Allison Chan

Political editor Tom McIlroy interviews assistant minister Andrew Charlton about the Australian Labor government’s proposed environmental and energy safeguards for new data centres and its broader push for national AI standards. Charlton discusses the tension between AI’s economic potential and risks, low public trust, the unauthorized scraping of his book by Anthropic, and how regulation might balance innovation with public and environmental protections.

Australia’s governor general, Sam Mostyn, discusses her concerns about a lack of public understanding of the Constitution and the civic foundations of democracy. Speaking with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy, she explains her focus on broadening civics education to strengthen democratic participation and respond to what she calls a growing threat to Australia’s democracy.

Australia’s governor general, Sam Mostyn, discusses concerns about a widespread lack of understanding of the constitutional and civic foundations of Australian democracy. Speaking with Guardian political editor Tom McIlroy in Sydney, she explains her focus on broadening civics education to strengthen democratic participation and address what she calls a growing threat to the country’s democratic system.

Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler and Essential executive director and Guardian columnist Peter Lewis discuss the latest Guardian Essential poll. One Nation’s primary vote appears to be plateauing, but Labor is not yet in a position to relax. The discussion assesses the Albanese government’s political health halfway through Anthony Albanese’s second term, including Angus Taylor’s sharply falling approval rating and the possibility that Labor’s current position could change quickly.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discusses the Labor Party’s national conference in Adelaide, his state-level contest with One Nation, and why progressives should avoid condescending to Pauline Hanson’s supporters. He also argues that abandoning AUKUS would create greater risks despite concerns over the agreement, including the United States’ failure to increase Virginia-class submarine production.

South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas speaks from the Australian Labor Party’s national conference in Adelaide about his state’s contest with One Nation and argues that progressive politicians should not condescend to Pauline Hanson’s supporters. He also defends AUKUS, saying that abandoning the submarine agreement would create greater risks despite concerns that US production of Virginia-class submarines has not increased.

Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy interviews Paul Kelly about his book The Twilight of Exceptionalism and the Liberal Party’s turbulent years under Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison. Kelly argues that leadership shifted from conservatism to progressivism and then transactional centrism, exposing deep fractures over the party’s values and its role in a changing political environment.

Paul Kelly discusses his book examining the Liberal Party’s turbulent leadership transitions from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull to Scott Morrison, arguing that the rapid ideological shifts exposed deep internal divisions and uncertainty about the party’s core identity in a changing political environment.

The podcast examines why support for the Australian Greens has flatlined in the year since the federal election while Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has gained ground among voters dissatisfied with the major parties. Nour Haydar and political reporter Sarah Basford-Canales discuss why disaffected voters are moving to the right rather than the left and consider strategies the Greens could use to improve their prospects at the next election.

Darcy Byrne, the Labor mayor of Sydney’s Inner West Council, discusses his campaign to reduce gambling harm and cut the number of poker machines in licensed clubs across New South Wales. He describes growing grassroots momentum, compares the poker-machine lobby with the US National Rifle Association, and outlines a successful motion at the NSW Labor conference supporting gambling-policy action ahead of the next state election. The discussion also highlights criticism of federal Labor’s limited progress on online gambling reform and claims that rising pokies revenue shows NSW Labor has not delivered on its promises.

Darcy Byrne outlines efforts to reduce gambling harm through cuts to poker machine numbers in Sydney’s Inner West, arguing for stronger reform amid criticism of federal Labor’s limited action on online gambling. He compares the influence of the poker machine lobby to the US National Rifle Association and highlights support for his gambling policy motion at the NSW Labor conference, signalling growing momentum for statewide reform.

Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks with Michelle Grattan and Melissa Clarke about an unexpectedly eventful 2026 in Australian politics. They assess Labor's decision to pursue previously ruled-out changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, the Liberals' latest leadership change, and One Nation's surge in several polls. The panel also considers the major political contests and risks likely to shape the second half of the year.

Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks with Michelle Grattan and Melissa Clarke about a surprising 2026 Australian political year. They assess Labor's passage of previously rejected changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, another Liberal leadership change, and One Nation's surge in polling support. The discussion also considers Angus Taylor's leadership of the Coalition and the political contests likely to shape the second half of the year.

Discussion of the first Guardian Essential poll following Pauline Hanson’s speech shows her support stalling, with concerns arising even among One Nation voters about her policy direction. The conversation examines reactions to her attacks on multiculturalism, climate action and public institutions, and considers approaches for addressing the broader anger fueling interest in her party.

The Australian Greens agreed to support Labor’s reforms to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing, although they could not secure stronger measures to remove grandfathering or cap negatively geared properties. Greens leader Larissa Waters says the deal was the best achievable outcome. She also explains why the Greens will oppose Labor’s proposed NDIS spending cuts and discusses efforts to respond to One Nation’s growing electoral support.

Pauline Hanson’s first appearance at the National Press Club in her three-decade political career featured a combative speech and hostile exchanges with journalists. She attacked multiculturalism, climate action, transgender rights, Indigenous policy, paid parental leave and Australia’s public broadcasters. Journalist Margo Kingston, who has followed Hanson since 1996, discusses with Guardian political editor Tom McIlroy whether the address marks the beginning of Hanson’s federal election campaign.

The Albanese government is proposing major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme aimed at reducing spending and limiting participation. Disability advocates and Australians with disabilities criticised the proposals during a three-day Senate inquiry, while shadow NDIS minister Melissa McIntosh raised concerns about the bill’s current form. The discussion also covers McIntosh’s political future in western Sydney, One Nation’s fundraising and Tony Abbott’s support for preference deals with Pauline Hanson’s party.

Australia will receive three used US Virginia-class submarines rather than two used and one new vessel, renewing debate over the AUKUS security agreement, whose projected cost is $368 billion. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy defends the arrangement and rebuts criticism from Labor MP Ed Husic. He also discusses new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s visit, Australia’s engagement with Pacific Island nations, and speculation that former prime minister Tony Abbott could contest Conroy’s seat of Shortland.

Former Greens MP and housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather discusses his new role directing the Greens’ think tank and argues that major political parties and parts of the media constrain policy debate. He advocates returning to policies that materially improve Australians’ lives, particularly on housing and wealth inequality, and describes One Nation as defined by political nihilism.

Guardian political reporter Josh Butler and Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis discuss voter skepticism toward Jim Chalmers’s fifth federal budget. Guardian Essential polling indicates that Labor’s proposed housing and tax reforms have not convinced voters that they will create a fairer housing system, leaving the government facing challenges in communicating and selling its agenda.