
Insiders
Every Sunday morning, the ABC's national political lead David Speers unpacks the major stories shaping Australia's future. Each episode includes a major interview with an Australian politician and an extensive discussion with a panel of the country's best journalists. This show will help you understand the major factors behind the decisions and debates driving a national conversation.
Latest episodes

Oct 12, 2024 • 55min
Tense twin anniversaries
Two anniversaries. Neither of them politically easy for the government. The past week has been dominated by a bitter divide over how to mark the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Monday marks 12 months since the Voice referendum.David Speers is joined by Mark Kenny, James Massola and Carly Williams.Our guest is the Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson.

Oct 10, 2024 • 25min
On Background: Why did the Voice fail?
One year on, there’s still debate about why Australians voted no in the Voice to Parliament referendum. There's even bigger debate about the path forward from here.David Speers speaks to Megan Davis, a co-author of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and one of those who was heavily involved in the Voice campaign about what this anniversary means and where Indigenous Australians go now.

Oct 9, 2024 • 6min
Analysis: Fatima Payman's new party has done little to trouble Labor
Fatima Payman's new political party may not be troubling Labor, but it still has plenty of other headaches to worry about.

Oct 5, 2024 • 55min
Israel vows retaliation
Tomorrow marks 12 months since the brutal Hamas attack on Israel. A year on – the Middle East conflict is only escalating, after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel this week. Social tension in Australia is only rising, and the political divide has dramatically widened. The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have both condemned protests on the anniversary of October 7. But that's about all they agree on.David Speers is joined by Niki Savva, Phil Coorey and Katina Curtis.Our guest is the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles.

Oct 2, 2024 • 15min
On Background: Hate Symbols laws
The flag of the listed terrorist organisation Hezbollah – and whether it should be against the law to fly it in Australia – has become the latest flashpoint in the domestic debate over the worsening conflict in the middle east.

Oct 2, 2024 • 5min
Albanese and Dutton may be able to talk privately, but publicly they are on a political warpath
Within the broad areas of agreement between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton lies an intensifying blame game over who's endangering national security here in Australia.

Sep 28, 2024 • 55min
Middle East on the brink
Israel kills the long-serving leader of Hezbollah – flattening buildings in southern Beirut and dramatically escalating its campaign against the terrorist group.

Sep 25, 2024 • 19min
On Background: Putin's nuclear threat
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an update of his nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.They could now be deployed – Putin says – if a nuclear-armed nation supports Ukraine in the use of long-range missiles against Russia.The west has been weighing whether to give Ukraine long-range missiles that can reach deep into Russia. Putin’s clear warning to the west is that this could trigger nuclear war.David Speers speaks to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroschnychenko about whether the conflict is at a tipping point.

Sep 25, 2024 • 7min
Inside the politics surrounding Labor's hypothetical negative gearing reforms
Negative gearing and capital gains tax rules have sat in Labor's bottom drawer since the party's bruising 2019 election defeat.

Sep 21, 2024 • 54min
Senate debates and delays, as housing affordability worsens
New figures show housing affordability in Australia is now at its worst level on record. Interest rates remain high – property prices are still climbing – buying a house is simply beyond reach for many. This will be a major issue at the election. But during the week - Senators couldn't even hold a vote on Labor's latest measure – the Help to Buy scheme – which involves government co-ownership to help some into the market. The Greens and the Coalition teamed up to further delay a decision on the bill. Tempers flared – with Labor rounding on the Greens – and all sides blaming each other for the worsening housing crisis.
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