Serious Danger

Tom is joined by former federal MP and current boss of the Green Institute, Max Chandler-Mather! First the One Nation cartoon controversy, and the state of all that. Next, the shocking attack on Indi MP Helen Haines and the range of reactions. () Finally, the Green Institute has big plans for a public grocer and a new podcast called Praxis. Producer Michael Thegriff-Griffin worked on it. So it wou...

In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Amy Goodman and Tia Lessin, star and co-director respectively of Steal This Story, Please! “Taking on politicians, CEOs and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most urgent and underreported stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans...

First, WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John on leave after distressing allegations against him and suggestions of party knowledge. Then, Tom is joined by Research and Intelligence Principal at Redbridge Group, Alex Fein! What is qualitative research and how do focus groups give deeper insights into what voters think? Then, what does this mean for the Greens and Australian politics? (21:50) If ever...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined by Kitty Carra, the long-time Director of the Queensland Greens, to discuss her time in the role before her imminent retirement from the position. How many circuses did she run before entering politics? What were her greatest achievements in the position, and her hardest losses? How good did election night 2022 feel, and how...

Just when you thought Aussie political sketch comedy was dead, in enters Brisbane’s 4BC AM talkback radio station. Tom is joined by the Greens candidate to replace Tim Read as MP for the inner-Melbourne state seat of Brunswick, Adam Pulford! After sharing some memories of Tim and how Adam wants to continue his work, a look at the reactions to the new federal Greens leaders. (18:06) Landlords...

Tom is joined by the surprise new leader and deputy of the Australian Greens, Senators David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May! How did this all go down? When will the members get to choose the leader? How are things going to change? And finally some listener questions from our Patreon subscribers.  ---------- Just released on Patreon - "Vic Labor & SDA vs RAFFWU ft. Josh Cullinan" The sho...

Woah the Greens have a new leader! Lots of discussion of that coming next episode, but first, in this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom is joined by Josh Cullinan, Director of Strategic Litigation at the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (aka RAFFWU) - the naughty, unregistered, non-ACTU affiliated FIGHTING UNION for retail and fast-food workers in Australia! Recently the new Victorian P...

Tom pays respects to the late Vic Greens MP Tim Read, then is joined by executive director of the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz! (7:44) Tom can't resist asking about Macklemore (). Then, a chat about Sarah's experience giving evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, and how it is important that the Jewish Council provides non-zionist Jewish voices in the...

Tom is joined by the first Greens-endorsed Mayor of Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Asta Hill! First up, the Macklemore / Ed Sheeran brouhaha has everyone talking. (4:50) Remember when Peter Dutton and Macklemore had a fuss? And Betoota Advocate wins the prize for Most Dogshit Take. Then, a look at Asta’s first year as Mayor. (24:52) Why is The Australian and the rest of Murdoch’s goons trying...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined by Gokulan Gopal, a Tamil-Indian-Australian and Western Sydney Greens member, for a chat about the politics surrounding Australia’s large Indian diaspora. Why is Albanese chumming around with Modi, and is it just enabling Advance to spread division? How does caste affect everyday life down under? And why are we suddenl...

Tom is joined by economist and co-CEO of The Australia Institute Dr. Richard Denniss! This week, Greens passed the government’s Improved Native Forest Management Bill, though three Senators crossed the floor to dissent. Why does Richard think it was a mistake to once again enable Labor compromise? Does he believe this will actually save the koalas? Did he see Friendlyjordies say he has a sil...

We will be back next week with a new episode, but while we take a week off, we have unlocked a favourite from our Patreon feed. Like the underappreciated modern classic Eddington, it is all about data centres. Enjoy! - In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald speak to Professor Toby Walsh, author of “The Shortest History of AI,” to learn all about data centres. As...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald meet one of #auspol’s finest shitstirrers and antagonists, Nick Schadegg! What does he get out of posting? Why can’t he quit Twitter? Is everyone insane? And a look through some of his greatest hits. Featuring Caleb Bond, Drew Pavlou, and other lowlifes! ---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon su...

Video version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf1zTHR3nKM   As a special bonus we're sharing this recent live debate, featuring lots of friends of the show. Enjoy! x ------------- We solved housing! On 23 July The Greens held the Great Housing Debate in Collingwood. Topics and speakers were: "Supply is not the problem" - Chels Hood Withey (House You) vs Jonathan O'Brien (YIMBY) "Rent Contro...

Tom is joined by the former Greens senator for New Zealand (Western Australia), Scott Ludlam! What has Scott been up to since leaving politics? Dolly Parton died and it is strangely non-partisan. (14:17) What is Scott's take on the state of Aus politics? (21:11) And then run through the rise of the far right, how it was created by a sophisticated long-term project, Israel, climate, AUKUS, oh my. (...

Tom’s away and Emerald is joined by guest host, Greens candidate for Ballina in the upcoming NSW election, Mandy Nolan! First up, Labor has made deals with LNP and One Nation to pass their cuts to the NDIS and weak gambling reforms. (5:36) Then a chat about Northern Rivers politics, conspiracy theories, the plan-bird-emic, and a look ahead to next year’s NSW state election. (36:00) ---...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald take Britmonkey’s viral test ‘The 2020s Political Compass.’ Are we woke or chud? Hopepilled or doomers? Stay tuned to find out… ---------- The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, an...

Tom is joined by journalist and co-host of The Sunday Shot podcast, Dave Milner! Albo’s podcast woes show how the media sets the agenda (10:03). One Nation deals with, shock horror, a poorly-vetted homophobic candidate scandal (18:26). Immigration continues to be the main story (24:42). And the kids, who are alright, protest One Nation (48:37). ---------- Just released on Patreon - "The figh...

Tom is joined by firefighter, Marxist, and currently one of the NSW delegates to Greens National Council, Jim Casey! First up is Jim’s experiences running against Albo in Grayndler and getting stitched up by the media. (11:00) Next, what is the future of the labour movement in Australia? How did the Greens end up invisible at the moment they are most needed? And how should the Greens react t...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald are joined by organiser Hannah Ekin to discuss the fight to Close Pine Gap and the protest event Convergence 2026. Why is there a little America sitting in the middle of our continent? Are the ABC just a mouthpiece for the government? And is America using Pine Gap as a way to illegally conduct surveillance that breaks their own America...

Emerald is back on with Tom to chat about a bunch of news! First up, Zack Polanski’s guillotine scandal sounds awful familiar… Then, Victoria suddenly has a new premier! (14:11) Then, Pauline Hanson lost an appeal against a court ruling that found she racially discriminated against Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi. But should it have been a legal matter? (31:20) Hannah Ferguson, CEO of C...

Tom is joined by two leading Greens candidates for the upcoming Victorian election - Campbell Gome for Northcote, and Brittney Henderson for Western Metro! First up, an introduction to their campaigns and a discussion about the undemocratic group voting system. (5:14) Then a deep dive into the upcoming election and the state ahead. Is Victoria really going to fall to an insane Liberal-One Nation M...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald are joined by Belinda Noble, a former journalist who went on to work as Head of Media & Communications for Australian Red Cross and is now the CEO of climate communications charity Comms Declare. They have just released ‘From Cradle to Career,’ a report on how the fossil fuel industry has inserted itself into our school...

Tom is joined by returning favourite, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute and author of ‘Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard,’ Amy Remeikis! First up, after all these years, finally now in the year of our lord 2026, has Hughsey lost it? (12:33) Then, Albo this week gave a big speech about the future of AI. (33:42) Is artificial intelligence and its disr...

Tom is joined by guest host, former and now returned Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Rebecca Vassarotti! First up, what is the state of play in the ACT, and was there going to be a Tory + Tree Tory coalition? (9:46) Then, why is the federal government being so pissweak on gambling reform? (40:43) Is it up to the states (oops, territories) to do it themselves? ---------- Just released on Pa...