Australia has 17 new billionaires + How Trump can rig the midterms
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
a listener production.
Hey, it's Chris Spear with you. Welcome to The Briefing. This year's midterm elections in the US could be about more than who ends up controlling the Congress, but also could have major consequences for democracy as a whole.
We have never seen gerrymandering push nearly as far as it is at the moment, and the result of that is potentially...
What recent international events are affecting US-Iran relations?
If they pull it off, one side can rig the election, so it's almost impossible for them to lose, no matter what happens. And that is the end of democracy.
We explain everything you need to know about the US midterm elections, why they matter, and what could happen in the second half of this episode. Firstly, let's get into the headlines with Sacha Barbagat on Tuesday, the 2nd of June.
Thanks, Chris. We're starting overseas today and Iran has reportedly halted negotiations to end the war with the US in protest over Israel's actions in Lebanon. Iranian state media is reporting the regime has stopped exchanging messages through mediator Pakistan, saying it won't negotiate a broader deal until Israel stops its attacks.
Who is leading the independent inquiry into AUKUS in Australia?
But Donald Trump is telling a very different story. Posting to Truth Social early this morning, he says talks are continuing at a rapid pace and that after a call with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has agreed to halt any attacks against Hezbollah and that no Israeli troop will be entering Beirut and any that already have, have been turned back. The US president also claims to have spoken with Hezbollah via representatives, saying the group has committed to stopping its attacks on Israel.
So for a bit of context around this, over the weekend, Israel made its deepest push into Lebanon in more than 26 years, capturing Beaufort Castle in the country's south, a historic stronghold it had used as a military base during its occupation between 1982 and 2000. Fighting continued yesterday with the IDF issuing fresh evacuation warnings while Hezbollah fired volleys of rockets and drones into northern Israel. We are yet to hear from Netanyahu at the time of recording, but the last we did hear from him was yesterday when he said the IDF will be pressing on until Hezbollah strongholds are eliminated and its northern border is secure.
US forces give the nod.
Back home now and former Labor Environment Minister Peter Garrett has been named to head up an independent inquiry into the Orcas Pact. A group of Labor veterans and public figures is behind the move with concerns the $368 billion defence plan is not in Australia's best interest. Garrett, also the frontman of iconic Aussie band Midnight Oil, will be the lead commissioner on the community-based investigation, which is set to last five months.
So it'll hold public hearings and hand down its final report in October. Now, the pact between Australia, the US and the UK was first announced in 2021 and will see us buy three nuclear submarines and also share intelligence and technology in the interests of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Many, including some current government figures, former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating as well, have expressed that this deal is not in our country's best interests.
How has Australia's billionaire count changed recently?
With this probe to examine that, as well as issues around nuclear, the environment and employment consequences. So it's worth noting this is not a parliamentary inquiry, Chris. This is a public community led. It's got trade unions backing it. and it's not going to have teeth. It's not like this is going to finish and then all of a sudden they're going to go, oh, well, Orcus is no longer. I do think it's interesting, though, because there have been inquiries held within government in the UK and the US. The Pentagon did one in the US. There was another one in the UK. Yeah.
What does UNSW's ranking say about Australian universities?
And, you know, the decision was eventually made to continue with the pact. But I guess the question is, is it in Australia's best interest, not in the US or UK's?
Yeah, well, I mean, we do know that both Labor and the coalition back AUKUS in all the way. I mean, the circumstances of how we got here, way too storied and complex to get into in these headlines.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:02–0:30
2
What recent international events are affecting US-Iran relations?
0:30–1:12
3
Who is leading the independent inquiry into AUKUS in Australia?
1:12–3:16
4
How has Australia's billionaire count changed recently?
3:16–3:46
5
What does UNSW's ranking say about Australian universities?
3:46–4:25
6
Why are the upcoming US midterm elections significant?
4:25–5:53
7
How does gerrymandering impact the US electoral process?
5:53–7:41
8
What role does the war in Iran play in the US midterms?
7:41–24:55
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from The Briefing
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