Middle East on the brink
Israel kills the long-serving leader of Hezbollah – flattening buildings in southern Beirut and dramatically escalating its campaign against the terrorist group.
Sep 28, 2024•55 min
Insiders
Every Sunday morning, the ABC's national political lead David Speers unpacks the major stories shaping Australia's future. Each episode includes a major interview with an Australian politician and an extensive discussion with a panel of the country's best journalists. This show will help you understand the major factors behind the decisions and debates driving a national conversation.
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Episodes
On Background: Putin's nuclear threat
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an update of his nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.They could now be deployed – Putin says – if a nuclear-armed nation supports Ukraine in the use of long-range missiles against Russia. The west has been weighing whether to give Ukraine long-range missiles that can reach deep into Russia. Putin’s clear warning to the west is that this could trigger nuclear war. David Speers speaks to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Aust...
Sep 25, 2024•19 min
Inside the politics surrounding Labor's hypothetical negative gearing reforms
Negative gearing and capital gains tax rules have sat in Labor's bottom drawer since the party's bruising 2019 election defeat.
Sep 25, 2024•7 min
Senate debates and delays, as housing affordability worsens
New figures show housing affordability in Australia is now at its worst level on record. Interest rates remain high – property prices are still climbing – buying a house is simply beyond reach for many. This will be a major issue at the election. But during the week - Senators couldn't even hold a vote on Labor's latest measure – the Help to Buy scheme – which involves government co-ownership to help some into the market. The Greens and the Coalition teamed up to further delay a decision on the ...
Sep 21, 2024•54 min
On Background: A housing crisis solution?
There’s been much debate in the Senate this week – and outside the Senate for that matter – over housing. But what are the answers to Australia’s housing crisis? When you look around for an example of a city that’s got it right – it turns out we don’t have to look too far. Auckland took a bold decision some years ago to adopt a more liberal approach to zoning laws – allowing more apartments and townhouses to be built. And the results when it comes to housing affordability are stark. David Speers...
Sep 18, 2024•17 min
Election battlelines have become clearer this week
We have reached that point in the political cycle where the parliamentary clock is running down and various efforts are underway to define the ground on which the election will be fought.
Sep 18, 2024•6 min
Fixing aged care and social media ban; Govt and Opp. on the same page
The two major parties have agreed self-funded retirees should pay more for their care. They're also in broad agreement on something else – banning children from social media.
Sep 14, 2024•54 min
On Background: Will a social media ban help kids?
This week the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government would support a push to ban social media for children. There’s no decision yet on what the age limit should be – and there’s also no detail on how this will be done. But what evidence is there that it will improve the mental health of kids?
Sep 12, 2024•15 min
Who is to blame for the slowing economy?
Interest rates smashing the economy, the Reserve Bank hammering mums and dads – there is plenty of argument over who and what is to blame for the pain households are feeling. But what is actually going to get the economy moving again?
Sep 07, 2024•54 min
GDP figures were dismal but Jim Chalmers was vindicated
Apart from the pandemic years, GDP hasn't been this weak since Jim Chalmers was at school and Oasis was getting together for the first time.
Sep 04, 2024•5 min
On Background: Stopping the spread of lies online
With looming elections in the US and Australia, the online battle for truth is increasingly becoming more difficult as artificial intelligence and deepfakes become more sophisticated. David Speers speaks with the former Executive Director of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board and CEO of The American Sunlight Project Nina Jankowicz.
Sep 03, 2024•26 min
Federal Govt under pressure after angering allies
Labor's been testing the friendship with some of its traditional allies.
Aug 31, 2024•54 min
On Background: Uni caps consequences
The government has hit the brakes on international student enrolments announcing new caps this week. It follows a post-pandemic jump in migration numbers which has caused Labor a political headache. But is limiting the foreign student intake - for a sector that’s been one of Australia’s biggest export earners - the answer? Professor Michael Wesley is the Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Melbourne and he's warning of serious consequences for the higher education sector and the Australi...
Aug 29, 2024•21 min
Greens MP has sharpened Labor's political weapon
Affiliation and donations to the ALP have been suspended, administrators forced in, and now Labor is using the bad stench around the CFMEU as a political weapon against the Greens.
Aug 28, 2024•6 min
Will federal government reforms save the NDIS?
In a busy parliamentary week, changes to the NDIS stand out as the most consequential and contentious.
Aug 24, 2024•54 min
On Background: With looming NDIS changes, where does this leave the disability sector?
A few weeks ago, the Government released its response to the Disability Royal Commission; an inquiry that shed new light on the discrimination and abuse faced by thousands of people with disabilities.
Aug 20, 2024•22 min
Parliament descends into deeper divide over Gaza
Parliament descends into an even deeper divide over Gaza after another week of logjam on legislation.
Aug 17, 2024•54 min
There's no grey in Dutton's views on the war in Gaza
Peter Dutton has never liked the idea of Australia accepting Palestinians fleeing the conflict in Gaza and has never been shy of saying so. Now, though, he's at odds with the spy chief.
Aug 14, 2024•6 min
On Background: Government's Gamble
Anyone who’s watched sport on TV will know gambling ads are pervasive and often targeted at young men; with the constant message that betting on the footy, the cricket, or basically anything is just what normal blokes do.
Aug 13, 2024•19 min
On Background: What's Really Driving Inflation?
While interest rates didn't go up, the Reserve Bank of Australia said they won't come down anytime soon. Are the Reserve Bank and the government both on the same page when it comes to what’s driving inflation?
Aug 07, 2024•22 min
What will be done to finally close the gap?
The annual Garma Festival is both a celebration of culture and an opportunity for difficult political discussion.
Aug 03, 2024
Analysis: Two sets of numbers haunted Albanese this week
According to the Productivity Commission, five of 19 Closing the Gap targets are currently 'on track'. That's where the good news ends.
Jul 31, 2024•6 min
On Background: The Inflation Picture in Australia
Headline inflation increased from 3.6 per cent in the March quarter to 3.8 per cent in the June quarter, which economists expected.
Jul 30, 2024•16 min
Resignations and Reshuffles
The resignation of two Cabinet Ministers have prompted the Prime Minister to announce a reshuffle today.
Jul 27, 2024•55 min
On Background: Joe Biden passes the torch
President Joe Biden has explained to the American people why he has decided to withdraw from November’s presidential election.
Jul 24, 2024•17 min
Albanese and Dutton know not to ignore US politics
The two sides of politics in Australia will slug it out over inflation, immigration and energy between now and the election — and both will be closely watching how these issues play out in the US.
Jul 24, 2024•6 min
Can the government clean up the construction union?
The government wants to clean up the CFMEU, but ending the culture of kickbacks, stand-over tactics and underworld infiltration isn’t proving easy.
Jul 20, 2024•54 min
Kevin Rudd has changed his tune on Trump
After once describing Donald Trump as "nuts" and a "traitor to the west", former prime minister Kevin Rudd has changed his tune.
Jul 17, 2024•7 min
On Background: The CMFEU's corruption crisis
The Nine newspapers and 60 minutes has revealed deeply disturbing conduct at the CFMEU.
Jul 17, 2024•24 min
Two dead following believed assassination attempt at Trump rally
Two people have been killed following a believed assassination attempt at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania.
Jul 13, 2024•58 min
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