trump reckons the US will leave the conflict "very soon", so is America preparing to cut its losses? 

And one (more) giant leap for mankind: the first phase for nuclear power on the moon is underway. 

Plus, we unpack the "don't be a jerk" laws designed to stop Aussies getting stuck in subscription traps.

Listen now: 

01:15 - Donald Trump tells America's allies: get your own oil 

05:45 - Who's winning the war on Iran?

15:25 - What are the "don't be a jerk" laws? 

24:40 - A moon landing 50 years in the making 

Guests:

• Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow, Defense Priorities 
• Chandni Gupta, deputy CEO, Consumer Policy Research Centre 

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Why are 150+ musos calling for changes to gas tax? And does the government really collect more money from beer than from gas exports? We're unpacking the big gas tax debate dominating Canberra. 

And 18 year olds are officially adults when it comes to wages in Australia. What changes will it make to the young workforce? 

Plus, as young people decide whether to stick with farming or throw in the towel: can drones and bots sway their decision?

Listen now:

01:08 - The changes to young adult wages explained

07:57 - The gas v beer tax debate

13:58 - What David Pocock thinks Australia should do next

24:55 - The ag tech convincing young farmers to stay

Guests:

• David Pocock, independent senator for the ACT
• Dan Ziffer, business reporter, ABC

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The soaring price of petrol is up-ending young Austalians' lives, many cancelling plans and, as we hear today, even quitting their jobs. Fuel should drop by 26.3 cents a litre after the government halved the fuel excise but will that provide the relief people need?

And 7 months after killing 2 polices officers and vanishing into bushland, Dezi Freeman has been shot and killed in a stand off with police in north-east Victoria. Where has he been and how did police find him? 

Listen now: 

01:00 - What is the government doing about petrol prices?

17:00 - How Dezi Freeman was found and killed

Guests: 

• Tim Wilson, Shadow Treasurer
• Dr Vince Hurley, former police officer and criminologist, Macquarie University

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There's a group of young Aussies trying to make bush doofs legit. 

Doofs are massive with partygoers, but they're also known for pissing off the neighbours and giving local authorities a headache. 

Police and councils have been cracking down on doofs for years over noise complaints and public safety concerns. 

But what if you could actually get your bush doof approved? 

On the deep dive this week we hear from a group of young people in regional Western Australia who are determined to legitimise the doof.

So can you really turn the forest into a proper nightclub?

And what could that mean for Australia's live music scene? 

Guests: 

• Dr Mike Callender, researcher in electronic dance music, RMIT University

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Easter road trips cancelled, jerry cans raffled off instead of meat trays and thieves draining fuel tanks: we hear how the "biggest energy crisis in history" is impacting you.

And Chappell Roan has addressed another controversy surrounding her treatment of fans, insisting she does "not hate children". 

Plus, social media is full of videos of AI fruit kissing, dating, fighting and cheating. Is it the reality TV parody we all need or proof AI slop has gone too far? 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by Mamamia's Gemma Donahoe and creator Flynn Martin.  

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• Listen to our deep dive wherever you get your podcasts 
• Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

Are YouTube, Instagram and Facebook harming us on purpose? A US court finding says: yes. So will there be any consequences from the massive jury verdict last night?

And Medicare owes 1 million Aussies money. We get into why, and what to do if you're one of them. 

Plus, meet the woman walking the length of the world. 

Listen now: 

01:06 - Taking on Meta and Google

12:13 - Getting your Medicare money back

17:17 - Walking the Americas

Guests: 

• Cam Wilson, technology reporter, Crikey
• Lucy Barnard, world walker

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Donald Trump threatened more strikes against Iran, but overnight he backtracked on his deadline. So what happens now? And with shortages and talk of lowering the speed limits to save fuel, we ask: is Australia in more of a mess than we should be?

And it's 1,000 days since a report into the dangers of gambling advertising was handed down. So why hasn't the government done anything about it? 

Plus, a cheeseboard, a picnic rug and a headstone: meet the people having picnics in cemeteries. 

Listen now:

01:14 - Why gambling ads still aren't banned

12:37 - Trump's deadline backflip

17:30 - Why the fuel crisis leaves Australia so vulnerable

25:00 - Cemetery picnics

Guests: 

• Saul Kavonic, senior energy analyst, MST Financial
• Mark Kempster, anti-gambling advocate, Alliance of Gambling Reform

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