Well, an election date has finally been called and we are staring down the barrel of a five week campaign before voting day on May 3.

Here -  from the newsrooms of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald - we’ll bring you our humble podcast twice a week for the duration of the campaign.

There’s going to be a lot of news around so we’re here to help you navigate your way through the barrage of information with the most trusted voices in Australian journalism.

Among them are national affairs editor James Massola, and federal political reporter Natassia Chrysanthos, who join Jacqueline from the Canberra studio.

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In this early episode of Inside Politics, we come to you soon after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton gave his budget reply speech on Thursday night, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese all but certain to call an election on Friday morning.

Did Dutton's speech, which moved to intensify the contest over household budgets, one-up the government's budget earlier in the week?

Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley dissects all the news with chief political correspondent David Crowe and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

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Does Donald Trump have an overarching plan? 

Lots of commentators have rejected this idea – Trump just does what he wants, when he wants, as the thought strikes him.

But, says international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, many of his initiatives, or desires, share a common narrative.

Today, Hartcher discuss how the United States, under Donald Trump, is becoming more like China. 

For more:
Day by day, Trump’s America becomes more like Xi’s China, Peter Hartcher, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

China Heritage, Geremie R. Barmé

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With a federal election just around the corner, has Treasurer Jim Chalmers managed to help ease our financial pain without going on a spending spree, which would inevitably lead to being blamed for fuelling inflation?

Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, speaks to Samantha from within the budget lock-up in Parliament House, on the surprise new tax cut for every Australian, whether those who are millennials or Gen Z (who together will make up the largest percentage of the voting population this year) are being helped disproportionately and who, if anyone, has been left behind. 

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Cosmetic injectables, like Botox and dermal fillers, are a boom industry in Australia and running alongside this is easy access to telehealth appointments, which have led some people to getting injectables after a consultation with a doctor that lasts only 52 seconds.

Today, senior reporter Henrietta Cook and investigative reporter Clay Lucas, on how often unintended and tragic consequences, like permanent blindness, can arise from these procedures. And whether this is an industry that is slipping through the cracks, in terms of adequate regulatory oversight.

Read the series on The Age and Sydney Morning Herald here. 

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For months now, American president Donald Trump has been saying that Canada should become part of the United States. 

At first, many treated it as a joke.

But now, as Canadians might say, the gloves are off. Its leaders have hit back, forcefully. And Canadian comedian Mike Myers sparked a viral social movement that has swept the country, after he appeared on Saturday Night Live, motioned to his arms, and mouthed the words: “Elbows up!”

Today, former Higher Commissioner to Canada, Scott Ryan, on just how much damage Trump can do to Canadian sovereignty. And whether his threats might help determine who becomes the next Canadian prime minister.

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Just as Treasurer Jim Chalmers puts the final touches on his pre-election budget, the local threat emanating from Donald Trump's global trade war is becoming clearer.

Labor is boosting Australia's subsidised medicine scheme, but US big pharma companies want to boost their profits down under.

Meanwhile Peter Dutton is under pressure to set out a clear platform before the May election, and next week will be one of his last big chances.

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From the relative comfort of our distant homes, it’s easy to look at the United States, and the grotesque inequality its people suffer and wonder: how did that happen?

But, it’s no accident. It’s by choice.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on the historical decisions made by American leaders that have led to this moment. And the perfect storm that president Donald Trump has created, to super-charge the inequality.

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A tax on tobacco has long seemed like a great idea, at least to the politicians who put them in place. It would deter smokers. And raise revenue at the same time. What could possibly go wrong?

Lately, a lot. Because gangland warfare over illegal tobacco has been ramping up in Victoria. In February, an innocent young woman was killed, after becoming trapped inside a townhouse targeted in a firebombing attack.

Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, on whether these unintended consequences will pressure the government to reduce its tobacco tax. And whether it can crack down on the illegal market, and the violence.

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These are the submarines that have launched a thousand ships, or rather, reams of news stories and hours of debate in parliament. 

Because they don’t just come with an eight billion dollar price tag. Each. They also come with some serious political baggage. 

They are the infamous nuclear-powered boats that we have signed on the dotted line to purchase through the AUKUS agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Our foreign affairs and security correspondent recently stepped inside one, in order to find out: are these submarines really that special? 

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