Politics with Michelle Grattan

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.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025...

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. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Au...

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.  Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making o...

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.  Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat fro...

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. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, si...

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. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new se...

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. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real t...

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. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pr...

Michelle Grattan speaks to Senate independent Nick Xenophon about an iron ore price inquiry, the budget, higher education deregulation and more. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Maki...

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. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? I...

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann sits with Michelle to talk about the government's budget, an early election and getting measures through the Senate. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scho...

Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott joined Michelle to talk about the BCA's reaction to Tuesday's federal budget. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making...

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.  Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world...

Michelle and Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg talk about preparations for next week's budget, big company tax dodging, gay marriage and much more.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In Th...

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 Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation...

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.theconve...

Shadow spokesman for immigration Richard Marles talks to Michelle about the Moss Report, offshore detention centres, turning boats back and much more.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In T...

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Darren Chester talks to Michelle about The Nationals, the place for ordinary people in politics, coal seam gas and much more. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-...

Michelle Grattan talks to economic commentator Tim Colebatch about the Intergenerational Report. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant scholars reveal the recipe for authoritarian rule. From c...

Shadow Communications spokesman Jason Clare talks to Michelle about the controversial metadata legislation, reforms to Australia Post and much more. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s pre-eminant schol...

New South Wales Premier Mike Baird is facing an election campaign, he talks to Michelle about privatisation, Tony Abbott's leadership, if federal issues will encroach on the NSW campaign and more. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Co...

Michelle talks to the independent member for Indi Cathy McGowan about voter disillusionment with politics, community engagement, technology issues facing rural Australia and the upcoming federal budget. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is Americ...

Brian Schmidt is an astronomer, Nobel laureate and a council member of the Australian Academy of Science. He talks to Michelle about climate change, a new publication by the academy aimed at clearing up confusion about climate science and the policy process around the issue.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of a...

Clive Palmer talks to Michelle about the Liberal spill, his party's result in the Queensland election, his stance on controversial legislation before the Senate and much more. Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy un...

Mathias Cormann talks to Michelle about the leadership crisis in the Liberal party.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in real time? In The Making of an Autocrat from The Conversation, six of the world’s...