The Briefing

Wednesday Headlines:  Labor to push for real wage increase, US prosecutors seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione, IVF for single women and same sex couples to be covered under Medicare, first probable Japanese Encephalitus Virus death in the QLD since an outbreak in 2022, and the majority of millennials and Gen X regret their career choice. Deep Dive: With a federal election on the horizon, h...

Afternoon Headlines: RBA holds cash rate at 4.1%, PM hits back at Trump over new trade demands and Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew’s top accuser in hospital after bus crash says spokesperson. Deep Dive: The RBA has left the official cash rate on hold as the Board flags, they are concerned about growing international instability.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling chats...

Tuesday Headlines:  Our house prices and rents are at record highs, Australian Border Force says its actively monitoring a Chinese warship, convicted killer Chris Dawson appeals conviction, hope for those working from home and Kamala Harris is coming to Australia! Deep Dive: The illegal tobacco industry is growing, and despite its links to violent firebombings and illegal sales, so is th...

Afternoon Headlines: Mother of attempted triple murder suicide arrested, Danielle Laidley battling rare brain tumour and cast of The White Lotus in Australia  Deep Dive: A damning report into some of our top super funds has found poor service and delayed payouts are now the norm.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Kirby Rappell, Executive Director of Sup...

Monday Headlines:  PM off to WA today, flooding could see communities cut off for weeks in NSW and QLD, search and rescue efforts continue in Myanmar and Thailand, Tonga tsunami threat cancelled, and more crimes to be added to Queensland’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws.   Deep Dive: A class action has been launched in the US aimed at limiting how many Australians can p...

Konrad Michalski, better known as Punter's Politics, is on a mission to cut through the political spin and convince everyday Aussies (or punters) that politics actually matters. With a mass online following, Konrad has become the go-to voice for satirical takes on Australia’s top stories. Now, with the election looming large, his insights have never been more vital. In this chat with Antoine...

Afternoon headlines: New poll shows Peter Dutton is now in the lead with voters, no jail time for ex-cop who tasered 95 year old in age care and two school students hit by an out of control car that was allegedly stolen. Deep dive: There’s renewed concern over the health of King Charles, after the Monarch was hospitalized with side effects from his ongoing cancer treatment.  In thi...

Friday Headlines: We have an election date, Peter Dutton’s budget reply, NSW court docs and Nine hit by data breach, search continues for missing Queensland police officer, US Yemen attack update and The Greens slam Albo for inviting Trump down under. Deep Dive: Anthony Albanese wants you to buy Aussie-made—but are your Tim Tams, Twisties, and Milo purchases really supporting Australia...

Deep dive: Speculation is rife the Federal election will be called tomorrow, after an embarrassing blunder. The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet posted on social media that the government was in caretaker mode, which was then quickly deleted.  It comes just hours before Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is set to give his budget reply speech tonight, with some experts wondering if it was...

Thursday Headlines: Labor’s surprise tax cut passes the senate, groceries are the most expensive at Woolies, Salmon laws, NSW court data breach, and Bluey stars react to show’s censorship in the US. Deep Dive: A virus that’s killed two people in recent months, and infected nine more, is back circulating the country.    It comes after a series of back-to-back wet weather...

Afternoon Headlines: The PM blasts the opposition over tax cuts, Jeanswest goes into administration and AirPods Pro 2 can now act as hearing aids.  Deep Dive: Cost of living relief or a cruel hoax? We break down what the federal budget really means for Australians and its effect on skyrocketing bills and interest rates.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Sall...

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down his fourth—and possibly final—Federal Budget.     There are tax cuts, energy bill relief, and cheaper medicines on offer. The government's pitching it as a win for everyday Australians ... but is it really?    And with back-to-back surpluses turning into a decade-long deficit, is this an election-friendly budget or a real plan...

Afternoon Headlines: Trump and US Defence Secretary respond to leaked Yemen war plans and 2032 Olympic Games venue confirmed Deep Dive: Top secret US war plans have been leaked after a journalist was accidentally added to a group chat on encrypted messaging app Signal.   President Donald Trump and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth both dismissed the story, even after National Security Co...

Tuesday Headlines: Budget will be in deficit + more potential energy relief on the horizon, sixth day of protests in Turkey, Queensland told to brace for more severe flooding while WA braces for heatwave and possible cyclone and the 2032 Olympic Game venue to be announced today. Deep Dive: Adolescence is the Netflix series exposing the dark reality of how online influencers are hijacking the minds...

Afternoon headlines: Teal MP Monique Ryan’s partner has apologised after stealing a Liberal campaign sign, Federal Government announces $1 billion in defence spending for budget and Tiger Woods confirms relationship with Donald’s Trump ex daughter in law  Deep dive: The latest Newspoll survey reveals women are now abandoning both major parties at an alarming rate, as Labor’s...

Monday Headlines: More bill relief announced as budget looms, Gaza death toll passes 50,000, Pope Francis makes first public appearance since hospitalisation, redemption for Oscar Piastri in Chinese Grand Prix and a new study shows humans are getting dumber. Deep Dive: Sports betting is surging among young men —should we be worried?  New research shows the rates of sports betting among...

David Pocock, the former rugby star turned independent senator, embraces the label of “weirdo” for his belief that sports and politics should go hand in hand. The former rugby star isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, famously refused to marry until same-sex couples had the same rights and being arrested for climate protests. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, David expla...

Afternoon headlines: Treasurer Jim Chalmer stands by ACCC inquiry, flights to Bali cancelled after volcano eruption and Donald Trump shutting down the Department of Education Deep dive: Country music is having a moment, embraced by Millennial and Gen Z listeners with demand for the genre doubling over the last five years on Spotify.   Artists like Beyoncé, Post Malone and Chappell Roan...

Friday Headlines: Coles and Woolies found among ‘most profitable’ supermarkets in world, US Tech giants call on Trump to target Australia, Socceroos inch closer to qualifying for next year’s World Cup, and the world’s happiest countries have been revealed. Deep Dive: Australians love their dogs. Almost half of all homes have a pet pooch according to the RSPCA’s latest...

Afternoon headlines: Peter Dutton’s speech interrupted by protesters, employment figures show despite thousands losing work unemployment rate holds steady and Australia’s rich list has been released   Deep dive: A two-tier economy is emerging in Australia, with some splashing cash around while others struggle to pay their mortgage and bills. With cost of living set to be the numbe...

Thursday Headlines:  Labor promises to cap prescription medications at $25, Putin accused of breaking promise to not strike Ukrainian energy targets, new search green lit for missing flight MH370 and a Jury convicts two men in golden toilet heist. Deep Dive: If you tune into Parliament, you’d think Australia is drowning in crises—health, crime, climate, and, most notably, housing...

Afternoon headlines: Astronauts touch down to Earth after nine months in space, ex-nurses charged over an alleged video threatening Israeli patients fight to throw out evidence and secret documents released on the assassination of JKF Deep dive: A bombshell Australian link has been found in previously classified documents related to former President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.   De...

Wednesday Headlines: Trump and Putin hold phone call about Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, More Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as death toll climbs, Treasurer promises substantial cost of living relief in the budget and NASA's stranded astronauts are finally on their way home. Deep Dive: AUKUS—the trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US—was sold as a game-changer for our n...

Afternoon Headlines: Israel launches new airstrikes across Gaza, inquest into Lilie James’ murder finds it was a planned attack and scientists discover new species of fish more than 15 million years old. Deep Dive: Calls for a royal commission into the CFMEU are mounting after more damming allegations of violence and corruption.   The Victorian government has met with the Police Commiss...

Tuesday Headlines: Anthony Albanese receives highest approval rating in almost 18 months, Trump and Putin to discuss an end to the war tomorrow, 48% of year 6 Aussies can’t swim 50 metres and the RBA unveils new $5 banknote. Deep Dive: New analysis has revealed our grocery prices have surged by 30% over the last three years, with Coles, Woolworths and even Aldi hiking their costs.  It&r...