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The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition

Hosted by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 13, 202626 min

The melon story – Is the prime minister just really bad at saying sorry?

We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister. Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister. What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week. So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it? While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy? Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 12, 202617 min

In the Middle East is anyone – friend or foe – taking Donald Trump seriously?

Donald Trump has suffered a cascade of humiliations at the hands of Iran and Iranian allies in the last two weeks.But, according to international and political editor Peter Hartcher, humiliation is the least of Trump's problems now.In today's episode, Hartcher discusses the strikes from Houthi rebels over the weekend, which confirm a new front to this war. And the significance of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan creating a new pact, dubbed the 'Islamic NATO'.   The Morning Edition 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.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 11, 202618 min

Why car insurance premiums have gone up almost 50 per cent

Car insurance in Australia has leapt by nearly 50 per cent in the last six years and this week, the financial regulator blasted insurers for failing to adequately explain to customers why they have jacked up prices by so much.So what's behind the spike in premiums?Insurers talk about the cost of repairing cars these days and global volatility, but there's plenty of evidence that companies will reduce the cost if you threaten to walk.Today's guest, national consumer affairs reporter Elias Visontay, talks about the real reason premiums have risen so steeply, and what you can do about it.The Morning Edition 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.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 10, 202617 min

Kyle Sandilands' new show: Political, glitchy, uncensored

Kyle Sandilands commanded massive audiences on commercial radio before his now infamous sacking. And on Monday, his new subscriber-only live show was launched.It was the old Sandilands but even more uncensored, and with a political bent, featuring guests such as NSW Premier Chris Minns and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.So why do we care, and what does this new era of media – free of the rules of commercial radio – signify? And why would politicians appear on his show anyway?Today's guests are culture reporter Kayla Olaya and senior columnist Jacqueline Maley.The Morning Edition 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.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 9, 202621 min

Trump’s USA: Republican revenge and a Democratic Hail Mary

In a win that has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, an unabashedly left-wing epidemiologist has been chosen as the Democrat nominee to fight for a senate seat in Michigan in November.Some see it as a desperate move at a time when the Republican Party is moving full steam ahead to prosecute opponents such as Dr Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden's former COVID tsar, who was browbeaten just over a week ago in a heated Senate hearing.Today, North America correspondent Michael Koziol discusses why Democrats are gambling their ability to regain power in November on an insurgent who has argued for the US to cut military aid to Israel. And why Republicans are grilling Fauci on his decisions during the COVID pandemic.The Morning Edition 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.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 6, 202624 min

Immigration, gambling and big tech: Labor’s big policy push

This week on Inside Politics, we take a look at some of the major policy challenges facing the Albanese government – from migration numbers, to gambling-advertising reform and the news media bargaining code between Australian media and big tech companies. Joining host Jacqueline Maley are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods. Background reading: Coalition will force Albanese to cede ground on gambling reforms Needs work: Burke’s plans for migration overhaul delayed due to cabinet questions ‘Publicity-seeking extremists’: V’landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 5, 202624 min

An AI bust is coming. But when? And who will be hit hardest?

There’s a battle brewing over which country will lead the world in Artificial Intelligence, and the US has bet the house, economically, that it will be the winner. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on what previous infrastructure booms – such as the craze for building railways in the 1840s or the dotcom boom of the 1990s – tell us about where all this will lead, and which countries might be hit hardest in an AI bust. The Morning Edition 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. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods. Some background reading for you: It’s the new battleground for China v the US. But Beijing has one big advantage Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 4, 202613 min

‘Explosive’ evidence heard as Alan Jones’ trial begins

Is Alan Jones guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault? Or are the allegations against him - by six men - the result of treachery, desperation and opportunism, as Jones’ barrister has argued? Today crime reporter Clare Sibthorpe on the allegations aired in court, so far, in the trial of Alan Jones, which began this week. If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 3, 202619 min

Better sex life, mood and muscles, but there are risks to our testosterone obsession

It’s the latest health buzzword, proposed as a magic cure for everything from dementia to low libido. But is it safe, or even advisable, to take supplementary testosterone?  Today, we talk to Madeleine Heffernan on what the experts want us to know, and what this latest cultural obsession says about us right now.If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 2, 202618 min

What really happened to Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre

Virginia Giuffre was fearless in taking down some of the world's most powerful people. As Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent victim, she helped expose his crimes and hold his friends to account, including the man formerly known as Prince Andrew.But despite her heroic battle in the most notorious sex trafficking case of the 21st century, few knew about one of her toughest fights. It was one she fought privately, at home in Australia.Today, Good Weekend magazine senior writer, Melissa Fyfe, and WA Today reporter, Carla Hildebrandt, on their four-part investigative podcast, Virginia.And just a warning, this episode contains mentions of suicide, domestic violence and other content that may be distressing to listeners. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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