SBS News In Depth

The RBA raises rates to a 15-year high, citing inflation risks as political debate over the causes intensifies.

The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates to a 15-year high, adding pressure on borrowers as inflation remains above target. Hear why the RBA says rates needed to rise, the risks it is watching, and how Labor and the Coalition are blaming different forces for the decision.

In this episode:
Why the RBA chose to raise the cash rate to 4.6% despite concerns about pressure on households and housing.
The three key risks Governor Michele Bullock says pushed the board towards another rate increase.
How the Middle East conflict, fuel prices and domestic capacity pressures feature in the inflation debate.
Labor and the Coalition clash over whether inflation is being driven by global factors or government spending.
What the latest rate rise could mean for mortgage holders, and why the possibility of further hikes remains in focus.

What the RBA's rate rise means for the economy, investments and mortgages

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves takes a look at the impact of the RBA's 25 basis point increase to the official interest rate with Shane Oliver from AMP, Henry Jennings from Marcus Today and Sally Tindall from Canstar.

In this episode:
Why the RBA says inflation remains too high, and the key factors driving its latest rate hike.
Shane Oliver explains the economic signals that could keep rates on hold, and the risks that could change the outlook.
What the latest increase means for mortgage repayments, and the options available to borrowers under pressure.
The savings-rate opportunity savers may want to watch closely as banks respond to the RBA decision.
Why markets rose despite higher interest rates, and what investors are being told to prepare for next.
SBS On the Money is a daily finance podcast where SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves unpacks the ASX, the economy and the latest market moves with leading analysts and executives.

Listen to more episodes of SBS On the Money, 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.

Experts say NSW's Bogong moth surge is a positive sign as the endangered species makes its annual migration.

Thousands of Bogong moths have appeared across Sydney and the NSW South Coast, alarming some residents and captivating social media. Experts explain why the endangered insects have arrived in such numbers, what it reveals about their recovery, and why the spectacle is being welcomed by scientists.

In this episode
Why experts say the sudden surge of Bogong moths is an encouraging sign, not a plague.
How warm weather and strong winds may have pushed migrating moths off course.
What a spike in sightings could reveal about the species' recovery after a dramatic population crash.
The remarkable journey Bogong moths make each year to reach the Australian Alps.
Why these insects matter for ecosystems, native species and First Nations communities.

An online course run out of Adelaide shows how motivated Afghan women are to keep learning in the face of harsh restrictions.

As Afghan women remain largely erased from public life, the impacts on their mental health are profound. UN figures suggest an estimated 2.4 million Afghan girls have been barred from secondary education since the the Taliban regained power in 2021. Now, in the face of such bans, some Afghan women are turning to online mental health courses - combining their passion for learning with courses to help them and those in their community cope.

In this episode:

Women reflects on being banned from attending universities.
The emotional and mental health impact of losing access to education, opportunity and hope.
How an Adelaide-based Afghan mental health clinician created an online course for women in Afghanistan.
The practical barriers facing participants, including internet access, electricity shortages and privacy concerns.
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.

Historian Zoe Smith explores Australia’s long history of tackling domestic violence and the challenges that remain.

How has domestic violence moved on and off Australia’s political agenda for more than a century? Historian Dr Zoe Smith traces key turning points from the 1880s to today, examining reform efforts, national plans, prevention strategies, media coverage and what Australia might learn from overseas.

In this episode:
Why domestic violence was described as a “national crime and a social menace” as early as 1904, and what changed after World War I.
How the women’s movement helped push domestic violence back onto the national agenda in the 1970s.
Why Australia’s first national plan was criticised, and what the current plan is doing differently.
The growing focus on prevention, perpetrators, respectful relationships education and generational change.
What Scotland and Spain’s long-term approaches reveal about the investment and commitment needed to reduce violence.