In the lead up to the US midterm elections, a torrent of polls suggested voters would punish Joe Biden’s party in favour of Republicans, amid rising worries about inflation and the state of the economy. 

But on Tuesday, the expected red wave failed to materialise. 

While votes are still being counted and Republicans could still win Congress, the GOP will likely have the narrowest of a majority - if at all in the Senate. 

Today on Please Explain, North America correspondent Farrah Tomazin joins Chris Zappone to discuss the surprising US midterm results, and what they mean for Trump and the future of the Republican party.

In the lead up to the US midterm elections, a torrent of polls suggested voters would punish Joe Biden’s party in favour of Republicans, amid rising worries about inflation and the state of the economy. 
But on Tuesday, the expected red wave failed to materialise. 
While votes are still being counted and Republicans could still win Congress, the GOP will likely have the narrowest of a majority - if at all in the Senate. 
Today on Please Explain, North America correspondent Farrah Tomazin joins Chris Zappone to discuss the surprising US midterm results, and what they mean for Trump and the future of the Republican party.

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

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

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.

The midterm election message for Donald Trump

On the evening of Anzac Day, a man is alleged to have set in motion a series of events that sparked a national outcry, broke hearts, and ignited rage in Alice Springs.

Today's episode comes after the news that 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was charged on Sunday with the murder of a five-year-old girl in a tiny Alice Springs community.

We cross to the Northern Territory to journalist Hannah Murphy, from WA Today, on the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby.



Background reading:
Jefferson Lewis charged with murder over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
A week on, Alice Springs is a town forever changed.

On the evening of Anzac Day, a man is alleged to have set in motion a series of events that sparked a national outcry, broke hearts, and ignited rage in Alice Springs. Today's episode comes after the news that 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis was charged on Sunday with the murder of a five-year-old girl in a tiny Alice Springs community. We cross to the Northern Territory to journalist Hannah Murphy, from WA Today, on the case of Kumanjayi Little Baby. 
Background reading:
<ul>
<li>Jefferson Lewis <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/jefferson-lewis-charged-with-murder-over-death-of-kumanjayi-little-baby-20260503-p5zt87.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">charged with murder over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby</a>.</li>
<li>A week on, Alice Springs is a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/a-week-on-alice-springs-is-a-town-forever-changed-20260502-p5zt4q.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">town forever changed.</a></li>
</ul>

'This is far from over’: The case of Kumanjayi Little Baby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/c3aad1c6-ef2a-40ea-bae4-b43f00439f10/transcript

Inflation figures were out this week, and it wasn’t good news. Next week’s interest rates figures from the Reserve Bank aren't looking crash hot either. So how do these results impact Jim Chalmers’ impending budget and what are the chances the treasurer will press ahead with changes to taxes and housing?

We also chat about the government’s new favourite buzzwords from ‘intergenerational equity’ to ‘resilience’ and what they really mean.

And finally, we discuss whether Angus Taylor’s argument that Welcome to Country greetings were overused was a dog whistle from the opposition leader, or reflects a broad sentiment in the community.

Joining host Jacqueline Maley this week are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

Inflation figures were out this week, and it wasn&rsquo;t good news. Next week&rsquo;s interest rates figures from the Reserve Bank aren't looking crash hot either.&nbsp;So how do these results impact Jim Chalmers&rsquo; impending budget and what are the chances the treasurer will press ahead with changes to taxes and housing?
We also chat about the government&rsquo;s new favourite buzzwords from &lsquo;intergenerational equity&rsquo; to &lsquo;resilience&rsquo; and what they really mean.
And finally, we discuss whether Angus Taylor&rsquo;s argument that Welcome to Country greetings were overused was a dog whistle from the opposition leader, or reflects a broad sentiment in the community.
Joining host Jacqueline Maley this week are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

Why young people are so angry about housing, and whether this budget will fix it

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/a7f929e5-21b1-4ad3-bc5c-b43c005b3945/transcript

When the National Disability Insurance Scheme was created in 2013, it was proof that a rich society could find the money to help people living with a disability. This was social democracy at work.

Twelve years on, it has turned into a $62 billion behemoth, on track to cost more than the age pension.

The Albanese government last week admitted the scheme was at risk of collapse. It announced a root-and-branch overhaul to remove 300,000 Australians from the scheme in the space of a few years.

The man leading the contentious reform agenda is Health Minister Mark Butler.

The 55-year-old South Australian has emerged as one of Labor’s most energetic ministers, taking on big tasks in aged care, tobacco control and disability support.

He’s also been asked if he might be the next Labor leader after Anthony Albanese.

He joins this bonus episode of Inside Politics with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

 

Background reading
Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal – New NDIS eligibility tool will be ‘relatively blind’ to diagnoses.
Natassia Chrysanthos – ‘Am I disabled enough?’ The question autistic participants are asking after NDIS overhaul.

 

When the National Disability Insurance Scheme was created in 2013, it was proof that a rich society could find the money to help people living with a disability. This was social democracy at work.
Twelve years on, it has turned into a $62 billion behemoth, on track to cost more than the age pension.
The Albanese government last week admitted the scheme was at risk of collapse. It announced a root-and-branch overhaul to remove 300,000 Australians from the scheme in the space of a few years.
The man leading the contentious reform agenda is Health Minister Mark Butler.
The 55-year-old South Australian has emerged as one of Labor&rsquo;s most energetic ministers, taking on big tasks in aged care, tobacco control and disability support.
He&rsquo;s also been asked if he might be the next Labor leader after Anthony Albanese.
He joins this bonus episode of Inside Politics with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.
&nbsp;
Background reading
<ul>
<li>Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal &ndash;<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/new-ndis-eligibility-tool-will-be-relatively-blind-to-diagnoses-butler-20260428-p5zrs8.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=inside_politics&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom"> New NDIS eligibility tool will be &lsquo;relatively blind&rsquo; to diagnoses.</a></li>
<li>Natassia Chrysanthos &ndash; <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/am-i-disabled-enough-the-question-autistic-participants-are-asking-after-labor-s-ndis-overhaul-20260423-p5zqgv.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=inside_politics&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;Am I disabled enough?&rsquo; The question autistic participants are asking after NDIS overhaul.</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Mark Butler on the NDIS, private health and vaccine hesitancy 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/4d2e6d91-4df4-4c73-8817-b43b00b9ff11/transcript

The midterm election message for Donald Trump

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