Hack

Could a diss-track from the Liberal Party sway the election? What about wheeling out your son to talk about saving for a house? Or a secret feud between ministers? We're recapping the most bizarre auspol moments of week 3 of the election campaign.  Plus, it cost millions of dollars, lasted 11 minutes and spawned an endless stream of memes. But what was the point of the Blue Origin space flight (fe...

Renters feel left out all over Australia, but in the regions, at least there were always more affordable options. Not anymore. On our third stop in our hack to the future road trip we're in Townsville, where it's worse to be a renter than in Brisbane or Melbourne. 

A mega-prison with 80 inmates per cell, overseen by the "world's coolest dictator": Donald Trump's got a new plan for deporting criminals. But is it legal? And 85% of Aussies live near the coast, but we've been dropping the ball on swimming lessons. We head to an adults-only class at a uni in Perth. Plus, after one of the big Netflix shows of the year so far, what do Gabby Petito's parents want yo...

Gabby Petito's disappearance captured the world's attention.  After weeks of searching and speculation, it was revealed that Gabby was killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie.  Now, a Netflix doco about Gabby's story has brought attention to her experience of coercive control.  In this episode, we chat to two members of Gabby's family, who have a message for anyone who sees a bit of their own life in...

What exactly are the major parties promising for first home buyers in the upcoming election?  And could these plans even work? We talk to the Shadow Housing Minister and an economist.  Plus, are 'imperfect' teeth the latest beauty standard in Hollywood?  Listen Now: 01:14 - What did the major parties announce about housing?  06:30 - Michael Sukkar on the Coalition's housing promise 18:05 - Will th...

Over the weekend, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton officially launched their election campaigns with some big housing announcements.  Labor wants to help more first home buyers get into the market with a 5% deposit.  The Coalition is offering first home buyers a tax break to help with their mortgage repayments.  We're explaining what it actually means for you.  Guest: Jackson Worthington, reporte...

TikTok raps, brainrot content and a faux renter: we're unpacking the election content cringe that's flooded our feeds.  And the petty website fact checking the height of your favourite celebrities.  Also the European prince who thinks it's only fair that he gets social security benefits too. Plus, is Adelaide worth the hype – or should it be kept secret? We're asking the locals during the AFL's Ga...

Ahead of the election, hack's hitting the road to hear the issues that matter to you.  Today, we're in Port Lincoln in South Australia.  So what matters to the locals here? Cost of living, housing, climate change, access to health and mental health services, nuclear power and shark mitigation, for a start.  Guests: April McLennan, reporter, triple j hack India Ciura, psychology student Danny Lee,...

What's your earliest memory of having a punt? Some Aussies are starting at 12 and gambling all the way through high school. And doctors in NSW have spent a second day on strike today. We chat to a junior doctor in Sydney about what they're demanding. Plus, an update on what the major parties are promising for the NDIS. Listen now: 01:30 - The doctors going on strike 05:20 - The junior doctor worki...

The Labor Party set up the NDIS, and last year it passed some reforms which it said would make it more “sustainable”. Hundreds of thousands of Australians rely on the NDIS for support, and a lot of them are worried that the changes are really about cutting corners to make the scheme run cheaper. So, what are the major parties promising when it comes to disability support? Hack reporter Jackson Wor...

What are Labor and the Coalition promising for mental health? We chat with the health minister Mark Butler. And the stock market is still crazy. But is there an upside for young people?  Plus, hear about the severe allergies that dictate what you eat, who you kiss, and even what you do for work.  Listen now: 01:40 - The mental health policy pitch  04:30 - Health Minister Mark Butler 16:30 - The st...

For people living with severe allergies, going out for a meal, enjoying a cocktail or kissing someone for the first time could be life threatening.  Australia has one of the highest allergy rates in the world - 2 in every 100 adults have food allergies. So what's life like for them, and what's driving such high rates?  Guests:  Jennifer Koplin, associate professor, Child Health Research Centre UQ...

Video has emerged contradicting Israel's initial account of the deadly shooting of 15 aid workers in Gaza. Australia is among other countries now calling for an independent inquiry.  Plus, the Coalition has ditched two election promises, a few weeks after making them. Are things going downhill for Peter Dutton?  And from Muswellbrook to triple j to presenting on TV and studying at Oxford, Brooke B...

The Coalition has dumped two big election promises, and is now saying it won't ban government workers from working from home or use forced redundancies to cut the public service by 41,000 workers.  It comes after campaign messaging from Labor accusing 'DOGEy Dutton' of wanting to Americanise Australia.  Can the Coalition recover in the next few weeks?  Guest: Shalailah Medhora, political reporter,...

When there's so much misinformation around it feels like anything could be true: are April Fools pranks not hitting the same?  And a US Senator has broken a record by speaking for 25 hours straight. From embarrassing 21st parties to uni lectures, we're talking long speeches.  Plus, a morning routine of ice baths, banana peel facials and journalling - does self improvement hustle culture know no bo...

US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on every country in the world. He's called it Liberation Day - our leaders say it's not a friendly act and that Australia's being treated with disrespect.  What do farmers - whose exports will be impacted - have to say? And, with rents at record highs, would the Greens' plan to tackle affordability really help you?  Listen now 01:20 - How tariffs will...

Rotting carpets, collapsed ceilings and toilets that won't flush - when we tagged along to some rental inspections, it wasn't hard to find the horror stories.  Rents hit new record highs in the last few years, so with Gen Z and millennials outnumbering boomers at the ballot box for the first time, how will attitudes about the rental crisis impact the federal election on May 3? We speak to the Gree...

Flooding in outback Queensland has affected an area twice the size of Victoria, with early estimates suggesting more than 100,000 head of livestock has been lost. We also catch up with Nationals leader David Littleproud.   And, can the legal system do better by survivors of assault living in small towns? We hear what it's like to go through the court process in rural and regional Australia.  Liste...

Is our legal system failing to support people living in small town Australia? When everyone knows who you are and a simple grocery shop could end in an encounter with your abuser, some feel no choice but to leave their beloved towns and lives behind. In this episode we speak to Bec, who did just that.  How can the system better serve the unique challenges of regional and remote Australians? Guest:...

The country's driest state is getting drier, with water being trucked into towns and ground aquifer supplies at risk of becoming salty. How can South Australia's water crisis be solved?  Plus, the Coalition has promised to lower your energy bills by forcing gas producers to keep more supply onshore if it wins government in May. And speaking of the election: here's what you need to know about votin...

Will news avoidance impact the Australian election?  Whether it's war, the climate, or politics - people are tuning the news out more than ever before.  But suddenly, everyone’s being asked to pay attention, with the election happening on May 3. So here’s what you need to know about voting. Guests: Evan Ekin-Smyth, spokesperson, Australian Electoral Commission Get the whole story from Hack: Follow...

Thousands missing, a skyscraper levelled and water gushing from roof-top pools - rescue teams in Myanmar and Thailand are racing against time to save more lives after an earthquake killed at least 1,700 people.  And recent elections overseas have seen young men vote increasingly for right-wing leaders while young women move to the left. Will the same happen here? Plus, for young workers struggling...

On May 3, hundreds of thousands of young Australians will be voting in a federal election for the first time.  When young men voted in the recent US election, there was a historic shift to Trump and the right. It's a trend other democracies are seeing too: young men drifting to the right, while young women move to the left. So will it happen in Australia?  Guest: Isabella Higgins, social affairs r...

Will this be the influencer election? The countdown is on to find out, with the election set for May 3. And have you had a group chat go wrong? The US government did, after texting a journalist their war plans.  Plus a flight from Paris was forced to turn around when a passenger lost their phone between the seats. We're talking most hectic hold-up stories. Host Dave Marchese is joined by author an...

The Coalition will promise to halve the tax on fuel in Peter Dutton's reply to this week's federal budget. What does that mean for you? And someone in the US government added a journalist to a group chat where they were planning strikes on the Houthis.  Plus, are non-compete clauses actually enforceable?  Guests: Alison Reeve, energy and climate deputy program director, Grattan Institute Seri Feld...