This week we talk to Kos Samaras - a laser sharp political pundit and advisor. The grandson of Greek partisan communists, raised in Broadmeadows, Kos rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential political figures in Victoria. Now, a strategist and pollster he offered some intriguing insights into the state of modern politics and where the major parties are going wrong. Tune in for a fascinating chat about why things like the UFC can shake up an election campaign. See omnystudio.c...
Feb 24, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 70
In the first of our pre-election podcast interview, The Betoota Advocate speaks to Senator Larissa Waters from the Australian Greens. She's been around a long time, and Queensland keeps making it clear that she's not going anywhere. The Betoota Advocate hits Senator Waters with some tough questions about Greens politics, and their tactics. To her credit, she answers them honestly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 71
The PM joins Betoota Talks this week to talk about his experiences, hurdles and future plans in the top job. With an election around the corner, The Betoota Advocate poses the question to him: What have you done differently to Scott Morrison? He answers that and more. This interview also includes a lot of chat about the South Sydney Rabbitohs, but do not let that deter you! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 19, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 68
This week we speak to Graeme Turner, a former Emeritus professor and a man who has spent a lifetime studying the nation's culture, politics and media. He offers up some insight into how we entered the political mess we are in, and where to from here. He's just released his newest book, The Shrinking Nation : How we got here and what can be done about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 09, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 67
The Prime Minister is floating the idea of sending us all back to the voting booth… That's if the Greens don't pass his housing bill. There's a few other issues flaring up, and Dave runs us through the new reforms brought in to deal with the issue of problem gambling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 02, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 66
It's been a pretty bumper week in the sewer of Federal Politics. We run through the appointment of Michele Bullock as the new RBA Governor, The Fadden by-election, the lack of fallout from the criminal Robodebt Scheme and the 2,000 word essays that are about to land in your mailbox. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 19, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 65
This week on News From The Trough we canvas a variety of topics that have captured our attention. From the British PM weighing into the Little Johnny Saga, to the establishment of the NACC and the review into the NDIS there is a fair bit to catch up on. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 04, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 64
On this edition of News From The Trough we discuss the pursuit of perfection when it comes to the housing crisis and why these interest rates keep on going up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 63
This week there's plenty to discuss. The Governor General's been living it up at his tax payer funded residence, International Albo's been drinking Strong Zeros in Japan, the Gold Coast is looking for their next pollie and PWC have been pulling the piss - 100s of billions of the stuff. Some good giggles. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 62
The government has finally dropped their 2023 budget, and it isn't exactly straight fire. So, we jumped in to run through the winners, the losers, the eye-brow raising announcements and why Twiggy Forrest is pretty pleased with it all. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 10, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 61
With the nation still battling through a major housing crisis facilitated by both major parties, we spoke to the Housing Spokesperson for the Greens, Max Chandler-Mather. Labor and the Liberals seem to be on the same page in regards to the status quo when it comes from housing, so it was nice to take to someone from outside the tent who has some slightly different ideas on how to change an issue affecting millions of Aussies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 02, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 60
This week on News From The Trough there is plenty to dissect. From Lydia Thorpe's fighting out the front of a strip club to the Libs fighting in the party room, it's all been happening in the world of politics. The Voice debate has gotten toxic and the Labor government looks set to pass a pathetic budget while the Opposition tear each other to shreds. Have a listen and let us know what you reckon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 20, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 59
It's been a reasonably busy few weeks in politics across the country. It's also been a tough few weeks for the Liberals. Pauline Hanson and Mark Latham are back in the news and believe it or not, we've actually seen some climate change legislation passed. You wouldn't read about it, so have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 06, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 58
On the eve of the NSW state election, we speak to a man whose spent the last few years supporting a new wave of independent voices. He's a businessman whose gotten involved in the world of politics, and seems to be on a team that's taking more wins than losses. Have a listen to our chat with Simon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 23, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 57
With the NSW election looming, we decided to stick with Southern politics for another week. As an independent newspaper we always love to speak to Independent voices - so we spoke to one of the Independents who is taking it to the incumbent government. Judith Hannan who is running for the seat of Wollondilly dialed into the show from just outside of Sydney to tell us about why she got involved in politics, why she's a real chance, and the upcoming state election. Have a listen. See omnystudio.co...
Mar 21, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 56
With the NSW State Election just around the corner, we thought we'd have a chat about what's going on down in our least favourite state. While we hate Sydney, it would be remiss of us to ignore the 2nd biggest election in the country. Do join us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 14, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 55
This week we speak to one of the free thinkers in our Federal Parliament. While she normally sits with the Liberals, The MP for Bass has made headlines over the last couple of years for her tendency to cross the floor and vote for what she actually believes in. We spoke to Bridget about getting into politics in Tasmania, her relationships with her colleagues, crossing the floor and plenty more. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 09, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 54
This week we address the attacks on the average Australians who make up the 0.5% of the population that have more than 3 million dollars in the their super, the fall out from Anthony Albanese and Lydia Thorpe’s Mardi Gras appearances and the very crook system that is the carbon offset scheme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 01, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 53
This week Dave and Wendell have a run at the news from the trough without the trusty hand of Lesley Burley. Parliament is back in session and there's plenty to cover. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 14, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 52
With less than 6 weeks until the NSW election, we decided to dip our toe back into the water of state politics. The current Premier of the worst state and city in the country joined Decode to talk to us about why he hates poker machines so much. This was our chat with Dominic Perrottet, give it a whirl. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 08, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 51
We are back for 2k23. It's be an extended break here in the Channel Country, but it's time to get back into the regular recaps of all the stuff that goes on in the world of politics. Les Burley gives us a run done of where we sit as we enter Pre-Season, before we discuss the latest developments on the referendum as well as the Greens plans to free the herb. Have a listen! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 02, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 50
The headlines around a proposed Voice to parliament have begun multiplying over the last couple of weeks, with the Opposition Leader's pretending he's a details guy and the Prime Minister's pushing on with his keep it simple campaign. We decided to talk to a constitutional expert about why we will be having a referendum, what it will achieve, and whether the devil really is in the detail. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 24, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 49
This week, we speak to a national security expert, a journalist, an author, and a man who flew into Ukraine as Russia started their invasion. He joins the show to run as through what he saw, how we got here, and where it could all end. Have a listen. Listen to DIPLOMATES PODCAST here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 06, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 48
After a little sabbatical, Decode is back. This week we are talking to the leader of the NSW Labor Party, and the man hoping to be the next Premier of the worst state in the country - NSW (Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong). We asked Chris about what's left to sell in NSW, why the Coalition have been in power for so long, and whether he's open to leaning into his time as a Firefighter and rolling out a Campaign Calendar. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 29, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 47
This week we have a government Minister on the show. Unlike the previous Minister, Chris Bowen made the trip out to Betoota. He stopped into the studio to talk to us about celebrating on election night, the East Coast's gas crisis, the future of our nation and economy and whether the Prime Minister has made a move on his portfolio yet. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 30, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 46
It's been a glorious return to form this week from the Former Prime Minister. It's been revealed that he was the busiest man on the planet over the last couple of years (despite what Hawaiian holidays might make you think) with no ends to the jobs he was taking over. So, we are talking to Constitutional Law Expert Anne Twomey who has some very interesting things to say. Give it a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 17, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 45
This week on Decode we do something a little different. While we normally stick to the realm of Federal, but it's been an incredible few weeks, months and years down in the world's largest open air sewer. The Daily Telegraph's State Political Reporter Angira Bharadwaj joins Decode to explain what the hell is going on in NSW State Politics. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 10, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 44
The bells have rung and class has returned to Parliament house for another term. There's old faces, new faces, and plenty to figure out. A few big pieces of legislation have already been introduced and the Prime Minister has followed through on his promise to create an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 02, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Finally, The Advocate has managed to nab a sit down with the Lambie Network. Jacqui and Tammy join us to run through keeping the bastards honest, staffing cuts, the drought in Canberra, a controversial opinion on a Tassie AFL team and much more. Have a listen! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 26, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has returned to the spotlight in a sensational way, showing the nation that he may have been spending a bit too much time with his controversial mates. The new government has told the crossbench to make suggestions on their climate policy that they won't listen to, and are frantically trying to figure out how to be better than the last lot when it comes to the spicy cough. There's plenty going on before the return to parliament, so get up to speed here. See o...
Jul 19, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 41
