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The Front brings the unrivalled journalism of Australia’s national broadsheet to audio, featuring each day’s essential page one stories, journalists’ candid take on the issues that matter and behind-the-scenes insight from our newsrooms.
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Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has put a number on immigration for the coalition, which says it wants to link net overseas migration to housing completions. Plus, Nigel Farage to face an opponent with a bin on his head in this week’s Clacton by-election. Read more: Bragg puts a number on Coalition migration plan, attacks One Nation monoculture Nigel Farage faces off with Count Binface in very British by-electionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody covers politics like Dennis Shanahan, and today our National Editor is here with a withering take on the big story lighting up politics this week: Anthony Albanese, a gross joke about melons and breasts, and a disastrous attempt to spin the PM out of trouble. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Japan formally raises Anthony Albanese’s ‘melons’ podcast joke Anthony Albanese denies he made a crude joke out of Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s ‘melons’ Anthony Albanese refuses to apologise to Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in QT ‘melons’ stoush Commentary by Dennis Shanahan: Anthony Albanese mired in a melon-drama of his own making Anthony Albanese’s ‘melons’ gaffe was bad – Tanya Plibersek’s defence is worse Why shaky Albanese should be wary of his midterm slump Commentary by Shingo Yagami: PM’s sexist melon joke was not only ungracious, it betrayed the close bond of our two nations This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is working from home a workplace right? That question is blowing up Victorian politics as Premier Ben Carroll seeks to appease furious businesspeople by delaying a work from home law until July 2027 - after the State election. Also in The Front’s afternoon headlines edition: the Reserve Bank keeps the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent but is still warning inflation is too high. Read more: Commentary by Anthony Galloway: Victorian Labor wedged itself on work from home Interest rates held steady as weak inflation and housing fears mountSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warring wives, competing values and a broken culture: Tech Bros, a new book by The Australian’s John Stensholt and Perry Williams, reveals the inside story of how Scott Farquhar and Mike Cannon-Brookes built Australia’s most successful tech business and lost their friendship. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Atlassian founders’ rift so deep they endured a ‘year of not talking’ Scott Farquhar’s ‘easy’ password sparked crisis that almost destroyed Atlassian ‘Annie is going to be really jealous’: Mike Cannon-Brookes’ closest staffer ‘bullied’ wife Margin Call: Billionaire Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes’ tough reading task for new hires This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sacked radio host Kyle Sandilands has returned to the airwaves in the hotly anticipated launch of his independent production. Plus, Iran releases footage of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and Australians ditch diesel cars for Chinese EVs. Read more: Kyle Sandilands spotted leaving Sydney studio after podcast launch disaster Iran releases video of supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei Australian interest in diesel cars dives amid cheap Chinese EV boomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former broadcaster Ray Hadley will this week enter the witness box to give evidence in the criminal trial of his former close colleague and rival Alan Jones, who’s pleaded not guilty to 22 charges involving sexual contact with young men. Jones’ barrister has already told the trial Hadley wanted to destroy Jones, and he’ll be giving evidence for the Crown. Liam Mendes joins us. Check out The Front in video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Jones accuser lied to his mother, court hears Sordid Alan Jones claims echo around his ears Media Diary: Hadley to face off against Jones in court This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ariana Grande is a 33-year-old superstar who is vanishing before our eyes. Are we allowed to say that? Is it OK for the rest of us to have opinions about the body of one of the world’s most photographed women? By expressing concern – or something else – about someone who looks so unwell, are we making things worse: projecting our own problems and hang-ups on the most talented among us? Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical, seeks to 'step back' Commentary by Bianca Farmakis: Ariana Grande is the latest symbol of an issue we still haven’t resolved This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta has been ordered to pay $1.34 billion in penalties for social media harms to children. Plus, a new defence pact has been established against Iran, and significant staff shortages have caused delays at Sydney Airport. Read more: Saudi, Pakistan, Turkey to sign defence pact amid warnings of attacks by Iran proxies Meta ordered to pay $1.34bn to address harm to kids from social media Sydney Airport chaos strands passengers as major airlines face widespread delays See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emotions are running high at the Bondi Beach massacre Royal Commission, with accusations of grandstanding and the pursuit of clickbait - and even the commissioner’s getting fired up. In today’s episode, how one Jewish leader found himself being cross-examined about the actions of Israel at a forum that many thought would be about easing tensions, rather than inflaming them. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Royal Commission: Peak Jewish body slams protest lawyers’ ‘clickbait theatrics’ NSW Premier Chris Minns slams lawyers for ‘disappointing’ royal commission questions Teen misogyny fuels rise in racism and extremism in schools, expert tells royal commission ‘We were the bad guys’: Former neo-Nazi tells royal commission how he was radicalised This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ABC’s managing director Hugh Marks has told Gina Rinehart the broadcaster is sorry for a skit aired in the Race Around The World program on July 12. Plus, experts say Australia should be urgently vaccinating birds and other animals against the H5N1 bird flu, and Geelong’s secret concussion deal with player. Read more: ABC apologises for airing ‘disgusting’ Gina Rinehart video on Race Around the World Our bird flu vaccinations are grounded while Kiwis fly AFL club Geelong strikes secret deal to make player liable for future brain injuriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.