Australian Politics

A political year in review with Melissa Clarke and Michael Read

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode for 2025, political editor Tom McIlroy speaks with Melissa Clarke from ABC RN Breakfast and Michael Read from the Australian Fina...

Guardian Essential report: One Nation support soars - podcast

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After the furore over Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt and Barnaby Joyce’s defection to One Nation, the latest Guardian Essential Poll shows a surge i...

Penny Wong on Trump, Putin and reshaping foreign policy

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Labor committed additional military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia as part of a Nato-led initiative. The government also anno...

Sussan Ley is 'still up for the job' of opposition leader

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever since she was elected opposition leader, Sussan Ley has faced strong criticisms from within her party and across the parliament. Some commentator...

Guardian Essential report: Climate doom and AI anxiety

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just over half of voters say that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. The sa...

Will Albanese’s caution become his weakness?

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author and columnist Sean Kelly says despite Labor’s overwhelming majority and an opposition largely consumed by its own infighting, there are signs...

The fear of neo-Nazis and the politics of social cohesion with Mehreen Faruqi

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, deputy leader of the Greens Mehreen Faruqi says a neo-Nazi rally in front of NSW parliament this mo...

A new Liberal and Labor MP on their first terms in parliament

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been six months since the May election, which brought new personalities to Parliament House – along with an even larger majority for the Alba...

Why net zero is dividing parliament with climate minister Chris Bowen

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Speaking at Cop30 in Brazil, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the ‘consensus is gone’ on tackling the climate crisis. It’s an apt ...

How the EU and Nato are countering a new type of warfare

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns, hybrid warfare is reshaping global security. Visiting the European Centre of Excellence for Countering ...

Guardian Essential report: the PM’s rock star moment and his biggest threat

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese might have had his rock star moment upon his return from the US, but the latest Guardian Essential poll shows voters are unconvinced ...

Shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr on the ‘mass migration’ myth

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the aftermath of former frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s fighting words, opposition leader Sussan Ley continues to struggle with persistent internal ...

AI and the productivity challenge with Andrew Leigh

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Albanese government has been criticised for a tactical backdown on its plan to wind back tax concessions on superannuation balances wor...

The human cost of a broken aged care system with Penny Allman-Payne

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Labor’s new aged care system gets set to begin on 1 November, Greens senator Penny Allman-Payne speaks about her father’s recent move into resi...

Clare O’Neil on Labor’s scheme for first home buyers

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Labor expanded Australia’s first home guarantee to allow more buyers access to a mortgage with a reduced deposit of 5%. But the plan has ...

Guardian Essential Report: Albanese’s pragmatism during messy times

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to executive director of Essential Media Peter Lewis about Australian voters’ views on the government’s...

Amanda Rishworth on the future of work and AI

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Political reporter Josh Butler speaks to Amanda Rishworth, the minister for employment and workplace relations, about the Albanese government’s upco...

Matt Kean on Australia’s future in a climate crisis

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese government has now put a number on its climate ambition: a target of a 62-70% emissions cut by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. It comes aft...

David Pocock on the 2035 climate targets and political will

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a defining week for climate action, the Albanese government has unveiled a commitment to cut emissions between 62% and 70% on 2005 levels by 2035. ...

Jane Hume on rebuilding trust in the Liberal party

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fallout in the Liberal party over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s inflammatory comments about Indian migrants has now culminated in her sacking from ...

Kristy McBain on natural disaster preparation and ambitious climate targets

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While many Australians are feeling relieved about the end of a cold winter, the minister for emergency management and regional development is already ...

Andrew Giles on how to fix Australia’s skill shortage

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh off the government’s reform roundtable and an address to the press club on skilling Australia’s future, the minister for skills and training...

Guardian Essential report: the paradox of recognition, why do Australians back Palestine but doubt its impact?

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do most Australians back recognising a Palestinian state, yet nearly half dismiss it as merely symbolic? The executive director of Essential Media...

Allegra Spender on why tax reform will make young people’s lives better

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from the government’s economic roundtable, the independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender is optimistic about the future of tax reform in Austra...

Dr Mohammed Mustafa on why we need more than recognition to end the crisis in Gaza - podcast

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa has seen first-hand the horrors occurring daily in Gaza from his time working in hospitals across the regio...

Andrew Bragg on AI, housing and what the Coalition got wrong

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two weeks out from Labor’s economic roundtable, the Coalition’s shadow minister for productivity, housing and homelessness, Andrew Bragg, joins us...

From Palestine to jobseeker and keeping children safe online: Tanya Plibersek on Labor’s tough calls – Australian Politics podcast

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tanya Plibersek, one of Labor’s most recognisable political figures and the minister for social services, joins us as the government faces big decis...

Guardian Essential report:​ Albanese starts second term with solid approval, but Trump presidency looms – Australian Politics podcast

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Anthony Albanese readies his second‑term reform agenda, Guardian Australia’s Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s Peter Lewis about the ...

Resetting the Liberals: Zoe McKenzie on reform, climate and winning back women

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As parliament resumes, the focus shifts to how the major parties plan to reset. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to Liberal MP for Fli...

Jim Chalmers on uncertainty and ambition

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy one of his key measures of success in the future is making A...

Accountability, robodebt and regional housing: Helen Haines unpacks it all

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom McIlroy speaks to independent MP Helen Haines to talk through her ambitious agenda for the new parliamentary term, her sharp disappointment with t...

O’Brien on Liberal ‘soul-searching’ amid nuclear and net-zero policy review

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a bruising election loss, the Coalition is at a crossroads. Can it reinvent itself as a credible alternative to Labor, or will internal division...

Greens leader Larissa Waters on holding the Labor government to account — Australian Politics podcast

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The new leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters from Queensland talks about her vision for the party, the challenges of a shifting pol...

Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser on why a closer alliance with the US is necessary

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a year shaped by rising global tensions and growing concerns over social cohesion at home, the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, presents his...

Senator Maria Kovacic on what the Coalition needs to move forward

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘If we don’t listen it’s not going to get better for us – it will get worse,’ says the NSW Liberal moderate and newly appointed shadow assis...

Nicolette Boele on climate, business and making a difference

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicolette Boele was declared the winner in the Sydney seat of Bradfield this week, after a month of counting and recounting in her race against Libera...

Guardian Essential report:​​ can Labor live up to expectations?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Post-election Albanese has seen a surge in popularity but what is the electorate expecting from a second term Labor government and can they deliver du...

​Guardian Essential report:​ is the real question now just how big Labor’s victory will be?

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just days out from the crucial vote, the latest Guardian Essential poll shows steady support for Labor. But with a significant number of undecided vot...

​Guardian Essential report:​ as Labor pulls further ahead, can Dutton outmanoeuvre Albanese?

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the election draws near, Labor has extended its lead against the Coalition in the latest Essential poll, raising new questions about what Peter Dut...

Guardian Essential report: power v poise – Australian Politics podcast

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the electoral crossroads, Guardian Australia’s political reporter Krishani Dhanji talks to Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis abo...

Guardian Essential report: as ​Albanese’s approval rating rises, why do the lads stand out? – Australian Politics podcast

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the prime minister hits his highest approval ratings in 18 months, the Guardian Essential poll goes deep into demographics this week. Why do young ...

Guardian Essential report: How do the major parties plan to win your vote?

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Has the interest rate cut made any difference to how people intend to vote at the upcoming federal election? Guardian Australia’s political reporter...

Guardian Essential report: how do you make voters care about policy? – Australian Politics podcast

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy and Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis discuss the mood of voters and look ...

Does the economy need a defibrillator? Cherelle Murphy on what might get it going again

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Cherelle Murphy, chief economist for EY Oceania, about this week’s sluggish national...

Guardian Essential report: do voters’ views on housing and wages spell trouble for Labor?

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, discuss the public’s disap...

Chris Bowen on Cop29, reducing emissions and rolling out renewables

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen. They discuss th...

Amanda Rishworth on tackling gender-based violence

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This Monday marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks wi...

Guardian Essential report: Australians worry about the climate crisis and the economy as Trump returns

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Essential Media executive director, Peter Lewis, talk about what Australians think ab...

Clare O’Neil on Labor’s plan to fix the housing crisis

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal housing and homelessness minister, Clare O’Neil. They discuss whet...

Arthur Sinodinos on what Trump keeping his promises means for Australia

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Arthur Sinodinos AO, former ambassador to the US, chair of the Australia Practice ...

Bridget McKenzie on the Qantas saga and conflicts of interest

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal shadow transport and infrastructure minister, Bridget McKenzie. They...

Bob Brown on Lidia Thorpe and the right to protest

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with Bob Brown – environmentalist, social justice campaigner, former senator and le...

Guardian Essential report: why has support for the Australian republic gone tepid?

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton and Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis take a look at the latest Essential poll to see...

David Pocock on why negotiation is key to good government

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After almost a full term as a politician, independent senator David Pocock joins political editor Karen Middleton. They discuss why he thinks Labor’...

The former NT attorney general on whether the criminal justice system is being used as a form of ‘racial control’

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the member for Gwoja Chansey Paech about how Labor lost the law-and-order vote at ...

Guardian Essential report: how much are people willing to change to combat cost of living?

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Paul Karp and Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis take a look at the latest Essential poll...

The former deputy governor takes us inside the RBA

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with economist and former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank, Guy Debelle. They discus...

Andrew Leigh on the power imbalance between supermarkets and their customers – Australian politics podcast

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks to Andrew Leigh, assistant minister for competition, charities and Treasury, about the ...

Guardian Essential Report: who wins in the political debate on housing?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, and Peter Lewis from Essential Media talk about Labor’s stalemate on housing, as well as h...

A former White House staffer on if the US election will be won on vibes

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with former Kamala Harris White House staffer and PhD candidate Cory Alpert about the u...

Catherine King on reforming Australia’s aviation sector

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week the federal opposition suggested that perhaps Qantas should be forced to sell off its low-cost stablemate Jetstar. This followed the recent ...

Guardian Essential report: are Labor’s student visa caps good politics?

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Peter Lewis from Essential Media talk about the public support for Labor’s inte...

Steven Miles on winning back Queensland voters to win a fourth term

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political reporter Amy Remeikis speaks with Queensland’s premier, Steven Miles, about the Great Barrier Reef, the housing cri...

Saul Eslake on falling inflation and when interest rates might finally come down

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with independent economist Saul Eslake about the government’s attempts to deal with i...

Guardian Essential report: is calling Peter Dutton divisive playing into his political strategy

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Peter Lewis from Essential Media talk about voters’ opinions of Peter Dutton’...

Andrew Bragg on housing, the ‘poison’ of Nimbyism, and the NSW Liberal council election debacle

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with New South Wales Liberal senator Andrew Bragg about the Coalition’s plan on housi...

Jim Chalmers on getting cost of living relief right and Dutton’s divisiveness – Australian Politics podcast

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with treasurer Jim Chalmers about the governments economic track record, a busy week in...

Guardian Essential report: have voters lost faith in their government?

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Peter Lewis from Essential Media talk about why there is still no appetite for sy...

The next steps after an ‘extraordinary’ apology

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, the Northern Territory’s police commissioner, Michael Murphy, issued an apology to the Indigenous people of his jurisdiction, declaring po...

George Brandis on the politics of creating and dissolving ministries

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks to former attorney general George Brandis about his view that ASIO needs to answer to...

Guardian Essential report: would Australians vote for Donald Trump?

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political reporter and politics live blogger, Amy Remeikis, speaks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about the increased favo...

Joe Hockey on what a new US president could mean for Australia

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton talks with Joe Hockey, former federal minister and ambassador to Washington, and now global pr...

Clare O’Neil on why democracy is more important than ever

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Minister for home affairs and cyber security Clare O’Neil speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton about the allegations ...

Guardian Essential report: should democracy be more like community sport?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s politics live blogger Amy Remeikis talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about Australian voter dissatisfaction in the poli...

Andrew Giles on celebrating and defending multiculturalism – Australian Politics Podcast

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, talks with immigration minister, Andrew Giles, about this week’s appointment of a new anti...

Adam Bandt on Fatima Payman, toeing the party line and the war in Gaza

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the Greens leader Adam Bandt about Fatima Payman’s decision to quit the Labor pa...

Guardian Essential report: do voters want Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plants?

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Paul Karp and Peter Lewis from Essential Media talk about voter concerns over the cost and safety...

Fatima Payman and the cost of voting with her conscience

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last week Labor senator Fatima Payman made national headlines when she broke ranks with her party and voted in support of a Greens motion to recognise...

Head of Australian Border Force, Michael Outram, responds to reports of sexual harassment across the ABF

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, talks to Australian Border Force commissioner, Michael Outram, about Border Force’s...

Simon Birmingham on China, abandoning 2030 climate targets and nuclear power

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the shadow foreign affairs minister and opposition leader in the Senate, Simon Birming...

Guardian Essential report: voters split on Dutton’s 2030 target – Australian politics podcast

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Karp, Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, and columnist Peter Lewis discuss what voters think about opposition leader Peter Dut...

Anthony Albanese on climate targets, gas strategy and the voice eight months on

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, about the Coalition’s decisio...

Bill Shorten on the misuse of the NDIS and what’s being done to fix it

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Bill Shorten, the minister for government services and the National Disability Ins...

Essential report: a different view between the ages

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How does age shape political views? Paul Karp, Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, and columnist Peter Lewis discuss how age effects...

Dan Tehan on who’s to blame for Labor’s immigration ‘war game’

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Middleton, Guardian Australia’s political editor, speaks with shadow minister for immigration and citizenship Dan Tehan about ministerial dire...

Helen Haines on the transition to net zero in rural and regional areas

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the independent federal member for Indi, Helen Haines – well known for her stron...

Essential report: what’s the voter verdict on Labor’s budget?

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about whether or not voters think that Labor...

Jim Chalmers on his budget balancing act

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Australian Politics podcast, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers,...

James Paterson on Australia’s immigration detention system

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with the shadow home affairs minister, James Paterson, about the government’s deporta...

Essential report: can Labor meet the demand for online safety protections?

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about the current national debate around on...

Michelle Rowland on reducing the harm the internet can cause

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Middleton, Guardian Australia’s political editor, speaks with the minister for communications, Michelle Rowland, about the government’s plan...

Sarah Hanson-Young on the debate around free speech on social media

27 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks to Sarah Hanson-Young about the government’s legal showdown with Elon Musk’s X plat...

Essential report: is Labor being honest about how hard the energy transition will be? – Australian Politics podcast

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about why voters are backing Labor’s Futu...

Ed Husic on why Islamic Australians feel their voice is not being heard on Gaza

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s foreign affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst speaks to Ed Husic about how the industry and science minister is making...

Simon Birmingham on the Coalition’s stance on a Palestinian state

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Coalition spokesperson on foreign affairs, Simon Birmingham, about his party’s strong criticisms of for...

Essential report: how voters want to tackle Australia’s housing bin fire

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about voters’ views on Australia’s hous...

Penny Wong on the week Australia condemned Netanyahu

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton speaks to foreign minister Penny Wong after Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom w...

David Shoebridge on Labor’s ‘Trump like’ immigration proposals

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, speaks to David Shoebridge, the Greens’s home affairs and immigration spokesperson,...

Essential Report: underwhelmed by democracy and overwhelmed by the news

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Paul Karp talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about voters’ views on the institutions and gua...

Andrew Leigh on how competition reform can make our lives better

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Paul Karp speaks to the assistant minister for competition, Andrew Leigh about Labor’s plans fo...