Former ACT chief minister Katy Gallagher, now a federal Labor Senator with new responsibilities in the shadow ministry, admits she has found the jump into the bigger political pool challenging - she has also had to do a pivot in her views on increasing the GST. Here she also talks about the issues of mental health, federal-state relations and Labor’s face-off against Malcolm Turnbull.
Michelle Grattan discusses the new release book The Protest Years: The Official History of ASIO 1963-1975, with its author Dr John Blaxland. Among many controversies, they review the evidence supporting conspiracy theories surrounding the dismissal of the Whitlam government and the fractious relationship between the agency and Lionel Murphy, the Labor Attorney-General.
In this interview, Senator Hanson-Young calls upon the government to appoint an independent advocate to protect the interests of the Somali woman known as Abyan, who at the time of recording was being held in Nauru. Michelle also probes the Senator on the Greens electoral prospects following the ascension of Malcolm Turnbull to the prime ministership.
In The Conversation's first live podcast, which took place in Canberra's Muse wine bar and bookstore, Labor's Sam Dastyari gives a candid insight into Labor's strategy to win back government, the threat of the Greens and much more.
Minister for Cities and the Built Environment Jamie Briggs joins Michelle to talk about his new portfolio, the policy pivot away from just roads toward other infrastructure projects like public transport, the changes under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the mistakes the government made about submarines in South Australia and much more.
Labor has a new higher education policy out this week. Shadow Minister for Higher Education Kim Carr joins Michelle to talk about it in depth. In the interview Carr is highly critical of some university managements for exploiting the system to the detriment of the tax payer, says far too many students are not graduating and much more.
Arthur Sinodinos was a key backer of Malcolm Turnbull, and he sits down with Michelle to talk about the coup, why the Liberals needed to change leader, what he hopes will change in the running of the Prime Minister's Office and much more.
Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg joins Michelle to talk about Syria, Australia's humanitarian refugee intake, the economy, Canning, the state of the Liberal Party in Victoria and much more.
Michelle spent two days this week in Canning, where campaigning is building up for the by-election on the 19th of September. The seat is held by the Liberal Party by about 12%. Its former member was Don Randall, who died suddenly in July. In a break from our usual longform format, we conducted short interviews with Labor candidate Matt Keogh, Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, Greens Leader Richard di Natale and Greens candidate Vanessa Rauland....
The secretary of the department of foreign affairs and trade Peter Varghese sat down with Michelle to talk about aid, the integration of AUSAID, Islamic State, the Asian century and much, much more.
Michael McCormack is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and the Nationals member for Riverina. He joins Michelle to talk about the future of the Nationals leadership, the difference in the Nationals political style, tax reform and much more.
Clare O'Neil is the Labor member for Hotham and with her colleague Tim Watts has written a book, Two Futures. In the book the discuss Australia in 2040 and what can be done in the short term to improve our future. Clare sits down with Michelle to talk about the book, the ideas in it, and the future of progressive politics in Australia.
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen and Michelle step away from day to day politics to talk about Bowen's new book The Money Men, in which he writes about twelve of Australia's most notable treasurers. They talk about the legacies of notable Treasurers such as Keating, Costello, Cairns and Swan, Bowen talks about his research process, writing on the job he hopes to hold and much, much more.
In a special episode recorded live at the ALP federal conference Michelle sits down with infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese to discuss the conference itself and then with immigration spokesman Richard Marles to talk about the ALP controversially adopting asylum seeker boat turnbacks.
Ben Oquist is Executive Director of the Australia Institute and former chief of staff to former Greens leader Bob Brown. Ben sat down with Michelle to talk about the current direction of the Greens, the Senate crossbench, climate change, and the future of progressive politics in Australia.
The French Ambassador to Australia Christophe Lecourtier sits down with Michelle to talk about the 2015 Paris climate conference, Australia’s role in tackling climate change, France’s hopes for the meeting, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s attendance and much more.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane sits down with Michelle to talk about Dawn Fraser's comments, "team Australia", the government's approach to terrorism and asylum seekers, racism in Australia and more.
Labor environment spokesman and new ALP federal president Mark Butler joins Michelle to talk about climate change, an ETS, the possibility of an early election, the ALP national conference and much more.
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull sits down with Michelle to talk about the government's new anti-online piracy measures, Zaky Mallah on ABC's Q&A, gay marriage and much more.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young sits down with Michelle to talk about personal attacks on her, the accusations that people smugglers were paid by Australian officials to turn their boat around, stripping the citizenship of dual citizens engaged in terrorist activity, gay marriage, and much more.
Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson sat down to talk to Michelle about the budget, the small business tax cuts, cabinet leaks, gay marriage and much more.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale spoke to Michelle about how he is adjusting to leading the party, gay marriage, the Coalition and Labor's deal on the RET and more.
Michelle Grattan speaks to Senate independent Nick Xenophon about an iron ore price inquiry, the budget, higher education deregulation and more.
Labor's Finance Spokesman Tony Burke talks to Michelle about the government's budget, the prospect of an early election and the upcoming Labor conference.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann sits with Michelle to talk about the government's budget, an early election and getting measures through the Senate.
Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott joined Michelle to talk about the BCA's reaction to Tuesday's federal budget.
Health Minister Sussan Ley joins Michelle to talk about the federal budget, the pharmacist agreement, the AMA, Medicare reform, being a woman in cabinet and much more.
Michelle and Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg talk about preparations for next week's budget, big company tax dodging, gay marriage and much more.
Ian Macfarlane is the Industry and Resources Minister and he talks to Michelle about the Renewable Energy Target, nuclear power, the energy white paper, fossil fuel and more. Follow Michelle on Twitter: @MichelleGrattan or on Facebook: facebook.com/michellegrattanao For more, read Michelle on www.theconversation.com/au
Sam Dastyari is a former New South Wales ALP state secretary and is now a Labor Senator from that state. Currently he is chairing the Senate Inquiry into Corporate Tax Avoidance. He talks to Michelle about tax avoidance, the Labor national conference and gay marriage. Follow Michelle on Twitter: @MichelleGrattan or on Facebook: facebook.com/michellegrattanao For more read Michelle on www.theconversation.com/au
