Australian Politics

This week Katharine Murphy interviews the federal Labor MP Andrew Giles on why he wrote to the auditor general regarding the $660m Coalition car park fund

This week Katharine Murphy interviews former federal Liberal MP Julia Banks – the only member of her party to win a seat held by the opposition at the 2016 election. In her new book, Banks outlines the culture she faced in Canberra, including allegedly being inappropriately touched by a male Coalition MP at Parliament House

This week Katharine Murphy interviews Nationals senator Matt Canavan on Australia’s climate wars. The Nationals’ reinstated party leader, Barnaby Joyce, is an outspoken critic of policies that address climate change and target net zero, so how does the party justify its stance? Why is it fighting the inevitable global transition to renewables?

With the National party voting to return Barnaby Joyce as leader and deputy prime minister earlier this week, Katharine Murphy sits down with Gabrielle Chan to dissect what this means for the party, the climate and the Australian federal election

Katharine Murphy speaks with Australia’s trade minister, Dan Tehan, about the new agreement struck with Britain. From more tariff-free meat to visa working rights, what’s in it for Australia?

This week Katharine Murphy and Guardian Australia’s team of Canberra reporters answer your most burning political questions. Will Scott Morrison make an exception for the Biloela family? How will Australians be affected by the new Medicare changes? What is the conspiracy theory surrounding Dan Andrews?

Katharine Murphy speaks with Anthony Albanese to mark his two years as Labor leader. How can the leader increase his visibility? How has Scott Morrison shaped himself against a backdrop of crises? Is Labor ready to tackle another election contest in the face of the 2019 loss?

This week Katharine Murphy talks to Liberal senator Andrew Bragg about his new book Buraadja, which details the successes and failures of the Liberal party’s approach to Indigenous affairs. Bragg, who has strongly endorsed constitutional recognition, outlines how parliament can introduce an Indigenous voice and honour the Uluru Statement from the Heart, while upholding parliamentary sovereignty

The federal government this week confirmed it would spend up to $600m on a new gas-fired power plant in NSW’s Hunter region, despite the International Energy Agency saying there should be no new investments in coal, oil or gas. Katharine Murphy sits down with environment editor Adam Morton to investigate why. With more affordable and cleaner options available, what’s the justification? What impact will this have on the economy and the environment?

Katharine Murphy talks to Christine Morgan, CEO of the national mental health commission, about the budget’s $2.3bn mental health package which the Coalition has touted as ‘the largest single mental health and suicide prevention’ plan. Will the extra funding fix systemic problems? Or will the proposal fail when it comes to negotiating with the states and territories? For immediate support, you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36