

Australian Politics
The Guardian
Guardian Australia's political team examine what’s happening in Australian politics and why it matters to you
Episodes
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Jun 21, 2024 • 39min
Simon Birmingham on China, abandoning 2030 climate targets and nuclear power
Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the shadow foreign affairs minister and opposition leader in the Senate, Simon Birmingham. This follows both the visit of Chinese premier Li Qiang and Peter Dutton’s announcement of the Coalition’s seven proposed nuclear sites this week. They discuss the uncertainties and outcomes of the historic visit, relations with our Pacific neighbours and the opposition’s mixed messages on the role of renewables in the transition to net zero in 2050

Jun 19, 2024 • 25min
Guardian Essential report: voters split on Dutton’s 2030 target – Australian politics podcast
Paul Karp, Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, and columnist Peter Lewis discuss what voters think about opposition leader Peter Dutton’s announcement to abandon Australia’s emissions reduction target for 2030. Climate experts have described it as a ‘destructive’ and ‘utterly irresponsible’ move that would breach Australia’s legally binding commitment to the Paris climate agreement. But voters are split on this controversial proposal.

Jun 12, 2024 • 43min
Anthony Albanese on climate targets, gas strategy and the voice eight months on
Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, about the Coalition’s decision to ditch the 2030 target, pro-Palestine protests outside electorate offices and the voice eight months on

Jun 7, 2024 • 34min
Bill Shorten on the misuse of the NDIS and what’s being done to fix it
Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Bill Shorten, the minister for government services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, on the misuse of the NDIS, robodebt and why he won’t be the next ambassador to France

Jun 5, 2024 • 23min
Essential report: a different view between the ages
How does age shape political views? Paul Karp, Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, and columnist Peter Lewis discuss how age effects views on current debates on age restrictions on social media, the age of criminal responsibility and criminalising hate speech. Based on new research on artificial intelligence in different workplaces, they also examine how voters are weighing up the risk and opportunities of this rapidly evolving technology

May 31, 2024 • 28min
Dan Tehan on who’s to blame for Labor’s immigration ‘war game’
Karen Middleton, Guardian Australia’s political editor, speaks with shadow minister for immigration and citizenship Dan Tehan about ministerial direction 99 and the visas of non-citizens with serious criminal convictions. They also discuss Peter Dutton’s plans to cuts to migration and why there won’t be a nuclear reactor in Anglesea – a town in Tehan’s electorate

May 24, 2024 • 35min
Helen Haines on the transition to net zero in rural and regional areas
Helen Haines, the independent federal member for Indi, discusses rural renewable energy transition challenges, community benefit funds impact, rural housing crisis, and the debate on nuclear power. She emphasizes the need for government support, infrastructure investment, and transparency in Australian politics.

May 22, 2024 • 25min
Essential report: what’s the voter verdict on Labor’s budget?
Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about whether or not voters think that Labor’s third federal budget will make a meaningful difference to their current cost of living, and their assessment of a $300 energy bill rebate. They also discuss public perceptions of Labor’s economic management and views on increasing government intervention You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

May 16, 2024 • 22min
Jim Chalmers on his budget balancing act
In this episode of the Australian Politics podcast, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, about whether his third budget can really provide cost-of-living relief without fuelling inflation Exclusive: Labor to run $45m taxpayer-funded Future Made In Australia advertising campaign

May 10, 2024 • 34min
James Paterson on Australia’s immigration detention system
Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the shadow home affairs minister, James Paterson, about the government’s deportation bill. They also discuss immigration, relations with China and what might happen to home affairs under a Coalition government.