Best Senator Andrew Bragg Podcasts (2025)

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Guardian Essential report: Climate doom and AI anxiety 26:03

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18h ago26:03

26:03

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 same number of voters had the same response more than 15 years ago, so Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, and political reporter Josh Butler unpack the difference between the science and…

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Will Albanese’s caution become his weakness? 16:56

5d ago16:56

16:56

Author and columnist Sean Kelly says despite Labor’s overwhelming majority and an opposition largely consumed by its own infighting, there are signs that Anthony Albanese’s government will waste the opportunity handed to them by the Australian people. Kelly talks to Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy about his new Quarterly essay, whic…

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The fear of neo-Nazis and the politics of social cohesion with Mehreen Faruqi 24:03

5d ago24:03

24:03

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 month caused fear for many Australians – and the federal government is yet to respond to recommendations for a national framework for anti-racism. And with both houses of parliament returning for their …

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A new Liberal and Labor MP on their first terms in parliament 24:51

5d ago24:51

24:51

It’s been six months since the May election, which brought new personalities to Parliament House – along with an even larger majority for the Albanese government. Labor MP Renee Coffey, who beat the Greens housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather, and Liberal MP Leon Rebello, a former staffer and parliamentary attendant, join political editor Tom M…

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Why net zero is dividing parliament with climate minister Chris Bowen 21:01

19d ago21:01

21:01

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 assessment because this week Australia’s two major political parties have had very different commitments when it comes to climate action. The minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen, speaks to G…

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How the EU and Nato are countering a new type of warfare 20:57

26d ago20:57

20:57

From cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns, hybrid warfare is reshaping global security. Visiting the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki, Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom Mcllroy, speaks with its director, Teija Tiilikainen, about how the EU and Nato are confronting covert interference from Russia, …

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Guardian Essential report: the PM’s rock star moment and his biggest threat 24:58

27d ago24:58

24:58

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 about the outcomes of his negotiations with US president Donald Trump. Political reporter and Canberra chief of staff Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, about w…

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Shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr on the ‘mass migration’ myth 17:40

1M ago17:40

17:40

In the aftermath of former frontbencher Andrew Hastie’s fighting words, opposition leader Sussan Ley continues to struggle with persistent internal tensions in the Coalition over its direction on immigration policy. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to shadow minister for immigration Paul Scarr about why he rejects rhetoric about ‘mass migration’…

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AI and the productivity challenge with Andrew Leigh 22:07

1M ago22:07

22:07

This week, the Albanese government has been criticised for a tactical backdown on its plan to wind back tax concessions on superannuation balances worth more than $3m. But the assistant minister for productivity, competition, charities and treasury, Andrew Leigh, argues that this change in approach has maintained fairness in the super system. The M…

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The human cost of a broken aged care system with Penny Allman-Payne 24:25

2M ago24:25

24:25

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 residential aged care and the personal stories she has heard as chair of a Greens-led inquiry into the sector. She speaks with Guardian Australia’s political editor, Tom McIlroy, about how she has seen lives …

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Clare O’Neil on Labor’s scheme for first home buyers 27:22

2M ago27:22

27:22

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 many critics. Guardian Australia political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to the federal minister for housing and homelessness, Clare O’Neil, about why she thinks the government is pulling on the correct l…

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Guardian Essential Report: Albanese’s pragmatism during messy times 22:01

2M ago22:01

22:01

Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to executive director of Essential Media Peter Lewis about Australian voters’ views on the government’s climate action ambition and the immigration debate. Lewis also explains why he thinks The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a perfect analogue of the prime minister’s approach to politics in the midst …

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Amanda Rishworth on the future of work and AI 28:56

2M ago28:56

28:56

Political reporter Josh Butler speaks to Amanda Rishworth, the minister for employment and workplace relations, about the Albanese government’s upcoming reform agenda for workers. They also discuss the latest figures on enterprise agreements and why she thinks AI is more likely to ‘augment’ rather than displace workers in the near future…

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Matt Kean on Australia’s future in a climate crisis 32:36

2M ago32:36

32:36

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 after the release of the national climate risk assessment, which described a disastrous future for Australians on a warming planet. In this bonus episode of the Australian Politics podcast, climate and e…

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David Pocock on the 2035 climate targets and political will 28:34

2M ago28:34

28:34

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. But vocal climate advocate Senator David Pocock says a minimum of 75% is needed to ‘do our bit’. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to the ACT independent about his pessimism about political leadersh…

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Jane Hume on rebuilding trust in the Liberal party 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

The fallout in the Liberal party over Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s inflammatory comments about Indian migrants has now culminated in her sacking from the shadow ministry by Sussan Ley. In the lead-up to this decision by the opposition leader, Victorian senator Jane Hume described it as a situation that ‘escalated well out of control’. Hume speaks to …

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Kristy McBain on natural disaster preparation and ambitious climate targets 20:06

3M ago20:06

20:06

While many Australians are feeling relieved about the end of a cold winter, the minister for emergency management and regional development is already eyeing the upcoming summer bushfire season. Kristy McBain talks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy about the importance of social license for renewables and climate action in regional Austra…

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Andrew Giles on how to fix Australia’s skill shortage 20:41

3M ago20:41

20:41

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, Andrew Giles, says he’s focused on making sure every Australian is able to reach their full potential in the workforce. He talks to Tom McIlroy about how to solve Australia’s skill shortage, the importa…

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Guardian Essential report: the paradox of recognition, why do Australians back Palestine but doubt its impact? 21:05

3M ago21:05

21:05

Why do most Australians back recognising a Palestinian state, yet nearly half dismiss it as merely symbolic? The executive director of Essential Media, Peter Lewis, shares the latest poll findings with the Canberra chief of staff, Josh Butler, about Palestine, as well as fears of AI-driven job losses fuelling strong calls for regulation, a four-day…

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Allegra Spender on why tax reform will make young people’s lives better 20:56

3M ago20:56

20:56

Fresh from the government’s economic roundtable, the independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender is optimistic about the future of tax reform in Australia. Talking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, she argues Labor must speed up approvals for housing and clean energy, shift the tax mix to ease pressure on young people and boost investment,…

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Dr Mohammed Mustafa on why we need more than recognition to end the crisis in Gaza - podcast 21:37

3M ago21:37

21:37

British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa has seen first-hand the horrors occurring daily in Gaza from his time working in hospitals across the region. Speaking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, he describes life on the ground in the war zone, says that Australian politicians are clinging to talking points while children die, and warns…

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Andrew Bragg on AI, housing and what the Coalition got wrong 20:22

4M ago20:22

20:22

Two weeks out from Labor’s economic roundtable, the Coalition’s shadow minister for productivity, housing and homelessness, Andrew Bragg, joins us to talk about the biggest challenges facing the economy. Speaking to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy, he cautions against over-regulating artificial intelligence, reflects on the Coalition’s mi…

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From Palestine to jobseeker and keeping children safe online: Tanya Plibersek on Labor’s tough calls – Australian Politics podcast 28:06

4M ago28:06

28:06

Tanya Plibersek, one of Labor’s most recognisable political figures and the minister for social services, joins us as the government faces big decisions at home and abroad. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to her about the push to recognise Palestinian statehood, the jobseeker rate and the urgent fight to keep children safe online…

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Guardian Essential report: Albanese starts second term with solid approval, but Trump presidency looms – Australian Politics podcast 19:27

4M ago19:27

19:27

As Anthony Albanese readies his second‑term reform agenda, Guardian Australia’s Josh Butler speaks with Essential Media’s Peter Lewis about the elephant in the room: Australia’s dependence on the US and how its high‑stakes defence gambles could shape both his leadership and the nation’s strategic future…

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Resetting the Liberals: Zoe McKenzie on reform, climate and winning back women 22:24

4M ago22:24

22:24

As parliament resumes, the focus shifts to how the major parties plan to reset. Chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to Liberal MP for Flinders and shadow assistant minister Zoe McKenzie. She isn’t convinced by quotas but says the party needs meaningful reform if it’s serious about bringing more women into the fold – and winning back th…

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Jim Chalmers on uncertainty and ambition 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

Treasurer Jim Chalmers tells Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy one of his key measures of success in the future is making Australia’s budget more sustainable. They discuss the challenge of meeting housing targets, how the morning news affects his plans and what he hopes can come out of his meeting with the G20 finance min…

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Accountability, robodebt and regional housing: Helen Haines unpacks it all 24:10

5M ago24:10

24:10

Tom McIlroy speaks to independent MP Helen Haines to talk through her ambitious agenda for the new parliamentary term, her sharp disappointment with the robodebt royal commission fallout, and what the government’s response says about political accountabilityBy The Guardian

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O’Brien on Liberal ‘soul-searching’ amid nuclear and net-zero policy review 21:57

5M ago21:57

21:57

After a bruising election loss, the Coalition is at a crossroads. Can it reinvent itself as a credible alternative to Labor, or will internal divisions over nuclear energy, net zero and the Liberal party’s identity doom it to another term in opposition? Guardian Australia chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, speaks with the deputy opposition…

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Greens leader Larissa Waters on holding the Labor government to account — Australian Politics podcast 22:39

5M ago22:39

22:39

The new leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters from Queensland talks about her vision for the party, the challenges of a shifting political landscape, and why she believes this is a moment for bold reforms Labor must rewrite current environment laws which ‘facilitate development’, says Larissa Waters…

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Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser on why a closer alliance with the US is necessary 22:36

5M ago22:36

22:36

In a year shaped by rising global tensions and growing concerns over social cohesion at home, the shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, presents his views on Australia’s place in the worldBy The Guardian

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Senator Maria Kovacic on what the Coalition needs to move forward 23:35

6M ago23:35

23:35

‘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 assistant minister, joining Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy to discuss her party’s futureBy The Guardian

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Nicolette Boele on climate, business and making a difference 23:28

6M ago23:28

23:28

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 Liberal Gisele Kapterian. She is preparing to take her seat in parliament after a wafer-thin victory of just 26 votes. Boele speaks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy about why Labor needs to stop…

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Guardian Essential report: can Labor live up to expectations? 25:18

7M ago25:18

25:18

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 during challenging times? Guardian Australia’s political reporter, Josh Butler sits down with chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy and Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis.…

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Guardian Essential report: is the real question now just how big Labor’s victory will be? 15:12

7M ago15:12

15:12

Just days out from the crucial vote, the latest Guardian Essential poll shows steady support for Labor. But with a significant number of undecided voters and a strong field of independents, questions remain about how convincing their victory will really be. Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, sits down with Essential Me…

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Guardian Essential report: as Labor pulls further ahead, can Dutton outmanoeuvre Albanese? 19:28

7M ago19:28

19:28

As the election draws near, Labor has extended its lead against the Coalition in the latest Essential poll, raising new questions about what Peter Dutton needs to do to shift the momentum in his favour. Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy sits down with Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis to unpack the strategies and dynamics shaping t…

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Guardian Essential report: power v poise – Australian Politics podcast 21:37

8M ago21:37

21:37

At the electoral crossroads, Guardian Australia’s political reporter Krishani Dhanji talks to Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis about what risks and rewards await Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese as they gamble over the projection of strong v steady leadership to win the hearts and minds of Australian voters. Plus: who would people …

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Guardian Essential report: as Albanese’s approval rating rises, why do the lads stand out? – Australian Politics podcast 23:06

8M ago23:06

23:06

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 Australian men support Trump and Dutton more than anyone else? Could Dutton take advantage of this trend? Guardian Australia’s political reporter Josh Butler talks to Essential Media’s executive direc…

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Guardian Essential report: How do the major parties plan to win your vote? 22:33

9M ago22:33

22:33

Has the interest rate cut made any difference to how people intend to vote at the upcoming federal election? Guardian Australia’s political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy and Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis discuss how voters are responding to major political parties’ campaign rhetoric on key issues affecting their lives…

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Guardian Essential report: how do you make voters care about policy? – Australian Politics podcast 21:20

9M ago21:20

21:20

Guardian Australia’s political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy and Essential Media’s executive director Peter Lewis discuss the mood of voters and look at the challenges of running a successful election campaign in the era of TrumpBy The Guardian

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Does the economy need a defibrillator? Cherelle Murphy on what might get it going again 36:53

12M ago36:53

36:53

Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Cherelle Murphy, chief economist for EY Oceania, about this week’s sluggish national accounts figures and how the government can revive a barely breathing economyBy The Guardian

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Guardian Essential report: do voters’ views on housing and wages spell trouble for Labor? 25:25

12M ago25:25

25:25

Guardian Australia’s chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Essential Media’s executive director, Peter Lewis, discuss the public’s disappointment with Labor’s handling of the housing crisis and what that means for the party in the lead-up to a federal electionBy The Guardian

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Chris Bowen on Cop29, reducing emissions and rolling out renewables 42:19

12M ago42:19

42:19

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen. They discuss the wins and losses from the recent Cop29 climate conference in Baku, the pace of the transition to renewables and whether Australia needs to brace for blackouts over summer…

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Amanda Rishworth on tackling gender-based violence 37:05

1y ago37:05

37:05

This Monday marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, about battling online misogynists, and stopping the welfare system empowering angry exesBy The Guardian

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Guardian Essential report: Australians worry about the climate crisis and the economy as Trump returns 27:33

1y ago27:33

27:33

Guardian Australia chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, and Essential Media executive director, Peter Lewis, talk about what Australians think about Donald Trump’s election winBy The Guardian

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Clare O’Neil on Labor’s plan to fix the housing crisis 30:45

1y ago30:45

30:45

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal housing and homelessness minister, Clare O’Neil. They discuss whether a double dissolution is on the horizon, the role housing will play in the upcoming federal election campaign and how the housing crisis is more than just a problem of economics…

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Arthur Sinodinos on what Trump keeping his promises means for Australia 43:43

1y ago43:43

43:43

Guardian Australia’s political editor Karen Middleton speaks with Arthur Sinodinos AO, former ambassador to the US, chair of the Australia Practice at the Asia Group, as well as a former Liberal senator and adviser to John Howard. They talk about why Americans voted as they did, what the outcome means for Australia’s upcoming election, and how big …

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Bridget McKenzie on the Qantas saga and conflicts of interest 39:34

1y ago39:34

39:34

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the federal shadow transport and infrastructure minister, Bridget McKenzie. They discuss the prime minister’s upgrades with Qantas, opposition leader Peter Dutton’s free flight care of Gina Rinehart, and whether the parliamentary register of interests needs an overhaul…

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Bob Brown on Lidia Thorpe and the right to protest 38:39

1y ago38:39

38:39

Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with Bob Brown – environmentalist, social justice campaigner, former senator and leader of the Australian Greens. They talk about the right to protest in a democracy in light of Lidia Thorpe’s recent protest against King Charles during his visit to Parliament House in Canberra, and Bob …

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Guardian Essential report: why has support for the Australian republic gone tepid? 22:26

1y ago22:26

22:26

Guardian Australia political editor Karen Middleton and Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis take a look at the latest Essential poll to see how popular King Charles III is in Australia and what support there is to become a republicBy The Guardian

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David Pocock on why negotiation is key to good government 36:40

1y ago36:40

36:40

After almost a full term as a politician, independent senator David Pocock joins political editor Karen Middleton. They discuss why he thinks Labor’s refusal to bargain with the crossbench is holding back changes that Australians need, if Albanese buying a multi-million dollar house this week is a bad look and what his past as a professional rugby …