When we think of where our tax dollars go, we aren't likely to imagine they’re being sent to companies that have been linked to suspected arms and drug smuggling, corruption or bribery.
But this is what a new inquiry has found. Specifically, that multi-million dollar government contracts, for the offshore processing of asylum seekers, have been granted to companies that have been suspected of links to serious crimes.
How could this happen? In the very government department - Home Affairs - that was created only seven years ago to unify our intelligence agencies, so they could function better? 
Today, investigative reporter Nick McKenzie on the systemic failures that led to this situation. And what it will take - after two similar inquiries in the last year alone - to make sure it never happens again. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick McKenzie on how crooked companies made millions from offshore detention

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.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

Government

Daily News

The government handed down its third federal budget this week, and it was the usual blizzard of figures. 
Treasurer Jim Chalmers gave us hand-outs, grand plans for the future and some heroic predictions on inflation figures. 
Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe and national affairs editor James Massola join Jacqueline Maley to unpack the budget as a political document - will it help the government win the next election, and will the voting public believe all the promises made about the future of the economy?
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: Has the government written an election winning budget?

As global outcry continues for the war in Gaza to end, after more than seven months, Hamas and Israel have reached an impasse. Recent ceasefire talks failed. And both sides are struggling.
Much of Hamas’ fighting forces have been killed. And Israel’s main ally, the United States, just made the remarkable step of beginning to limit its supply of arms to the country. So, where to from here?
Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on how this war can end, when both sides now know that it’s unwinnable. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netanyahu and Hamas know this war is unwinnable. So how does it end?

It was always going to be a particularly tricky federal budget. Amid a cost-of-living crisis, the Albanese government had been tasked with providing relief to Australians, but without causing inflation to rise. Which would have the dreaded impact of leading to yet another interest rate rise.

So, did treasurer Jim Chalmers nail his brief? And what are the government’s priorities? Is it women, those suffering amid the housing shortage, and students with debt, as it had previously promised, among others? And who’s been left in the cold?

Tonight in a special episode recorded in the lock-up in parliament house, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on the main winners and losers of this year’s budget. And if this budget is really an early election pitch for the Albanese government. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 - are you a winner or a loser?

In the case of Elon Musk versus Australia’s E-Safety Commissioner, the billionaire owner of social media platform X had a win in court on Monday.
A temporary order that forced the site to remove videos of the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney last month, was lifted ahead of a trial showdown between the tech giant and the Australian regulator.
The court case has reopened debate about how much control a government can exert over these tech companies, but also, whether age restrictions should be placed on social media use. 
Today, federal political correspondent Paul Sakkal takes us inside this court case, and how governments across the world are using tech to implement age controls. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is Elon Musk fighting with Australia's internet watchdog?

About two weeks ago, a council in Sydney’s west voted to ban books about same-sex families.
A former mayor and current councillor led the charge, brandishing a book he said his constituents complained about. Though he hadn’t read the book himself, he claimed residents wanted their kids kept safe from “sexualisation."
The motion prompted immediate outrage, including from the NSW Arts Minister, who said when civilisations turn to burning books, or banning books, it was a very bad sign.
Today, state political editor Alexandra Smith on what wider implications this local decision could have for all Australians.
To read Smith's full opinion piece click here.
Other audio used in this episode include from:

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
MSNBC
Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick McKenzie on how crooked companies made millions from offshore detention

Download our free app to listen on your phone