Australian Politics

The social responsibility of tech with new shadow minister Aaron Violi

Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to new shadow minister for the digital economy, science, innovation and cybersecurity Aaron Violi, who was promoted to the frontbench in a reshuffle by opposition leader Angus Taylor. Prior to politics, Violi worked in the digital economy and says the government has been unprepared for the disruption of AI. Violi also discusses the Coalition’s policy challenge of balancing concerns about immigration and the cost of living, as the opposition tries to rebuild trust after months of internal conflict over their leadership

Yanis Varoufakis on Donald Trump, global conflicts and the AI revolution

The economist, author and politician Yanis Varoufakis speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy about his blunt assessment about the ability of the global economic system to address the biggest challenges of the 21st century. They also discuss Europe’s failures in Russia’s war on Ukraine, the candid admissions of Donald Trump on the reality of climate change and how AI has changed the relationship between individuals and capital. Speaking from Athens before his national tour with the Australia Institute this week, the former finance minister for Greece also speaks about his recent charge for the alleged promotion of recreational drugs and why he thinks this was politically motivated

The Coalition’s view on the IS families stuck in Syria, with Jonno Duniam

Hardline exchanges over the 34 Australian women and children stuck in Syria have continued this week, with the opposition saying the group should be blocked from returning due to their ties with Islamic State. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to shadow minister for home affairs and immigration Jonno Duniam, who argues that the government has had a ‘hands-off’ approach so far. In the lead-up to next week’s return to parliament with a new shadow frontbench, the Tasmanian senator also discusses the Coalition’s plan to propose laws that would make it an offence to help people linked to terrorist hotspots and organisations

Guardian Essential report: One Nation woos progressive voters

Since October, the Guardian Essential poll has been following the rise in support for One Nation but this month’s results might also ring alarm bells for Labor. This is because nearly half of Labor voters said they would be open to voting for One Nation at the next federal election. Political reporter and chief of staff Josh Butler and Essential Media executive director Peter Lewis discuss why One Nation’s surge is more than just a ‘noisy’ protest about the Coalition, and why Pauline Hanson’s party is attracting voters across the political spectrum

Why does the RBA only have one blunt tool? We ask the deputy governor

Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Andrew Hauser speaks to economics editor Patrick Commins and business and economics reporter Luca Ittimani about the 2025 surprises that led to the first interest rate rise in two years. Hauser also responds to last week’s criticisms by Tim Wilson, the newly appointed shadow treasurer, that the RBA has not down enough to curb inflation. And we put to the deputy governor your audience questions about house prices, economic inequality and how shoppers can respond when they think companies are ‘taking the p’