The Front

Turn the temperature down - that’s the refrain from Anthony Albanese as independent MP Helen Haines battles to survive injuries sustained in a shocking vehicle attack. But what does that actually mean? What did Haines’ alleged attacker believe in? Can we draw reason and meaning from online rants or a grab-bag of grievances - and even if we can, how does it help us? And when the target of political violence is a mild-mannered grandma from the country, how do we find optimism? Today, political editor Geoff Chambers joins us to think through all these big ideas.
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Message to the left - stop minimising threats
Why Helen Haines is the best of us
Experts warn of the conspiratorial multiverse
This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Jasper Leak and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou and Joshua Burton. Our music is by Jasper Leak.
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What could motivate someone to mow down a grandma, nurse and widely respected MP? Although no charges have been laid, questions emerge about the alleged grievances of Brendan Nugent.
Read more:
‘Plant person’ and ‘pro-Gaza’ radical Brendan Nugent arrested over Helen Haines attack
Helen Haines attack sparks political rivals to rally behind ‘one of the finest’
Barber Ricky Jefferies recalls disarming driver after alleged Helen Haines attack
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It’s the most French of stories: a public grievance blows up into a major conflagration with town halls burnt and synagogues ransacked. This time, anger over classroom conditions in history’s hottest summer has become a public order catastrophe. So who’s really to blame? Greg Sheridan is here.
Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Further reading:
Rule of law? Far too bourgeois
Synagogues ransacked, Jewish businesses burnt
Stunned Macron seeks answers
This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Jasper Leak. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack and Joshua Burton. Our theme is by Jasper Leak.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Backflipping and confusion over credit card surcharges seem to have left points junkies able to pay their tax on plastic and reap a one-time-only points haul. Plus, Vladimir Putin’s plan for Ukraine peace that doesn’t involve Ukraine.
Read more:
Taxpayers pocket free frequent flyer points as government subsidises ATO credit card fees
Putin floats summit with Trump and Xi to decide Ukraine’s fate
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Nobody thought Benjamin Netanyahu could survive the Hamas onslaught, a scandal over unheeded warnings and the sprawling Gaza-Iran-Lebanon-Houthi conflicts that have arisen.
As Israel’s October 28 elections near, rivals Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid say it’s time to end the Bibi era - but there is a wild possibility Netanyahu could survive yet again. Julie Szego is here.
Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel.
What will decide Israel's election psychodrama?

Israeli settlers in new wave of violence
Simon Schama: The lies and laziness fuelling Jew-hatred
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.