Shows / Politics with Michelle Grattan
Politics with Michelle Grattan
The Conversation's Chief Political Correspondent Michelle Grattan talks politics with politicians and experts, from Capital Hill.
Episodes
Politics with Michelle GrattanBrotherhood of St Laurence’s Conny Lenneberg on Newstart, poverty and inequality
The Brotherhood of St Laurence has underway a campaign with the slogan “Share the Pie” highlighting the inadequacy of the Newstart allowance. The Brotherhood…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMichael McCormack on Barnaby's future, latte sippers and other matters
With yet another round of the Barnaby Joyce affair distracting the government, the next question will be whether the beleaguered MP runs again in his New…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAnthony Albanese on Labor’s National Conference
Labor is facing tough tests in coming byelections in its narrowly held seats of Longman in Queensland and Braddon in Tasmania. Later on, managing the ALP…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDean Smith on the pros and risks of new religious freedom protections
The Liberal party is currently fighting fires on various fronts - from a revolt on the live sheep trade to preselection power struggles. Western Australia…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Mathias Cormann and Jim Chalmers on Budget 2018
With the government's election focused budget released it's now a tax showdown between the two sides. Finance minister Mathias Cormann says the government is…
- Politics with Michelle Grattan
Tim Colebatch on the 2018 budget
From inside the lockup political and economic journalist Tim Colebatch speaks to Michelle Grattan about his assessment of the budget. He says the income tax…
- Politics with Michelle Grattan
Chris Bowen on the budget and Labor's policies
Ahead of Tuesday’s budget that will unveil the goverment’s tax cut plans, the Coalition is painting Labor as the big taxing party, while the ALP is attacking…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRobert Kelly on the Korean summits
Professor Robert E Kelly from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Pusan University is pessimistic about how much the upcoming Korean summits…
Politics with Michelle GrattanClive Hamilton and Richard Rigby on Chinese influence in Australia
The Australia-China relationship is again in the headlines, with reports of strains between the two countries, resulting in federal ministers who want to visit…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Michael Keating on a Fair Share
With the debate about equality heating up ahead of the federal election, Dr Michael Keating, the former head of three federal government departments, warns…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Blaxland on Australia’s expulsion of Russian spies
As Russian Ambassador Grigory Logvinov and Foreign minister Julie Bishop trade verbal blows, ANU professor John Blaxland says the expulsion of two Russian…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSarah Hanson-Young on the Greens Batman setback
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has strongly backed party leader Richard Di Natale’s push to purge those who leaked against candidate Alex Bhathal in the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanThe Batman byelection battleground
Byelections are not just important in the obvious sense of their results, but also for the confidence of political players. On Saturday Labor and Bill Shorten…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: the "X factor" in the South Australian election
The South Australian election will be held on March 17 - the same day as the federal byelection in Batman. In SA Labor is pitching for a fifth term, with…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics Podcast: Jacinda Ardern on her political life
Ahead of her second Australia visit, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to Michelle Grattan about the toughness of Australian politics, her…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPeter Dutton on balancing interests in Home Affairs
The recently-created Home Affairs department, headed by Peter Dutton, is a behemoth that its critics fear will compromise civil liberties. But Dutton argues…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBrian Howe on revisiting Henderson, poverty and basic income
How to increase wages and tackle inequality are live political and economic debates. Many Australians are feeling the cost-of-living squeeze. Speaking ahead of…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMark Dreyfus on refining foreign interference legislation
Introduced in the final hours of sitting last year, the government’s foreign interference legislation have been criticised for being too broad and draconian…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBill Ferris on Australia’s innovation mission
Innovation has been a buzzword of Malcolm Turnbull’s government, but the public reception of this message has been less than enthusiastic. Innovation and…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Blaxland on new foreign interference laws
The government’s new foreign interference laws propose broad changes to political donations, counter-surveillance, and lobbying in Australia. ANU professor…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMatt Canavan on divorce in the LNP and discipline in the Coalition
The Liberal National Party's loss in the Queensland election has sparked demerger discussions, while at a federal level it has emboldened the Nationals to take…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGreens Jordon Steele-John on being an 'accidental' senator
New Greens senator Jordon Steele-John is the youngest person ever to sit in the senate. He was sworn in this week with two other 'accidental' senators who are…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSwinging into the Sunshine State's election
The pundits are reluctant to place bets on who will win Queensland's November 25 election, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition leader Tim…
Politics with Michelle GrattanKevin Rudd on avoiding Donald Trump
Not for the Faint-hearted, the first volume of Kevin Rudd’s massive autobiography is out, and the former prime minister is on the promotion circuit. Rudd now…
Politics with Michelle GrattanEnergy Security Board chair Kerry Schott on a national energy plan
The government’s long-awaited energy plan has rejected Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s Clean Energy Target, which focused on subsidies for renewables, in favour…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTiernan Brady and Cory Bernardi reflect on the marriage postal ballot
There are still a few weeks left to run in the same-sex marriage postal ballot campaign, and millions of votes are yet to be returned – or not returned. With…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGareth Evans on being an Incorrigible Optimist
This podcast is a recording of an In-Conversation with Gareth Evans, former foreign minister and currently Chancellor of the Australian National University…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDarren Chester on the infrastructure spending spree
Jokes about the satirical program Utopia aside, managing the rollout of infrastructure programs in Australia is a formidable task. Infrastructure Minister…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRob Sitch on Utopia and political satire
Canberra politics often seems beyond satire. So it’s perhaps not surprising that Working Dog’s TV show Utopia has more than once foreshadowed reality in its…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAGL chief economist Tim Nelson on what to do with Liddell
In the eye of the storm over energy policy is Liddell, an ageing coal-fired power station owned by energy giant AGL. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJudith Brett on The Enigmatic Mr Deakin
It is popular to look at today’s political challenges through the prism of prime ministers past, but when it comes to former liberal leaders it’s usually…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMark Butler on energy uncertainty
Pressure is mounting on the government to put an end to energy uncertainty as an Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) report warns of looming power…
Politics with Michelle GrattanNick Xenophon on media reform
As leader of a senate crossbench party, Nick Xenophon’s position on contentious legislation, currently media reform, is crucial for the government. He says…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMathias Cormann on the same-sex marriage postal survey
When the government didn’t get the numbers to pass legislation for a same-sex marriage plebiscite they put the wheels in motion for their second best plan: a…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDerryn Hinch on surviving the Senate
After spending a year immersed in the parliamentary machine, broadcaster-turned-senator Derryn Hinch is keen to see a more efficient Senate. His suggestions…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTiernan Brady on same-sex marriage showdown
The issue of same-sex marriage is derailing the government’s attempts to promote its agenda as tension mounts ahead of a special Liberal party meeting on…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMichael Cooney on an Australian republic
Malcolm Turnbull, perhaps Australia’s best-known republican, declared himself “an Elizabethan” during his recent visit to London. Turnbull insists the quest…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPeter Jennings on the home affairs department
The new home affairs super ministry announced by Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday is considered by some experts to be unnecessary and potentially dangerous…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGraeme Samuel on data governance
Many Australians are worried about the proliferation of data businesses and the government knowing too much about them. Data Governance Australia chairman…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAnna Krien on the climate wars
Melbourne-born author Anna Krien’s latest Quarterly Essay explores the debates on climate change policy in Australia and the ecological effects of not acting…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAlan Finkel on the future of Australia’s energy market
Despite the government still considering his proposal for a clean energy target (CET) – after endorsing his other 49 recommendations – Chief Scientist Alan…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGladys Berejiklian on the need to reform federal-state partnerships
NSW Premier Gladys Berejikilian is alert to the challenge of operating in today’s difficult electorate. “The digital age has brought a sense of empowerment…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJosh Frydenberg, George Christensen and Mark Butler on the Finkel review
Malcolm Turnbull declared on Wednesday he'd "provided decisive leadership on energy". It is a claim perhaps better cast in the future tense. The debate over…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Blaxland on handling Islamist terrorism
Events in Britain, the New South Wales coroner’s report on the Lindt Cafe siege, and a new attack in Australia have given a much sharper edge to the debate…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMatt Canavan on Adani
The Coalition has backed the Adani Carmichael coal mine but there’s debate about assistance for the project, and argument about the jobs it would create in the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDennis Richardson on telling it like it is
Dennis Richardson, one of Australia’s most respected federal public servants, has just retired after an illustrious career. He served as head of the foreign…
Politics with Michelle GrattanChris Bowen on Labor’s budget responses
Labor has come under fire for some of its budget responses, including its opposition to the schools package, and only partial support for the Medicare levy…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBudget reaction: Mathias Cormann and Anna Bligh on the new bank tax
A brief summary of this episode Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Daley on the budget
A brief summary of this episode Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAndrew Giles on schools funding
The shadow assistant minister for schools, Andrew Giles, says the strong opposition from Catholic schools to the government’s education package is because they…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSimon Birmingham on the government’s education reforms
This week, the government made big announcements about the future funding of schools and universities. Haunted by the unpopular 2014 budget, it is treading…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Hewson on the Budget climate
Professor John Hewson, a former Liberal leader and chair in the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Australian National University, describes the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJane Halton on how to make a federal budget
Jane Halton, a former finance department secretary and an adjunct professor, appeared at cabinet’s expenditure review committee over nearly 30 years. Halton…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPeter Jennings on North Korea’s aggression
As North Korea continues to antagonise the US and its allies, the prospect of war hangs in the air. But Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJenny Lambert on the 457 visa scrapping
This week, the government announced it would abolish the 457 visa and replace it with a new temporary skill shortage visa program. The change has met a mixed…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMatthew Sussex on Russia's long game
A cloud continues to hover over Russian interference in the US presidential election. Associate professor Matthew Sussex, academic director at the Australian…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDavid Marr on Pauline Hanson’s star power
In his latest Quarterly Essay, journalist David Marr delves into why Pauline Hanson attracts so much attention. Looking at figures from the last election, Marr…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMichaelia Cash on union misconduct
The government this week introduced a bill that aims to put a stop to secret agreements between employers and unions without the knowledge of union members…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRichard Di Natale on the future of work
Greens leader Richard Di Natale is calling for a re-imagining of the way Australians approach work. “What we’re saying is: let’s have a look at some of the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanWA election – Mark McGowan accuses Turnbull of bluffing
The end of the mining boom has hit many people in Western Australia hard, and this has flowed strongly into the election. Debt and deficit are besetting the…