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 GrattanWA poll - Kim Beazley on One Nation
In our second podcast from the Western Australian election, we talk to Kim Beazley, especially about One Nation. Beazley was federal Labor leader during…
Politics with Michelle Grattanelection report from the West
In the first of three Conversation podcasts on the Western Australian election, we talk to Natalie Mast at the University of Western Australia, Premier Colin…
Politics with Michelle GrattanFormer ambassador Jeff Bleich on the shocks of the Trump presidency
Australia got a taste of US President Donald Trump’s approach to diplomacy in a sensational phone call with Malcolm Turnbull, details of which were leaked to…
Politics with Michelle GrattanKen Coates on the future of higher education
With university graduates finding it harder to find jobs, questions have been raised about the merits of a typical tertiary qualification. Dr Ken Coates…
Politics with Michelle GrattanHugh Saddler on Australia’s energy crisis
As politicians debate the causes of South Australia’s power failures, separating fact from rhetoric has become difficult. In this episode of The Conversation’s…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAnthony Albanese on Labor’s approach to infrastructure
Labor’s edge over the government in the polls has seen the party stay united. But it has not stopped speculation about whether frontbencher Anthony Albanese…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBarnaby Joyce on a year at the top
Approaching the one-year anniversary of becoming National Party leader, Barnaby Joyce is well aware of the challenge posed by One Nation. Joyce tells Michelle…
Politics with Michelle GrattanCory Bernardi on spurning the Liberals
A day after moving to the crossbench, senator Cory Bernardi is feeling the heat. The media, former Liberal colleagues and South Australian voters all have a…
Politics with Michelle GrattanArthur Sinodinos on the government’s headwinds
At the beginning of the parliamentary year, the government is beleaguered on several fronts. But Arthur Sinodinos, one of the Coalition’s most experienced…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Chris Richardson on the state of the Australian economy
Ahead of next week’s mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, the government has been hit with the sobering news that real GDP shrank in the September quarter…
Politics with Michelle GrattanNick Xenophon on working the new parliament
As the curtain falls on the year, one of the most powerful players in the new parliament looks back on his successes. Nick Xenophon nominates whistleblower…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJosh Frydenberg on climate change and the 2017 review
After ratifying the Paris agreement on climate change, the government is looking ahead to its 2017 review of climate change policy. Energy and Environment…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJenny Macklin on Labor’s approach to welfare
In times of budgetary constraint, the cost of Australia’s welfare system has been regarded by many in the Coalition as a burden and a drag on economic growth…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBarnaby Joyce on the state of the National Party
Earlier this week, footage aired of Attorney-General George Brandis speculating that Queensland’s Liberal National Party might demerge. But Nationals leader…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRory Medcalf on the security implications of Donald Trump’s presidency
For allies of the United States, the reality of a Donald Trump presidency has just begun to sink in. Former Australian diplomat and intelligence analyst…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJulian Leeser on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act
Many in the government have clamoured for changes to be made to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser, however is not…
Politics with Michelle GrattanKim Beazley on the US election
Kim Beazley’s time as Australia’s ambassador to the United States came to an end earlier this year, but he is riveted by next week’s presidential election…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Blaxland on The Secret Cold War - The Official History of ASIO
In the third volume of The Official History of ASIO series, historians Dr John Blaxland and Dr Rhys Crawley examine the organisation’s role in the years…
Politics with Michelle GrattanStirling Griff and Skye Kakoschke-Moore on life in the Senate
Nick Xenophon’s two new Senate colleagues, Stirling Griff and Skye Kakoschke-Moore, are no strangers to the political process, having both worked with Xenophon…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTanya Plibersek on marriage equality and education funding
In the wake of Labor’s rejection of the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite, speculation has fallen on whether Labor will maintain their planned policy of…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMark Dreyfus on George Brandis’ solicitor-general controversy
A contentious move by Attorney-General George Brandis to restrict access to legal advice from the solicitor-general is continuing to raise controversy and…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSimon Birmingham on the new VET loan scheme
A new vocational education and training student loan scheme will aim at putting a stop to rorting by dodgy private colleges. Education Minister Simon…
Politics with Michelle GrattanScott Ryan on the same-sex marriage plebiscite and political donations
Monday’s government-Labor meeting over the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite ended in a stalemate. But Special Minister of State Scott Ryan tells Michelle…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Peter Jennings on Turnbull’s trip to the US
At next week’s UN General Assembly, Malcolm Turnbull will be among many leaders responding to the large movements of refugees and migrants across the world…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDon Watson on the rise of Trump
Earlier this year, Australian writer Don Watson visited the United States, observing the race for president. Rather than examine the “rust belt” or…
Politics with Michelle GrattanEric Abetz on the conservatives in the Liberal Party
In the first sitting of the new parliament, conservatives within the government have muscled a proposed amendment to the Racial Discrimination Act onto the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanFred Smith on The Dust of Uruzgan
Fred Smith is no ordinary Australian diplomat. In postings served in the Uruzgan Province of Afghanistan, he built relationships with tribal leaders while…
Politics with Michelle GrattanBob Brown on Malcolm Turnbull and the same-sex marriage plebiscite
Since retiring from politics in 2012, former Greens leader Bob Brown has continued to offer sharp perspectives on issues of national debate. After giving the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDerryn Hinch on becoming a senator
Incoming Victorian senator Derryn Hinch has the potential to be an ally or an enemy to the government’s agenda. Describing his political philosophy, Hinch says…
Politics with Michelle GrattanKaren Middleton on ‘Albanese: Telling it Straight’
This week, political reporter Karen Middleton is releasing a book about the life and career of Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese. At its heart is a deeply…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAnne Aly on counter-terrorism policy
When parliament returns later this month, Labor’s Anne Aly will become the first Muslim woman to take a seat in the lower house. Aly is an internationally…
Politics with Michelle GrattanLinda Burney on the 50th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off
Next week, Australians will look back at one the most significant moments in the struggle for Indigenous rights. August 23 marks the 50th anniversary of the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTom Calma says Nigel Scullion should go
The royal commission into the Northern Territory’s youth detention and child protection systems has had a shaky start. The Four Corners program that spurred…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Tiernan Brady on the campaign for marriage equality
Tiernan Brady was the political director of the “yes” campaign during the Irish referendum on same-sex marriage. With the government pushing ahead with plans…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJim Chalmers on Labor’s approach to the economy
Labor begins its next phase in opposition with bigger numbers in the parliament and with a new level of confidence as it confronts the government. Shadow…
Politics with Michelle GrattanDarren Chester on the Nationals' success
By increasing their numbers within the government, the Nationals were the surprise success story of the election, with a very local campaign. Minister for…
Politics with Michelle GrattanWayne Swan on Labor’s next moves
As a veteran of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years, former treasurer Wayne Swan is a politician with a great deal of experience with parliamentary instability. With…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJames Pearson on the knife-edge result and business confidence
The election has plunged Australia into uncertainty and placed a question mark over the country for companies looking to invest. Australian Chamber of Commerce…
Politics with Michelle GrattanNick Xenophon on his play for Senate power
Senator Nick Xenophon is the South Australian “vote magnet” making both the Coalition and Labor nervous, as he spreads his brand at this election. His probable…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTony Abbott on his campaign role
Tony Abbott has been low key so far this election, spending much of his time campaigning in his own electorate, with some visits to MPs who invite him…
Politics with Michelle GrattanThe Greens' fight for Batman and Wills
The Greens, who already hold the seat of Melbourne, are making a big play for two nearby Labor-held seats – Batman, held by David Feeney, and Wills, where the…
Politics with Michelle GrattanThe Indi Project
The battle for the Victorian seat of Indi is shaping up as a three-way contest. Independent Cathy McGowan is trying to fend off the former member Sophie…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSam Dastyari on the ‘Bill Bus’
The Labor Party has been driving a campaign bus from Cairns to Canberra. On Sunday night senator Sam Dastyari, leader of the “Bill Bus”, told supporters at a…
Politics with Michelle GrattanThe Battle for New England
This is The Conversation’s first election podcast, where we visit the New South Wales seat of New England. The electorate is held by deputy prime minister and…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAndrew Leigh on Labor’s budget reply
In response to the government’s pre-election budget, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh, a former professor of economics, describes an alternative…
Politics with Michelle GrattanIn Conversation with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
On the cusp of calling the election, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sat down with Michelle Grattan to talk about the budget. When the discussion turned to…
Politics with Michelle GrattanMathias Cormann on the government's economic plan
Sleep is at a premium in Canberra this week. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann is one of those doing the post-budget heavy lifting, with 22 media interviews on…
Politics with Michelle GrattanJohn Daley on the budget big picture
From the Parliament House lockup, Grattan Institute CEO John Daley joins Michelle Grattan to give an overall picture of the government’s pre-election budget…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRobert Simms on the evolution of the Greens
The future of Senator Robert Simms, one of the freshest faces in the Greens team, may hang on whether he is first or second on his party’s ticket. In his home…
Politics with Michelle GrattanSarah Ferguson on The Killing Season uncut
In 2015, the ABC aired a gripping documentary series covering the tumultuous Rudd-Gillard era. This week, the series’ writer and interviewer Sarah Ferguson has…
Politics with Michelle GrattanAngus Taylor on cities and digital transformation
In his ministerial reshuffle earlier this year, Malcolm Turnbull made Angus Taylor, an up-and-coming Liberal MP, the assistant minister for cities and digital…
Politics with Michelle GrattanHugh White on Turnbull’s China visit
Malcolm Turnbull will visit China this week in his first trip there as Prime Minister. The two-day trip, including Shanghai and Beijing, will juggle trade and…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPeter Whish-Wilson on his experience in banking and the need for a royal commission
The global scandal surrounding the release of the Panama papers and Malcolm Turnbull’s criticism of Australian banks have put the spotlight on the often murky…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGlenn Lazarus on the government’s industrial legislation
Senators will return to Canberra later this month with the expectation that they will give final consideration to the government’s industrial legislation -…
Politics with Michelle GrattanGeorge Wright on Labor’s chances of winning the election
While Labor goes into the coming election as underdog, the party’s strategy to win government will capitalise on what it sees as its competitive advantages…
Politics with Michelle GrattanRicky Muir’s fight to stay in the Senate
The Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party’s Ricky Muir this week made an unsuccessful last roll of the dice to try to delay the government’s Senate voting…
Politics with Michelle GrattanTony Windsor on his bid for New England
In what promises to be one of the toughest contests at the election, former independent MP Tony Windsor will try to retake the seat of New England from Deputy…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: Mathias Cormann on Senate reform
Following recommendations from the joint standing committee on electoral matters, the government has amended its Senate reform bill to include provision for…
Politics with Michelle GrattanPolitics podcast: senator David Leyonhjelm on Malcolm Turnbull
Liberal Democrat senator David Leyonhjelm has accused Malcolm Turnbull of failing to live up to his promise to liaise closely with the Senate crossbenchers. As…
Politics with Michelle GrattanFrancis Sullivan on Cardinal Pell and the royal commission into child sex abuse
Soaring community outrage over the issue of child sexual abuse was this week fanned by a Tim Minchin song calling for Cardinal George Pell to return home to…