Serious Danger

Emerald Moon & Tom Ballard
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Nov 29, 2025 • 1h 9min

204: Osman Faruqi on the nature bill - did Greens wimp out?

Pauline’s back with another attempt to woo MAGA, aka a burqa for a berko. Tom is joined by guest host Osman Faruqi, as he prepares to present Lamestream’s Ls of the Year Awards. First up, the Greens have agreed to pass the Environment Protection Reform Bills (19:11). Was this a capitulation by a Greens party cowed into submission, or a pragmatic move to take the best they could get? Then, the Greens held a National Members Survey about the future of the party, and Os-mum Mehreen Faruqi’s gave a viral speech about the need to move towards eco-socialism (57:24). What can we learn, and how should it affect strategy going forward? And what can we take from Os?  Video version - https://youtu.be/WQmFewZvwLs ---------- Just released on Patreon - Sean Kelly asks ‘What Does Labor Stand For?’ The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Check out Osman at the Lamestream site and podcast -https://www.lamestream.com.au/  “National Supporter Survey” of Greens members - https://greens.org.au/magazine/your-survey-results-shaping-next-three-years  Mehreen Faruqi speech about where to from here at National Conference - https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ2hG-pkw8E/  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe and Geelong - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 26, 2025 • 7min

Bonus: Sean Kelly asks ‘What Does Labor Stand For?’

In this sample of the new bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald is back! And joined by Tom to meet Sean Kelly, former Labor staffer and current journalist, to discuss his new Quarterly Essay, “The Good Fight: What Does Labor Stand For?” Are Labor cowardly cowards, or clever pragmatists who know how to play the game? What is Anthony Albanese actually up to? How can the Australian left movement get our own “Mamdani At Home”? ---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Read Sean’s Quarterly Essay - https://www.quarterlyessay.com.au/essay/2025/11/the-good-fight  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 22, 2025 • 1h 11min

203: Amy Remeikis on why Labor gets away with being worse than LNP

The Griff needs your help! Tom is joined by returning favourite Amy Remeikis, one of the few good journalists. First up a bit of Trump Epstein emails chat as a little treat (8:40). Then, the Coalition dumped net zero and all it does is provide cover for Labor to be 99% as bad (15:43). Next up a mixed-bag of the government being a bag of shit (45:10). Did you know the new CSIRO cuts are worse than Tony Abbott did? But it’s Labor so shh it’s fine, stop being hysterical. Meanwhile the government asked people in the states to stop needing the hospital so much please, and then bravely decided to be total cowards and abandon proper gambling advertising reform. But stick around to the end for some positive suggestions for the future! (1:08:20) ---------- Just released on Patreon - “Making fun of political ads with Wil Anderson, live at Comedy Republic” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Follow Amy’s liveblog of parliament this week - https://live.australiainstitute.org.au/   Read Amy at New Daily -  https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/author/amy-remeikis   Amy on social media - https://bsky.app/profile/amyremeikis.bsky.social   https://x.com/AmyRemeikis  https://www.instagram.com/pyjamapolitics/  Please let us know if you have ideas to help Griff’s friend find a house for her and her kidsEmail hello@seriousdangerpod.com  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe and Geelong - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 15, 2025 • 1h 9min

202: Sarah Hanson-Young on the net zero morality of the dead fishes in government

Tom and The Griff marvel at Max Chandler-Mather getting a fair run in an Australian newspaper!? Next, Tom is joined by Sarah-Hanson Young, Greens senator for South Australia! First up, the state of play and then a look at a recent Crikey article featuring unhappy Greens staffers (19:01). Then, with the LNP ditching net zero, and the country seemingly unbothered that Labor has effectively ditched it, what is going on? (38:39) ---------- Just released on Patreon - “Making fun of political ads with Wil Anderson, live at Comedy Republic” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Max Chandler-Mather article - https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/max-chandler-mather-on-the-greens-his-election-loss-and-his-return-to-politics-20251105-p5n82t.html  Crikey staffer article -https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/07/the-greens-australia-climate-environment-gaza-cost-of-living/Meanjin/Brisbane people come see Tom at GoodChat this Thursday November 20th -https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/tom-ballard-live-tickets-1471601372319  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe and Geelong - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 13, 2025 • 2min

BONUS: Making fun of political ads with Wil Anderson, live at Comedy Republic

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined live at Comedy Republic in Melbourne by Wil Anderson! As is his curse for life, we asked him to analyse commercials with us. From baby Adam Bandt, Labor cosplaying as Greens, Pauline going for schmaltz, and many more, political advertising in Australia is as strange as the politics itself. ---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Produced by Michael Griffin Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 8, 2025 • 1h 17min

201: Punter’s Politics on Mamdani & how lobbyists own Australia

Say nup to the annual Michael McCormack Melbourne Cup skit. Tom is joined by guest host Konrad Benjamin, aka Punter’s Politics! What is his superhero origin story? First up, this week saw Punters' Politics Political Fundraising Gala Dinner, a crowd-sourced plan to buy leftie lobbyists (20:51). Is lobbying the root cause of all political evil? Next up, with Zohran Mamdani’s big win in the New York mayoral race, what is Punter’s advice for the Australian Greens? (53:01) Is the brand tarnished or are green shoots coming? Bonus live segment with Wil analysing political ads coming to Patreon next week! ---------- Just released on Patreon - “The Information Rights Project - Freedom For The Press event” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Follow Punter’s Politics - https://www.punterspolitics.com/  Watch the full Punters' Politics Political Fundraising Gala Dinner - https://www.youtube.com/live/AayAPqSAiJ0  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe, Geelong and Brisbane - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Nov 1, 2025 • 51min

200: Live in Melbourne ft. Wil Anderson

Video version - https://youtu.be/p7BpEuvzV_kLive from the Comedy Republic in Melbourne, it’s our 200th episode! It’s Emerald’s last weekly show! First, Albo is secretly a Joy Division t-shirt nazi!? Then some good news as Victoria signed a treaty with its First Peoples, and some bad news as Queensland banned puberty blockers for adolescents. Will some Zohran Mamdami and Zack Polanski save the movement? Next, Wil Anderson joins for a chat about the future and some audience Q & A’s. Thank you everyone, and 200 more! Bonus live segment with Wil analysing political ads coming to Patreon next week! ---------- Just released on Patreon - “The Information Rights Project - Freedom For The Press event” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe, Geelong and Brisbane - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Oct 29, 2025 • 11min

Bonus: The Information Rights Project - Freedom For The Press event

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom moderates the ‘Freedom For The Press’ event live at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday 15th October 2025. “Censorship and secrecy threaten democracy. A discussion on press freedom and the public’s right to know.”The panel features: Andrew Wilkie MP – Independent Federal MP & defender of whistleblowers Greg Barns SC – Barrister & human rights advocate Melissa Fyfe – Award-winning senior writer, Good Weekend ---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Links - The Information Rights Projecthttps://informationrights.org/  Produced by Michael Griffin Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Oct 25, 2025 • 1h 8min

199: Feeling Climate Triggered as First Homes Guaranteed to cost more

Mr. Albanese Goes To Washington and sells our resources for cheap to dictator while media takes Rudd bait. Emerald and Tom look at the announcement that the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws won’t include a climate trigger. (9:09) But would a trigger have even stopped them from approving every possible mine? Then, duelling of the thinkpieces as Emma Dawson and Max Chandler-Mather both put out articles about the First Home Guarantee scheme. (40:07) So it’s just a big scam to help the banks? Finally, a call to action (1:06:29). ---------- Just released on Patreon - “Student Politics 101 ft. Dru Sims, UQ Greens President” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Emma Dawson in the Australian Financial Review: Greens are misrepresenting the facts about Labor’s First Home Guarantee https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/greens-are-misrepresenting-the-facts-about-labor-s-first-home-guarantee-20251008-p5n142  Max Chandler-Mather in Deep Cut News: Labor’s 5% deposit scheme will only make the banks richer – and that’s the point https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/labors-5-deposit-scheme-will-only-204  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe, Geelong and Brisbane - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Oct 18, 2025 • 1h 18min

198: Greg Jericho on Gaza, superannuation & how he got here

Emerald is joined by guest host, #auspol legend and Chief Economist at The Australia Institute, Greg Jericho! First up, a chat about his career and being a fellow target of important public interest journalist James Massola (3:25). (We thought about asking James to come on the show, but he’s very busy breaking Watergate 2.) Next, what should we make of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? (16:23) Could only Trump have made this happen? Why did Penny Wong have to be so weird about it? Then, the government has hobbled its proposed superannuation changes (35:53). Why did they wimp out? Did they announce it while Albo is on holiday because he is simply TOO BRAVE? Finally, a call to action (1:16:37). ---------- Just released on Patreon - “Student Politics 101 ft. Dru Sims, UQ Greens President” The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of over EIGHTY past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU  ---------- Follow Greg Jericho’s work at -https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social https://australiainstitute.org.au/expert/greg-jericho/ https://www.theguardian.com/profile/greg-jericho  Just announced guest - Wil Anderson!Serious Danger 200th show live at Comedy Republic in Melbourne on Sat Nov 1st at 4pm, tickets at - https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:517/38:1803/  See Tom live on tour in Melbourne Fringe, Geelong and Brisbane - https://comedy.com.au/tour/tom-ballard/  Produced by Michael Griffin https://www.instagram.com/mikeskillz  Listen to Floodcast for more left green discussion about Aussie politics produced by The Griff -https://linktr.ee/floodcastau  Follow us on https://twitter.com/SeriousDangerAU https://www.instagram.com/seriousdangerau  https://www.tiktok.com/@seriousdangerauSupport the show: http://patreon.com/seriousdangerauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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