SBS News In Depth

The senior leader of the ultra-conservative religious group, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, has appeared before a parliamentary inquiry to respond to allegations of interference in the last federal election in 2025.

Senior leaders of the the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church have given evidence at a parliamentary inquiry on allegations of interference with the 2025 federal election. Bruce Hales and his son, Gareth Hales, appeared before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in the latest hearing.

In this episode:

• What are the allegations against the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church?
• Why have the leaders of the Brethren group been asked to appear at a parliamentary inquiry?
• How are election interference concerns being addressed?

Some Australian cemeteries could run out of burial space within a decade, raising questions about the future of deathcare.

As some urban cemeteries near capacity, Australia's deathcare sector is grappling with a growing shortage of burial space. It's changing how Australians are approaching death and disposition, with cremation and alternative commemorisation rituals on the rise.

In this episode:

• Why some urban cemeteries are nearing capacity.
• Why planning and developing new cemeteries and crematoria can face challenges.
• How cemeteries are regulated in Australia.
• Do governments have an obligation to provide burial space for certain faith groups?
• Why cremation is becoming more popular in Australia.
• Alternative forms of disposition, including upright burials.
• Why some cemeteries offer renewable tenure for graves.
• Questions around the future of deathcare in Australia.

As Ukraine casts doubt over US partnership,it looks to Europe for fresh support in the ongoing war with Russia.

Ukraine's leader says the US has chosen the "wrong side" in signing a deal with Russia for oil exports despite Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine, accusing the US of withholding crucial intelligence information as he courts European leaders for fresh support. Donald Trump is spruiking what he says is a significant oil deal with Russia.

South Australia becomes the first Australian home of the Michelin Guide, with 77 restaurants recognised.

The Michelin Guide has arrived in Australia for the first time, choosing South Australia for its inaugural guide. Anonymous inspectors assessed dozens of venues, with one restaurant earning two stars. What made the cut, and why is the move being hailed as a major boost for the state's food and wine scene?

In this episode:

• Why Michelin inspectors spent months anonymously dining across South Australia.
• The emotional moment a South Australian chef received the state's first two Michelin stars.
• How 77 restaurants were recognised across Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand and Selected categories.
• The surprising historical link between Michelin tyres, motoring and restaurant awards.
• What the South Australian Premier says the guide could mean for the state's global reputation.

The US President appears to have upended months of support for Ukraine, striking a diesel import deal with Vladimir Putin. What does the agreement mean for Ukraine’s fight for survival? And as fears of Russian aggression linger, how is neighbouring Estonia preparing to defend itself? Meanwhile, Houthi fighters are escalating tensions in the Middle East, targeting Saudi Arabia’s main airport. We examine how Riyadh is likely to respond, and why some of its closest allies may be reluctant to get involved. Plus, a cyberattack sends fridges across France into meltdown in a bizarre new frontier of hacking, and the unexpected stowaways discovered aboard a Perth-to-Rome flight.

The US President appears to have upended months of support for Ukraine, striking a diesel import deal with Vladimir Putin. What does the agreement mean for Ukraine’s fight for survival? And as fears of Russian aggression linger, how is neighbouring Estonia preparing to defend itself?

Meanwhile, Houthi fighters are escalating tensions in the Middle East, targeting Saudi Arabia’s main airport. We examine how Riyadh is likely to respond, and why some of its closest allies may be reluctant to get involved.

Plus, a cyberattack sends fridges across France into meltdown in a bizarre new frontier of hacking, and the unexpected stowaways discovered aboard a Perth-to-Rome flight.

Australia’s jobless rate reaches 4.7%, raising questions about hiring, wages and the RBA’s next move.

Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7 per cent in September, its highest level since October 2021. Blair Chapman, chief economist at Seek, discusses the state of the jobs market, hiring trends, salaries and what the figures could mean for interest rates. The Australian sharemarket fell 0.1 per cent, with technology and mining stocks under pressure. Ben Clark, portfolio manager at TMS Private Wealth, joins SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves to discuss the market, the Australian dollar and investment opportunities.

In this episode

• What the rise in unemployment says about the jobs market and hiring trends
• How the jobs figures could affect the RBA’s next interest rate decision
• What Seek’s Advertised Salary Index suggests about pay
• Why technology and mining stocks fell, and what investors are watching

Labor's digital duty of care bill would let Australians opt out of social media algorithms.

Labor has introduced its digital duty of care bill, giving Australians the option to opt in or out of algorithm-driven social media feeds. Supporters say it will improve online safety, while critics argue it either goes too far or not far enough. What changes could be coming, and why is the debate so divided?

In this episode:

• How the proposed digital duty of care would let users take greater control over what appears in their social media feeds.
• Why the government says the bill is about online safety, not regulating speech.
• The controversial provision removed after concerns it could be seen as political censorship.
• Why the Greens argue the legislation lacks key protections for people harmed online.
• How the Coalition, independents and Labor MPs are clashing over who should be responsible for keeping Australians safe online.

Student protests spread from France to Belgium, Greece and Albania over education, costs and future prospects.

A student protest movement that began in France is spreading across Europe. As demonstrations grow in Belgium, Greece and Albania, students voice concerns about education funding, living costs, university access and their futures, while governments face mounting pressure to respond.

In this episode:

• Why French students say they will continue striking despite government promises of a response.
• First-hand accounts of deteriorating school conditions, teacher shortages and funding concerns.
• Greta Thunberg joins protesters and explains why she believes the movement matters.
• Tensions escalate in Albania as demonstrations turn confrontational and officials condemn the violence.
• How students in Belgium and Greece are drawing inspiration from events in France while raising their own concerns about costs and access to education.

New analysis shows economic misery is being driven by higher prices and interest rates. So what's in store for Australia?

Economic misery in Australia is on the march. New analysis from the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has found it's back near its post-pandemic highs, and is expected to stay well above recent historical averages until at least the end of 2028.

In this episode:

• Jim Chalmers at the G20 economic summit talking about a set of grim financial forecasts.
• The IMF's latest World Economic Outlook on Australia's inflation rate.
• Commbank CEO Matt Comyn on house prices are likely only halfway through their downward spiral.
• What is the misery index and how is it calculated?
• Is Australia expected to see an increase in the jobless rate next year?
• Does Australia need to rely on productivity on decades to come?

SBS News in Depth is a news analysis podcast from SBS, going behind the headlines with reporting and interviews on the stories shaping Australia and the world.

Listen to more episodes of SBS News in Depth, and follow the show on the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

For the latest news from Australia and around the world, visit SBS News and follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Newly released national survey data provides a clearer picture of the health and wellbeing outcomes for the Stolen Generations survivors and descendants.

The data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare also shows there are an estimated 200,000 Stolen Generations descendants aged 18 years and over. Half of descendants live with a disability or restrictive long-term condition and 37 per cent experience high psychological distress.

The Stolen Generations refers to the First Nations children who were removed from their families across Australia - from the mid-1800s and until the 1970s - as part of deliberate assimilation policies aimed at eliminating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this episode:

• How intergenerational trauma manifests in Stolen Generations families
• Lower health, wellbeing and socioeconomic factors documented in national data
• The role of Stolen Generations advocacy groups
• 30 years on from a landmark report, what happened to the recommendations to support healing for Stolen Generations survivors?

SBS News in Depth is a news analysis podcast from SBS, going behind the headlines with reporting and interviews on the stories shaping Australia and the world.

Listen to more episodes of SBS News in Depth, and follow the show on the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

For the latest news from Australia and around the world, visit SBS News and follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.