Latest Episodes
Politics podcast: John Blaxland on The Secret Cold War - The Official History of ASIO
In the third volume of The Official History of ASIO series, historians Dr John Blaxland and Dr Rhys Crawley examine the organisation’s role in the years leading to the end of the Cold War. Blaxland tells Michelle Grattan that this is a story about looking at Australia in the ‘70s and '80s “through the glasses of an ASIO officer or an ASIO agent”. During the period covered in the book, Blaxland says…
2 Hosts: Michelle Grattan and John Blaxland
Politics podcast: Stirling Griff and Skye Kakoschke-Moore on life in the Senate
Nick Xenophon’s two new Senate colleagues, Stirling Griff and Skye Kakoschke-Moore, are no strangers to the political process, having both worked with Xenophon behind the scenes. In a joint interview, they tell Michelle Grattan about their contrasting experiences in becoming politicians. Kakoschke-Moore says she has had the benefit of being around Xenophon for nearly six years. “So I understand the…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Tanya Plibersek on marriage equality and education funding
In the wake of Labor’s rejection of the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite, speculation has fallen on whether it will maintain its planned policy of enforcing a binding vote on marriage equality after the next election. Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek tells Michelle Grattan she doesn’t think the issue will come up at the party’s next national conference. “I know that the Liberals are trying…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Mark Dreyfus on George Brandis' solicitor-general controversy
A contentious move by Attorney-General George Brandis to restrict access to legal advice from the solicitor-general is continuing to raise controversy and questions about its legal validity. Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus tells Michelle Grattan that he sees this as “the most extraordinary power grab by the Attorney-General in the history of the office”. “We already know that he’s held up requests…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Simon Birmingham on the new VET student loan scheme
A new vocational education and training student loan scheme will aim at putting a stop to rorting by dodgy private colleges. Education Minister Simon Birmingham tells Michelle Grattan the new scheme is being built from the ground up. “First and foremost, [there will be] strong barriers to entry for the types of vocational education providers who can offer loans as part of it,” he says. The reforms…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Scott Ryan on the same-sex marriage plebiscite and political donations
Monday’s government-Labor meeting over the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite ended in a stalemate. But Special Minister of State Scott Ryan tells Michelle Grattan the government has made it very clear it will consider in “good faith” any proposal Bill Shorten and Labor bring forward. “The meeting was an opportunity for them – even if they didn’t have the power to make formal suggestions – to actually…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Peter Jennings on Turnbull's trip to the US
At the UN next week Malcolm Turnbull will be among many leaders responding to the large movements of refugees and migrants across the world. Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, tells Michelle Grattan that the purpose of US President Barack Obama’s meeting is to get other countries to accept more refugees through legal channels. “I don’t think he’s going…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Don Watson on the rise of Trump
Earlier this year, Australian writer Don Watson visited the United States, observing the race for president. Rather than examine the “rust belt” or “down-at-heel” cities, Watson chose America’s heartland. “I found in Wisconsin many of the underlying themes of this election. And that sort of Gothic quality of the United States where everything has a very deep and often dark story behind it.” Watson…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Eric Abetz on the conservatives in the Liberal Party
In the first sitting of the new parliament, conservatives within the government have muscled a proposed amendment to the Racial Discrimination Act onto the agenda. Senator Eric Abetz, a strong advocate for change, tells Michelle Grattan that he doubts it will be dealt with this year. “It will be introduced and then I think it would make sense for it to go through the normal processes. It may well go…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Fred Smith on The Dust of Uruzgan
Fred Smith is no ordinary Australian diplomat. In postings served in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan, he built relationships with tribal leaders while continuing his side-career as a folk musician. Smith, who has written about his experiences in a book, The Dust of Uruzgan, tells Michelle Grattan for the first three or four months he stashed his guitar under the bed. “You know, I wanted to be taken…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Bob Brown on Malcolm Turnbull and the same-sex marriage plebiscite
Since retiring from politics in 2012, former Greens leader Bob Brown has continued to offer sharp perspectives on issues of national debate. After giving the closing address at the Canberra Writers’ Festival at the weekend, Brown tells Michelle Grattan that Malcolm Turnbull should have “stood up to the right wing” of his party at the end of 2015. “We now have a reactionary and conservative government…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Derryn Hinch on becoming a senator
Incoming Victorian senator Derryn Hinch has the potential to be an ally or an enemy to the government’s agenda. Describing his political philosophy, Hinch says he isn’t in the Senate “just to be opposition”. “If I was in America I’d be a Democrat. I’m conservative on some issues. Very conservative. And that’s over law-and-order issues and I’ve campaigned on those over the years. If I’m a socialist…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Karen Middleton on Albanese – Telling It Straight
This week, political reporter Karen Middleton is releasing a book about the life and career of Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese. At its heart is a deeply personal story of Albanese’s absent father. As a boy, Albanese believed his father had died in a car accident shortly after his parent’s marriage. But at the age of 14 his mother told him the truth. Middleton tells Michelle Grattan she came to…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Anne Aly on counter-terrorism policy
When parliament returns later this month, Labor’s Anne Aly will become the first Muslim woman to take a seat in the lower house. Aly is an internationally renowned scholar on counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation. In 2014, she was the only Australian expert invited to attend Barack Obama’s summit on countering violent extremism. Aly tells Michelle Grattan she has spoken with many people who have…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Linda Burney on the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off
Next week, Australians will look back at one the most significant moments in the struggle for Indigenous rights. August 23 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off, when Vincent Lingiari led a group of 200 Aboriginal workers and their families off a Northern Territory pastoral station in protest against their exploitative pay and working conditions. Labor’s spokesperson for human services…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Tom Calma says Nigel Scullion should go
The royal commission into the Northern Territory’s youth detention and child protection systems has had a shaky start. The Four Corners program that spurred the federal government into action has also raised questions about its previous knowledge of reports of abuse at the Don Dale detention centre. Chancellor of the University of Canberra Tom Calma, who is co-chair of Reconciliation Australia and…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Tiernan Brady on the campaign for same-sex marriage
Tiernan Brady was the political director of the “yes” campaign during the Irish referendum on same-sex marriage. With the government pushing ahead with plans for a plebiscite on the issue, Brady is in Australia to help advise local advocates. Brady tells Michelle Grattan one of the most important aspects of the Irish referendum was that they recognised that it should always be about “a real person…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Jim Chalmers on Labor's approach to the economy
Labor begins its next phase in opposition with bigger numbers in the parliament and with a new level of confidence as it confronts the government. Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation Jim Chalmers tells Michelle Grattan Labor has a pretty good record of “supporting what they can” of government savings measures. “The way I like to describe it is when it comes to the budget, you…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Darren Chester on the Nationals' success
By increasing their numbers within the government, the Nationals were the surprise success story of the election, with a very locally focused campaign. The infrastructure and transport minister, Darren Chester, tells Michelle Grattan the presidential style of campaigning that is becoming more prevalent in Australia doesn’t suit the Nationals. “We don’t necessarily benefit from that style of campaigning…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: Wayne Swan on Labor's next moves
As a veteran of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years, former treasurer Wayne Swan is a politician with a great deal of experience with parliamentary instability. With the outcome of the election still uncertain, Swan tells Michelle Grattan Labor should approach the next period ahead in a very positive way. “We put [forward] a comprehensive agenda for inclusive growth. What you saw at this election was the defeat…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics podcast: James Pearson on the knife-edge result and business confidence
The election has plunged Australia into uncertainty and placed a possible question mark over the country for companies looking to invest. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO James Pearson tells Michelle Grattan that businesses are disappointed there isn’t a clear result and that policies that are pro-business will now be harder to get through parliament. “The call from business now is to…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Election podcast: Nick Xenophon on his play for Senate power
Senator Nick Xenophon is the South Australian “vote magnet”. He is making both the Coalition and Labor nervous as he spreads his brand at this election. His probable success promises not just more Senate seats for the nascent party but a powerful role in the new Senate for its leader. Xenophon tells Michelle Grattan he believes that while governments have a mandate to introduce legislation, the Senate…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Election podcast: Tony Abbott on his campaign role
Tony Abbott has been low key so far this election, spending much of his time campaigning in his own electorate, with some visits to MPs who invite him. Speaking with Michelle Grattan, he plays up being part of the team. He admits staunch Liberals have issues with the superannuation changes but says “the point I keep making to them is that we cannot avoid tough decisions”, and does not expect the policy…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Election podcast: the Greens' fight for Batman and Wills
The Greens, who already hold the seat of Melbourne, are making a big play for two nearby Labor-held seats – Batman, held by David Feeney, and Wills, where the popular Kelvin Thomson is retiring. Labor is especially worried about Batman, where Feeney’s failure to declare his A$2.3 million house added to his already embattled position. This week The Conversation spoke to Greens leader Richard Di Natale…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Election podcast: the Indi project
The battle for the Victorian seat of Indi is shaping up as a three-way contest. Independent Cathy McGowan is trying to fend off the former member Sophie Mirabella and the Nationals’ Marty Corboy. McGowan tells Michelle Grattan the election will come down to preferences. “I’m hoping that the National Party people will consider giving me their second preference and I’m hoping that Liberal Party people…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan