The Front

Busted-up radio duo Kyle and Jackie O will appear in court on the same day, Steve Jackson reveals today. Plus, how Seven’s Liam Bartlett successfully got cranky Energy Minister Chris Bowen dancing to his tune. Jacko is with us for all the latest Media Diary news.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Jackie O claims bosses ignored her cries for help Which Nine stars will follow Stefanovic to ARN?  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the show Hedley Thomas and wife Ruth Mathewson can agree on: Apple TV’s Tehran - the spy thriller with a big human heart. The action is relentless, the protagonist gorgeous, and the storylines are eerily reflective of events playing out in the Middle East conflict.  Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

Israel will negotiate directly with Lebanon about disarming the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, with representatives to meet in Washington for talks next week. Plus, a key deadline in the Gaza peace deal looms. Read more:  Trump warns Iran against tolls in Strait of Hormuz; Israel to start talks with Lebanon Hamas refuses to hand over weapons as deadline loomsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Absurd, ridiculous, insane, offensive, fantastical - and that’s just Donald Trump’s words. As for his actions, our Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan reckons Trump has miscalculated, alienated his allies, strengthened Iran’s evil regime - and is now starting to look like a pirate himself.  Read Greg Sheridan’s commentary at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Shootin’ starts again if no deal Scepticism aside, it’s difficult to see a strategic triumph here for the West Donald Trump’s clearest Iran pitch was still full of contradictions This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our theme. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Joshua Burton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An application by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann for special leave to appeal the outcome of his defamation action against Network Ten has been thrown out by the High Court. Plus, a fledgeling ceasefire deal between the US and Iran is on shaky ground.  Read more:  Bruce Lehrmann suffers crushing court blow as High Court knocks back appeal on Brittany Higgins defamation findings Iran offers alternative route to Hormuz ships; PM unveils deal for more petrol, says truce must include Lebanon Trump weighs punishing certain NATO countries over lack of Iran war supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nasty surprise for digital disruptors as the AI revolution sideswipes companies like Canva, which themselves helped transform the economy and wipe out whole categories of work. So - is Canva actually making money? And can it survive the giant shift in tech?  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Canva’s $1 billion losses over three years The List: Australia’s Richest 250 (2026 edition)  Check out The List: Australia’s Richest 250 editor John Stensholt’s work here This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strait of Hormuz will reopen for two weeks as Iran agreed to a ceasefire deal on Wednesday – but the regime warned it’s a temporary pause in hostilities, not a permanent end to the war. Plus, Gina Rinehart lashes Ben Roberts-Smith arrest and Commonwealth lawyers seek more time on Naveed Akram brief of evidence. Read more:  Ceasefire doesn’t cover Lebanon, says Netanyahu; PM attacks Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric Gina Rinehart slams prosecutors over BRS war crimes charges Lawyers need more time to review ‘voluminous’ evidence against Naveed AkramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians know him as the affable mining billionaire Twiggy - but is Andrew Forrest living a double life as a top-level diplomatic powerbroker? Our North Asia correspondent, Yoni Bashan, spent a while at the court of King Twiggy and joins us to discuss this charming, confounding character. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Moving beyond mining, Andrew Forrest is trying to broker peace between superpowers Fossil fuels a ‘weapon of war’ Forrest warns global CEOs at the the China Development Forum Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest takes aim at powerful Beijing-backed entity battling with BHP 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 music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Victoria Cross recipient who has always denied being a war criminal has been arrested over five alleged war crimes murders, including two he’s accused of committing himself. Today - the case against Ben Roberts-Smith, and how he will defend himself.  Read more:  Roberts-Smith faces life in prison if convicted  War crimes prosecutors will face challenges convicting Ben Roberts-Smith Hanson: I won’t abandon BRSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only now is it becoming clear how Iran has survived the combined might of the US and Israeli military for over a month: cast underground tunnel systems, packed with fuel, drones and missiles. Our reporter Shokoofeh Azar is here.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Revealed: Iran’s secret missile ‘megacities’ that are ‘built for war’ Open the Strait: Trump’s foul-mouthed warning Inside story of US colonel’s incredible rescue behind enemy lines This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war in Iran has yielded its most dramatic survival story yet, with the United States pulling off a high-stakes rescue mission for a fighter jet crew member who was shot down by Iranian forces.  Read more: US aviator has been rescued How elite US forces survive behind enemy lines Trump’s foul-mouthed threat to IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parents are busy hiding them, kids want all of them. But for author Charlotte Ree, she’s freezing them. It’s Easter and we’re talking about eggs - and how these little ovoid shapes can take on a whole different meaning to single women in their 30s.  Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

The UN Security Council will this weekend vote on a bid by Bahrain to use “defensive” force in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, part of Blake Lively’s claim against Justin Baldoni is dismissed and property prices wane.  Read more:  UN Security Council to vote on authorising force in Hormuz Iran drafts plan with Oman to charge ships for Strait of Hormuz passage Bowen delivers update on petrol station shortages Blake Lively’s harassment claim against Justin Baldoni dismissed, but the trial goes on Sydney and Melbourne to lead housing downturn as interest rate rises spook buyersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has declared the war with Iran a, quote, “decisive, overwhelming victory”, and says America’s objectives in the Middle East are nearing their conclusion. Read more:  Donald Trump says US objectives in Iran ‘nearing completion’ in address to Americans Premiers strike deal to turn GST windfall into petrol cut Alleged Bondi shooter Naveed Akram’s bid to hide family’s identity denied by judgeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The promise of ultra-productive workplaces fuelled by AI giants and big data centres is very tempting for government - but in return, AI companies want a copyright law change to allow them to hoover up art, music, Indigenous heritage, architecture and pretty much everything else for free.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Labor signs MoU with AI giant Anthropic that wants Aussie creatives’ work for free What Anthropic really wants from Australia AI giant Anthropic says 'exploring' Australia data centre investments ‘Days ahead won’t be easy’: Anthony Albanese addresses the nation on the Iran War fuel crisis This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Joshua Burton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two weeks, and the US is out of the Iran war: that’s Donald Trump’s blunt message. So why are there 50,000 US military personnel in the Middle East? Plus, sources say slain fugitive Dezi Freeman was shot more than 20 times in a dramatic shootout with police. Read more:  UAE willing to join the war; Albanese to address the nation on Iran crisis Is Trump planning a ground invasion on Good Friday? Dezi Freeman looked like ‘Swiss cheese’ after police shot him 20 timesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows e-cigarettes likely cause lung and oral cancers, and scientists are urging vapers to quit now instead of waiting for disease to develop. What does it mean for Big Tobacco and the new generation of vapers? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Human biomarkers already showing vapes likely cause cancer, study finds This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She’s supposed to be a star witness for broadcaster ARN in its dispute with fallen star Kyle Sandilands - but now Jackie ‘O’ Henderson is taking Fair Work action against the company, seeking $82 million.  Read more:  Jackie ‘O’ sues ARN for $82m Trump tells aides he's willing to end war without reopening Hormuz Make-up empire Mecca fined nearly $600,000 for lodging late financial reportsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $2.6 billion taxpayer-funded fuel crisis ‘solution’ sees Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese flick the switch to spending - but does anyone believe the Government can stop the panic? And why aren’t we rationing fuel?  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Deeper reading: Calls to avoid ‘nanny state’ solutions The Premier who wants to tap ‘sea of oil’  More analysis from Geoff Chambers  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 music.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A cop-killer shot dead while brandishing a dead officer’s gun: the dramatic end to ‘sovereign citizen’ Dezi Freeman’s violent life.  Read more right now at theaustralian.com.au:  ‘Coward’ Dezi Freeman shot dead by police Inside the hunt for a man on the run From the archive: Why our journo always believed Freeman was aliveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson will be called as a witness to claim that Kyle Sandilands subjected her to a prolonged campaign of bullying and harassment - an allegation Sandilands will strongly deny. Steve Jackson’s here with the scoop - plus networks Seven and Nine fight legal claims by their own staff.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Read The Diary in our weekly Media section here Audiences abandon ABC as repeats replace nightly news Explosive full details of Sandilands’ claim This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Tiffany Dimmack.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s like something out of Indiana Jones - art curators scrambling to save priceless artworks as bombs rain down. When it comes to casualties of war, the most confronting are human, but what about the cultural soul of a nation, with collections valued into the billions also being in the firing line?  Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

Sacked radio superstar Kyle Sandilands is seeking to fast-track his legal action against ARN after it tore up his 100 million dollar contract. Plus, the Pentagon weighs sending ground troops to the Middle East and a landmark ruling against Meta and Google. Read more:  Sandilands arrives for court showdown with ARN Pentagon weighs sending 10,000 more troops to Middle East Facebook owner Meta, Google to appeal ruling it was negligent in harming childrenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our richest men are loud and proud with their opinions about government policy and everything else. But why, when we have record numbers of female billionaires, aren’t the women as prominent?  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Find this year’s list at richest250.com.au Gina Rinehart leads the 37 women who control $140bn of Australian wealth Inside the secretive empire of White Fox founders and their $429m fashion phenomenon New billionaire Pamela Wall’s plans to give away her entire Codan fortune This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey with Kristen Amiet, and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed an alleged gunman at Bondi Beach on December 14, has been given ‘keys to the city’. Plus, growers’ dire fertiliser warning and Qantas puts the big planes to work as Euro summer approaches. Read more:  ‘Desperately short’: fertiliser the new fuel as farm crisis hits Qantas adds 1400 seats to Europe by swapping planes on US and domestic routesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can’t make plastic without resins derived from oil - and now the Iran war is making resin scarcer and much more expensive.  That means (you guessed it) the price of everything that comes in plastic - so, everything - is about to go up. Our retail expert Eli Greenblat is here.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Global packaging crisis threatens to drive up cost of everyday essentials This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s ambassador to Australia suggested a fuel-for-LNG swap could be on the cards if Australia’s supplies dwindle. Plus, a former Cannon-Brookes executive denies misconduct and ABC staff walk off the job. Read more:  Japanese ambassador signals fuel-for-LNG swap to secure Australia’s energy supply Fuel rationing not on government's agenda: Bowen Executive denies leaking data, claims he was directed by Annie Cannon-Brookes ABC staff strike across Australia, forcing flagship news programs off airSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She says she’s still the same - but One Nation’s Pauline Hanson has shifted her persona, policies and language to meet the moments. Dennis Shanahan is here for a conversation full of unexpected laughs.  Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Hanson lands $100,000 pay increase and demands doubling of staff  Pauline Hanson demands more staff after $100,000 pay rise from minor party status Climate change department and large-scale renewable projects on Pauline Hanson’s post-SA hit list Pauline Hanson hasn’t changed, the times have caught up Matt Canavan may be the right’s greatest threat to One Nation This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our theme. Our team also includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Details are emerging about how an Air Canada passenger plane collided with a fire truck at one of America’s busiest airports. Plus, ARN’s share price plunges amid Sandilands court claim and Witkoff sets off for talks with Iran. Read more: What happened at LaGuardia Airport? How the Air Canada crash unfolded Full details of Kyle Sandilands’ $100m deal with ARN laid bare as explosive legal battle erupts Witkoff travels to Pakistan for Iran talks as Trump delays strikes, says Tehran wants to make a dealSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.