Australia’s biggest carbon emitter, energy company AGL, has walked back from controversial plans to split its business.

AGL’s plan to break up its retail and power generation operations into separate entities came under relentless pressure from tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brooks and others.

They argued splitting the business would leave it in a poorer position to accelerate the closure of coal-fired power stations in Victoria and NSW.

AGL’s chief executive, chairman, and two independent directors fell on their swords on Monday. The remaining board members announced they would undertake a strategic review into the future of the company.

Today on Please Explain business reporter Nick Toscano joins Bianca Hall to discuss the future of AGL, and how the market could drive Australia's transition to a clean-energy powerhouse.

Australia&rsquo;s biggest carbon emitter, energy company AGL, has walked back from controversial plans to split its business.
AGL&rsquo;s plan to break up its retail and power generation operations into separate entities came under relentless pressure from tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brooks and others.
They argued splitting the business would leave it in a poorer position to accelerate the closure of coal-fired power stations in Victoria and NSW.
AGL&rsquo;s chief executive, chairman, and two independent directors fell on their swords on Monday. The remaining board members announced they would undertake a strategic review into the future of the company.
Today on Please Explain business reporter Nick Toscano joins Bianca Hall to discuss the future of AGL, and how the market could drive Australia's transition to a clean-energy powerhouse.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

Inside the battle for the future of Australia's biggest polluter

This week, the federal Opposition ruled out co-operating with the government on legislation to cap the number of international students coming to study at Australian universities. 

Both Labor and the Coalition say that international student numbers need to come down, to ease pressure on housing and infrastructure. But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Labor’s bill was flawed because it favoured the big Group of eight universities at the expense of regional unis. 

Dutton promised the Opposition will impose bigger cuts on international students than Labor, and he said that the best way to bring down migration numbers is to vote for the Coalition at the next election.

So what will the central issues of the next election be? When is it likely to be?

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal politics reporter Natassia Crysanthos.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.

This week, the federal Opposition ruled out co-operating with the government on legislation to cap the number of international students coming to study at Australian universities. 
Both Labor and the Coalition say that international student numbers need to come down, to ease pressure on housing and infrastructure. But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Labor’s bill was flawed because it favoured the big Group of eight universities at the expense of regional unis. 
Dutton promised the Opposition will impose bigger cuts on international students than Labor, and he said that the best way to bring down migration numbers is to vote for the Coalition at the next election.
So what will the central issues of the next election be? When is it likely to be?
Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal politics reporter Natassia Crysanthos.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5apym">Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter</a>.

Inside Politics: Why Peter Dutton is opposing foreign student caps

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/7ac45fd1-c496-4c09-965b-b22f0051184a/transcript

A new geopolitical order has been slowly rearranging itself, beneath our feet. Though many of us might not have been looking closely enough to notice it. It’s a new, so-called “axis of evil”, made up of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

For the first time since the Cold War ended, these four autocracies are working together in an aggressive military partnership. In the latest instance, it’s to fight a proxy war against Ukraine. 

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on how a Donald Trump presidency might impact the West’s fight against this “axis of evil”. And the events in the last week that illustrate what Australia and its allies are up against.

A new geopolitical order has been slowly rearranging itself, beneath our feet. Though many of us might not have been looking closely enough to notice it. It’s a new, so-called “axis of evil”, made up of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
For the first time since the Cold War ended, these four autocracies are working together in an aggressive military partnership. In the latest instance, it’s to fight a proxy war against Ukraine. 
Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on how a Donald Trump presidency might impact the West’s fight against this “axis of evil”. And the events in the last week that illustrate what Australia and its allies are up against.

Peter Hartcher on the new 'axis of evil' that threatens the West

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/bedbebf9-935a-48e9-a3b5-b22e006bdcbe/transcript

Health officials have warned us of the potential health risks of vaping for a while now. But, a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes has uncovered an even bigger problem. Organised criminals, infuriated pharmacists and a government struggling to crack down on vaping, particularly among young Australians, are at war.

Today, investigative journalist Eryk Bagshaw, on whether this perfect storm is creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. And undoing decades of work by health officials, who have, until now, caused cigarette usage to plummet.

Health officials have warned us of the potential health risks of vaping for a while now. But, a joint investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes has uncovered an even bigger problem. Organised criminals, infuriated pharmacists and a government struggling to crack down on vaping, particularly among young Australians, are at war. Today, investigative journalist Eryk Bagshaw, on whether this perfect storm is creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. And undoing decades of work by health officials, who have, until now, caused cigarette usage to plummet.

How illegal vapes end up in teenage hands, and the dilemma for pharmacists

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/1c6294bb-77dc-4157-b6bb-b22d00573b4e/transcript

Inside the battle for the future of Australia's biggest polluter

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