Essential report: are voters up for cracking ...

The Albanese government has a lot of unfinished business as the end of the political year fast approaches. This sitting week, Labor struggled to pass its budget saving measure to reduce private health insurance rebates for over-65s. Independent MP Monique Ryan was a vocal critic ...  Show more

Improving economic productivity is crucial for raising living standards, and Australia’s productivity growth has been sluggish for years. When the Reserve Bank hiked interest rates to a 15 year high last week, the governor, Michele Bullock, even described productivity as ‘doing n ...  Show more

Sir Keir Starmer chats to Laura K and a group of ex-Labour voters, all selected by an independent polling company. They talk trust in politicians, employment and education, among other subjects. Will the Labour Leader be able to reconnect with voters? Today's Newscast was made by ...  Show more

Rishi Sunak says the time has come to cut taxes, but how much are we really paying? Patrick Maguire asks how much they pay in Europe and America, and what, if anything, the Chancellor can do about them in this week's Autumn Statement.

Plus: Columnists Rachel Syl ...

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk about Labour’s first big test in parliament over their winter fuel payments policy. Plus, will Keir Starmer’s trip to Washington be awkward after his decision on arms licences to Israel?. Help support our independent journalism at ...  Show more

Labor claims the east coast energy troubles are the result of the former Coalition government's mismanagement, but will this wash with the electorate? Meanwhile, PM Albanese also has a win on the minimum wage, as big business groups raise inflation fears. Plus, the Party Room exp ...  Show more