Home Podcasts Australian Politics
Australian Politics

Australian Politics

The Guardian 297 episodes Latest Jun 5, 2026

Guardian Australia's political editor Tom McIlroy and team at Parliament House examine what’s happening in Australian politics and why it matters to you.

Episodes

Will Labor’s NDIS changes become a reality? Jun 12, 2026 00:25:50 The Albanese government is proposing major changes to the national disability insurance scheme – to cut spending and reduce the number of participants receiving care. Advocates and Australians with disabilities have heavily criticised the proposals during a three-day Senate inquiry this week. The shadow NDIS minister, Melissa McIntosh, speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy about her concerns abou
The case for Aukus, with defence industry minister Pat Conroy Jun 5, 2026 00:27:02 The Albanese government’s announcement that Australia will now receive three used US Virginia-class submarines, rather than two used and one new, has put the spotlight back on the Aukus commitment. One of the strongest advocates for the $368bn agreement is defence industry minister Pat Conroy and he hits back at its critics – including the Labor MP Ed Husic. Speaking with political editor Tom McIl
Max Chandler-Mather on a hopeful progressive populism May 29, 2026 00:32:09 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
Guardian Essential report: a lukewarm response to Labor’s budget May 28, 2026 00:23:11 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
Tim Wilson on the Liberals’ economic vision May 22, 2026 00:30:17 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 welf
Jim Chalmers responds to the budget’s critics May 15, 2026 00:28:05 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 ad
Finance minister Katy Gallagher on her 'most challenging' budget May 8, 2026 00:25:21 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 spea
Michelle Milthorpe on fighting One Nation in Farrer May 7, 2026 00:27:34 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
Annastacia Palaszczuk on resilience May 4, 2026 00:33:10 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
Guardian Essential poll: Pauline Hanson has another breakthrough Apr 30, 2026 00:26:20 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
The minister for veterans' affairs on Anzac Day, Ben Roberts-Smith and increased defence spending Apr 24, 2026 00:28:45 Before his trip to Papua New Guinea for Anzac Day commemorations, the minister for veterans’ affairs and defence personnel, Matt Keogh, speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy. Keogh discusses the government’s progress after the royal commission into defence and veterans’ suicide, which handed its recommendations to government two years ago. The Perth MP also responds to the continued display of
Disability minister Mark Butler on the 'necessary' cuts to an NDIS under pressure Apr 23, 2026 00:28:49 Nearly 15 years after Julia Gillard introduced the national disability insurance scheme, the Albanese government announced the most significant reforms to the scheme on Wednesday. It’s expected that the billions of budget savings will mean at least 160,000 participants will no longer be able to access the scheme within the next four years. The minister for disability, health and ageing Mark Butler

Recommended

Playing