Anthony Albanese is back from the United Nations in New York to a slump in his approval rating and more economic pain.

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank raised interest rates to a 15-year-high due to continued inflation pressure. So what's driving inflation? How much is government spending contributing to this issue?

Also this week, the Greens elected a new leader. NSW senator David Shoebridge is far more confrontational than former leader Larissa Waters and comes from the party's hard-left faction.

His election may signal a shift in strategy from the party, which wants to replicate the success of left-wing figures such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal hosts today's conversation with senior economics correspondent Matt Wade and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos.

Further reading

• To avoid another rate rise, things might have to get worse
• The Greens need to let the sunshine in or risk stagnation

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It’s been a year since Liberal MP Andrew Hastie quit Sussan Ley’s frontbench to speak his mind on migration.

His decision fractured the Coalition and Ley’s ambition to woo back multicultural communities with a more moderate stance. How things change in a year.

But through it all, migration has become a more heated political issue. On Tuesday, Angus Taylor announced the Coalition’s long-awaited policy, promising the biggest cut to immigration in Australia’s history.

So what are the merits and the pitfalls of the Coalition's plan?

Former deputy secretary of immigration Abul Rizvi – who is today's special guest – and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal pull apart the policy and the politics before Rivzi answers a number of listener and reader questions on migration.

Today's host is federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos before regular host Jacqueline Maley returns to the chair next week.

Further reading:

• The cost of cutting foreign workers: Fares spike in Taylor’s migration gamble
• International student cuts risk ‘very significant hole’, universities warn

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This week – again – is all about the economy, which includes a visit from a ghost of the past in the form of former treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

But the big topic for today is current treasurer Jim Chalmers and a speech he gave this week, in which he warned progressives not to mock One Nation voters.

The far-right strategy to divide people was working, he said, and although facts could push back on sensationalism and misinformation, “facts don’t beat feelings”.

Chalmers also acknowledged that voters’ dissatisfaction with the government was primarily linked to the economy and cost-of-living pressures. He asked people to give him more time and, in a year, things would get better. But are voters done? Will people give him another 12 months without further damaging support for Labor?

Senior columnist Jacqueline Maley is back in the hosting chair and today’s guest is senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

Further reading

• Frydenberg: A grateful son or a relentless self-promoter?
• So many people are angry. It’s becoming clear where this comes from

Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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After the attack on Independent MP Helen Haines, it's been a real horror week in Australian politics. Last week SMH and The Age columnist Waleed Aly wrote a column titled, "More Australians believe in political violence than go to church each week. This won't end well".

Given the chilling prescience of that column and its title, Aly joins Jacqueline Maley on Inside Politics this week to discuss the issue of political violence.

Further reading:

• A politician’s job is to listen. It’s becoming increasingly dangerous to do so
• ‘Don’t let violence win’: McGowan’s plea as Haines fights for life

Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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The treasurer's position is known to be one of, if not the, most difficult spots in any Australian cabinet in modern history, and the current climate is no exception. On the domestic front, interest rates are at a 15-year high, which could become an 18-year high if the RBA jacks them up again on Cup Day. Overseas, Donald Trump's war is keeping prices elevated.

All this is happening as Labor comes under considerable political pressure from a grumpy electorate demanding more and more spending, and a persistent populist insurgence.

Jim Chalmers is in the middle of all of it, as signs of tension emerge in the cabinet over Labor's economic stewardship. Chalmers' at times testy relationship with Anthony Albanese has also been in the spotlight.

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This week, we take a look at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's incorrect claim about a $6 million grant to his local golf club – which has become another instance of the government fumbling potentially trivial political issues.

Plus, tensions between the Liberal and National parties, and mounting pressure on treasurer Jim Chalmers to tackle Australia's economic challenges – notably persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and a looming mid-year budget update.

Further reading:

• The stink, the septic system and the $6m question: Inside Albanese’s Marrickville mess
• Cracks emerge in reunited Coalition over trade deal and AI
• Who would want to be Jim Chalmers right now?

Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the 2026 McKinnon Index was released, and it showed what so many of us feel – that trust in federal politicians has fallen further – from 35.9 per cent of people to just 30.5 per cent, in one year.

The McKinnon Index is an annual survey that tracks public perceptions of Australian democracy, and this year’s is full of juicy insights.

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss the findings is McKinnon Institute CEO and former South Australia Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close.

Further reading:

• We can’t accept a political culture that discourages good people from serving their communities
• Trust in politicians plunges, new polling shows, as education divide splits Australian voters

Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.

Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

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We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister.

Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister.

What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week.

So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it?

While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.
Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy?

Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

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