Insiders

An unhappy experience with the Voice referendum explains the Albanese government’s reticence to push ahead on religious freedoms. Even if that means failing to deliver on an election promise.

Housing affordability has been one of the biggest political issues over the last two years since inflation, mortgage rates and rental prices started spiralling. The plight of those trying to buy a home or struggling to pay the rent has focused the attention of many politicians. But what about those who don’t have a roof over their head at all? The housing crisis has forced some – even with full-ti...

A lot of younger Australians don’t think much about aged care. Let’s be honest – if they do think about growing old – it’s usually dreaming of a comfortable retirement when they can stop working and tap into their superannuation – not necessarily what their aged care might involve. But that superannuation we’re all contributing to – could end up being critical to the sort of aged care we ultimatel...

How many older Australians is the government willing to squeeze to help fund a bigger and better aged care sector? And how hard is it willing to squeeze them?

The Albanese Government’s latest effort to meet its climate targets is focused on the vehicle industry. It wants to bring Australia into line with the rest of the developed world – with a new emissions standard. Under the plan – car makers would have to sell more electric and low emissions vehicles from next year. If they’re only selling gas guzzlers – they would have to pay a price. Consultations...

The Liberal Party this week preselected its candidate for the safe seat of Cook – vacated by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Simon Kennedy is a management consultant. He doesn’t currently live in Cook and ran unsuccessfully for the party in another seat at the last election. Still – he won a thumping majority when branch members voted on Monday night. Gwen Cherne – the only woman in the race...

Peter Dutton is confident of his ability to turn public opinion around — but can he convince Australians that nuclear energy is the best way to transition to net zero emissions?

Insiders takes the stage for a special live show – with an audience – from Adelaide Writers Week. David Speers' guest is South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, while a panel of returning favourite Sarah Martin, Mark Kenny and Clare Armstrong discuss the washup of the Dunkley by-election.

Yesterday’s by-election was billed as a crucial mid-term test for both sides of politics. And when the results came in last night – the Albanese Government emerged as the winner. At the close of counting – Labor’s primary vote remained virtually unchanged – at 41%. The Liberal vote jumped nearly 7% - but this was largely scooping up votes on the right – thanks to One Nation and the Palmer United P...

Leaders from across South-East Asia are set to descend on Melbourne next week – but why? The ASEAN Summit is marking 50 years since Australia became the first “dialogue partner” with the region, and the anniversary coincides with a critical strategic juncture with China. David Speers speaks to the man who came up with the idea to bring the conference to Australia's doorstep – former Indonesian Amb...

As Dunkley voters prepare for a by-election this first electoral contest for the year is likely to help define the strategies both sides of politics adopt as they eye the next election.

If Australia is going to prosper in the years ahead – we’re going to need far more tertiary educated workers. That’s the central finding of the Universities Accord report out today – which recommends sweeping changes to recruit more students – particularly from regional, remote, and disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s calling for a shake-up of course fees, more resources for regional unis, more financ...

Join David Speers for the first episode of Insiders: On Background. The new podcast digs a little deeper into an issue that will be covered on the show each week with an expert to better understand the debates dominating politics. This week, the team visits the seat of Dunkley ahead of a crucial by-election on March 2. Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome, which w...

Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will be sweating on the outcome of the March 2 by-election. It will determine their immediate political fortunes and the all-important momentum for 2024.

A group of more than 20 asylum seekers arrived at Beagle Bay on Friday – wandering through crocodile-infested waters to the remote indigenous community north of Broome. It was enough for Peter Dutton to declare the government has lost control of the borders. The opposition had just spent the entire week grilling the Immigration Minister in parliament over the release of 149 detainees – after last...

Amidst the parliamentary ping-pong between Labor's hard sell of its tax cuts and the Coalition's alarm at convicted immigrants on the loose, it's become clear all sides are keeping a close eye on another issue that could prove to be a far more powerful vote driver: housing, says David Speers in this recorded version of his weekly analysis of Australian politics.

The first week of parliament for the year began with the Coalition signing up to the government’s Stage 3 tax changes. It wasn’t thrilled about it – but had little choice. And the Prime Minister relished in the discomfort of his opponents. The fight may not be over though – Peter Dutton is vowing to go to the election with a significant tax reform plan of his own, and accusing the government of wa...

It's already been a deadly start to 2024 in the Middle East – and over the last week the crisis has escalated. After blaming Iran for the deaths of 3 American soldiers – the US has now struck back - hitting targets in Iraq and Syria linked to Iran's military and its affiliated militias. The US and UK have also launched a new series of strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. David Speers speaks to...