This week, Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy sits down with Liberal MP Tim Wilson to discuss his new book The New Social Contract, which aims to reignite liberalism’s appeal to Australian voters. They talk about solving intergenerational inequalities in Australia regarding home ownership and employment, as well as how liberals can aim to weather the Covid-19 economic crisis
This week Katharine Murphy talks to Senate president Scott Ryan about the impact of Covid on parliamentary sittings, and whether public health officials and executives should determine when parliaments sit. Ryan questions the current impact of restrictions on Victorian residents and looks at their future consequences
Misha Schubert, the chief executive of the peak body Science and Technology Australia, joins the Guardian’s Katharine Murphy to discuss the value of science in today’s world and whether it is being adequately funded in this country
The federal leader of the opposition, Anthony Albanese, joins Guardian Australia’s political editor, Katharine Murphy, for a wide-ranging discussion on how to keep the government honest during the Covid-19 outbreak, climate change policy and what the Labor party needs to do to win the next election
The shadow health minister Chris Bowen joins Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy to discuss the opposition’s role during the coronavirus pandemic and the future of the Labor party. Bowen says the opposition’s strategy has been to concentrate on suggesting ways the government can improve their response while holding the government to account on things they could be doing better, such as the Covidsafe app. He also discusses the need for the party to find a cohesive message at the ...
This week Katharine Murphy talks to Peter Lewis, the executive director of Essential, about the changes in polling since surveys failed during the 2019 federal election campaign. What do the changes tell us about the pandemic’s impact on the relationship between Australians and government? And will it change with the rise of the second wave?
Guardian Australia’s environment editor, Adam Morton, joins Katharine Murphy to discuss the recent damning review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The review, led by Graeme Samuel, starkly states the current protection laws are ineffective and have led to an unsustainable environmental trajectory. Could the sweeping changes recommended lead to better legislation? And will the government act?
Katharine Murphy sits down with Guardian reporter Paul Karp and Nine senior economics correspondent Shane Wright to discuss the Australian economy and the government’s various stimulus packages. As conditions remain grim, with 992,300 Australians out of work, and the unemployment rate rising to 7.4% in June, how will the government navigate Australia’s recovery?
Ravaged by the twin crises of the bushfires and pandemic, the seat of Eden-Monaro in the south-east of NSW goes to a byelection on Saturday. If the Coalition wins, it will be the first time in a century the government has won a byelection from the opposition and that will be bad news for Anthony Albanese. Paul Karp takes a look at the contest and explains what the outcomes could mean
Katharine Murphy speaks with Jake Wallis and Tom Uren, analysts from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, about their recent investigation into online disinformation, and China’s increasing employment of it since the outbreak of Covid-19. What are the differences between disinformation peddled by China and the US governments, and what role has it played in Australian politics?
This week Katharine Murphy talks with the Australian trade, tourism and investment minister, Simon Birmingham. They discuss the challenges of economic recovery after the bushfires and coronavirus, and address the escalating trade actions from China. Will Birmingham appease an angered Beijing and reverse China’s tariffs? Or will the relationship see a continued decline in civility?
This week, Katharine Murphy speaks with Labor senator Pat Dodson about Indigenous deaths in custody and the Black Lives Matter protests being held across Australia. They discuss the underlying causes that give rise to First Nations people dying in custody, Dodson’s work on the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody 30 years ago, and the current movement for change
Guardian Australia’s environment editor, Adam Morton, joins political editor, Katharine Murphy, to discuss the week’s news on energy policy. From the release of the government’s technology roadmap to a leaked document that sees gas as the future of Australian energy, why is Australia making a roadmap without a destination?
After taking a break, Katharine Murphy is back to speak with Labor’s shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, about the post-coronavirus economy. They discuss the nation’s level of debt and the possible long-term changes to Australia’s welfare system. Will a universal basic income be introduced in the future? How can we stop intergenerational unemployment? What lessons from the global financial crisis can be used?
Katharine Murphy talks to Laura Murphy-Oates about how the government has transformed its identity almost entirely as it responds to Covid-19
The government has mismanaged a series of crises in the first few months of 2020. Now we’ve got coronavirus. Political editor Katharine Murphy is joined in the studio by her colleagues Sarah Martin and Paul Karp to discuss the intense start to the year and how the government has performed
Social media is increasingly being used by foreign actors to spread misinformation and to confuse public debate, both in Australia and overseas. A Senate committee is looking into the risk posed to Australia’s democracy by this foreign interference, chaired by Jenny McAllister. Katharine Murphy chats to McAllister and the shadow minister for cybersecurity, Tim Watts, about the inquiry
Independent MP for Warringah, Zali Steggall, is seeking bipartisan support for a climate change bill aimed at transitioning Australia to a decarbonised economy. Katharine Murphy sits down with Steggall to discuss her adjustment into politics, whether the bill can pass the upcoming conscience vote, and if modern Liberal voters are willing to embrace climate policy
The Liberal MP for North Sydney, Trent Zimmerman, joins Katharine Murphy to discuss his party’s historical stance on climate change, how denialism was brought into Australian politics and how he navigates the party line when his constituents largely believe in the need to take action on climate • Trent Zimmerman backs net zero emissions target but foresees more Coalition in-fighting
Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt joins Katharine Murphy for a wide-ranging conversation on why changes were made in how we measure targets in the Closing the Gap report and why despite broad public support for constitutional recognition there are members of the Coalition party room who may campaign against it Report: Ken Wyatt expects colleagues to campaign against recognition
How shall we stare down the challenges of the next decade? Where will we find the hope and solutions required for the 2020s? Listen to a live Guardian Australia panel taking on these big topics. Featuring Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, Guardian Australia editor Lenore Taylor, political editor Katharine Murphy, Indigenous affairs editor Lorena Allam and writer David Marr
As bushfires and smoke continue to plague our summer, Katharine Murphy speaks to Mike Bowers and Brett Mason, chief political correspondent at SBS, about what it’s been like on fire grounds this season and how the political ramifications are shaping up • Terror on all sides: inside a firestorm tearing through the Australian bush
Katharine Murphy sits down for a final reflection on the year that was with Guardian Australia’s Canberra team. How has Scott Morrison evolved as prime minister? How is Labor holding up after the election? And what lessons can we bring into reporting on fake news and Facebook’s hold on democracy?
Katharine Murphy sits down with Martin Parkinson, the former secretary of the prime minister’s department and the bureaucrat at the centre of policymaking on climate change during the Howard, Rudd and Gillard governments. Will Australia and the world move fast enough to avoid 2C of warming? How will the use of carryover credits affect Australia’s future? They also discuss the impact of populism on the global economy and the future of economic growth
The economy is showing growth figures on par with the global financial crisis and none of the government’s tax breaks seem to be making a difference. The Coalition is refusing to use the word stimulus to avoid admitting economic despair, but in doing so it’s failed to communicate the need for spending at a critical time. So, what should they be doing to stimulate growth next year? Katharine Murphy is joined by Greg Jericho and the Age and the SMH’s senior economics correspondent, Shane Wright
