The Issue

The Australian Coalition faces its most serious crisis in decades. In this exclusive episode of The Issue, host Tim Lester sits down with two Coalition veterans - former Nationals leader Michael McCormack and Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck - as they reveal what's really happening behind the scenes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

The Coalition has broken apart just days after One Nation eclipsed it in the first Newspoll of 2026. The Issue sits down with One Nation convert Barnaby Joyce to discuss the party’s prospects ahead of the 2028 election. Political Reporter Josh Martin grills the former National Party MP on hate laws, immigration, energy, his relationship with Pauline Hanson, and complimentary flights from bil...

Trevor Baucom, a U.S. Black Hawk pilot who flew alongside Australian special forces, recounts the brutal battles and life‑or‑death moments he faced in Afghanistan. From landing commandos under heavy fire to surviving a crash that left him initially reported as killed in action, Trevor shares a rare perspective from inside the cockpit. Years later, still living with the consequences, he works to ho...

High visa fees and a political push - behind the downturn.  Politicians like Pauline Hanson and Andrew Hastie want further cuts and will campaign hard.  But Phil Honeywood from the international education sector argues foreign students are good for the economy, workforce, tourism and international relations.  The CEO of the International Education Association of Australia is this we...

From defence reform and military procurement to AUKUS, drones and the future of warfare; Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy explains how Australia is preparing for a more uncertain world. He also reflects on Labor’s political position, the risks of complacency, and why voter trust can never be taken for granted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Fighting against the horror of forced organ harvesting | The Issue   For years, Falun Gong protestors have stood outside Federal Parliament demanding action to stop forced organ harvesting. But has Australia listened?   It was nearly 20 years ago that esteemed lawyer David Matas uncovered the human rights horror in China.    As protests persist, we examine what’s changed...

Prefabricated homes can be built in a matter of days for as little as $100,000. However, finance issues and regulation are holding the sector back in Australia. Damien Crough the Executive Chairman of lobby group prefabAUS says the government needs to tackle the tradie shortage, banks need to make lending easier, and admits the sector has an image problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Outgoing RSL President Greg Melick says he's 'concerned we have become a very selfish nation'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After three interest rate cuts in 2025 many thought the cost-of-living crisis was over. But headline inflation has shot up to 3.2% and unemployment is now at 4.5% in Australia. The Issue speaks to Shadow Treasurer, Ted O’Brien, about how to solve this problem. The Deputy Liberal Leader reveals some of the key changes coming from the Coalition's policy reviews on nuclear energy, the economy a...

The world is more divided online. The public’s trust in governments and security agencies is weakened. Activists like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden have divided opinion with their actions – exposing government and military secrets to the world. Retired four-star admiral Mike Rogers says misinformation is a defining challenge of these times. The former Director of the United States...

Albo meets Trump. A former Ambassador to the United States takes 'The Issue' through what confronts Anthony Albanese as the Prime Minister prepares for his highest stakes leaders meeting yet. Dennis Richardson also shares insights on the Oval Office meetings he helped organise, the Prime Ministers he worked for and the recent fuss around Australia's current Ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd. Se...

Liberal politicians - Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Price - are leading the charge to lower Australia’s immigration rate. But new analysis from the Australian National University says Coalition governments have largely been responsible for increased migration, this century. Creating the 457 temporary work visas, tying universities to international student fees, and signing 70% of Australia&rsquo...

A former Labor insider believes Anthony Albanese will increase the number of politicians in federal parliament, and break a key promise on property taxes.     While it sounds like a major political misstep, top pollster Kos Samaras tells 7NEWS it's all part of the prime minster's secret plan to wipe the Coalition off the electoral map. Younger, city based voters are changing the game for...

Shifting position on Palestine. The Albanese government makes the symbolic move in New York with like-minded governments, but does it help efforts to end the Gaza War. A former Australian Ambassador to Israel makes his case. 00:00 - Introduction 02:36 - Growing up 03:30 - Political philosophy 05:44 - Australia's relation with Israel 10:40 - Recognising the state of Palestine 17:00 - A two state so...

Australia’s economy is vulnerable to a shutdown by criminals, terrorists and rogue nations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump’s foreign policy has reshaped America’s role in the world. For decades, US security and prosperity were seen as tied to Europe and Asia through strong alliances, including with Australia. Trump challenges this approach, arguing America can rely on its own strength while stepping back from global commitments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystud...

Australia’s recently retired cyber intelligence boss discusses digital threats and the roles they’ve played in the big news stories of recent weeks. From Iranian links to firebombings, Neo Nazis and China backed cyber intruders, Rachel Noble analyses the dangers and argues there’s still room for optimism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/lis...

Australia is about to welcome a rival to the giants of Artificial Intelligence. The Issue speaks with the Melbourne tech guru leading our local answer to AI - and gets his view  on how much is at stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The scheme that delivers Australians cheap medicines. The Trump Administration hates it.  Will America’s tariff threats change the PBS - and if so, how much will our medicines cost? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How valuable is Australia as an ally? John Powers knows the defence and intelligence relationship between Australia and its indispensable security partner, the United States, like few others. In this episode of 'The Issue', the American special forces soldier turned military intelligence officer and now Australian citizen, reflects on why relations between the two are unusually tetchy and what can...

Men's mental health with the Tall Cacucus in Parliament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia heads back to Kyiv for a personal and work visit, as Russia presses for an advantage in the 3-and-a-half year invasion of his country. Vasyl Myroshnychenko talks to 7NEWS about Australia’s links to the conflict, why turning back Russia is critical for Australia, and how Ukraine’s and Australia’s militaries can help one another. See omnystud...

The impact of President Donald Trump's decision to cut foreign aid is starting to be felt in Australia's backyard.  A new report by the Lowy Institute shows China's influence is growing in Southeast Asia. Political Reporter Josh Martin sat down with the report's author, economist Alex Dayant.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener...

Indispensable as our biggest trading partner, unmistakable as the rising military superpower, China is a giant challenge for our government. Few have spent longer studying that challenge than Geoff Raby. Australia's former Ambassador in Beijing sits down with 'The Issue' just as Prime Minister Albanese travels to China to meet President Xi Jinping. What must Albanese achieve in the meeting? How gr...