Radio National Breakfast

The federal government has temporarily banned an Australian citizen with links to the Islamic State group from returning home from Syria.

For those who do return, what security measures are in place? 

• GUEST: Peta Lowe, Principal Consultant at Phronesis Consulting and Training and former Director, of Countering Violent Extremism for Juvenile Justice in the NSW Department of Justice
• PRODUCER: Eddy Diamond 

The Opposition has criticised government spending, after new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed Australians' pay rises have not kept up with inflation over the 12 months to December.

The Coalition front bench now includes Victorian MP Tim Wilson as Shadow Treasurer and Tasmanian Senator Claire Chandler as Shadow Minister for Finance.

• GUEST: Claire Chandler, Shadow Minister for Finance
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show wages are failing to keep up with inflation, despite a bump in the December quarter.

The Opposition has criticised the government's spending, saying workers' "real wages" are going backwards.

• GUEST: Daniel Mulino, Assistant Treasurer
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

Australia's low debt status is being threatened; with the combination of federal and state debt heading towards levels not seen since World War Two.

That's according to analysis from the e61 Institute, an independent economic think tank.

e61 says major tax reform and spending restraints are needed, warning that debt could reach 37% of GDP in the next two years.

• Guest: Michael Brennan, CEO of the e61 Institute 
• Producer: Tyler Hall

Australia's Muslim community has welcomed the start of Ramadan with an evening of prayer, amidst rising rates of Islamophobia and as the debate around immigration intensifies. 

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson faced widespread criticism this week for suggesting there were no good Muslims in Australia. 

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman says public figures like Senator Hanson must be held responsible.

• Guest: Ola Hamed, Mayor of Cumberland City Council
• Producer: Grace Stranger

The debate around migration levels looks set to intensify, as the federal opposition prepares its immigration policy.

Earlier this week the opposition leader Angus Taylor said a new immigration policy is needed that, "raises the standards and reduces the numbers."

Meanwhile, in the construction industry, there are concerns not enough skilled migrants are being brought in, to keep up with housing demands.

• Guest: Jackson Taylor, Principal Lawyer at Roam Migration Law
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Ukraine has made its largest battlefield gains in more than two-and-a-half years, retaking more than 200 square kilometres of it's territory from Russia last week.

That's according to a report by the news agency Agence-France Presse, which used data from the Institute for the Study of War.

It comes as the latest round of United States-brokered peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow ended in gridlock overnight.

• Guest: Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian MP and Chair of the country's Foreign Affairs Committee
• Producer: Pip Cook

An independent UN Commissioner has responded to PM Anthony Albanese's insistence that the Australian government will not help the families with links to Islamic State trying to return home from Syria. 

Mr Albanese told the ABC this week that "if you make your bed, you lie in it".

Independent UN Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin told Radio National Breakfast, ""these women are victims too, and their children are absolutely victims." 

"They didn't choose their beds, their beds were made for them."

Hear the extended interview in the Breakfast Wrap.

Then, we rememberr the life and legacy of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, who's died at the age of 84. 

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

Treasury Wines, the country's biggest winemaker, has posted a 649 million dollar half-year loss, as weak sales in China and the US bite hard.

But it's not the only company under pressure.

Global wine consumption has been declining for years as younger generations drink less and competition from non-alcoholic alternatives re-shape demand.

• Guest: Kym Anderson, Emeritus Professor at the University of Adelaide and Executive Director of the Wine Economics Research Centre 
• Producer: Tyler Hall

It's likely that most of you listening would never have seen, or heard, a regent honeyeater.