Serious Danger

In this sample of the new bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald is back! And joined by Tom to meet Sean Kelly, former Labor staffer and current journalist, to discuss his new Quarterly Essay, “The Good Fight: What Does Labor Stand For?” Are Labor cowardly cowards, or clever pragmatists who know how to play the game? What is Anthony Albanese actually up to? How can the Australi...

The Griff needs your help! Tom is joined by returning favourite Amy Remeikis, one of the few good journalists. First up a bit of Trump Epstein emails chat as a little treat (8:40). Then, the Coalition dumped net zero and all it does is provide cover for Labor to be 99% as bad (15:43). Next up a mixed-bag of the government being a bag of shit (45:10). Did you know the new CSIRO cuts are worse than...

Tom and The Griff marvel at Max Chandler-Mather getting a fair run in an Australian newspaper!? Next, Tom is joined by Sarah-Hanson Young, Greens senator for South Australia! First up, the state of play and then a look at a recent Crikey article featuring unhappy Greens staffers (19:01). Then, with the LNP ditching net zero, and the country seemingly unbothered that Labor has effectively ditched i...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined live at Comedy Republic in Melbourne by Wil Anderson! As is his curse for life, we asked him to analyse commercials with us. From baby Adam Bandt, Labor cosplaying as Greens, Pauline going for schmaltz, and many more, political advertising in Australia is as strange as the politics itself. ---------- The show can only exist...

Say nup to the annual Michael McCormack Melbourne Cup skit. Tom is joined by guest host Konrad Benjamin, aka Punter’s Politics! What is his superhero origin story? First up, this week saw Punters' Politics Political Fundraising Gala Dinner, a crowd-sourced plan to buy leftie lobbyists (20:51). Is lobbying the root cause of all political evil? Next up, with Zohran Mamdani’s big win in t...

Video version - https://youtu.be/p7BpEuvzV_k Live from the Comedy Republic in Melbourne, it’s our 200th episode! It’s Emerald’s last weekly show! First, Albo is secretly a Joy Division t-shirt nazi!? Then some good news as Victoria signed a treaty with its First Peoples, and some bad news as Queensland banned puberty blockers for adolescents. Will some Zohran Mamdami and Zack Pol...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Tom moderates the ‘Freedom For The Press’ event live at The Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday 15th October 2025. “Censorship and secrecy threaten democracy. A discussion on press freedom and the public’s right to know.” The panel features: Andrew Wilkie MP – Independent Federal MP & defender of whistleblowe...

Mr. Albanese Goes To Washington and sells our resources for cheap to dictator while media takes Rudd bait. Emerald and Tom look at the announcement that the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws won’t include a climate trigger. (9:09) But would a trigger have even stopped them from approving every possible mine? Then, duelling of the thinkpieces as Emma Dawson and Max Chandle...

Emerald is joined by guest host, #auspol legend and Chief Economist at The Australia Institute, Greg Jericho! First up, a chat about his career and being a fellow target of important public interest journalist James Massola (3:25). (We thought about asking James to come on the show, but he’s very busy breaking Watergate 2.) Next, what should we make of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas?...

Pauline Hanson is upset about paper bags for her pointless distraction this week. Emerald and Tom go through the Optus 000 saga after more unanswered calls have resulted in three deaths (7:52). You can’t privatise essential services without breaking a few eggs! Then, a look at the controversial recent Larissa Waters’ appearance on Insiders (35:37), which has brought criticism for her t...

In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald are joined by Dru Sims, President of the UQ Greens, to discuss student politics! What does politics at uni look like in 2025? Is it a breeding ground for the cesspool of grown up politics? And  what is the state of the race in the UQ union election? UQU election dates - Fri Oct 10th midday - postal vote applications close Mon Oct 1...

Freya Fired Out! Emerald and Tom are joined by leader of the Greens in the ACT, Shane Rattenbury! (12:58) First up a look at ACT politics and the state of play. Then, housing (34:24). As ACT makes it a human right, the federal 5% Home Guarantee Scheme comes into effect. Are these policies actually designed to make things worse? Finally, a call to action (1:07:54). Video version - https://youtu.be/...

In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald continue chapter 10 of author Paddy Manning’s epic history of the Australian Greens movement, “Inside The Greens: The Origins and Future of the Party, the People and the Politics.” In this instalment - Christine Milne is a controversial leader, Tassie troubles, Scott Ludlam comes and goes, the party debates blocking th...

Albanese goes to the UN to obtain photographic evidence to prove to the other kids that Trump thinks he’s cool. Tom is joined by guest host and Greens upper house member for NSW, Abigail Boyd, MLC! What is the state of NSW politics? (12:58) And updates on Hannah Thomas, the childcare industry inquiry, worker’s comp, and some colourful characters in parliament. Finally, a call to action...

The emissions targets are out, and we need to get it right. Emerald and Tom go over the news that the United Nations (sort of) released a report declaring Israel’s action in Palestine a genocide (12:20). So that’s all sorted then? Next up, Susssssan Ley gave a speech this week about breaking the “growing expectation that the government will pay for everything.” (34:31) With...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom keep talking about the bigger picture for the future of the climate movement. As the government announces mediocre emissions reductions targets, how can real results still be accomplished as things seem to be backsliding? Can we solve the climate crisis (in this episode)? ---------- Full episode now out on Patreon! The show can only ex...

Paying for an ambulance is crook. Emerald’s back! She and Tom catch up on some Greens news - Hannah Thomas has her charges dropped but that doesn’t fix her eye (6:58), Asta Hill has a new job as mayor of Alice Springs (13:26), and Adam Bandt also has a new job as CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation! (22:01) Then some big announcements about what’s up next for Serious Da...

Video version - https://youtu.be/0J3mamN0r60   Albo bullied Max Chandler-Mather at the school formal and the Griff thinks he’s a fugly slut. Tom is joined by guest host and Executive Director of The Green Institute, Tim Hollo! First up, a look at an ugly week in Aussie racism, as politicians use the aftermath of the March for Australia to vice-signal their awfulness (9:27). Then a chat...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined again by economist and Executive Director of The Australia Institute Dr Richard Denniss, to discuss his new essay ‘Dead Centre: How Political Pragmatism is Killing Us.’ This one is a cracker, almost an hour of insightful takes from your favourite progressive economist boyfriend. Enjoy, sickos! ---------- The show...

Video version - https://youtu.be/gCE58W9Ry9o “Taylor Swift getting engaged means we're about to see some of the worst Labor MP tweets to ever hit the timeline.” Tom is joined by returning guest host Jack Toohey, author of ‘Better Things Are Possible: How rebellious hope will change the world.’ First up, Australia has announced “credible intelligence” that Irania...

Brad Battin coming to you live from the scene of the crime. Emerald and Tom recap the mayhem down in the Tasmanian parliament (7:04), as LNP takes government and now-former Labor leader steps on a series of rakes and somehow it’s those dastardly Greens’ fault. Next up, there’s ‘March for Australia’ rallies being organised for August 31st, and they are a big dog-whistl...

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined again by outspoken WA climate activist Gerard Mazza. Has the federal government become a big version of the arrogant, gas-obsessed WA Labor weirdos? What is next in the fight? Will new laws make even posting about a non-illegal protest illegal? And how is he going to celebrate his restraining order against Woodside CEO Meg O...

The Cheek of that Hannah Ferguson, thinking she has solved left politics. Emerald and Tom go over this week’s announcement of the upcoming recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN by the Australian government (12:15). Is it a token gesture or a step forward? Then, unions are proposing a four-day work week. Could it actually happen this time? (37:06) Finally, David Stratton vs scabs, and...

Bond, Caleb Bond, in… Never Say Anything Again. The  Emerald and Tom go through some of the worst and funniest responses to the enormous protest for Palestine across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (8:16). Is this a turning point? Then, all the results are in from the Tasmanian election (47:36), and the winner is… um… Finally, a call to action (1:08:36). ---------- Just release...

In this bonus series for Patreon subscribers, Tom and Emerald talk through chapter 10 of author Paddy Manning’s epic history of the Australian Greens movement, “Inside The Greens: The Origins and Future of the Party, the People and the Politics.” In this instalment - Christine Milne becomes leader, the 2013 election is a sobering comedown, things fall apart between Labor and the...