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Insiders

ABC Newswww.abc.net.au
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: How to negotiate with Trump?

As speculation builds over when the prime minister will call an election, another major player looms over the campaign — Donald Trump. The US president's latest wave of tariffs could send shockwaves not just through Australia but across the global trading system. So, how can Australia come out winning in this game of tariffs?

Feb 14, 202521 min

On Background: Will Trump's trade war hurt Australia?

The world was understandably gripped this week by Donald Trump's rather surprising suggestion that the US might take ownership of Gaza and turn it into what he's called the Riviera of the Middle East. Whether this was his intention or not, the bombshell announcement did take a lot of attention away from something else the President had done just a day or two earlier, roll out his grand tariff strategy. His threats to impose hefty tariffs on both Canada and Mexico didn't actually eventuate, at le...

Feb 06, 202519 min

The election year begins

Hopes of a rate cut. Fears of another antisemitic attack. The election year begins with intense debate over the economy and national security. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton joins Insiders.

Feb 01, 202554 min

On Background: Will RBA cut rates?

Wednesday's inflation figures came in lower than either the Reserve Bank or most market economists predicted. So, will we see a rate cut in February?

Jan 31, 202521 min

On Background: Election year preview

Happy new year. And happy election year! We may not know exactly when Anthony Albanese will send us all to the polls – but we do know it has to happen by May. So, for this special holiday edition, we thought it would be worth setting the table for what we can expect over the weeks and months ahead. What are the issues that will decide this election? How are the major parties approaching them? And what can we expect from Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton in this campaign? David Speers speaks to P...

Jan 01, 202529 min

On Background: Immigration crackdown

The final week of parliament for the year has involved an avalanche of legislation. Most of it has been well ventilated and debated over recent months – think social media age limits or changes to the Reserve Bank board structure. But there was a batch of bills involving tough immigration reforms that didn’t receive as much attention. These changes involve new deportation powers and travel bans – and they’re due to whip through with bipartisan support – despite howls of protest from human rights...

Nov 28, 202421 min

On Background: Global climate crossroads

The direction of global action on climate change is at a juncture. Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House and his promise to rip-up the Biden administration’s climate-focused Inflation Reduction Act is prompting a reassessment of the landscape. In Azerbaijan, the UN’s climate change talks are in their final days trying to reach agreement on financing to help developing countries take climate action... the ambition of some countries tempered by the antipathy of others. While here in A...

Nov 22, 202421 min

Will Trump fire Kevin Rudd?

The Prime Minister on the global stage this week talking trade and what the return of Donald Trump means for the world. While here at home the government is preparing to push a raft of legislation through parliament in the last sitting fortnight of the year… as speculation mounts it could be the last before an election. Patricia Karvelas anchors Insiders from Canberra this week, while David Speers interviews the Prime Minister in Lima, Peru from the APEC security conference. Karvelas is joined b...

Nov 16, 202454 min

On Background: How to stop big money influencing elections

The concern over big money having an outsized influence on Australia’s politics prompted the Government to promise electoral reform. This is expected to include caps on individual donations and campaign spending, as well as real-time disclosures of donations. Now - with limited time left in parliament before the next election - the pressure to reveal the plan is on.

Nov 14, 202419 sec

The washup in Washington

This town – Washington DC – has been thrown into a spin. Donald Trump has promised radical change on trade, climate change, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The question now is – how far will he go? Many here and around the world are grappling for answers.David Speers is joined by Sarah Ferguson and Charles Croucher on the panel. This week’s guest is Charles Edel, Australia Chair for Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Nov 09, 202455 min

On Background: How did Trump win?

Donald Trump is back. Kamala Harris is promising a smooth transition. To say the US is in a different political universe to 4 years ago – is an understatement. How has this extraordinary comeback happened? Why has America returned to Trump? And what happens next? In Washington DC, David Speers talks to Lester Munson, a 25-year Capitol Hill veteran, most recently as Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about how Trump stormed back into the White House.

Nov 07, 202419 min

Who wins the US Election?

Insiders in Detroit, Michigan – one of the most important states that will decide one of the most important elections. The world is bracing to see whether working class voters in battleground states like this will make Kamala Harris the first female President of the United States – or return Donald Trump to power. We're going to explore how voters here are feeling – and what's at stake. David Speers is joined by Farrah Tomazin and Jade Macmillan.

Nov 02, 202454 min

On Background: Who swings Michigan?

Elections don’t come much closer than this. Nor do they tend to be as consequential. American voters are about to decide on the future direction of this country – indeed millions have already cast early ballots. And there are enormous ramifications for the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, relations with China, global trade and of course climate change. David Speers visits the state of Michigan – one of three states along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – that will largely determine the ...

Nov 02, 202412 min

Labor's reign in Queensland ends

Queensland votes for change - after 9 years of Labor rule. It was a long night but the LNP will form a majority government. There were big swings against Labor in the regions and suburbs – and it was a bad night for the Greens. Plenty of lessons – and warning signs – ahead of the coming federal contest. David Speers is joined by Patricia Karvelas, Anthony Galloway, and Clare Armstrong. Casey Briggs runs the numbers in Queensland and looks ahead to the United States' election. Our guests are the ...

Oct 26, 202454 min

Insiders On Background: Rory Stewart on Trump, the Teals and dead cats in politics

Former British MP and one-time Minister Rory Stewart is touring Australia at the moment. He's a writer and co-host of the The Rest is Politics podcast of who's found an enormous following for his reflections on what works and what doesn't in modern democracies. Rory Stewart sat down with Insiders Host David Speers in Melbourne.

Oct 20, 202430 min

Albanese’s problem home

The pre-election contest over fixing the housing crisis heats up. Peter Dutton unveils a new policy – the government says it's a cheap trick. While the Greens go after the Prime Minister for buying his own clifftop home. David Speers is joined by Raf Epstein, Paul Sakkal, and Sarah Ison Our guest is the Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt.

Oct 19, 202454 min

On Background: Is Labor doomed in Queensland?

It’s something of a spring election season; Canberra voters go to the polls this weekend, while Queenslanders will cast their votes in a little over a week. Federal politicians are watching closely for any indicators of the electoral mood. Queensland will be a key state in next year’s federal election and the state poll will be telling. Labor has been in power for nearly a decade and the relatively new Premier Steven Miles is seeking the ALP's fourth term in office. But all signs point to a defe...

Oct 17, 202418 min

Tense twin anniversaries

Two anniversaries. Neither of them politically easy for the government. The past week has been dominated by a bitter divide over how to mark the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Monday marks 12 months since the Voice referendum. David Speers is joined by Mark Kenny, James Massola and Carly Williams. Our guest is the Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson.

Oct 12, 202455 min

On Background: Why did the Voice fail?

One year on, there’s still debate about why Australians voted no in the Voice to Parliament referendum. There's even bigger debate about the path forward from here. David Speers speaks to Megan Davis, a co-author of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and one of those who was heavily involved in the Voice campaign about what this anniversary means and where Indigenous Australians go now.

Oct 10, 202425 min

Israel vows retaliation

Tomorrow marks 12 months since the brutal Hamas attack on Israel. A year on – the Middle East conflict is only escalating, after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel this week. Social tension in Australia is only rising, and the political divide has dramatically widened. The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have both condemned protests on the anniversary of October 7. But that's about all they agree on. David Speers is joined by Niki Savva, Phil Coorey and Katina Curtis. Our gu...

Oct 05, 202455 min

On Background: Hate Symbols laws

The flag of the listed terrorist organisation Hezbollah – and whether it should be against the law to fly it in Australia – has become the latest flashpoint in the domestic debate over the worsening conflict in the middle east.

Oct 02, 202415 min
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