The Front

Keir Starmer knew Lord Peter Mandelson was closely connected to Jeffrey Epstein, but made him the UK’s ambassador to Washington DC anyway. After the shocking sucking-up of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, could the Epstein scandal destroy a Prime Minister too? 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 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.

“Wholly unsatisfactory”: that’s a coroner’s verdict on the actions of a psychiatrist who took Bondi Junction killer Joel Cauchi off his medications five years before he stabbed six people to death while suffering a psychotic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 A passionate young woman with strong views about Palestine: Lauren Lancaster is unknown outside student politics, but the former University of Sydney student representative council president, who’s condemned Israel for ‘ethnic cleansing’, is the daughter of Richard Lancaster SC, the senior counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. 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 and edited by Lia Tsamoglou.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In new court documents former Prime Minister Scott Morrison faces new accusations he froze out and victimised a senior staffer after the rape of Brittany Higgins. It comes from Fiona Brown - whose career was destroyed by false allegations from Higgins that she tried to cover up the rape. Now Brown says in a statement of claim lodged with the federal Court that the former PM’s top advisers gagged her and that she felt ‘frightened and intimidated’ by Morrison’s actions.  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 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 Reserve Bank of Australia has put the cash rate up for the first time in two years. As mortgage rates follow suit, we explore the thinking behind the central bank’s unanimous decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Treasurer says it’s not his fault. The Reserve Bank has been caught napping. But it’s clear we are spending too much and going too slow on housing - and that’s why the RBA’s under huge pressure to lift the cash rate today. Economics editor Matthew Cranston is here with some straight talk. View an edited transcript of this episode, plus photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. 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 assistance from Lia Tsamoglou and edited by Jasper Leak. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton. Jasper Leak also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s been on the run for six months since allegedly shooting dead two police officers in Victoria’s High Country, and now police are saying the so-called ‘sovereign citizen’ is likely deceased. . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No honking. No blaring engines. No exhaust. The Chinese government has crushed Beijing’s incredible noise pollution, in response to residents’ despair, with a combination of incentives and strict new rules. North Asia Correspondent Yoni Bashan is here.  Read Yoni’s story - and see the video - by subscribing to our YouTube channel and checking us out at theaustralian.com.au and our app, available in your app store.  This episode of The Front is produced and presented by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timothee Chalamet, Gen Z’s only movie superstar, is Oscar-worthy as Marty Mauser - a relentless, charming and often-times horrible hero in a film set in post-WWII Jewish New York.   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.

A national crackdown on gun ownership is in jeopardy, with Anthony Albanese struggling to get the states and territories to sign up to his gun buyback, aimed at getting weapons out of the community. Today - what’s the problem? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are we allowed to say in the office these days - if we show up at all? As courts thrash out work-from-home rights, the battleground just got a lot more colourful, with a banker taking Federal Court action to defend his right to f-bomb. This story’s live now at theaustralian.com.au, along with all Australia’s best journalism.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Jasper Leak.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton. Jasper Leak also composed our theme.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor - plus a phalanx of senior Liberal right figures - held a summit on Thursday to work out who can roll Sussan Ley for the leadership, but couldn’t agree. So - where does that leave Ley ahead of Parliament’s Monday resumption? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump calls it a ‘beautiful armada’: an American aircraft carrier group now pointing its missiles directly at Iran. But will Trump actually strike - and how would Iran’s terror proxies, Hezbollah and the Houthis, react? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

Headlines: A new take on second-amendment rights from Donald Trump, as he dramatically scales back ICE’s immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. Trump’s move follows ICE agents shooting dead two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who was legally carrying a firearm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Muslim community must keep the wolves from their flock, says Scott Morrison in a sweeping new proposal to crack down on antisemitic hate speech. We analyse the big new idea from the former Prime Minister - and explore how it fits into his feud with Anthony Albanese.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

The Front’s afternoon headlines: A magistrate has denied bail to Sydney man Brandan Koschel, 31, who allegedly made an antisemitic speech at a March for Australia rally on Australia Day, charged under NSW’s new hate speech laws. Plus, police in Western Australia investigate whether a homemade explosive device thrown at a rally was an act of terror, and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli backs a federal ban on burning the Australian flag. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Nine baffles its staff by allowing Karl Stefanovic to launch his own rival show, the beancounters are about to become all-powerful at rival network Seven, where the billionaire Stokes family wants out. So what happens when accountants jump in the driver’s seat of media organisations? Media Diary editor Steve Jackson is here. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

Today's afternoon headlines from The Front: at Australia Day rallies across the nation, chants of 'Intifada' and scuffles between rival protestors. Plus, the heat is on Liberal leader Sussan Ley as two senior colleagues, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor, refuse to offer public support for her leadership amid a party crisis.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sussan Ley says she’s confident she’ll be leader of the Liberal party when parliament resumes next month. Plus, Osaka apologises after heated exchange and Australians sweep Oscar nominations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition has split again and Sussan Ley’s leadership is hanging by a thread. So, how long has she got – and will she jump or wait to be pushed? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nationals leader David Littleproud announced his party is walking away from the Coalition for the second time in less than a year. Plus, Australia remembers Bondi and Trump walks back his tariff threat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s longest-running writers festival was sensationally cancelled after a controversial author was axed from the line-up. Is bringing her back next year the right thing to do? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has downplayed tensions with NATO leaders, but didn’t rule out taking Greenland by force. Plus, rebel Nats await their fate and David Beckham responds to Brooklyn’s rant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The President claims the United States needs to buy or take the Danish territory to stop China or Russia from moving in – but is it a bad deal? The Australian’s Washington Correspondent Joe Kelly crunches the numbers. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a lengthy Instagram post, 26-year-old Brooklyn Beckham accused his parents, Victoria and David, of trying to “endlessly ruin” his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz. Plus, Eraring power station to run for two additional years and the government’s hate speech laws pass the lower house.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry returns to England’s high court for what may be the final time this week. Could it open the door to reconciliation with his royal family? Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with family members of the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack following the opening of an extraordinary parliamentary sitting. Plus, European leaders hit back over Trump’s Greenland tariff threat and One Nation surges in the polls.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian’s National Editor Dennis Shanahan says the Albanese government can redeem itself after weeks of flat-footedness and confusion by outlining clear intentions for its Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unsalvageable. Rushed. Too far. Not far enough. Everyone’s got something to say about a bill designed to curb antisemitism and prevent another tragedy like the Bondi massacre. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Kristen Amiet, produced by Lia Tsamoglou and edited by Josh Burton. Claire Harvey is our regular host and our team also includes Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was supposed to be a glorious Islamic revolution, but since 1979 Iran’s regime has brutally repressed its own people and sponsored terror around the world. Today, foreign editor Greg Sheridan on the future for a regime that wants to destroy the US and Israel - and deeply fears them.  We’re covering this story live at theaustralian.com.au and The Australian’s app. 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.

Former talkback superstar Alan Jones is fighting serious charges in the local court. Today, media diary editor Steve Jackson joins us to discuss how the trial will unfold and how legacy media, especially radio, are coping with a drastically reshaped landscape. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mecca is a billion-dollar Australian cosmetics empire with legions of devoted fans, thanks to a genius loyalty scheme. Its founder Jo Horgan, one of the country’s most celebrated entrepreneurs, has a message of female empowerment. But Mecca’s also had to deal with women - customers and staff - questioning what the business is really all about. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s won here more than anywhere else – but will the 2026 Australian Open mark the end of Novak Djokovic’s monumental career?  Read more about the Australian Open, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Rees died after allegedly being left on tropical Lizard Island by the Coral Expeditions cruise company late in 2025, even after a historic tragedy that was supposed to make tropical adventures safer. Then the same ship was stuck on a reef off PNG - and passengers are left wondering if anything will change.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Patterson, the mushroom murderer, has always denied deliberately poisoning four elderly relatives - and she’s indicated she will appeal her conviction on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. The Australian’s Ellie Dudley joins us to look ahead to the appeal, and Patterson’s life behind bars.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody does hilarious advice like the Brits - and nobody does sanctimonious girl-talk like the Californians. Today, we recommend some great podcasts to catch over summer, and some you can safely avoid.  This episode of The Front is hosted by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Andrew has always denied participating in the sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre - but her powerful memoir cost the former Duke of York everything. Today, our reporter Paige Taylor reflects on covering the last days of Giuffre’s troubled and too-short life.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.  Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did Yayoi Kusama - a recluse who lives in a psychiatric facility - become the world’s biggest-selling artist? Today we reflect on the most significant presentation of Kusama’s work, a blockbuster NGV show that drew 600,000 visitors - and what Kusama has planned next. Plus, Donald Trump reshapes the global order with the military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and Claire Harvey 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.

A devilishly difficult New Year job awaits Israel: how to deal with a fractured, degraded - but still seriously dangerous Shia Muslim guerrilla movement in Yemen, just south of Saudi Arabia. It’s the Houthis - a deeply anti-Semitic terror movement with nothing to lose and the capacity to catastrophically disrupt international trade whenever they like. Cameron Stewart is here.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. 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.

Beloved cookbook author Nagi Maehashi accused cookie queen Brooke Bellamy (who denied the claim) of plagiarising her recipes for baklava and chocolate caramel slice, sparking a literary scandal and a conversation about big ideas: the worth of women’s work and the concept of courtesy. So - who won?  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.

We first met Robert Irwin when he was an adorable toddler. Now he’s sending women wild for very different reasons - because the 22-year-old wildlife activist also happens to be charming, sensitive, talented and a very smooth dancer. Today, Bianca Farmakis joins us to discuss - with only a few blushes - this remarkable young man’s global success.  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.

After a dramatic year for the House of Windsor, our Europe correspondent (and royal expert) Jacquelin Magnay reflects on the King’s moves to go hard on Andrew and soft on Harry, as Charles II continues his own battle with cancer.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey with editing and sound design by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new generation of cricket commentators is heralding the game into a new, high-tech – and sometimes hilarious – era. The Australian’s Media Editor James Madden steps up to the crease. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The former Duke of York denies any wrongdoing or knowledge of the child sex offending by his close friends Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, whose correspondence about girls and ‘inappropriate friends’ with someone called ‘A’, the Duke of York and ‘The Invisible Man’ are detailed in a new dump of documents from US authorities. Plus, the latest news relating to the Bondi Beach anti-Semitic terror attacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Christmas Eve, we ask: is the Nativity story about real people, real events - or something else? Foreign editor Greg Sheridan is on assignment: back in time to the little town of Bethlehem.  This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey with sound design and editing by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.  This episode includes small moments of exquisite Christmas music including Frank Sinatra’s Silent Night, The Beatles’ Let it Be and the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge performing Once In Royal David’s City.  Greg Sheridan’s book Christians is published by Allen & Unwin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stubborn and unwilling to take personal responsibility: that’s the take from Political Editor Geoff Chambers, as Anthony Albanese backs himself into a corner of conditional apology and reluctance to call a Royal Commission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disturbing new details of last Sunday’s Bondi Beach terror attack have come to light after court documents in the police case against alleged gunman Naveed Akram were made public.  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Kristen Amiet, produced by Stephanie Coombes  and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jewish Liberal MP Julian Leeser called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to urgently establish a federal royal commission in the wake of last Sunday’s terror attack at Bondi Beach. Plus, Sussan Ley proposes terms of reference and Chris Minns defences law reforms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stopped short of committing to a royal commission following the Bondi Beach massacre, opting instead for a government review of the nation’s intelligence capabilities. Is it enough?  Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our regular host is Claire Harvey and our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's top CEOs are furious over the proposed Victorian law to mandate the right to work from home, calling it a "disaster for productivity." So how do bosses - and workers - find a happy middle ground?  Read more about the CEO survey on The Australian's website. 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, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.