Politics with Michelle Grattan

Michelle talks to incoming Senator David Leyonhjelm of the Liberal Democrats about his role in the Senate, gun control and much, 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 scholars revea...

From the Liberal Federal Council, Michelle Grattan talks to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and outgoing Federal President Alan Stockdale. 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...

In a special "exit interview" Michelle Grattan talks with outgoing Senator Sue Boyce about sexism, Malcolm Turnbull and the future of centre right politics. 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-emina...

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Michelle Grattan go in depth about the government's proposed FoFA changes. 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 authoritari...

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young talks to Michelle Grattan about the Manus Island riots, same sex marriage and the Greens position in 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 schola...

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop joins Michelle to talk about Australia's relationship with Indonesia, the Prime Minister's trip to America 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...

Fred Chaney is the current Senior Australian of the Year and a former member of the Fraser government, in which he was Indigenous Affairs minister. He talks to Michelle about indigenous affairs and the changes to the racial discrimination act.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journalism you can trust. Donations 2025 The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversa...

New Federal President of the Australian Medical Association Brian Owler talks to Michelle Grattan about the major issues surrounding health after the 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 r...

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher talks to Michelle Grattan about the federal budget, the difficult cuts to Canberra, the GST and much, 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 scholar...

Our 2014 budget coverage continues with interviews with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Shadow Finance Minister Tony Burke. 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 Autocra...

Michelle Grattan and former economics editor of The Age Tim Colebatch discuss the 2014-15 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 of an Autocrat from The Conversation...

Chris Richardson is one of Australia’s best known economists and is in charge of Deloitte Access Economics’ forecasting and policy unit. He talks to Michelle Grattan about the Australian economy, the upcoming budget and the commission of audit. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watching its democracy unravel in rea...

Shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh talks to Michelle Grattan about the upcoming budget, the commission of audit and Labor reform.  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 th...

Jamie Briggs, assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development, talks to Michelle Grattan about his portfolio, the upcoming budget and his previous life as an advisor in John Howard’s office. 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 Ame...

John Hewson, a former federal Liberal leader, talks to Michelle Grattan about Barry O'Farrell and the federal budget. 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 autho...

The government is putting the cost to the budget of pensions to the front and centre of the economic debate. John Brogden, chief of the financial services council, is recommending extensive changes to retirement policy.  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...

The Catholic Church has been at the centre of many damaging claims before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, a group established to coordinate the Catholic Church’s engagement with the royal commission and to develop a reform agenda around the handling of child sexual abuse, sits down with Michell...

As a tough budget nears, health seems high on the cuts agenda, despite promises to not cut in the area, made during the election campaign. AMA Federal President Dr Steve Hambleton sits down with Michelle Grattan to talk about the upcoming budget, Medicare, and much, much more. Mentioned in this episode: The Making of an Autocrat Search: "The Conversation Weekly" for our new series. Is America watc...

Chief Government Whip Philip Ruddock has had a long career in politics, entering parliament in 1973. He talks his role as immigration minister in the Howard government, the racial discrimination act changes 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 ne...

Manager of opposition business and shadow finance minister Tony Burke has already held some of the most difficult and controversial portfolios in government and continues to tackle difficult areas in opposition. Michelle and Tony talk about Manus, the government's budget numbers and how Labor plan to get back to government.  Mentioned in this episode: Your support matters Support non-profit journa...

Michelle Grattan sits down with G20 sherpa Heather Smith to discuss the ins-and-outs of the massive event, which will be hosted by Australia later this year. 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-emin...

Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane sits down with Michelle Grattan to talk about racial discrimination in Australia and the much debated 18c legislation. 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...

Michelle Grattan sits down with the Minister for Communication Malcolm Turnbull to talk about the NBN, the ABC and gay marriage. 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 recip...

The always interesting leader of the Palmer United Party Clive Palmer talks to Michelle Grattan about running businesses while in parliament, the upcoming Tasmanian and Western Australian elections and the Titanic 2. 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 ser...

Tim Wilson is Australia's human rights commissioner and former policy director for the IPA. He talks to Michelle Grattan about the new position, his stance on a varied array of topics and his future. 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...