Synopsis
Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation, talks politics with politicians and experts, from Capital Hill.
Episodes
-
Pollster Tony Barry on why the Coalition can’t risk ‘lurching to the right’
15/10/2025 Duration: 28minThe former Liberal strategist turned pollster says the Coalition has become "catastrophically uncompetitive" with women and younger voters.
-
Andrew Jakubowicz on repairing our 'fragile' multicultural nation
08/10/2025 Duration: 28minThe multiculturalism expert says increased tensions since the October 7 attacks have raised 'the tideline of hate speech' in Australia.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
James Paterson on Andrew Hastie, Sussan Ley and himself
02/10/2025 Duration: 25minOpposition finance spokesman James Paterson canvasses the economy and the budget, says the Liberals need to sort out its stance on net zero sooner rather than later.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Former diplomat Ian Parmeter on an Israel-led 'one-state solution'
25/09/2025 Duration: 32minThe former Australian ambassador turned scholar says despite more countries recognising Palestine as a state, a peaceful two-state solution is slipping away.
-
Tony Wood on 'politics trumping climate policy' and the hard road ahead
17/09/2025 Duration: 24minThe energy expert says Australia's only on track to cut its emissions by around 50% by 2035 – 'so we're going to have to step up the pace' in the next decade.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Abul Rizvi on how silence and stalling stoke anti-migrant fears
03/09/2025 Duration: 19minA former deputy secretary of the immigration department under the Howard government says 'it's time politicians on both sides pulled up their socks'.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Health Minister Mark Butler on kids on the NDIS through to aged care funding
28/08/2025 Duration: 26minThe health minister also says fewer kids are now vaping because of the government's ban, which 'exploded' as a health problem during the COVID years.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien and industry chief Andrew McKellar's reform wish list
19/08/2025 Duration: 33minBoth men say the government has a 'spending problem' and are urging the federal government to think beyond raising taxes – especially for business.Mentioned in this episode:How Australian Democracy Works'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores.Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Union boss Sally McManus on the push for shorter work hours in the age of AI
14/08/2025 Duration: 17minMcManus doesn't expect instant wins on shorter work hours from next week's economic summit, but says it still needs to be on the table – along with AI protections.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Jim Chalmers wants roundtable to 'crack open' the challenge of slow housing approvals
13/08/2025 Duration: 34minHousing is on the agenda at next week's productivity roundtable, with the Treasurer wanting better regulation and faster approvals to build more homes.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Talking about 'blokes' issues' with ex-Olympian and Labor MP Dan Repacholi
07/08/2025 Duration: 24minThe former five-time Olympic shooter and coal miner wants men of all ages not to be afraid of speaking about their health – as he used to be.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newslettersThe Conversation WeeklySearch for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.
-
YouTube, podcasters and leading economists: Allegra Spender on how she's trying to influence tax reform
31/07/2025 Duration: 28minThe influential crossbench MP warns young working people are going backwards financially. She also backs the government's proposed YouTube ban for kids – for now.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Chris Bowen on why it's ‘a little frustrating’ bidding for COP 31
24/07/2025 Duration: 22minWe're joined on this podcast by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen who outlines Australia's ongoing energy transition.Mentioned in this episode:The Conversation WeeklySearch for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.
-
Malcolm Turnbull on Australia's 'dumb' defence debate
16/07/2025 Duration: 40minThe former prime minister warns debate about national security has 'never been dumber' – and AUKUS risks costing Australia far more than anyone wants to admit.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Larissa Waters on why we deserve more than a government that just tinkers
10/07/2025 Duration: 23minWith the government's big win at the election, how hard will the Greens push on legislation this term. We ask new leader Senator Larissa Waters. Mentioned in this episode:The Conversation WeeklySearch for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Kerrynne Liddle on seizing more opportunities with Indigenous Australians
02/07/2025 Duration: 31minThe shadow minister for Indigenous Australians and social services says we need 'unpleasant conversations' to achieve real outcomes – like keeping families together.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newslettersThe Conversation WeeklySearch for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.
-
Treasury veteran Ken Henry on the "enormous damage" the tax system does to young people
26/06/2025 Duration: 28minFormer secretary of the Treasury Ken Henry joins us to talk about his 40+ years experience in working to reform Australia's tax system. Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
An 'impatient' Jim Chalmers on taking political risks in Labor's second term
17/06/2025 Duration: 34minFrom new ways to fast-track cheaper homes and renewable energy to bigger tax reforms, Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells the podcast his door is open for fresh ideas.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters
-
Senator Tammy Tyrrell on wild days in Tasmania
11/06/2025 Duration: 27minOn the podcast this week we're joined by Independent Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell to discuss chaotic state of politics on the Apple Isle.Mentioned in this episode:How Australian Democracy Works'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores.
-
Historian Emma Shortis warns against falling into Trump's trade traps
04/06/2025 Duration: 29minAhead of Anthony Albanese's likely first meeting with Donald Trump this month, a US politics expert says 'begging' for lower tariffs would be a mistake.Mentioned in this episode:How Australian Democracy Works'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores.