Episodes

  • Interest rate rise ends two-year pause

    Interest rate rise ends two-year pause
    Feb 3 2026
    The Reserve Bank of Australia has ended a two-year hiatus by raising interest rates to 15 per cent, sparking a fierce political debate over whether government spending or private demand is fuelling persistent inflation. While the Treasurer defends the budget and points to external pressures, the Opposition and the Greens argue that current policy settings are punishing everyday Australians and ignoring alternative economic levers.
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    5 mins
  • What next - if anything - for the Coalition?

    What next - if anything - for the Coalition?
    Jan 23 2026
    The Coalition’s unity has reached a new low following what's being described as a 'terminal' breakdown between key frontbenchers, marking their third significant split since the 2025 election. While leadership maintains that the door remains open for future cooperation, analysts suggest the in-fighting is further alienating a public that is increasingly turning toward minor parties and independent alternatives.
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    6 mins
  • Jim Chalmers: 'The Coalition is a smoking ruin'

    Jim Chalmers: 'The Coalition is a smoking ruin'
    Jan 22 2026
    The Coalition has reached a breaking point as the National Party officially splits from the Liberals, following a mass frontbench walkout over controversial hate speech legislation. While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley attempted to block some of the resignations to maintain unity, former colleagues and political rivals alike are labeling the fallout a "smoking ruin" that threatens the future of the alternative government.
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    6 mins
  • Gun control, anti-hate laws pass the Lower House

    Gun control, anti-hate laws pass the Lower House
    Jan 20 2026
    New gun control and anti-hate laws have passed the lower house of parliament in response to the Bondi terror attack at a Jewish festival, which killed 15 people last month. They are expected to pass into law, but the process has been far from harmonious.
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    7 mins
  • Government splits hate speech and gun laws in bid to save Bondi reforms

    Government splits hate speech and gun laws in bid to save Bondi reforms
    Jan 17 2026
    The Albanese government has amended its proposed response to the Bondi Beach shootings, splitting its wide-ranging hate speech and gun reform package in two in a bid to secure passage through Parliament. Facing resistance from both the Coalition and the Greens over the breadth and rushed nature of the laws, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made changes in hopes of receiving support from both political groups to pass each set of reforms.
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    5 mins
  • Bondi attack prompts possible 15-year jail terms for hate group members

    Bondi attack prompts possible 15-year jail terms for hate group members
    Jan 14 2026
    People who join or support government-designated hate groups will face 15 years jail, under new legislation in response to the Bondi terror attack. Some Coalition MPs have already voiced concern about the laws' impact on freedom of speech - while one prominent extremist group has announced it will disband.
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    7 mins
  • Predictable policies and shock results: looking back at 2025 in politics

    Predictable policies and shock results: looking back at 2025 in politics
    Dec 21 2025
    For Australian politics in 2025, it was a year of predictable policies - and shock results. That included the May election that saw Labor win back government in a landslide, and two separate party leaders - Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt - lose their seats. We back at the year in Canberra.
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    15 mins
  • Government deficit figure has improved, but fiscal restraint important

    Government deficit figure has improved, but fiscal restraint important
    Dec 17 2025
    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled a mid-year budget update marked by fiscal restraint, highlighting a $5.4 billion improvement to the deficit alongside critical new funding for the CSIRO and community security. However, the outlook remains fraught as rising inflation threatens real wage growth and persistent spending pressures in childcare and the NDIS continue to squeeze the bottom line.
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    5 mins