It’s starting to feel a lot like an election season.

In the last month, three senior government MPs have declared they will not contest the next election. There’s rumours of more to come. But as the prime minister flew through Queensland this week, he urged political watchers not to underestimate him.

Scott Morrison is determined to fight this election on the economy, arguing a Bill Shorten government would drive Australia into recession. The bottom line will certainly be top of mind for most voters, but as this stinking hot January draws to a close, another issue burns.

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Morrison's campaign heats up, as drought hurts the Murray-Darling

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

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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.

A shopping centre, a church and a city on edge

When Iran launched a direct missile and drone attack on Israel, over the weekend, it was the realisation of one of Israel’s worst fears. This was a historic first. And has always loomed as an existential threat.

For decades, Israeli leaders have feared a direct attack from its sworn enemy, which has been experimenting with its nuclear capabilities for around 70 years.
And now, much of the world is holding its breath, as it waits to see how Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu - a man not known for his military restraint - will respond. 

Today, political and international editor Peter Hartcher on whether this latest escalation could see the war in Gaza evolve into a much wider sphere of devastation. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran’s ‘proxy war’ with Israel is out of the shadows. What happens next?

After five years, one aborted criminal trial and millions of dollars in legal fees, Justice Michael Lee handed down his judgment in the defamation case that Bruce Lehrmann brought against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
Justice Lee found that Bruce Lehrmann had raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, and dismissed Lehrmann’s defamation claim.
The judgment, which was delayed at the 11th hour, was delivered in great, and at times colourful, detail.
The decision does not amount to a finding of criminal guilt. Lehrmann’s criminal trial was aborted in October 2022 due to juror misconduct and the charges were later dropped altogether owing to concerns about Higgins’ mental health.
Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on the extraordinary findings from an at-times squalid and politically and socially charged case, and what it means for everyone involved.
And, a warning for listeners, this episode contains repeated descriptions of sexual assault. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unpacking the extraordinary Bruce Lehrmann judgment

When news broke last week that one of the most powerful people at Seven Network allegedly tried to cover up an internal fraud investigation, the network suffered reputational fallout.
It’s just the latest scandal that has exposed the misogynistic, bullying and get-a-story-at-any-cost culture that has seemingly been thriving in pockets of the media company. Because, later today, a judgment is expected to be handed down in the multi-million dollar Bruce Lehrmann defamation case, which has also embroiled Seven in scandal.
But to see the issue as a problem suffered by one media organisation is to miss the point, according to investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, who broke this latest story.
Today, McKenzie, talks about what happens when journalists - the very people who are tasked with holding the powerful to account - allegedly engage in unethical behaviour.
And just a heads-up, this episode mentions sexual assault, self-harm and suicide. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morrison's campaign heats up, as drought hurts the Murray-Darling

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