Latest Episodes
Podcast with Michelle Grattan: the return to lockdown
As well as her usual interviews with experts and politicians about the news of the day, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where all things political will be discussed with members of The Conversations’s politics team. In this episode, politics + society editor Amanda Dunn and Michelle discuss Scott Morrison’s Monday night announcement encouraging younger people to discuss…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Sussan Ley and Terri Butler on the Great Barrier Reef being 'in danger'
The government’s response to the UNESCO recommendation that the Great Barrier Reef be listed as “in danger” was one of surprise and shock. The recommendation will be considered at UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting next month. While the proposal calls attention to the need to address the effect of climate change and other factors which are degrading the reef, the government alleges it’s part…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Podcast with Michelle Grattan: Australia's new Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, climate policy and UNESCO
As well as Michelle Grattan’s usual interviews with experts and politicians about the news of the day, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where all things political will be discussed with members of The Conversations’s politics team. In this episode, politics + society editor Amanda Dunn and Michelle dive into the National party spill, which resulted in Barnaby Joyce…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Acting PM Michael McCormack on net zero 2050 and prospects for a new coal-fired power station
With Scott Morrison overseas, Nationals leader Michael McCormack has been Acting Prime Minister this week. In this podcast, he speaks about the free trade agreement with the UK, climate change, coal, the Nationals, and China. With speculation about whether Morrison will embrace a 2050 net zero target before the Glasgow climate conference, the attitude of the Nationals is critical and McCormack is under…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Word from The Hill: the Biloela Tamil family, G7 and the upcoming parliamentary fortnight
As well as Michelle Grattan’s usual interviews with experts and politicians about the news of the day, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where all things political will be discussed with members of The Conversations’s politics team. In this episode, politics + society editor Amanda Dunn and Michelle dive into Tuesday’s announcement that the Bioela Tamil family will now…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Rex Patrick on Freedom of Information and Australia's submarines
Senator Rex Patrick is currently challenging the secrecy around Scott Morrison’s national cabinet. He’s brought legal action – the outcome is pending – to attempt to have the minutes of this body, which includes federal, state and territory leaders, made public. The government claims the documents are protected by an exemption for cabinet documents in the freedom of information act, while Patrick claims…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Word from The Hill
As well as Michelle Grattan’s usual interviews with experts and politicians about the news of the day, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where all things political will be discussed with members of The Conversations’s politics team. In this week’s episode, politics + society editor Amanda Dunn discusses with Michelle current issues and what’s coming up. The pair dive…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Mark Butler on the vaccine rollout and democracy in the Labor Party
Despite this week’s strong economic figures, the pandemic is not as distant in the rearview mirror as many had hoped it would be by now. In Victoria, cluster outbreaks have forced the state into a new lockdown. With cases amongst aged care workers and residents, the state waits nervously as health authorities battle to contain the situation. As Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler is…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Katy Gallagher on the battle to hold the government to account
When Katy Gallagher joined the podcast this week, she was running between sessions of Senate estimates. Among other issues, she and other Labor senators pressed (with mixed results) for answers about the handling of the Brittany Higgins matter. Gallagher has another role in the pursuit of accountability. As Chair of the Senate’s Select Committee on COVID-19, she’s spearheading the quest for detail…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Richard Colbeck on aged care and the Olympics
In last week’s budget, $17.7 billion was allocated to the aged care sector, in response to the damning findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety. The commission’s final report painted a grim picture of a sector in need of sweeping overhaul - with people in residential care requiring a more supportive – and in some cases safer - environment, and people at home desperately…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Simon Birmingham and Jim Chalmers on a big spending budget
This year’s budget, handed down on Tuesday, boasts plenty of winners and minimal direct losers. Spending is lavish, with the government doing its utmost to avoid offending voters. The big spending commitments include: $17.7 billion for aged care over five years $2.3 billion for mental health $1.7 billion in changes to childcare $1.1 billion for women’s safety $1.9 billion for the rollout of the COVID…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: what should the budget do for women? Jennifer Westacott (BCA) and Michele O'Neil (ACTU)
What do business and union leaders believe should be in a budget that is designed in part to pitch to women? Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Business Council of Australia, says as well as spending on childcare – which we already know about – the budget should improve women’s access to superannuation. “Women have been very, very disadvantaged in that superannuation system - they are retiring with very…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: former ASIO head David Irvine on the cyber threats Australia faces
“The warfare of the 21st century” is going to be “fought in cyberspace before kinetic shots are fired” says leading national security expert David Irvine. And perhaps the fight has already begun, with Australia’s institutions, businesses, and citizens subject to a near constant barrage of cyber attacks. Previously chair and now a board member of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Irvine…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: military 'watch-dog' Neil James on Afghanistan, China, and Peter Dutton
Sunday is ANZAC day - and this year it comes at a particularly important time for Australia’s military image. Last week, Scott Morrison announced Australia’s remaining troops will leave Afghanistan by September, following President Biden’s announcement of the United States withdrawal. One negative legacy of Australia’s participation in this conflict is documented in the Brereton report on Australia…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Matt Canavan on Holgate, Di Bartolomeo, and John Andersen
Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate has given evidence to a Senate inquiry into her dramatic exit from Australia Post. Holgate left her position last year, when the prime minister denounced her in parliament for giving Cartier watches as rewards to Australia Post executives. Victim of a hit job, Holgate inflicted damaging hits of her own – delivering blows against Scott Morrison and Australia…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Stephen Duckett on what's gone wrong with the rollout
As of Tuesday, only 920,334 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered - a fraction of the four million doses the Morrison government had promised by end-March. The rollout’s complications and failures have sparked a backlash from some GPs, pharmacists, and states. The federal government says the problems are mainly supply issues – notably, the failure of millions of doses to arrive from…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Linda Burney on the treatment of Indigenous Women
In the passionate debate over the treatment of women in workplaces, and particularly the extent of violence and harassment, the voice of Indigenous women, especially those living in isolated communities, has gone largely unheard. Linda Burney, speaking at the ALP’s National Conference this week, strongly advocated for equality and opportunity for all in Australia. She called for a constitutionally-enshrined…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Sussan Ley on being a woman in politics
Over the last month, as more and more stories of sexually explicit behaviour and misconduct within the walls of Parliament House have been revealed, the “culture” of politics has come into question. One particular issue is the role and representation of women, and the need for more female voices to express the interests – and pain and frustrations – of women across the country. As Sussan Ley puts it…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Zali Steggall on Monday's march and Scott Morrison's response
On Monday, women across the nation marched, demanding justice, safety and equality. But the government’s response was lacklustre, with Scott Morrison and the Minister for Women Marise Payne refusing to go outside to the crowd. Morrison later chose his words badly when he said: “Not far from here, such marches, even now are being met with bullets, but not here in this country”. Independent MP Zali Steggall…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Fleur Johns on the rule of law
Christian Porter has unequivocally denied the historic rape allegations levelled against him, and says he is determined to stay in his job as attorney-general. Both Scott Morrison and Porter are adamant the “rule of law” in this country places the attorney-general beyond prosecution, now that the NSW police have closed the case. Porter is the country’s first law officer and many argue that requires…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Patricia Sparrow on the Royal Commission into Aged Care
The Royal Commission into Aged Care has now delivered its final report, and its findings are an indictment of the inadequacies of the present system. The report calls for a refocus within the aged care system, placing the people receiving care at the centre. However the feasibility and affordability of the 148 recommendations are yet to be assessed. Patricia Sparrow is CEO of Aged & Community Services…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Former MP Kate Ellis on the culture in parliament house
The revelation of the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct have sparked multiple inquiries into the culture of parliament house. It’s a subject on which Kate Ellis is an expert. Ellis was a Labor MP from 2004 to 2019, and held various ministries in the Labor government. She was then – and still is – the youngest person to become a federal…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: David Littleproud on The Nationals and net zero
Scott Morrison has indicated he wants to embrace a 2050 target of net-zero emissions. That, however, requires bringing the Nationals on board, and a vocal group in that party is fighting a fierce rearguard action. The Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud, who is Minister for Agriculture, is sympathetic to the target - so long as there is a credible path to get there, which won’t disadvantage rural…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anthony Albanese on his new frontbench, Joel Fitzgibbon, and Labor's imminent workplace policy
Last year, Anthony Albanese was criticised for his lack of cut-through during the COVID crisis, as Labor was sidelined by a hyperactive government. This year, amid ALP leadership speculation and now a shadow ministry reshuffle, Albanese is seeking to assert himself more forcefully, declaring last week “I will be leader of this country after the next election”. With that election possible within the…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on promising budget figures
This week’s update shows an improvement on the numbers in the budget that was delivered only 10 weeks ago. The prospects for growth and employment have been revised upwards. While the forecast for the deficit remains massive, at nearly $200 billion, it has been revised down. But even as we return to some sort of normality, it will be many years before the economy resembles its pre-COVID self. And the…
1 Host: Michelle Grattan