The Insiders panel of Samantha Maiden, Phil Coorey, and Lenore Taylor discuss the judgement in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial, with Justice Michael Lee ruling that on the balance of probabilities Lehrmann raped his colleague Brittany Higgins in a ministerial suite inside Parliament House in 2019. The judgement was hailed by journalist Lisa Wilkinson as a vindication of her story, but it also included strong criticism of key parts of the The Project’s broadcast – particularly the suggestion ...
Apr 20, 2024•59 min
Sydney has been reeling this week from two horrific attacks. Both the Bondi Junction and the Wakeley attacks have raised all sorts of questions about terrorism, mental illness, the spread of misinformation on social media, and community cohesion.There’s also a big question over the safety of women. The Bondi Junction attacker – Joel Cauchi – killed 5 women and one male security guard. The majority of those injured were also women. The NSW Police Commissioner says it’s obvious he was targeting wo...
Apr 18, 2024•17 min
Given these two horrific attacks happened within days of each other in the same city, the debate over how they've been differently labelled is perhaps inevitable.
Apr 17, 2024•5 min
Visiting a shopping centre on a Saturday is such a familiar thing to do. The horrific attack at Westfield Bondi Junction has understandably shocked many. And given heightened community tensions – there were fears over what might have motivated such an attack. The NSW police commissioner was last night confident enough to say she did not believe this was an act of terrorism. David Speers interviews Treasurer Jim Chalmers about the latest, as well as getting his take on Iran’s attack on Israel and...
Apr 13, 2024•55 min
Just how far should the government go when it comes to trying to keep manufacturers in Australia and attract new ones? In a significant pre-budget speech this week, the Prime Minister has suggested the role of government needs to evolve as he flagged a much more interventionist approach and what he's calling a future made in Australia. But why should Australian taxpayers be funding local production of things like solar panels? And how far do you go with this? Where does it end? What or who deser...
Apr 12, 2024•18 min
The prime minister sees an agenda to grow local green manufacturing as not only economically and strategically vital, but a political no-brainer. But that's only if it all works.
Apr 10, 2024•6 min
Not good enough. Australia is demanding more answers and greater transparency – over how Israel managed to launch deadly air strikes on an aid convoy in Gaza. Israel is blaming poor visibility and a communications stuff-up. That hasn’t satisfied the Albanese Government. David Speers interviews Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham about the Coalition’s view of the incident, and how the Opposition believes the government should proceed in their relations with Israel. The panel Paul Sakkal, Kar...
Apr 06, 2024•55 min
Israel's airstrike on a convoy in Gaza earlier this week quickly sparked international condemnation, anger, demands for answers and a lot more pressure on the Netanyahu government over its conduct in this war. The attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed seven people, including an Australian aid worker Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom. Joe Biden says he's outraged and heartbroken. Rishi Sunak has called it an appalling attack. Anthony Albanese is demanding accountability from Israel. But what e...
Apr 04, 2024•19 min
There have been many moments described as "tipping points" since the war in Gaza began nearly six months ago. But this week's deadly Israeli air strike on an aid convoy may prove to be one of the most significant.
Apr 03, 2024•7 min
Navigating differences with China. All in with the British on nuclear submarines. And buckling up for a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. In one week - the directions, difficulties and dilemmas of Australian diplomacy have all been on show. David Speers interviews Defence Minister Richard Marles about the new submarines funding, China, Trump and more. The Insiders panel, Clare Armstrong, Anthony Galloway, and Shalailah Medhora have plenty to discuss on the domestic front too. ...
Mar 23, 2024•55 min
An unhappy experience with the Voice referendum explains the Albanese government’s reticence to push ahead on religious freedoms. Even if that means failing to deliver on an election promise.
Mar 20, 2024•5 min
Housing affordability has been one of the biggest political issues over the last two years since inflation, mortgage rates and rental prices started spiralling. The plight of those trying to buy a home or struggling to pay the rent has focused the attention of many politicians. But what about those who don’t have a roof over their head at all? The housing crisis has forced some – even with full-time jobs – to sleep in their cars or in tents in local parks. And then there are kids with low or no ...
Mar 20, 2024•13 min
A lot of younger Australians don’t think much about aged care. Let’s be honest – if they do think about growing old – it’s usually dreaming of a comfortable retirement when they can stop working and tap into their superannuation – not necessarily what their aged care might involve. But that superannuation we’re all contributing to – could end up being critical to the sort of aged care we ultimately receive. The government has been grappling with how to properly fund aged care – to fix some of th...
Mar 14, 2024•20 min
How many older Australians is the government willing to squeeze to help fund a bigger and better aged care sector? And how hard is it willing to squeeze them?
Mar 13, 2024•6 min
The Albanese Government’s latest effort to meet its climate targets is focused on the vehicle industry. It wants to bring Australia into line with the rest of the developed world – with a new emissions standard. Under the plan – car makers would have to sell more electric and low emissions vehicles from next year. If they’re only selling gas guzzlers – they would have to pay a price. Consultations closed on Monday night – and unsurprisingly the industry is split between those who sell diesel ute...
Mar 09, 2024•55 min
The Liberal Party this week preselected its candidate for the safe seat of Cook – vacated by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Simon Kennedy is a management consultant. He doesn’t currently live in Cook and ran unsuccessfully for the party in another seat at the last election. Still – he won a thumping majority when branch members voted on Monday night. Gwen Cherne – the only woman in the race ran a distant third – despite living on the border of the electorate, despite an impressive interna...
Mar 07, 2024•22 min
Peter Dutton is confident of his ability to turn public opinion around — but can he convince Australians that nuclear energy is the best way to transition to net zero emissions?
Mar 06, 2024•6 min
Insiders takes the stage for a special live show – with an audience – from Adelaide Writers Week. David Speers' guest is South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, while a panel of returning favourite Sarah Martin, Mark Kenny and Clare Armstrong discuss the washup of the Dunkley by-election.
Mar 06, 2024•58 min
Yesterday’s by-election was billed as a crucial mid-term test for both sides of politics. And when the results came in last night – the Albanese Government emerged as the winner. At the close of counting – Labor’s primary vote remained virtually unchanged – at 41%. The Liberal vote jumped nearly 7% - but this was largely scooping up votes on the right – thanks to One Nation and the Palmer United Party deciding not to run. For the government – it’s vindication of the Prime Minister’s gamble to br...
Mar 02, 2024•56 min
Leaders from across South-East Asia are set to descend on Melbourne next week – but why? The ASEAN Summit is marking 50 years since Australia became the first “dialogue partner” with the region, and the anniversary coincides with a critical strategic juncture with China. David Speers speaks to the man who came up with the idea to bring the conference to Australia's doorstep – former Indonesian Ambassador Gary Quinlan.
Feb 29, 2024•28 min
As Dunkley voters prepare for a by-election this first electoral contest for the year is likely to help define the strategies both sides of politics adopt as they eye the next election.
Feb 28, 2024•5 min
If Australia is going to prosper in the years ahead – we’re going to need far more tertiary educated workers. That’s the central finding of the Universities Accord report out today – which recommends sweeping changes to recruit more students – particularly from regional, remote, and disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s calling for a shake-up of course fees, more resources for regional unis, more financial support for those struggling to make ends meet while studying, and an overhaul of student loan r...
Feb 24, 2024•55 min
Join David Speers for the first episode of Insiders: On Background. The new podcast digs a little deeper into an issue that will be covered on the show each week with an expert to better understand the debates dominating politics. This week, the team visits the seat of Dunkley ahead of a crucial by-election on March 2. Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome, which will determine their immediate political fortunes. David chats to Redbridge pollsters Kos Samaras and...
Feb 22, 2024•22 min
Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome of the March 2 by-election. It will determine their immediate political fortunes and the all-important momentum for 2024.
Feb 21, 2024•6 min
A group of more than 20 asylum seekers arrived at Beagle Bay on Friday – wandering through crocodile-infested waters to the remote indigenous community north of Broome. It was enough for Peter Dutton to declare the government has lost control of the borders. The opposition had just spent the entire week grilling the Immigration Minister in parliament over the release of 149 detainees – after last year’s High Court ruling. For its part – the government was instead using every Dorothy Dixer to kee...
Feb 18, 2024•53 min
Amidst the parliamentary ping-pong between Labor's hard sell of its tax cuts and the Coalition's alarm at convicted immigrants on the loose, it's become clear all sides are keeping a close eye on another issue that could prove to be a far more powerful vote driver: housing, says David Speers in this recorded version of his weekly analysis of Australian politics.
Feb 14, 2024•5 min
The first week of parliament for the year began with the Coalition signing up to the government’s Stage 3 tax changes. It wasn’t thrilled about it – but had little choice. And the Prime Minister relished in the discomfort of his opponents. The fight may not be over though – Peter Dutton is vowing to go to the election with a significant tax reform plan of his own, and accusing the government of wanting to attack negative gearing next. The government’s victory on Stage 3 was quickly followed by a...
Feb 10, 2024•54 min
It's already been a deadly start to 2024 in the Middle East – and over the last week the crisis has escalated. After blaming Iran for the deaths of 3 American soldiers – the US has now struck back - hitting targets in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran's military and its affiliated militias. The US and UK have also launched a new series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. David Speers speaks to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the latest in the Middle East. On the couch is Samantha M...
Feb 03, 2024•59 min
