'Horror and resignation': how will Melbourne cope with a second lockdown?

The border between NSW and Victoria closed this morning with Greater Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire entering six weeks of stage three COVID-19 restrictions from midnight tonight. In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by The Age's city editor Bianca Hall to discuss how Victoria i…

Indonesia: the coronavirus hotspot next door

Indonesia is tipped to become Asia's third coronavirus epicentre with daily infection rates expected to rise to 4000 per day by October.  Yesterday, the 17,000 islands reported 1209 new cases and 70 deaths. In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by South-East Asia correspondent Jam…

Take two: NSW-Victoria border to shut as cases rise

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the border between Victoria and New South Wales will close at midnight on Tuesday after an alarming surge of coronavirus infections. Today, Victoria reported 127 new cases, this is the state's highest daily increase since the pandemic began. In this ep…

Police state: the future of life in Hong Kong

Australia has joined the United Kingdom in offering Hong Kong residents refuge after the territory was engulfed by a fresh wave of protests and arrests over China’s new security laws.  In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by China correspondent Eryk Bagshaw to discuss the unres…

Can the entertainment industry survive the coronavirus curtain call?

Australia's entertainment industry has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, KPMG released an audit report of the Sydney Theatre Company that cast 'significant doubt' over the company's chance of staying afloat. At the same time, international circus group Cirque due Soleil announc…

Why is Australia investing in new weapons technology?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a 10-year defence strategy which will open the door to investing in new weapons technology. The strategy includes purchasing long-range anti-ship missiles from the US to support its fleet of Super Hornets fighter aircraft. In this episode, Sunday Age edit…

Is pandemic markets mayhem 'unknowable'?

Over the past week, there has been a small spate of encouraging signs pointing towards a rebound in the global economy but does the data actually indicate we're on the road to recovery?  In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by senior business columnist Stephen Bartholomeusz to di…

'Culture of poor leadership': War crimes in Afghanistan admitted

In a confidential briefing to troops at SAS headquarters, Major-General Adam Findlay admitted some elite Australian soldiers committed war crimes in Afganistan. He blamed the atrocities on "poor moral leadership" and also admitted some of the crimes had been deliberately covered up.   In this episo…

The turbulent future of Australia's aviation industry

The global aviation industry has been decimated by the coronavirus crisis and Australia’s flagship airline has not been spared the pain. In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by business reporter Patrick Hatch to discuss Qantas's three-year plan to save $15 billion in costs. The a…

Why is the ABC restructuring?

On Wednesday afternoon, The ABC announced a range of cost-saving moves under a new five-year strategy aimed at saving $40 million and attracting younger audiences. In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by media and telecommunications reporter Zoe Samios to discuss the measures whi…