Australia’s Opposition leader is edging ahead in the polls amid growing economic concerns.

A national Resolve poll saw Peter Dutton eclipse Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister for the first time, backed by 36% of voters compared to Albanese’s 35%.

Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge support for the Coalition lifted from 36% to 38%, while Labour remains on 28%.

She said that it’s the lowest level since Albanese took power at the last election in 2022.

LISTEN ABOVE

Australia’s Opposition leader is edging ahead in the polls amid growing economic concerns. 
A national Resolve poll saw Peter Dutton eclipse Anthony Albanese as preferred Prime Minister for the first time, backed by 36% of voters compared to Albanese’s 35%. 
Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio told Ryan Bridge support for the Coalition lifted from 36% to 38%, while Labour remains on 28%. 
She said that it’s the lowest level since Albanese took power at the last election in 2022. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the growing support for Peter Dutton and the coalition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5667d8d7-fa24-413e-8cee-b1ae01753a01/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 4th of September 2026 the All Blacks take on the Springboks for their third test in Johannesburg, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick tells Ryan what we can expect. 

House prices continuing to fall for the fifth month in a row, real estate agent Rawdon Christie shares her thoughts. 

The ACT Party is calling for an end to race-specific placements at medical school, Warwick Bagg, Auckland University Dean of Medical and Health Sciences shares his thoughts on the policy. 

Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the King, President Macron and PM Burnham attended the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry last night at the British Museum. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.           

LISTEN ABOVE   

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 4th of September 2026 the All Blacks take on the Springboks for their third test in Johannesburg, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick tells Ryan what we can expect.&nbsp;
House prices continuing to fall for the fifth month in a row, real estate agent Rawdon Christie shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
The ACT Party is calling for an end to race-specific placements at medical school, Warwick Bagg, Auckland University Dean of Medical and Health Sciences shares his thoughts on the policy.&nbsp;
Plus, UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the King, President Macron and PM Burnham attended the unveiling of the Bayeux Tapestry last night at the British Museum.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 04 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9bffd749-48e4-4299-a688-b4ba015c3a5d/transcript

ACT's plan to campaign on scrapping Māori and Pacific med school places is being seen by some as electioneering.

A review into Auckland and Otago university admission programmes is part of the ACT-National coalition agreement, but its findings haven't been made public.

An ACT spokesperson claims the scheme shows unjustified discrimination.

Auckland University Medical Dean Warwick Bagg told Ryan Bridge the findings should be released so the facts can be debated.

He says it's about giving Māori and Pacific students the highest chance to succeed, where the school system doesn't.

LISTEN ABOVE   

ACT's plan to campaign on scrapping Māori and Pacific med school places is being seen by some as electioneering.
A review into Auckland and Otago university admission programmes is part of the ACT-National coalition agreement, but its findings haven't been made public.
An ACT spokesperson claims the scheme shows unjustified discrimination.
Auckland University Medical Dean Warwick Bagg told Ryan Bridge the findings should be released so the facts can be debated.
He says it's about giving Māori and Pacific students the highest chance to succeed, where the school system doesn't.
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;&nbsp;

Warwick Bagg: Auckland University Dean of Medical and Health Sciences on ACT campaigning on scrapping Māori and Pacific med-school places while keeping review findings private

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bb910f31-2061-4ffd-bf80-b4ba012daf1c/transcript

Look don't mind confessing you, dear listener, that I don't read many books. 

I do listen to them on audio, I do read on holiday, but who has the time to actually sit down and get stuck into hundreds of pages? 

People don't even watch full movies anymore.   

You can't do much when you're checking your phone on average one billion times per hour. 

But I did happen to stumble across one of the best reads I've had in a while a few weeks back in Barry Crump's 'A Good Keen Man'. 

It's unpretentious. It's funny. It's outrageous. It paints a picture of New Zealand and New Zealanders that I think most can relate to. 

We generally get along with each other. We generally call a spade a spade. We don't like people who bullshit or cheat. 

We like a fair fight. We love the bush, the beach, the beautiful place we get to call home every day. 

I've now finished two other Crump books, and I am getting through the audio version of some short stories. 

What an adventure. If you haven't read or listened to them, you should. 

They should be compulsory reading for anyone wanting to become a New Zealander. 

I'm aware it's an election period. There's a lot of fighting and whinging. 

But really, if you take a step back, look at the people around you – your neighbours, your mates, your country. 

We're not doing too bad. We've got a lot to be grateful for. 

Look don't mind confessing you, dear listener, that I don't read many books.&nbsp;
I do listen to them on audio, I do read on holiday, but who has the time to actually sit down and get stuck into hundreds of pages?&nbsp;
People don't even watch full movies anymore. &nbsp;&nbsp;
You can't do much when you're checking your phone on average one billion times per hour.&nbsp;
But I did happen to stumble across one of the best reads I've had in a while a few weeks back in Barry Crump's 'A Good Keen Man'.&nbsp;
It's unpretentious. It's funny. It's outrageous. It paints a picture of New Zealand and New Zealanders that I think most can relate to.&nbsp;
We generally get along with each other. We generally call a spade a spade. We don't like people who bullshit or cheat.&nbsp;
We like a fair fight. We love the bush, the beach, the beautiful place we get to call home every day.&nbsp;
I've now finished two other Crump books, and I am getting through the audio version of some short stories.&nbsp;
What an adventure. If you haven't read or listened to them, you should.&nbsp;
They should be compulsory reading for anyone wanting to become a New Zealander.&nbsp;
I'm aware it's an election period. There's a lot of fighting and whinging.&nbsp;
But really, if you take a step back, look at the people around you – your neighbours, your mates, your country.&nbsp;
We're not doing too bad. We've got a lot to be grateful for.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: Books I've been reading lately

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f178137a-d54e-4439-b06d-b4ba012c37bc/transcript

Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on the growing support for Peter Dutton and the coalition

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