This week we are still in election limbo, so how can leaders maintain their focus during a long pseudo-campaign? Tony Barry and Barrie Cassidy examine Dutton’s surprise dual citizenship referendum idea – one that even his own party colleagues weren’t expecting – as well as the upcoming budget, Aukus and why every election campaign needs a villain Email the Barries at backtobackbarries@theguardian.com ..read more

The unofficial election campaign is about to intensify, with a pre-election budget just days away. With political messaging coming thick and fast, both parties will be trying to sell their vision to the public. But with Australian society becoming increasingly fragmented, will the same campaign strategies cut through? Bridie Jabour talks with the editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, about what is dividing voters, and how these fractures are shaping our politics ..read more

Earlier this month, police revealed their belief that a caravan found with explosives on the outskirts of Sydney was a criminal con job. Previously regarded as antisemitic, the Australian federal police confirmed their findings that the caravan plot, along with a series of 13 other orchestrated attacks, were not ideologically motivated. Rather, they were allegedly carried out by organised criminals as a way to distract police and further their own causes. Nour Haydar speaks to Guardian reporter Jordyn Beazley about why pressure is now mounting on the Minns government to repeal laws rushed thro ..read more

Emma Graham-Harrison reports on the strikes carried out by Israeli military forces on dozens of targets across Gaza early on Tuesday, leaving more than 400 people dead ..read more

The demand for oversized cars in Australia is surging, with SUVs and utes increasingly becoming the family and commuter car of choice. And while they are seen as the safer choice, experts say they may be making our roads deadlier. Transport and urban affairs reporter Elias Visontay tells Reged Ahmad why size doesn’t always equal safety and whether we need to reverse our attraction to SUVs ..read more

One weekend every year, Formula One takes over Melbourne. And while F1 is riding high in Australia with a massive new audience of young people – especially women – flooding the stands, critics point to a host of issues surrounding the sport, including the environmental cost. Matilda Boseley talks to sport reporter Jack Snape on what’s behind the new golden age of motorsport and if an Australian could win the F1 Championship this year ..read more

As we approach the Australian federal election, our new podcast series is exploring how much power and influence Gina Rinehart has in this country. She is a success story, worth almost $40bn. She’s also a climate sceptic, a Trumpette, a litigant – even against her own kids – and the woman who saved Australian swimming. Reged Ahmad speaks to senior correspondent and the host of this new series, Sarah Martin, to ask: who is Gina Rinehart, and what does she want? Listen and subscribe to Gina here ..read more

It’s been a wild week in Australian politics. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred delayed the election, giving us a bonus budget while the revelation a caravan filled with explosives was not part of a terror plot delivered lessons for politicians on all sides. But dominating the debate was Donald Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. Tony Barry and Barrie Cassidy examine how best to manage a relationship with an unpredictable ally, look closer to home at what the WA poll means for the federal election and examine why things are looking up for Albanese ..read more

As the shadow election campaign marches inexorably towards the official one, Peter Dutton and the Coalition have started to face scrutiny. The opposition leader and his team keep contradicting themselves, ‘misspeaking’ and backtracking. Reged Ahmad talks to editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor, head of newsroom Mike Ticher and national news editor Jo Tovey about if Peter Dutton’s missteps and the Coalition’s policy problems will start to add up in the minds of voters ..read more

Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, has a new role – saving his country from becoming America’s 51st state. Leyland Cecco reports You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport ..read more