Edge of the Election: Instability reigns

A new episode has arrived and things aren't looking good at home or abroad.

Edge of the election episode three: instability reigns

Join Joel Duggan, Jason Gunst and Porter Mattinson this week as they chat about the latest political news.

Australian households are in crisis, the financial system appears to be on shaky ground and misinformation remains rife.

Something's got to give.

Food insecurity is on the rise across the country as inflation hikes continue to bite.

Disturbing figures released by Foodbank suggest 21 per cent of households have experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months.

Roughly 1.3 million children have been impacted.

The team discuss how we got here and how we can move forward.

The implosion of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has come as a shock to many.

Ironically, the bank's downfall is tied to US Government Treasuries.

Historically, Treasuries have been considered the "safest" investment choice, but interest rate rises have changed the playing field.

The team discuss if the collapse of SVB suggests broader instability within the financial system and if the government's response has been appropriate.

Silicon Valley Bank is the biggest lender to fail since 2008's global financial crisis. (Photo by Tony Webster)

Silicon Valley Bank is the biggest lender to fail since 2008's global financial crisis. (Photo by Tony Webster)

Fox News is facing two separate lawsuits from election technology companies who both claim they were defamed by the network's coverage of the 2020 US election.

Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic are seeking $1.6bn and $2.7bn in damages, respectively.

Both lawsuits allege Fox News hosts either knowingly lied, or displayed reckless disregard for accuracy, when the network reported Donald Trump's election fraud allegations.

The team consider the implications of unregulated free speech and the possible benefits of bringing back the Fairness Doctrine to mandate broadcast stations present opposing views on issues of public importance.

Tucker Carlson's text messages to colleagues suggest he knowingly lied to his audience. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)

Tucker Carlson's text messages to colleagues suggest he knowingly lied to his audience. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)

Tony Abbott has recently joined the board of the United Kingdom's main climate change denial group, Global Warming Policy Foundation.

Unsurprisingly, the Edge of the Election team has decided Abbott belongs in the bin for this move.

His claims that climate change is "probably doing good" and "more genuine science and less groupthink" are needed, are particular standouts.

Check out the episode and we'll catch you again next week.

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