The Morning Edition

The end was months in the making, but David Jones’ eventual collapse was dramatic. High-end designers fled the store and shelves were stripped bare, while the jobs of thousands of staff suddenly hung in the balance. So does David Jones’ collapse into administration signal the end for the 188-year-old department store? Today, business reporters Colin Kruger and Jessica Yun on David Jones’ downfall and what happens next. Further reading: The billionaire who’s a winner from David Jones’ collapse Behind closed doors: Inside the $5 million meeting that sealed the downfall of David Jones   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Nation has gone from being a minor irritant to a major player and third-party force. But with power comes expectation and scrutiny. A joint investigation between our mastheads and 60 Minutes reveals allegations of links between a One Nation candidate and bikie figure, while a whistleblower who was part of the party’s inner sanctum described it as "weirdly incompetent" and "chaotic".Today, investigative journalist Nick McKenzie on who really wields power in this famously secretive party and whether the latest allegations will affect its popularity at the upcoming Victorian state election. Further reading ‘They don’t have a clue’: Covert tapes expose One Nation turmoil, Rinehart influence claims  ‘Really shady place’: Top adviser claims One Nation sacked him when he raised rapist, underworld concerns  The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 35 years, political scientist Francis Fukuyama has tracked the evolution, vulnerabilities and psychological backlashes within liberal democracies to help us make sense of profound societal shifts. So, who better to help us understand the broader implications of the Democrats sweep to power within the arc of history. And where it might take all of us? Today, Francis Fukuyama, one of the 21st century’s most important thinkers, on the “mortifying” evolution of his country, under Donald Trump. Whether autocratic countries might inevitably become democratic. And the growing threat of nuclear warfare.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/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/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s official – a political blue tsunami has hit the United States, with the Democrats gaining control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is seismic change, with wins in many states that have upended decades of political loyalty. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, discusses what this means for the US, whether "Trumpism" is dead, and if these results mark a national rebuke to the president, to billionaires, or if it’s something else altogether.    Further reading: Democrats sweep to power at midterms in rejection of Trump, Republicans   The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your podcasts.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.