Inside Politics

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  Tony Wright on the best and worst prime ministers, and the courage needed now 20.08.2026 38dk

  Today we have something special and a little bit different because Tony Wright, one of the stalwarts of Australian political writing, is stepping back from daily newsroom duties after 50 years in journalism.For about 30 of these years, Tony reported on federal politics. Bob Hawke was the first prime minister he covered, while Paul Keating often rang Tony at home in the mornings to, at first, berate, and then debate, the stories he had written. He witnessed great moments - such as the apology to the stolen generations - and the fracturing of Australian politics from the Rudd-Gillard era. Today, Tony talks to Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.   Background reading ‘Hawkie would like to see you’: Lessons, power and nostalgia from 30 years in the press gallery   If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The melon story – Is the prime minister just really bad at saying sorry? 13.08.2026 26dk

  We’re back to talking about melons and the podcast interview that continues to cause dramas for the prime minister. Six weeks ago, Anthony Albanese appeared on a podcast called ‘Bush Deep’ and was asked about the worst gift he received. Melons, he replied, gifted to him by Japanese prime minister. What was said, and not said, has become the focus of attacks from the media, the Coalition and One Nation this week. So why has the issue reared its head again? And is it affecting Albanese’s reputation or are the Coalition and co over-egging it? While all this was going on, the main game for the government was economic management.Rates were placed on hold, but the Reserve Bank boss Michelle Bullock reminded everyone that she’d raise them if she had to. It comes as all the big banks forecast further drop-offs in house values – aren’t more affordable homes what we want? Or are the government's tax changes wreaking havoc on our struggling economy? Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Immigration, gambling and big tech: Labor’s big policy push 06.08.2026 24dk

  This week on Inside Politics, we take a look at some of the major policy challenges facing the Albanese government – from migration numbers, to gambling-advertising reform and the news media bargaining code between Australian media and big tech companies. Joining host Jacqueline Maley are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.   Background reading: Coalition will force Albanese to cede ground on gambling reforms Needs work: Burke’s plans for migration overhaul delayed due to cabinet questions ‘Publicity-seeking extremists’: V’landys weighs in as gambling inquiry gets personal Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The welcome miss on inflation, and the Victorian leadership fallout 30.07.2026 29dk

  It’s been another roller coaster this week for mortgage holders. Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock issued a stern warning about inflation, before the clouds parted a little when there was a welcome dip in the numbers. We check in with the state of the economy with senior economics correspondent Shane Wright, before crossing to state political editor Chip Le Grand after quite a momentous week in Victoria. This week, Jacinta Allan was ousted as premier, with Ben Carroll taking the reins ahead of what is shaping up to be a genuine three-way contest in the November election between the Labor government, the Coalition and One Nation. Today’s episode is hosted, as usual, by Jacqueline Maley.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Barnaby’s dog, Hanson and the attention economy. Plus, a Labor Party conference 23.07.2026 23dk

  It has been quite the week in federal politics, and our attention has been sucked by two One Nation clangers. First, Barnaby Joyce yelled at his dog on national television, then Pauline Hanson made some incredibly controversial remarks about domestic violence. Meanwhile, our guests for today, chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos, are tuning in under the fluorescent lights of the Labor Party National Conference in Adelaide. Today’s episode is hosted, as usual, by Jacqueline Maley.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  White Lotus: The One Nation edition. Plus the PM’s landmark AI speech 16.07.2026 26dk

  We switch to sunnier climes this week, to a posh hotel in Sicily. It’s where the TV series White Lotus was filmed, and it’s also where our colleagues at The Australian Financial Review spotted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson poolside with billionaire Gina Rinehart. So what’s Hanson doing in Europe? In today’s episode, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about who Hanson met overseas and how that plays for voters back home in Australia. Also, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this week about the government’s approach to AI.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Albanese basks in Modi limelight. And, his weird podcast interview 09.07.2026 22dk

  This week, we’re talking about a visit from Narendra Modi to Australia and why Anthony Albanese wants to bask in the Indian prime minister’s limelight, despite questions around Modi’s human rights record. And in an environment where One Nation and the Coalition want to go hard on migration, Albanese’s friendship with Modi looks like it stands in stark contrast. But that’s not what piqued everyone’s interest in Canberra this week. We’re still talking about Albanese’s perplexing podcast interview in which he said he’d "shag" popstar Kylie Minogue and joked about melons and the Japanese PM. And, we cover the new data that shows how bad Australia’s inflation is compared to other nations.This week’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley and features chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Labor’s tax changes hit the property market, will a Liberal ‘rebrand’ turn the party around? 02.07.2026 24dk

  The government's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes are now legislated, and this week there has been some early data on how these changes are hitting the property market. Plus, Labor's compromise on gambling advertising reforms and Angus Taylor's leadership of the Liberal Party. Senior economics correspondent Shane Wright and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  High risk or the right time? Zali Steggall on the new teal party 25.06.2026 26dk

  This week independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender announced they would form a new political party, Community Strong Australia. Steggall was successful as the first teal candidate, winning the prize seat of Warringah on Sydney’s north shore from former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019. Spender took Sydney’s blue-ribbon electorate of Wentworth from Liberal David Sharma in 2022.But the leaderless Community Strong is a high-risk strategy, as all other teal MPs have declined to join. Today, Steggall is a special guest on Inside Politics with Jacqueline Maley to talk about, amid the fracturing of the Coalition and the rise of One Nation, why now is the right time for Community Strong Australia.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Falsities, nastiness and the Trump ‘vibe’ tapped: Hanson at the Press Club 18.06.2026 26dk

  The hottest ticket in Australian politics this week was Pauline Hanson's first address to the National Press Club, which happened on Wednesday. The Press Club, set up in the early 1960s, has become a rite of passage for any aspiring political leader. But Hanson has been an outsider, and the Press Club represents the type of institution she rejects, so until now the One Nation leader has never made an appearance there. Her speech, as Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political commentator James Massola discuss, was extraordinary for her position on Australian culture, late-term abortions, Muslim migration and her attack on female journalists.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Polls, the media and what's really driving One Nation’s support 11.06.2026 23dk

  With the budget backlash era moving on to something like begrudged resignation, or budget fatigue, we’re expecting Treasurer Jim Chalmers to soon make a few announcements around the tax changes. While this bubbles along, the only story in politics continues to be One Nation. Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal debate whether the media and the near-daily reporting on polls are driving more support or exaggerating Pauline Hanson’s true popularity in Australia. Outside of this, the hard-right party purportedly raised $1.5 million in a single day via a crowd-funding campaign called Fire the Liar. And the Coalition is squabbling over whether to preference One Nation in the next federal election, which is still two years away. In the meantime, Labor by way of Foreign Minister Penny Wong says in the face of chaos, the government wants to go back to basics and focus on health, education and all the policies it says the other parties are lacking in.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  A week of reality checks: ‘Pauline for PM’ and the true state of the AUKUS pact 04.06.2026 29dk

  This week polls showed, for the first time, One Nation ahead of the major parties and Pauline Hanson as preferred prime minister in second place ahead of Angus Taylor.  Today we're talking about her strategy, her chances in the lower house and any parallels with the United States. Is it time to take Hanson seriously? And the week would not be over if we didn't mention submarines - but second-hand ones this time. Was this always the intention as the government is saying? We'll unpick it. Today's episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with guests chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal, and foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘Don’t say it’s a protest vote’: Pauline Hanson on One Nation’s resurgence 04.06.2026 31dk

  The debate on the rise of Pauline Hanson is shifting rapidly. This week, for the first time, polls are showing One Nation's primary vote has risen above the Labor Party's. A conversation that focused on One Nation and the Coalition swapping preferences has now shifted to more profound questions about the long-term configuration of the right flank of Australian politics. Hanson is yet to face the full force of scrutiny on her policies, her position on race relations and whether her party really is a credible governing outfit. Pauline Hanson joined chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal for this bonus episode of Inside Politics, recorded in Parliament House on Wednesday.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  CGT shemozzle, risk thrown around like 'fairy dust' and...a Teal party? 28.05.2026 20dk

  We are officially in week two of budget backlash, and both sides seem pretty dug in. Today we’re talking about the disagreements about the capital gains tax - the most controversial part of the budget - and if, as some critics said, it will kill business aspirations. The other news that sparked our interest was the tantalising prospect of the Teal independents forming a party to consolidate their power in the face of a rising One Nation. Today’s episode is hosted by Jacqueline Maley, with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Most people don’t have trusts, or multiple houses: Bill Shorten on the budget’s tax changes 21.05.2026 32dk

  We’re officially in our budget backlash era, with claims of death taxes, of aspirations killed, and the outraged cries of crypto bros across the nation. Not to mention, of course, the genuine anxiety from regular small business owners and shareholders who are unsure of how all of these changes will affect them. Our guest this week is former Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, who is now the vice chancellor of the University of Canberra. Shorten knows a thing or two about such backlash, having taken changes to negative gearing and the  capital gains tax to not one, but two elections — 2016 and 2019. Hosting today’s conversation is Jacqueline Maley, alongside chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Does a broken promise matter in a broken system, and Angus Taylor’s migrant plan 14.05.2026 27dk

  The federal budget was pitched as a big moment for a progressive government that wants to equalise wealth and home ownership. And one of the main attacks from the opposition is that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had to break a promise in order to get there. So will the broken promise line resonate if the changes are broadly supported by the public? Also today, Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about Coalition leader Angus Taylor’s plan to centre immigration in his budget reply speech, including that non-citizens should be blocked from welfare payments. We also check in on One Nation’s Farrer by-election win and how significant a threat the party now poses to Labor.   Background reading: Budget fallout: Next tax war will be over rival income tax cuts Confused by the federal budget? We answer your questions Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘Popcorn out’ for Farrer by-election, plus the RBA’s pointed comments on government spending 07.05.2026 27dk

  The electorate of Farrer is holding a by-election this weekend and we’re expecting the contest will be a good one. The NSW seat, which hugs the border with Victoria, belonged to former opposition leader Sussan Ley for 25 years. Now, it’s a microcosm of the pressures the Coalition is under from independent candidates and One Nation. And as Inside Politics host Jacqueline Maley puts it, Labor has grabbed the popcorn and is sitting this one out. Also this week, RBA boss Michele Bullock made some unusually pointed remarks about inflation and government spending when she raised the cash rate again. Plus, we’ve been reporting on tax relief that’s expected to be announced in next week’s budget. Joining Maley today is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why young people are so angry about housing, and whether this budget will fix it 30.04.2026 27dk

  Inflation figures were out this week, and it wasn’t good news. Next week’s interest rates figures from the Reserve Bank aren't looking crash hot either. So how do these results impact Jim Chalmers’ impending budget and what are the chances the treasurer will press ahead with changes to taxes and housing? We also chat about the government’s new favourite buzzwords from ‘intergenerational equity’ to ‘resilience’ and what they really mean. And finally, we discuss whether Angus Taylor’s argument that Welcome to Country greetings were overused was a dog whistle from the opposition leader, or reflects a broad sentiment in the community. Joining host Jacqueline Maley this week are chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Mark Butler on the NDIS, private health and vaccine hesitancy  29.04.2026 47dk

  When the National Disability Insurance Scheme was created in 2013, it was proof that a rich society could find the money to help people living with a disability. This was social democracy at work. Twelve years on, it has turned into a $62 billion behemoth, on track to cost more than the age pension. The Albanese government last week admitted the scheme was at risk of collapse. It announced a root-and-branch overhaul to remove 300,000 Australians from the scheme in the space of a few years. The man leading the contentious reform agenda is Health Minister Mark Butler. The 55-year-old South Australian has emerged as one of Labor’s most energetic ministers, taking on big tasks in aged care, tobacco control and disability support. He’s also been asked if he might be the next Labor leader after Anthony Albanese. He joins this bonus episode of Inside Politics with chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal.   Background reading Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal – New NDIS eligibility tool will be ‘relatively blind’ to diagnoses. Natassia Chrysanthos – ‘Am I disabled enough?’ The question autistic participants are asking after NDIS overhaul.  Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Labor’s baby a ‘honeypot of fraud’ and the gas tax’s viral moment 23.04.2026 25dk

  Today, we are talking about one of the federal budget’s trickiest customers - the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor was once like a proud parent of the NDIS, but now even the minister in charge, Mark Butler, is describing the scheme as a honeypot for organised crime. Also this week, an inquiry about taxing offshore gas exports went kind of viral due to a David Pocock question about beer and an appearance from a podcaster called Punters Politics. Joining host Jacqueline Maley is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal and federal political correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos. Background reading Natassia Chrysanthos’ latest story on the NDIS All of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s political news and analysis. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.