The Front

The biggest American armada in two decades is assembling in the Middle East as negotiations fail. Today chief international correspondent Cameron Stewart joins us to step though Iran’s options from here, the Pentagon’s strategic calculations and what would happen to the agents of Iranian terror around the world, including in Australia.  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 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.

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has lost her temper in a spectacular way with journalists who were asking about allegations of rampant dodginess in the construction, forestry, mining and energy union the CFMEU. Today’s afternoon headlines edition from The Front. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the government claims it’s not helping a group of so-called ISIS brides return to Australia, we look at how domestic politics is shaping the fate of these 34 women and kids.  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 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.

US authorities will investigate a sprawling compound once owned by Epstein in the state of New Mexico in an effort to substantiate claims there are bodies buried on the property. Plus, what Randa Abdel-Fattah did next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ACCC is suing Coles and Woolworths for allegedly misleading customers on price drops and discounts. But why are the supermarket giants defending the charges in court? 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 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.

A stunningly realistic fake clip of movie stars Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt having a fist-fight about Jeffrey Epstein is causing a meltdown in Hollywood. Plus, the thwarted return of ISIS brides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when you thought we were done with the epic defamation trial brought by Australia’s most decorated living soldier, there’s one more twist: a secret payment by Nine Entertainment to a witness who claimed Ben Roberts-Smith violently attacked her - and then turned on Nine’s star reporter.  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 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.

South Australian police have returned to Oak Park Station, where four-year-old Gus Lamont was last seen five months ago. Plus, alleged Bondi gunman Naveed Akram appears in court and the ACCC takes Coles to court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preparations for the four-month trial of former broadcaster Alan Jones, who’s fighting indecent assault charges, have  been rocked by a complaint from one of the alleged victims about phone calls from someone purporting to be a journalist from The Sydney Morning Herald. The tabloid’s owner Nine Entertainment denies it was them.  Today, media Diary editor Steve Jackson joins us to talk about the Jones trial, a very messy dispute between two top legal figures and why terrorism investigators are interested in internal communications at the ABC and SBS. 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.

Boy meets boy, boy loses boy, boy wins boy back - and everyone’s incredibly ripped. This is the new formula for female-friendly entertainment, from Canadian ice hockey TV phenomenon Heated Rivalry to new leather-and-motorbikes movie Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgard. Today, Bianca Farmakis joins us to explore how far we’ve come since Philadelphia. 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.

Sussan Ley’s resignation from politics will trigger a hotly contested by-election in her seat of Farrer. Plus, a judge rejects the BBC’s bid to delay Trump lawsuit and an Aussie snatches gold in the men’s moguls in Milan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal Liberals have dumped Sussan Ley - but is little-known new leader Angus Taylor going to be himself rolled by Andrew Hastie?  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 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.

As the federal Liberals line up for a 9am Friday vote on the leadership, the 2025 entitlements scandal (remember that?) delivers one last victim: prominent Greens Senator admitting her use of ‘family reunion’ travel didn’t pass the pub test. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Street protests and violent scuffles have delivered the anti-Israel movement a week of great publicity at the expense of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose visit was supposed to reset the fractured relationship. Has it blown up in Anthony Albanese’s face? Plus, chief international correspondent Cameron Stewart looks at the void of protest over Iran’s brutal crackdown.   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 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.

US authorities say a person has been detained over the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of an American breakfast TV show host. Plus, Liberal party leadership tensions reach boiling point.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does the harsh sentencing of a publisher under Beijing’s new national security laws spell the end of Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” experiment? National Chief Correspondent Hedley Thomas discusses how we got here after years of reporting on – and from – Hong Kong.  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 by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet 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.

Barnaby Joyce says 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame should be stripped of her honours after she led a chant of “globalise the intifada” at a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney. Plus, Lindsey Vonn’s long road to recovery and rumours of a Liberal leadership spill.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a stunning election mandate, re-elected Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi will end Japan’s formal pacifism, create a national intelligence agency and massively grow defence spending. She’s already enraged China - so does she want a war? Our North Asia Correspondent Yoni Bashan is here. 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 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.

Jeffrey Epstein files reveal an FBI report suggesting he was a Mossad agent, plus extensive communications with former Israeli Labor prime minister Ehud Barak - including Epstein asking Barak to assert he wasn’t an intelligence operative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Intelligence agency ASIO issues a pre-emptive denial of an ABC Four Corners story on the Bondi massacre. It’s awkward timing for the ABC, with editor-in-chief and managing director Hugh Marks due to appear at a Senate Estimates hearing that will focus on its impartiality. Plus - the on-assignment blowup that's got everyone in commercial TV talking. Media Diary editor Steve Jackson is here.  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 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.

It’s the reality TV format sweeping the world and we couldn’t resist asking Canberra bureau chief - and Traitors devotee - Richard Ferguson to analyse this wild political moment through a Traitors v Faithfuls lens. Traitors Australia, which flopped a couple of years ago, is coming back to screens, with post-production under way on Season 3.  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.

South Australian police say they’ve identified a suspect in the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont and confirm they’re now treating the case as a major crime. Plus, RBA boss Michele Bullock dismisses the Treasurer’s spending claim and ousted author Randa Abdel-Fattah’s next gig.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.