Episodes

  • Max Chandler-Mather on a hopeful progressive populism

    Max Chandler-Mather on a hopeful progressive populism
    May 29 2026
    In his new role as director of the Greens’ think-tank, Max Chandler-Mather argues that the major political parties and parts of the media often limit policy debate – which, on issues such as housing and wealth inequality, shuts down real alternatives to the status quo. The former Greens MP and housing spokesperson speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy about returning to policies that improve the lives of Australians in material ways – and why he thinks political nihilism defines One Nation
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    32 mins
  • Guardian Essential report: a lukewarm response to Labor’s budget

    Guardian Essential report: a lukewarm response to Labor’s budget
    May 28 2026
    Jim Chalmers says his fifth federal budget is the ‘best budget for young people’, but in the latest Guardian Essential poll voters are unconvinced that the proposals will make for a fairer housing system. Political reporter Josh Butler and Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis discuss the political challenges that Labor faces on its proposed reforms to housing and tax policy
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    23 mins
  • Tim Wilson on the Liberals’ economic vision

    Tim Wilson on the Liberals’ economic vision
    May 22 2026
    In his biggest address so far, shadow treasurer Tim Wilson described the federal budget as an ‘economic earthquake’ at the National Press Club this week. He speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy about Paul Keating’s criticism of the Coalition’s response to Labor’s tax reforms, and defends Angus Taylor’s controversial migration policy – which links housing completion and restricts access to welfare support
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    30 mins
  • Jim Chalmers responds to the budget’s critics

    Jim Chalmers responds to the budget’s critics
    May 15 2026
    Political editor Tom McIlroy and economics editor Patrick Commins speak with Jim Chalmers about the criticisms that his ‘reforming’ and ‘ambitious’ budget, while historic, stands to benefit only a relatively small number of Australians. The treasurer also explains why the budget didn’t include an increase in tax for gas exports, and how this government is putting forward an economic strategy to address the anxieties that lead voters to turn to populism on the right
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    28 mins
  • Finance minister Katy Gallagher on her 'most challenging' budget

    Finance minister Katy Gallagher on her 'most challenging' budget
    May 8 2026
    The criticisms of Tuesday’s federal budget have already started. Labor is facing allegations of broken promises over changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. And there is frustration in the electorate about the government’s $50bn increase in defence spending over the next decade, while also significantly reducing the growth in NDIS spending. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to finance minister Katy Gallagher who, along with treasurer Jim Chalmers, is leading the decision making on a budget that claims to address intergenerational fairness – while also being responsible and resilient in an uncertain global environment
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    25 mins
  • Michelle Milthorpe on fighting One Nation in Farrer

    Michelle Milthorpe on fighting One Nation in Farrer
    May 7 2026
    This Saturday’s byelection in Sussan Ley’s former seat of Farrer is expected to be a tight two-horse race between a community independent and a One Nation candidate – with none of the major parties in serious contention. The independent candidate, Michelle Milthorpe, speaks to the political editor, Tom McIlroy, about her second time vying for the regional seat, why she resists being labelled as a ‘teal’ and her position on climate and environmental policies in her electorate
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    28 mins
  • Annastacia Palaszczuk on resilience

    Annastacia Palaszczuk on resilience
    May 4 2026
    When Annastacia Palaszczuk led a Labor opposition to win government in the 2015 Queensland election, she was labelled an ‘accidental premier’. She later became a three-term premier who ended on her own terms. In conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, she speaks about how her resilience was formed by profound personal loss through miscarriage and IVF treatments – which she describes in her new memoir. Palaszczuk also discusses how ‘heartbreaking’ it is to watch David Crisafulli’s government reverse her renewable energy policies and attributes Pauline Hanson’s long political career to being ‘relatable’. Note: This interview was recorded before police charged Palaszczuk’s partner, Vahid Reza Adib, with rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty. Adib was granted police bail and will face court at a later date. He made no comment outside the police station on Friday afternoon
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    33 mins
  • Guardian Essential poll: Pauline Hanson has another breakthrough

    Guardian Essential poll: Pauline Hanson has another breakthrough
    Apr 30 2026
    The One Nation leader now has a higher job approval rating than Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor, and for the first time in the Essential poll – the right wing populist party is outperforming the Coalition. After Anthony Albanese confirmed on Wednesday that the upcoming federal budget will not include a tax on existing gas export contracts, political reporter Josh Butler and columnist Peter Lewis examine voters’ support for taxing profits on gas exports. They also discuss the government’s challenge of preparing a budget for an electorate that is increasingly pessimistic about the country’s economic future this year
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    26 mins