

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

Aug 21, 2014 • 28min
Brian Owler
AMA President Brian Owler speaks to Michelle about the AMA's alternative co-payment proposal, refugee children in detention and much more.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

Aug 14, 2014 • 25min
Brendan Nelson
Chief of the war memorial Brendan Nelson talks to Michelle Grattan about World War One commemorations and the challenge of remembering the veterans of more modern wars. 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.

Jul 29, 2014 • 34min
US Ambassador John Berry
US Ambassador John Berry talks to Michelle about Barack Obama's objectives in his last term, the Australia-US relationship, the ambassador's roundtable and much more.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

Jul 21, 2014 • 32min
Mike Callaghan
Mike Callaghan, program director of the G20 Studies Centre at Lowy, spoke to Michelle Grattan about the situation with Vladimir Putin, the B20 and the upcoming G20.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

Jul 9, 2014 • 23min
Greg Hunt
Environment Minister Greg Hunt speaks with Michelle about the carbon tax repeal, PUP's plans for an ETS, climate change and much more.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.

Jul 7, 2014 • 26min
Kate Carnell
Former ACT Chief Minister and current CEO of the Australian Chamber or Commerce and Industry Kate Carnell speaks to Michelle about the Abbott government's progress, business confidence and much more.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.

Jul 2, 2014 • 26min
David Leyonhjelm
Michelle talks to incoming Senator David Leyonhjelm of the Liberal Democrats about his role in the Senate, gun control and much, much more.

Jun 28, 2014 • 31min
Liberal Federal Council: Napthine, Newman and Stockdale
From the Liberal Federal Council, Michelle Grattan talks to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and outgoing Federal President Alan Stockdale.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.

Jun 24, 2014 • 32min
Sue Boyce
In a special "exit interview" Michelle Grattan talks with outgoing Senator Sue Boyce about sexism, Malcolm Turnbull and the future of centre right politics.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

Jun 19, 2014 • 21min
Mathias Cormann
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Michelle Grattan go in depth about the government's proposed FoFA changes.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


