It’s the beginning of another slightly strange sitting week in Federal Parliament, as Canberrans get to enjoy being some of the few Australians in the east not in lockdown.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has woken up to yet another poll today showing just how much damage the vaccine rollout has done to him politically.

On this episode of Please Explain, national affairs editor Rob Harris joins Tory Maguire to discuss what the political stage might look like after the vaccine effort fully ramps up.

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Lockdown politics: does the PM’s plan involve more than just spin?

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Earlier this week, the woman at the centre of the mushroom deaths case that captured the attention of the country, attended court for the second time.
Erin Patterson was arrested and charged in November last year with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in the small-town Victorian case tracked around the world.
Legal teams are now focusing their efforts on the timing and location for a committal hearing, which could be impacted by a request from Patterson’s legal team to have the case tested in front of her peers in a local court.
Patterson has already spent five months in custody, and may spend many more waiting for a hearing that could be pushed out to 2025.
Today, crime and justice reporter Erin Pearson on everything we know so far, and what we can expect next. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why accused killer mushroom cook doesn't want case heard in Melbourne

After seven months of war in the Middle East, the world again held its breath when news emerged that Israel had struck inside Iran.
This followed an unprecedented attack by Iran on April 14, when it launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli military targets.
What appeared on Friday to be a major response from Israel, and a signal of potentially a significant escalation in the region, then gave way to conflicting reports and confusion.
So what actually occurred, and what might happen from here?
Today, digital foreign editor Chris Zappone on the history of tension between Iran and Israel, a proxy war, and what both sides seek to gain from conflict. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missile strikes, confusion and tension: What’s happening between Israel and Iran?

Last week, Donald Trump became the first current or former US president to face a criminal trial, charged with falsifying business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Allegations he has denied.
The first hurdle of the trial was jury selection, but finally, a 12-person panel was sworn in.
But it took laborious vetting by the legal teams to get there. Prospective jurors took themselves out of selection because they professed they couldn’t be impartial, while a rigorous survey of candidates included questions such as: Have you ever read the ‘Art of the Deal’ or attended a Proud Boys rally?
Today, US correspondent Farrah Tomazin on the highlights from week one, and what to expect from the next six to eight weeks. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lust, power and hush money: In court with Donald Trump

The past week has seen two shocking stabbing attacks by lone actors in Sydney - one in the city’s east, and one in its west. 
Both incidents have horrified the community, but the attack against a Bishop at an Assyrian Christian church on Monday evening has prompted a particularly strong political response. 
These two destabilising events represent a test of Australia’s social cohesion, and a test of our political leaders’ capacity to nurture tolerance within the community at a time of great international tensions. 
Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is political correspondent Paul Sakkal, national security correspondent Matthew Knott, and chief political correspondent David Crowe.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Politics: Politicians tested in the wake of Sydney stabbing attacks

It was scarcely more than 48 hours after the tragic attack in Bondi Junction when across town in Sydney, another confronting incident was unfolding.
During a service that was livestreamed at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the suburb of Wakeley, a teenager allegedly attacked Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
The attack, which has now been declared an act of terror, sparked chaotic and violent scenes outside the church, where hundreds of people rioted and clashed with a heavy police presence.
Today, investigative reporter Patrick Begley on what we know about the attack and the trauma and fear felt across Sydney. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lockdown politics: does the PM’s plan involve more than just spin?

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