The Morning Edition SMH & The Age

This week Opposition leader Peter Dutton unveiled the Coalition’s plans for its nuclear energy policy. In doing so, he drew the battle lines for the next election, with the Albanese government firmly backing in its own plan to lower emissions using renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar.

Plus, this week Australia hosted a visit from the Chinese Premier Li Qiang. So did the visit improve relations with our largest trading partner, or set them back?Today, chief political correspondent David Crowe, national climate and environment editor Nick O’Malley and national affairs correspondent Matthew Knott, join Jacqueline Maley.
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The Chinese Communist Party has long used unconventional means to improve strained relationships. In the 1970s, this meant sending ping pong players to the United States, to encourage the country to lift its embargo against China. (It worked.)So it was that China pledged, over the weekend, that it would loan one of our zoos two so-called therapy pandas. That’s right, pandas.Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on how this diplomatic strategy went down in Canberra. And the skirmish in Parliament House that highlighted the perennial tensions between Australia and its largest trading partner. Which might take a lot more than therapy pandas to fix.
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There’s less than five months to go until the American presidential election. And the race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is neck and neck, with one recent poll putting Trump ahead by less than one point. 

Both are geriatric candidates. And they face the same challenge. How will they attract the youth vote? 

Today, world editor Nick Ralston, on which young celebrities are most likely to sway voters. (A hint: it’s no longer Taylor Swift.) And whether former Neighbours star Holly Valance might influence a political shift to the far right.
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A music teacher was fired from her Christian school in Sydney this year - all because a parent discovered she was in a same-sex relationship.

The firing was all perfectly legal, under a law that the Australian government promised - but has so far, failed - to scrap. 

The law change aims to protect LGBTQ teachers and students, but also promises to walk a tricky tightrope to allow religious schools the right to hire teachers who accord with their faith. 

The issue has dogged successive governments for years with politicians trying, and failing to implement the bill. 

Today, federal health reporter Natassia Chrysanthos on why it’s still legal for gay Australians to lose their jobs, because of their sexuality. 
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The climate change wars heated up, last week, after opposition leader Peter Dutton announced that, if elected to government, he would dump the current emissions reduction target for 2030.

Activists, and even a member of Dutton’s own party, recoiled. This move, they said, may breach our commitment to the Paris Agreement - the treaty committed to fighting global warming.

Today, national climate and environment editor Nick O’Malley on what the Paris Agreement is all about. And why political infighting might damage not just our economy and our environment, but our ability to defend ourselves, too.
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This week, opposition leader Peter Dutton indicated he would not commit to a climate change target for 2030 until after the election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit back, saying the Coalition policy would mean energy shortfalls and higher bills. This development sets up the next election as a battle between the major parties on global warming.

Also, there has been discontent among Liberal party members - particularly senator Hollie Hughes, who was recently kicked off a winnable spot on the senate ticket.

Today, national affairs editor James Massola and chief political correspondent David Crowe join Jacqueline Maley to discuss what these climate battle lines mean.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.
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