Treasurer Jim Chalmers held his much-hyped Economic Reform Roundtable this week, with politicians and a selective list of experts, leaders and business executives discussing solutions for the challenges facing the Australian economy. Boring? Yeah. But given this three-day meeting will shape the next three federal budgets, it deserves your scrutiny. Economist Jason Murphy joins readers’ editor Crystal Andrews to explain what ‘productivity’ means, why the roundtable was so fixated on this concept ...
Aug 21, 2025•32 min
For years the Labor government has insisted Palestinian statehood could only come “at the end” of a peace process with Israel. This week, Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong announced an abrupt change: the time to recognise the state of Palestine is, apparently, now. Readers’ editor Crystal Andrews and politics editor Bernard Keane discuss what caused the Labor government to shift its position on Palestine. Will Australia ever go beyond symbolic gestures to impose meaningful penalties on Israel? San...
Aug 14, 2025•32 min
In the first episode of our new weekly podcast, we’re addressing the biggest criticism of Crike y: that we’re too hard or too soft on Labor… and the Coalition. And the Greens, the independents, One Nation. You get the picture. Cut Through host Crystal Andrews speaks to editor-in-chief Sophie Black and politics editor Bernard Keane about how Crikey plans to cover the 48th Parliament, and how journalists and news publishers should be adapting to Australia’s new political landscape. What does it me...
Aug 07, 2025•36 min
In the final episode of Electioncast for 2025, Crystal Andrews and political editor Bernard Keane dissect the latest political plot twist: the end of the Coalition. While it’s not the first time the Nats and Libs have been on-again, off-again, the effects will be felt by everyone – even those who have never, and would never, vote for them. Plus, Bernard reflects on his journalistic process in the aftermath of a result that proved many commentators’ theories wrong. Make sure you subscribe to this...
May 22, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Surprise, Electioncast is back! In this bonus episode, Crystal Andrews and associate editor Cam Wilson dissect the campaign antics of right-wing lobby group Advance, who spent millions in advertising against progressive MPs like the Greens’ Max Chandler-Mather and independent Zoe Daniel. Advance is celebrating the loss of key Greens seats as proof of its influence, but how much of an impact did it really have? We analyse the group’s strategy and spend against the election result. Read all of Cam...
May 15, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Well, that sure was something! In this post-election episode, Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss why this resounding Labor win by Anthony Albanese is so unique in Australian politics, review what the polls (and Electioncast!) got wrong, and speculate about what’s next for a dazed and confused Coalition. Then Anton Nilsson shares the insights he gleaned from voters in Dickson and the deflated Liberal HQ party in Brisbane after witnessing Peter Dutton’s...
May 04, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 6
We’re at the pointy end now, and an astonishing poll is predicting a whopping Labor majority. Can that really be right? Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers’ editor Crystal Andrews discuss the final YouGov poll of the campaign, and what the growing support of Pauline Hanson and One Nation means for the next parliament – and the future of Australian politics. Then, media reporter Daanyal Saeed catches us up on some juicy tips from Dutton’s campaign bus. Read more: Will Pauline Hanson ...
May 01, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Underneath the noisy narratives of the big election fight between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, there are individual, very tight contests taking place in battleground seats. It’s in these electorates that Australia’s next government could be decided. Crikey associate editor Cam Wilson and readers’ editor Crystal Andrews reveal how major parties use your personal data in highly-targeted political ads to sway the election result. Then editor Alisha Rouse and politics reporter Anton Nilsson di...
Apr 24, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Labor and the Coalition agree with voters: this is the housing election. But despite making headline-grabbing housing policy a focus of their official campaign launches, both parties' plans have been criticised by... pretty much everyone. Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews unpack the policy promises, and ask why politicians refuse to address the problem at the heart of Australia’s housing crisis (no, it’s not immigration). Then editor-in-chief Sophie Black re...
Apr 17, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Peter Dutton’s flopping, and Labor has surged ahead in the most recent polls. Does this kill the prospect of any kind of minority government? Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss why Anthony Albanese’s fortunes appear to have changed so quickly, and if NSW Labor’s response to the historic NSW doctor’s strike is damaging federal Labor’s health credentials. Despite the polls, our columnist Rachel Withers explains why independents are still the ones to wat...
Apr 10, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 2
It took six days into the federal election campaign for Donald Trump to throw his first grenade. The US President’s “Liberation Day” tariffs have put the world on the brink of a global trade war and ramped up the pressure on the major parties to pitch a clear path forward. Crikey politics editor Bernard Keane and readers editor Crystal Andrews discuss what the US tariffs mean for the election, Anthony Albanese’s response, and how the announcement has undermined the start of Peter Dutton’s campai...
Apr 03, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Crikey's Electioncast is back! Every Friday throughout the 2025 federal election campaign, we'll bring you political analysis that cuts through the spin. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 02, 2025•43 sec
The 2022 federal election is officially in the books. On today's edition of the Electioncast , audience editor Imogen Champagne speaks to Kishor Napier-Raman, Amber Schultz, Bernard Keane and Charlie Lewis about a remarkable result that will change the way we think about Australian politics. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our su...
May 22, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 28
On the eve of the 2022 election, political editor Bernard Keane talks to associate editor Amber Schultz about how the campaign evolved over the weeks, what issues became the focus and what the legacy of the teal independents will be. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re acc...
May 20, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 27
The last week of the election has been centred around costings: when will they be announced, what will they show and whether they matter. On today's Electioncast , news editor Georgia Wilkins dissects the electoral tradition of policy costings, along with introducing Crikey 's 'Campaign of Lies and Falsehoods' dossier. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of o...
May 19, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 26
them. Scott Morrison reset his campaign during a speech at the Liberal Party launch on Sunday. On today's Electioncast , federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman debriefs on Anthony Albanese's last-minute pitch at the National Press Club today. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billion...
May 18, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 25
One of the main ways that political parties get a message out to voters is by paying Facebook. On today's Electioncast , associate editor Cam Wilson speaks with Georgia Wilkins about the different ways the parties are using Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms to win your vote this election. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue com...
May 17, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 24
A promise to let first home buyers dip into their super was the centre of the Liberal Party's campaign launch yesterday. On today's Electioncast , Bernard Keane speaks to Tips and Murmurs editor Charlie Lewis about how this is just the latest example of Scott Morrison creating policy that puts young Australians last. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our...
May 16, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 23
A handful of seats held on a razor thin margin could decide the 2022 federal election. On today's Electioncast , associate editor Amber Schultz speaks about traveling across NSW to seats that still bear the scars of the Black Summer bushfires. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires;...
May 13, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Some view the West as key to the 2022 election, which is perhaps why the last leaders debate between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese were scheduled at a much more palatable time for sandgropers. On today's Electioncast , our man in the west Charlie Lewis spoke to Imogen Champagne about the debate and what he's seeing on the ground in WA. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s i...
May 12, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 21
After going guns blazing after Bill Shorten in the 2019 election — a decision that Labor thinks lost them the election — all eyes are on Clive Palmer and what he does in the dying days of the campaign. On today's Electioncast , federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman spoke to news editor Georgia Wilkins about the Australian political chaos agent and whether he'll keep attacking both major parties or focus his sights on one target. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s f...
May 11, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The 2022 federal election campaign has brought to the fore questions about political journalism and how it best serves the audience. On today's Electioncast , Crikey investigations editor David Hardaker explains to audience editor Imogen Champagne about an open letter he wrote to Australian journalists about how improving the quality of coverage rests on their shoulders. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s inde...
May 10, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 19
On today's Electioncast , Crikey 's federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman debriefs after a particularly shouty leaders debate and yet another bad set of polls for the Coalition. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
May 09, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The rise of 'teal' independents is evidence that polarisation is growing not merely between states in Australia but between urban and regional communities. Crikey's political editor Bernard Keane spoke to associate editor Amber Schultz about how Scott Morrison is stoking this as an electoral strategy. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes f...
May 06, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 17
The seat of Hughes has been subject to all manner of chaos in the lead up to the election, from Craig Kelly's defection to ongoing Liberal party preselection battles -- and now that the election has started, you can add to that a strong challenge from a "teal" independent and a One Nation candidate about as easy to get ahold of as Keyser Söze. Crikey Associate editor Amber Schultz joins Charlie Lewis to discusse last nights Hughes candidates forum, and what it tells us about how things will turn...
May 05, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Josh Frydenberg and Jim Chalmers faced off in a live televised “treasures” debate at the National Press Club today. It comes just a day after interest rate rises and inflation data damaged the Coalition’s economic credibility. So who won? Federal politics reporter Kishor Napier-Raman joined Electioncast today with some key takeaways, plus some insight into where Scott Morrison has and hasn’t been seen on the election campaign trail. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free ...
May 04, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 15
It's official. After historical low interest rates, the RBA took the earlier-than-forecast move of increasing the cash rate by 25 basis point to 0.35 percent. It's the first interest rise in a decade and, importantly, the first one in an election campaign since 2007. Crikey 's Bernard Keane explains the decision and dissects what it will mean for the contest between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey....
May 03, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The official Labor Party election campaign launch was yesterday, the first to be held in Western Australia this side of the Second World War. In today's Electioncast, Charlie Lewis takes us behind the scenes; who was there, how do journos and politicians while away the hours before things get going, and how long did Albanses go on for this time? Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supp...
May 02, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has announced he'll be touching down in WA to launch his election campaign. Amber Schultz speaks to Charlie Lewis on the road in Perth about the significance of the hermit state in the federal election -- and why a state that has been so pro-Coalition in the past is looking like flipping. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of ou...
Apr 29, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 12
On Today's Electioncast Tips and Murmurs editor Charlie Lewis speaks to politics editor Bernard Keane about yesterdays monstrous inflation rise, what this means for everyday Australians and what impact this might have on the election. Get the headlines they don’t want you to read in Crikey’s free newsletter: https://www.crikey.com.au/newsletters Crikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re ac...
Apr 28, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 11
