Episodes

  • Jim Chalmers on uncertainty and ambition

    Jim Chalmers on uncertainty and ambition
    Jul 14 2025
    Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy one of his key measures of success in the future is making Australia’s budget more sustainable. They discuss the challenge of meeting housing targets, how the morning news affects his plans and what he hopes can come out of his upcoming meeting with the G20 finance ministers later this week.
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    27 mins
  • Accountability, robodebt and regional housing: Helen Haines unpacks it all

    Accountability, robodebt and regional housing: Helen Haines unpacks it all
    Jul 11 2025
    Tom McIlroy speaks to independent MP Helen Haines to talk through her ambitious agenda for the new parliamentary term, her sharp disappointment with the robodebt royal commission fallout, and what the government’s response says about political accountability
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    24 mins
  • O’Brien on Liberal ‘soul-searching’ amid nuclear and net-zero policy review

    O’Brien on Liberal ‘soul-searching’ amid nuclear and net-zero policy review
    Jul 4 2025
    After a bruising election loss, the Coalition is at a crossroads. Can it reinvent itself as a credible alternative to Labor, or will internal divisions over nuclear energy, net zero and the Liberal party’s identity doom it to another term in opposition? Guardian Australia chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, speaks with the deputy opposition leader, Ted O’Brien, about the road ahead – from climate policy to rebuilding trust – and whether the Coalition can rise from the ashes of defeat
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    22 mins
  • Greens leader Larissa Waters on holding the Labor government to account — Australian Politics podcast

    Greens leader Larissa Waters on holding the Labor government to account — Australian Politics podcast
    Jun 27 2025
    The new leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters from Queensland talks about her vision for the party, the challenges of a shifting political landscape, and why she believes this is a moment for bold reforms Labor must rewrite current environment laws which ‘facilitate development’, says Larissa Waters
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    23 mins
  • Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser on why a closer alliance with the US is necessary

    Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser on why a closer alliance with the US is necessary
    Jun 20 2025
    In a year shaped by rising global tensions and growing concerns over social cohesion at home, the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, presents his views on Australia’s place in the world
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    23 mins
  • Senator Maria Kovacic on what the Coalition needs to move forward

    Senator Maria Kovacic on what the Coalition needs to move forward
    Jun 13 2025
    ‘If we don’t listen it’s not going to get better for us – it will get worse,’ says the NSW Liberal moderate and newly appointed shadow assistant minister, joining Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy to discuss her party’s future
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    24 mins
  • Nicolette Boele on climate, business and making a difference

    Nicolette Boele on climate, business and making a difference
    Jun 6 2025
    Nicolette Boele was declared the winner in the Sydney seat of Bradfield this week, after a month of counting and recounting in her race against Liberal Gisele Kapterian. She is preparing to take her seat in parliament after a wafer-thin victory of just 26 votes. Boele speaks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy about why Labor needs to stop “walking both sides of the fence” on climate and energy and where she thinks the government could improve productivity.
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    23 mins
  • Guardian Essential report:​​ can Labor live up to the expectations?

    Guardian Essential report:​​ can Labor live up to the expectations?
    May 14 2025
    Post-election Albanese has seen a surge in popularity but what is the electorate expecting from a second term Labor government and can they deliver during challenging times? Guardian Australia’s political reporter, Josh Butler sits down with chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy and Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis.
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    25 mins