Almost 20 years of NAPLAN data has revealed something shocking

Tony Abbott is one of our most divisive former prime ministers. Lauded in conservative political circles, and mocked outside of them.And now, after he was knifed by his own party as a first-term prime minister, and then lost his political seat, Abbott is back.Today chief political commentator James Massola discusses Abbott's selection as the new president of the Liberal Party and the risk, and reward, he poses to Opposition leader Angus Taylor.Background listening: Tony Abbott's interview on Inside Politics – On running for Senate, AUKUS and cultural ‘self-loathing’. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roughly 5,000 new electric vehicles are due to land this week from China. This is just the first part of a shipment expected from the Chinese car manufacturing behemoth, BYD. The company is due to ship another 25,000 EVs here this year. Australians are embracing electric vehicles more than ever before, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices. But it also comes with unanswered questions and potential complications. Today, North Asia correspondent Lisa Visentin discusses China's dizzying technological advances in EVs, and whether Australians buying these cars risk being spied on.Background reading ‘Made in China’ EVs are taking over the streets, but just how safe is your data? Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are officially in week two of budget backlash, and both sides seem pretty dug in. Today we’re talking about the disagreements about the capital gains tax - the most controversial part of the budget - and if, as some critics said, it will kill business aspirations. The other news that sparked our interest was the tantalising prospect of the Teal independents forming a party to consolidate their power in the face of a rising One Nation. Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gen Z in India are rebelling. Millions of young Indians have signed up to a movement that’s pushing against the unfair advantages that their elders have and they don’t. And though the political movement they've joined is satirical, the Cockroach Janta Party has the Indian government worried. Today international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses how serious a threat this movement is to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the other recent youth-led movements that have toppled governments. Background reading Peter Hartcher: 'Young people are revolting. India’s ‘cockroach’ campaign is just the latest example.'  Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State of Origin is rugby league’s night of nights, with Queensland and New South Wales battling it out for supremacy. But as the teams take to the field tonight, there’s a battle of a different kind taking place in the NRL as power swaps between the biggest names in sports administration - Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo. Today, national head of sport Neil Breen on the politics of the NRL, and whether too much power may land in the hands of one man. For more: 'Peter V’landys says the NRL needs ‘Superman and Jesus’ as CEO. That person will be Peter V’landys.' Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drugs and music festivals have gone hand-in-hand for decades. In recent years – especially since a string of overdoses – authorities have employed various strategies to try to curb drug use and avoid tragedies from occurring at festivals around the country.Depending on where festivals are held, music lovers have been subjected to various degrees of intervention – from having to run the gauntlet of sniffer dogs to intrusive strip searches. That is now changing.Today, culture reporter Kayla Olaya discusses the 3000 people who sued NSW Police last year over the legality of strip searches, plus we look at recent changes to the policing of drug use at large, live music events. Background reading Days of ‘going through a gauntlet of police lined with drug dogs’ are over, says a top cop. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a police officer who investigated sex crimes, Graeme Simpfendorfer was accustomed to helping victims on what might be the worst day of their life. He found meaning in tracking down the criminals who’d hurt them.But then came the day when he realised that he, too, was an alleged victim.The former detective sergeant – who appeared on the reality television show Hunted – talks about what happened when he decided to report his alleged abuse to police. And what it was like to experience the justice system from the other side.Today’s episode is hosted by Samantha Selinger-Morris.And a warning, this episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual abuse. Anyone needing support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 and Lifeline 13 11 14.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re officially in our budget backlash era, with claims of death taxes, of aspirations killed, and the outraged cries of crypto bros across the nation. Not to mention, of course, the genuine anxiety from regular small business owners and shareholders who are unsure of how all of these changes will affect them. Our guest this week is former Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, who is now the vice chancellor of the University of Canberra. Shorten knows a thing or two about such backlash, having taken changes to negative gearing and the  capital gains tax to not one, but two elections — 2016 and 2019. Hosting today’s conversation is Jacqueline Maley, alongside chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in China to meet Xi Jinping, days after the Chinese leader hosted US President Donald Trump. Will Putin gush over Xi, as Trump was accused of doing? Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher discusses the historic concessions Trump has made to China, and what Putin is hoping to achieve from his meeting.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s like clockwork. Every March, countless parents, children and teachers across Australia grip their foreheads, wondering about how their NAPLAN scores measure up. But now, a new study of our country’s national standardised scholastic test has revealed an unsettling trend. Today, education reporter Nicole Precel on the educational segregation that is thriving in Australia – and what it will take to fix it.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.