The Morning Edition

The government and the opposition have been fighting over power strategies for months now; just about assaulting us with a flurry of numbers and claims over which method will lead to cheaper household bills.

And now, the Coalition has announced a shock new gas policy. So, is Peter Dutton’s unprecedented scheme just a bid to win political points, rather than a legitimate means to keep our appliances running, and us warm, at relatively little cost? Or is the opposition leader on to a winner?

Today, business reporter Nick Toscano, and climate and energy reporter Mike Foley, help us wade through the spin, to tell us which energy plan is best: for both us, and the environment.

Immigration has been a vexed subject in Australia and used in political campaigns, past - and present.  

We are a nation, after all, that enacted what became known as the White Australia policy way back in 1901. And who can forget John Howard’s potent ‘stop the boats’ election campaign?

Meanwhile, just recently, we’ve experienced an unprecedented surge in migrant numbers. So the issue is once again at the heart of a federal election, to be held in less than five weeks’ time. 

Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on what impact immigration has on our economy. 

For more:

When Anthony Albanese couldn't name the cash rate, or the unemployment rate on day one of his last campaign, it was a moment that could have lost him the election.

But, as associate editor Tony Wright says, he was up against Scott Morrison who was "on the nose" across the nation. And that was before Morrison spear-tackled a child at a soccer match.

Campaigns can win, and lose, an election and Wright has seen a few since his first campaign covering Bob Hawke in 1983.

Wright speaks to Jacqueline Maley in the latest episode of our election podcast, Inside Politics.

It could happen to anyone. Your pet - let’s face it, the best person in the house - goes missing. So you take to social media, to help track him or her down. So, how does it go from this, to getting sued, and becoming embroiled in a million dollar legal battle, that drags on for years? Today, investigative reporter Harriet Alexander, on the dodgy vet, the pet detective and the fate of one beloved King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Teddy.

Well, an election date has finally been called and we are staring down the barrel of a five week campaign before voting day on May 3.

Here -  from the newsrooms of The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald - we’ll bring you our humble podcast twice a week for the duration of the campaign.

There’s going to be a lot of news around so we’re here to help you navigate your way through the barrage of information with the most trusted voices in Australian journalism.

Among them are national affairs editor James Massola, and federal political reporter Natassia Chrysanthos, who join Jacqueline from the Canberra studio.