Women were once ‘essential’ to the Liberal Party: What happened?

It will go down as one of the most resounding victories in Australian political history. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese out-performed the expectations of just about everyone last weekend, decimating the Liberal party to the extent where even its leader lost his own seat. So, what next for Labor? As the caucus gathers in Canberra on Friday, we look at the new faces in the team and discuss which are the ones to watch. Also, we try to decide whether the teals have gone backwards or consolidated power with their results. Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe, and Political Correspondent Paul Sakkal join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the Liberal Party’s election wipeout, Liberals, and their media allies, have turned to sources of conservative wisdom, including Margaret Thatcher, in search of guidance.  But, as our political and international editor, Peter Hartcher, writes: “I haven’t seen any of them citing Thatcher’s 1975 observation: ‘In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman'." Today, Peter Hartcher joins me to discuss when the Liberal Party’s women problem first began. And whether the party is destined for extinction.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This election was always going to be the test for the Greens.  For the first time, there were more young people voting than baby boomers, and the previous election had shown there was strong support for the party from younger voters. And, the thinking had for so long been that any election after a Labor government’s first time, would be the party’s moment. So what happened to the Greens this election? Today, national affairs editor James Massola argues the Greens’ dream of more seats turned, instead, into a nightmare.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton was full of bravado at the final question time before the election, but hiding in plain sight was a campaign about to go off the rails. Today, political reporters Matthew Knott and Natassia Chrysanthos give the inside story on the demise of the Dutton campaign, and the recriminations that now follow.  Read their full story here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese has defied the so-called “Incumbency curse” and made history with his astonishing landslide over the weekend. But, as they say in politics: That’s nice. What’s next?  Might he finally tackle big reform? Perhaps try and solve our housing crisis, which has been generations in the making? And what else might he have in his sights? Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe, and senior economics correspondent, Shane Wright, on whether Anthony Albanese will avoid a common mistake made by previous prime ministers who’ve, like him, enjoyed a gargantuan win nobody saw coming. And what he plans to do not just in his second term as prime minister, but a third.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, that was quick, about two and a half hours after the polls had closed, the election had already been called for the incumbent Labor government. But as the night went on, Anthony Albanese’s win was looking like a landslide, and Labor increased its majority in parliament. For the opposition, it was disastrous, its leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat in parliament and recriminations will surely be savage. To talk us through the results and what it all means, we speak to chief political correspondent David Crowe and federal political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we bring you a special episode recorded in the south-west Victorian electorate of Wannon. The seat encompasses tourist towns from Lorne along the Great Ocean Road, to Warrnambool.  And who better to tell the evolving story of Wannon than our associate editor and special writer Tony Wright. He was born in Heywood, grew up on sheep and cattle properties in the Western District, went to school in Hamilton, started his career in small newspapers in Portland, Warrnambool and Camperdown, and still has a house near Portland.Our audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel joins Tony Wright on the road.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well, it’s finally here. Saturday is election day, and by Saturday night we will have some idea of who is going to govern Australia for the next three years, during this volatile and pivotal moment in global history.  Today, we talk about the seats to watch on election night, the ones that will determine the outcome of the poll.  And we will also zoom out to the bigger picture.  Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have depicted duelling visions of the Australia they want to build. They also have sharply different leadership styles.  Which one is the more appealing to voters in the current moment?  Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss all this we have chief political correspondent David Crowe, and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have your kids met Dot yet? You might not think so; Dot is an AI companion. But these companions are becoming ubiquitous - sought after to provide everything from solace to friendship. And even love. “The vibe”, said Dot’s creator Jason Yuan, “is, you turn to Dot when you don’t know where to go, or what to do or say.” But reports are surfacing of disastrous consequences from relationships that people, including children, are forming with AI companions.  Today, international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, on all of this. Plus Meta’s AI companion, which is capable of fantasy sex - and even the abuse of children.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring you this bonus episode today, on Wednesday April 30th, after the first day of what’s become known as the mushroom trial. This is the case that centres around a quiet country lunch that resulted in three people dead, and another fighting for life, after the food they ate contained - as a jury was told - death cap mushrooms. To tell us what unfolded in court today, we’re joined by The Age’s court reporter Erin Pearson.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.