

Politics with Michelle Grattan
The Conversation
The Conversation's Chief Political Correspondent Michelle Grattan talks politics with politicians and experts, from Capital Hill.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 2, 2025 • 18min
Culture wars and costings: election special podcast with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
editorial@theconversation.edu.auPolicy tracker: https://stories.theconversation.com/policy-tracker/ Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

Apr 28, 2025 • 21min
Pollster Kos Samaras on how voters are leaving the major parties behind
Ex-Labor strategist turned pollster Kos Samaras says both major parties have been slow in adapting to this year's huge pre-poll voter turnout.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newslettersThe Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Apr 24, 2025 • 17min
Scares and stunts in the home stretch: election special episode with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
editorial@theconversation.edu.auPolicy tracker: https://stories.theconversation.com/policy-tracker/ Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

Apr 23, 2025 • 36min
Politics with Michelle Grattan: historian Frank Bongiorno on dramatic shifts in how elections are fought and won
From handling town hall hecklers to swaying voters through podcasts and online algorithms, Australian election campaigns have transformed in recent generations.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.

Apr 18, 2025 • 16min
Two blunders and tap dancing with the truth: election special podcast with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
editorial@theconversation.edu.auPolicy tracker: https://stories.theconversation.com/policy-tracker/Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newslettersHow Australian Democracy Works'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores.The Conversation WeeklySearch for 'The Conversation Weekly' wherever you get your podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025

Apr 16, 2025 • 28min
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Warwick McKibbin on trying to model economic certainty in uncertain times
Joining us from Washington DC is Warwick McKibbin, an internationally renowned economic modeller from the ANU whose services are now in high demand.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

Apr 11, 2025 • 20min
DOGEy Dutton and a dull debate: election special episode with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
editorial@theconversation.edu.auPolicy tracker: https://stories.theconversation.com/policy-tracker/ Mentioned in this episode:Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newslettersThe Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025

Apr 9, 2025 • 33min
Hugh White on what the next PM should tell Trump and defending Australia – without the US
Defence expert Hugh White says Australia should leave AUKUS and plan to "take responsibility for our own security", without relying on the US coming to our aid.Mentioned in this episode:Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.How Australian Democracy Works'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores.

Apr 4, 2025 • 19min
What it's like to be showered with Trump dust: election special episode with Michelle Grattan and Amanda Dunn
editorial@theconversation.edu.auReader survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TheConversationElection25Policy tracker: https://stories.theconversation.com/policy-tracker/ Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025Sign up to The Conversation's newsletterhttps://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

Apr 1, 2025 • 25min
Kos Samaras on polls and the people who'll decide this election
Kos Samaras, a director of the political consultancy firm Redbridge and a former Labor Party official joins to talk about the polls and the parties prospects.Mentioned in this episode:The Making of an AutocratSearch: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series.
Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From capturing a party, to controlling the military, Donald Trump is borrowing from the playbook of strongmen thoughout history. This is the story of how democracies falter — and what might happen next.Your support mattersSupport non-profit journalism you can trust.
Donations 2025


