The share market meltdown of the last few days has left many Australians wondering how this will affect their superannuation.  

The consumer advocacy body Super Consumers Australia says some super funds haven't been up to scratch when it comes to dealing with their members, and keeping them informed.

• Guest: Xavier O'Halloran, Chief Executive, Super Consumers Australia
• Producer: Peter Martin

US President Donald Trump has kicked off the week threatening China with an additional fifty per cent tariff, doing little to ease global trade war concerns from rattled stock markets across the world.

While there was a temporary halt to Monday's downward slide after reports circulated that Mr Trump was mulling over a 90-day pause in tariffs for all countries except China,  the White House has rejected those reports as "fake news."  

• Guest: Steven Hamilton, Assistant Professor at George Washington University and a former Australian Treasury official
• Producer: Lexie Jeuniewic 

If you've been looking for a new energy provider, perhaps you've sought help from third-party utility connection services like My Connect.

But did you know MyConnect is owned by Origin Energy?

The consumer advocacy group CHOICE got mystery shoppers on the case and found time-poor Australians were steered towards Origin — even when it wasn't the cheapest option.

• Guest: Jarni Blakkarly, Investigative Reporter at CHOICE Consumers Group
• Producer: Briana Charles

In a statement to Radio National Breakfast, Duncan Permezel, General Manager, Consumer & Property — Retail, Origin says:

It is very important to Origin that we be appropriately clear about our ownership of MyConnect, which is why we reference this on most pages of the website.

All Origin energy plans offered via MyConnect, and other similar platforms, are priced at or below the VDO and DMO.

Meanwhile Hasan Ulker, Co-CEO & Founder, MyConnect says:

We are very proud to be part of Origin and believe it's important to be clear with our customers which is why we reference Origin's ownership of MyConnect on multiple pages of the website. If our team are asked about this, they should definitely be upfront about Origin's ownership.

Customers who come through our website are presented with three offers side by side, with reference to the relevant default offer for each clearly displayed, for customers to choose from and they are under no obligation to proceed.

Real estate agents are required to clearly communicate their existing relationship with MyConnect as part of the application process, including that their information will be passed on to MyConnect.

Even as inflation eases, household energy bills for most Australians continue to rise.

With the cost-of-living crystallising as a key issue for voters this federal election, Labor has unveiled a plan to cut the cost of household batteries by 30 per cent, while the Coalition is focusing on a gas reserve which they say will help lower prices. 

• GUESTS: Tim Buckley, Director of think-tank, Climate Energy Finance and Bruce Mountian, Director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre
• PRODUCER: Tim Skelton

Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred caused significant erosion to beaches along south-east Queensland and northern NSW.  

The Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate claimed that despite the damage, beaches would be restored by Easter. As we near the deadline, what's the reality?

• GUEST: Dr Tom Murray, research fellow in coastal management at Griffith University
• PRODUCER: Kelly-Anne Taylor 

Just months after opposing Labor's efforts to cap international student enrolments, the Coalition is now promising to cut international student numbers even further.

Peter Dutton is pledging to limit the number of international students able to start study in Australia each year at 240,000 places — 30,000 less than what Labor proposed.

• Guest: Vicki Thomson, CEO and Director of the Group of 8 Universities

The federal opposition is backing down from a fight over work from home policies, abandoning a decree that all public servants would need to work full-time from the office if the Coalition wins the election.

It comes after weeks of criticism from Labor who argued that women especially benefit from flexible working arrangements.

We're entering the second full week of the campaign and promises to ease the cost of living pressures, keep coming from both sides of politics.

Labor unveiled — at the weekend — a solar battery subsidy scheme worth $2.3 billion, saying it will reduce the price of batteries for homes and businesses by 30 per cent. At the same time, the Coalition has detailed plans for further cuts to the number of international students in Australia claiming it will help ease the housing crisis.

Food security is just as important as tanks and ammunition when it comes to Australia's national defence strategy,  according to a new report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

The report highlights the breadth and complexity of the challenges facing Australia's food security, including rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, climate-related shocks and deteriorating water security.

• Guest: Andrew Henderson, Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Principal of Agsecure
• Producer: Kelly-Anne Taylor 

As the world braces for the global trade storm in the wake of Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, many nations are looking to pivot and form new trade relationships.

Australia's Trade Minister, Don Farrell is preparing to meet with his European counterpart this week, sparking the question: could a Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the European Union be finally signed off?