The Front

Today on The Front’s afternoon headlines: Usman Khawaja opens up about the 2018 sandpaper scandal in his new autobiography, accusing teammates and Cricket Australia of dodging responsibility. Plus, food prices could surge by seven per cent as suppliers grapple with soaring diesel and labour costs. And, rock legends including Jimmy Barnes are begging the Prime Minister to block AI companies from using Australian art and music without pay. Read more at theaustralian.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JD Vance thought he had a Donald Trump-endorsed golden ticket to the White House - but after the Republicans got hammered in the midterms, it looks more like golden handcuffs. So can JD still be president? And with the Democrats riding high, could Kamala Harris really try again? Or is it time for someone else to have a go? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Democrats seize US congress in massive backlash against Donald Trump Republicans eye break from toxic Donald Trump agenda What a Democratic congress means for Trump’s foreign-policy agenda Commentary by Cameron Stewart: Republican midterm disaster signals beginning of the end for Donald Trump MAGA era Commentary by Cameron Stewart: JD Vance scrambles to protect 2028 presidential ambitions as Trump suffers midterm wipe-out Commentary by Greg Sheridan: How Donald Trump crushed the Republican Party and handed power to US Democrats This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our theme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine: the ‘bloody buddy comedy’ taking on the Oscars.Senior reporter Sarah Elks joins host Claire Harvey on The Front to break down one of the most talked-about films of the year. Set in 1973 on the eve of Pinochet’s takeover of Chile, Wild Horse Nine follows two CIA agents—played by John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell—who find themselves on assignment on Easter Island. With a stellar cast including Steve Buscemi, Parker Posey, and Tom Waits, the movie blends dark comedy, high-stakes political intrigue, and existential questions about mortality and redemption. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. How a $500 cheque from the ABC helped launch a Hollywood heavyweight - by Sarah Elks Martin McDonagh has been telling the same story for years. Is the joke wearing thin? - by Nikki Gemmell How woke politics are reshaping the Oscars - by Rosemary Neill The weekend edition of The Front is co-produced by Claire Harvey and Jasper Leak. The host is Claire Harvey. Audio production and editing by Jasper Leak who also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accused double murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon admits he’s responsible for his ex-boyfriend’s death – but claims it was a tragic accident.  He’s pleaded not guilty to two counts of domestic violence-related murder and one count of aggravated break-and-enter related to the 2024 deaths of TV presenter Jesse Baird and his partner, flight attendant Luke Davies. Plus, Helen Haines condition is ‘stable’, and 90-year-old woman becomes Bondi massacre’s 16th victim.  Read more:  Accused cop killer Beau Lamarre-Condon says he ‘didn’t want to’ kill ex-boyfriend Jesse Baird Helen Haines condition changed to 'stable' 90-year-old Eva Geller dies from medical complications after being shot during Bondi terror attack  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private equity, foreign owners, terrible service, real estate missteps, angry landlords and bemused customers: David Jones died a slow and ugly death and now we’re asking: can anyone revive this 18-year-old legacy retailer? The Australian's DataRoom columnist Bridget Carter has been breaking all the scoops and joins Claire Harvey today.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. ASX rallies; David Jones landlord Vicinity reviewing earnings guidance The brutal private equity playbook behind David Jones’ demise David Jones collapses into administration after private equity owner runs out of cash The Front is presented by Claire Harvey. Jasper Leak is The Australian’s audio lead. Our team also includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon is giving evidence in his own defence in his double-murder trial.  He’s pleaded not guilty to murdering TV presenter Jesse Baird and Baird’s partner, flight attendant Luke Davies, at Baird’s Paddington sharehouse in 2024.  Read more:  Accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon testifies before his double-murder trialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech heroine Melanie Perkins calls Canva’s massive 1,200-person layoff a "refounding" of the tech unicorn. But behind the PR spin and a strict new return-to-office mandate lies a harsher reality: the threat of AI disruption, flattening growth, and a significant valuation haircut. In this episode of The Front, Claire Harvey is joined by The Australian’s resident billionaire expert John Stensholt to cut through the spin. Is Canva’s era of innocence officially over, and what does forcing remote workers back into a $130m Surry Hills headquarters reveal about the tech industry's future? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey with Jasper Leak, and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou and Tiffany Dimmack. Jasper Leak composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has lost control of the Senate and the House of Representatives in the United States midterm elections, with results flowing in throughout the coming hours. The Democrats have easily retaken the House and are on track for a much larger than expected victory in the Senate. Trump - who told voters to behave as if his name was on the ballot - now says it’s not his fault. Read more:  Donald Trump, Republicans lose House, Senate to Democrats Democrats surge towards stunning sweep of congress Trump to Mideast: You’re on your ownSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did a Bombardier Learjet 60 plunge 32,000 feet a minute into a Florida road? Aviation writer Robyn Ironside joins Claire Harvey to break down the final, chilling air traffic control audio and examine the severe online attacks on the late 20-year-old co-pilot Nathalia Filgueiras. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. We’re out of time: co-pilot’s haunting final message $2 million Learjet crashes in Florida, victims namedIce, turbulence: How the disaster happened This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our theme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Point of Law won the Melbourne Cup by a country mile - and rates went up just as everyone expected them to. In fact the only surprise this afternoon is that three members of the Reserve Bank Board voted against putting the cash rate target up to 4.85 per cent, revealing some controversy inside the board about whether they can  slow inflation without wrecking the economy. Listen now to The Front’s afternoon headlines.  Read more:  Rate rise ‘to address domestic capacity pressures’, RBA governor Michele Bullock says $170bn black hole ahead of rate call that stops a nation RBA risks a 90s-style slump as rate hikes struggle for traction Point of Law wins after Robbie Williams rocks FlemingtonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.