Radio National Breakfast

Just days after meeting with G20 finance ministers in Washington, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has set the tone for the upcoming federal budget - promising ambitious tax reforms to boost productivity and reduce spending, while acknowledging the challenges ahead as the war in the middle east continues. 

• Guest: Aruna Sathanapally, CEO of The Grattan Institute 

US President Donald Trump is defending his middle east war strategy, describing critics as “traitors," as a second round of talks with Iran remains in doubt.

Iran is currently refusing to send a delegation to the talks in Pakistan, after the US Navy attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

The current ceasefire is due to expire tomorrow.

• Guest: Professor Kevin Rowlands, a former Royal Navy officer at the Royal United Services Institute 
• Producer: Pip Cook

US President Donald Trump says the U.S. military has taken control of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship by blowing a hole in its engine room. 

It comes after Iran reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has fired upon multiple vessels at the weekend, with no casualties reported. 

We dive into the state of the Strait with a former merchant mariner.

Then, we look at what this means for global oil markets, and how the diminishing supply of jet fuel could impact Australian airfares.

Then, there's lots to unpack with our federal politicians around the economic fallout of the Iran war. 

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has not only put pressure on fuel and fertiliser supplies, it's also had an impact on the supply and cost of resins used in plastic packaging.

Dairy producers depend on reliable packaging to get their perishable products on supermarket shelves.

So what does this all mean for milk prices? 

• Guest: Brad Weir, Chair of the WA Dairy Industry Working Group
• Producer: Katie McAllister

Artists and their works can leave a powerful impression. They can delve into controversial issues, ask questions and change minds.

One of Australia's most recognised contemporary artists --- who continues to do this — is Vernon Ah Kee.

His work challenges its viewers with its exploration of race, power, history and identity through Indigenous perspectives.

He is also one of the founders of proppaNOW, a collective of Indigenous artists in Queensland, championing a platform for urban Indigenous artists and reshaping what we understand Indigenous art to be.

Guest: Vernon Ah Kee, contemporary artist, co-founder of Indigenous art collective proppaNOW

The former boss of Queensland's corrective services is calling for an independent inquiry to be established into what he describes as systemic failures in the state's justice and corrections system.

It comes as Queensland's parliament returns this week with youth crime and harsher bail laws set to be high on the agenda — despite a recent report from the state government's statistician which found there were 16.7 per cent fewer youth offenders in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.

• Guest: Keith Hamburger, former director-general of Queensland Corrective Services Commission
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Radio National Breakfast contacted Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who said in a statement:

The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer through stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation, delivering a 7.2 per cent drop in the number of victims in 2025, while juvenile serious repeat offenders are down 17%.

The Premier's office also informed Breakfast that every youth offender now receives twelve months rehabilitation as part of our Staying on Track program, an increase from the previous government.

The Farrer by-election is three weeks away and will see The Nationals and the Liberals compete against each other. 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says the US navy has opened fire on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship which tried to get through the Strait of Hormuz. 

So with the Strait remaining closed, what does this mean for fuel supplies here in Australia? 

• GUEST: Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle 

The Alliance of Industry Associations is calling on all governments to cut red tape by 25% to help consumers and businesses amid surging costs, as the war in the middle east continues.

The group - which consists of 27 small, medium and large businesses, as well as universities - has made the call in a pre-budget submission.  

• GUEST: Mike Zorbas, Property Council of Australia CEO
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle 

US President Donald Trump says the US Navy has taken custody of an Iranian-flagged vessel that tried to get past the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post, the president says US forces have stopped the ship - by blowing a hole in its engine room.

The United States has kept a blockade of Iranian ports in place, while Iran lifted and then reimposed its own blockade at the weekend, firing on several civilian ships. 

• GUEST: Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

Economists - and motorists - have been nervously watching the Brent crude oil price spike above 100 US dollars a barrel in recent weeks as the Middle East conflict continues.

It's currently sitting around 90 dollars a barrel - but it's expected to surge when markets open today.

Meanwhile, jet fuel has also seen a significant spike since the start of the war.

Last week, the International Energy Agency warned airlines in Europe may have just six weeks left of supply - as local airlines Qantas and Virgin suspended and cancelled flights as their fuel bills soar.

• Guest: Justin Wastnage, Adjunct Industry Fellow at Griffith University's Institute of Tourism
• Producer: Jason Whittaker