The federal government this week confirmed it would spend up to $600m on a new gas-fired power plant in NSW’s Hunter region, despite the International Energy Agency saying there should be no new investments in coal, oil or gas. Katharine Murphy sits down with environment editor Adam Morton to investigate why. With more affordable and cleaner options available, what’s the justification? What impact will this have on the economy and the environment?
May 21, 2021•35 min
Katharine Murphy talks to Christine Morgan, CEO of the national mental health commission, about the budget’s $2.3bn mental health package which the Coalition has touted as ‘the largest single mental health and suicide prevention’ plan. Will the extra funding fix systemic problems? Or will the proposal fail when it comes to negotiating with the states and territories? For immediate support, you can call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36
May 14, 2021•36 min
Katharine Murphy talks to the finance minister in an exclusive interview ahead of the federal budget. They discuss the ongoing challenges the Covid pandemic holds for Australia’s economy, and Birmingham’s personal reflections on parliament’s cultural reckoning
May 07, 2021•46 min
This week, Katharine Murphy sits down with economics writers Shane Wright and Greg Jericho to discuss the Australian economy. With house prices soaring, stimulus payments being reduced and a budget on the way, what can people expect financially over the coming months?
Apr 30, 2021•39 min
This week Katharine Murphy speaks with Erwin Jackson, the policy director at Investor Group on Climate Change, to discuss the Biden administration’s pressure on Australia to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster than planned. With the global summit of 40 world leaders held this week, how will Australia face up to the challenge of transitioning to a net zero world?
Apr 23, 2021•32 min
Katharine Murphy sits down with Labor MP Chris Bowen to talk about Labor’s potential roadmap to zero net emissions. Why is Australia lagging so badly behind in the electric vehicle market? Why have the past 10 years needed for crucial changes been squandered? How will Labor win over voters who are reluctant for the looming and necessary transition?
Apr 16, 2021•44 min
Katharine Murphy sits down with fellow Canberra reporters Sarah Martin, Paul Karp and Amy Remeikis to answer your most urgent political questions. Is Scott Morrison’s approval rating high enough to keep him in office? Why haven’t the promised 4m Covid vaccines been rolled out? Does the toxic culture within parliament extend outside the Coalition?
Apr 02, 2021•34 min
Katharine Murphy sits down with the Nationals’ deputy leader, David Littleproud, to discuss the party’s stance on reducing carbon emissions. They discuss how communities in regional areas want to see progress in tackling climate change, and whether the party is ready to address the facts or continue its turbulent stance
Mar 26, 2021•32 min
In a sit-down interview, political reporter Daniel Hurst speaks to Asio chief Mike Burgess about lessons from Christchurch and why the organisation is no longer using the umbrella term ‘rightwing extremism’ • Australia’s spy chief vows to call out rightwing terrorism when there’s a specific threat
Mar 19, 2021•27 min
Katharine Murphy talks to sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins as she starts her investigation into parliament’s workplace culture. Jenkins discusses the risk factors in all workplaces which can heighten the risk to safety, and how she plans to bring about cultural change in Canberra
Mar 12, 2021•38 min
After a turbulent two weeks in parliament, Katharine Murphy talks to Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young about her experiences in fighting toxic cultures in the workplace. They discuss the ways women in the spotlight can be supported, and whether the domino-like effect will continue
Mar 05, 2021•31 min
Katharine Murphy and Daniel Hurst talk to Liberal senator James Paterson about his new role as the chair of Australia’s security and intelligence committee. After the the US Capitol riot and the Christchurch attack, what threats does Australia face from terrorism, and how should extremism be managed in online spaces?
Feb 26, 2021•30 min
This week Katharine Murphy speaks to Labor MPs Peta Murphy and Kate Thwaites after the allegations made by a former Liberal staffer, Brittany Higgins, revealed the toxic culture embedded within Australia’s parliament. The MPs discuss parliamentary workplace norms, lack of training and HR management, and the steps needed to address it.
Feb 19, 2021•35 min
Katharine Murphy sits down with her team in Canberra to answer your most urgent political questions for 2021. When will the government roll out a vaccine? Will there be an election this year? How can we hold our politicians more accountable after the scandals of 2020?
Feb 12, 2021•41 min
In the first episode of the Australian politics podcast for 2021, Katharine Murphy talks with former special forces captain and barrister Keith Wolahan after he unseated veteran Liberal MP Kevin Andrews in a party preselection. How did Wolahan pull off the first unseat of a federal Liberal since 1990? What factions in the party does he associate himself? How will he approach the Liberals’ waning popularity in Victoria?
Feb 05, 20210
Looking back at the year, Katharine Murphy sits down with Labor MP Andrew Giles and Liberal MP Fiona Martin to discuss Australia’s other epidemic: loneliness. With coronavirus exacerbating the country’s feelings of isolation, which age groups have been hit hardest? How has social media use increased loneliness among young people? And what measures will the government take to solve the problem?
Dec 18, 2020•28 min
On the last sitting day of parliament, politics editor Katharine Murphy and political reporter Paul Karp talk to Labor MP Tony Burke about the government’s omnibus industrial relations bill. With unions concerned the provision will cut pay and conditions, Burke discusses how the Morrison government’s gagging of parliamentary debate is putting workers, and democracy, at risk
Dec 11, 2020•40 min
Katharine Murphy talks to MP Anne Webster after her defamation case against conspiracy theorist Karen Brewer. Webster intends to bring forward legislation that would force Facebook and other platforms to assume editorial responsibility for the content they publish, in an effort to combat proliferating misinformation. How would the legislation work? Will senior ministers support it? What impact would it have on Australian media? Australian MP targeted by conspiracy posts calls for Facebook to be ...
Dec 04, 2020•32 min
This week politics editor Katharine Murphy talks to Victorian frontbencher Clare O’Neil about Labor’s vision for Australia’s workforce. With mounting issues including low wage growth, the gig economy and underpayment, how can the government change policy direction during Covid? What sweeping changes are needed to improve innovation, immigration and the climate?
Nov 27, 2020•33 min
With China’s increasingly authoritarian assertiveness clashing against Australia’s agenda, Katharine Murphy sits down with Daniel Hurst to discuss what can be salvaged. Will Beijing’s hegemonic ambitions win in the ongoing trade tensions?
Nov 20, 2020•31 min
While the Coalition has been delaying introducing its own federal anti-corruption bill, the independent member for Indi, Helen Haines, has drafted her own bill. Katharine Murphy speaks to her about the differences between the two bills as well as what the culture is like in parliament for women.
Nov 13, 2020•30 min
Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy speaks to the ACT chief minister, Labor’s Andrew Barr, and to the attorney general, Shane Rattenbury of the Greens, about coalition building and compromise
Nov 06, 2020•42 min
Katharine Murphy speaks to Ben Morton, assistant minister to the prime minister, about the government’s deregulation agenda, and whether they will implement the recommendations made by Graeme Samuel to strengthen national environmental protections
Oct 30, 2020•39 min
Katharine Murphy speaks to the shadow early childhood education minister, Amanda Rishworth, about Labor’s new promise to overhaul the childcare subsidy system. How would the proposed reform change productivity in the workforce? And will the public support a Medicare-like system for the sector?
Oct 23, 2020•33 min
Katharine Murphy talks to Liberal MPs Katie Allen and Jason Falinski about Covid’s impact on aged care in Australia and the royal commission findings that the sector is ‘unfit for purpose’. With the pandemic highlighting and exacerbating its problems, how can aged care be transformed in time for the baby boomer surge?
Oct 16, 2020•32 min
Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy chats with Canberra reporters Daniel Hurst and Paul Karp about Labor’s budget reply. After unveiling three substantial commitments in childcare, energy and manufacturing, Guardian Australia looks at whether the reply will boost Labor’s visibility, and if the Coalition’s flexible budget will be enough to keep supporters during a time of crisis. Anthony Albanese unveils childcare and energy plans in budget 2020 reply speech
Oct 09, 2020•31 min
After the first presidential debate airs Katharine Murphy talks to Kent Getsinger, the chair of Democrats Abroad in Australia, about how US expats will be voting. Are voters willing to back Joe Biden? Will the reaction from the debate bring in more votes? How has Covid-19 impacted the foreign voting system?
Oct 02, 2020•29 min
Katharine Murphy talks to Joel Fitzgibbon, the member for Hunter, about Labor’s stance on climate and fossil fuel industries. They discuss Labor’s response to Scott Morrison’s push for a ‘gas-led recovery’, as well as Anthony Albanese’s potential as the next prime minister
Sep 25, 2020•35 min
This week Katharine Murphy catches up with finance writers Greg Jericho and Shane Wright on the state of Australia’s economy. They discuss the government’s decision to reduce jobseeker, Victoria’s impact on the national economy and the October budget
Sep 18, 2020•35 min
In this episode David Marr interviews Katharine Murphy on her new Quarterly Essay that examines the first wave of the coronavirus and Scott Morrison’s handling of it. They discuss Scott Morrison problem-solving approach, the importance of his faith, and his dislike of tough questions
Sep 09, 2020•38 min
