Podcasts about australia news

The Australian music industry is in crisis, but it wasn't always that way. In the 1990s and early 2000s, a healthy number of Aussie artists were making it to the charts. Now, local musicians are struggling to get air time and to earn a living making music. Nour Haydar speaks to culture editor Steph Harmon and data journalist Josh Nicholas about why Australian music is disappearing from the charts and what needs to be done to revive the industry

A truck-mounted billboard featuring AI-generated images of Victoria's premier, Jacinta Allan, which has been travelling around Melbourne for several weeks now, has attracted a lot of scrutiny. It shows Allan wearing a black pointed hat alongside the phrase ‘ditch the witch'. Victorian upper house MP for the Animal Justice party Georgie Purcell, who faces sexist abuse every day as a female MP, argues misogyny isn't a legitimate expression of political dissatisfaction

Australia is set to experience its first El Niño weather event since spring 2023, according to the Bureau of Meteorology and other agencies. The phenomenon historically signals the arrival of hotter, drier conditions for the east coast and can have devastating impacts on the environment as well as the farming of crops and livestock. Nour Haydar speaks to climate and environment correspondent Graham Readfearn about how our weather is about to change and what it means for Australians

Australia is facing the largest outbreak of diphtheria, dubbed a ‘disease of poverty', in living memory. For decades, the highly contagious and life-threatening bacterial disease was almost eradicated, but now it is spreading in remote Indigenous communities around the country. Nour Haydar speaks with Indigenous affairs correspondent Sarah Collard and Indigenous affairs reporter Douglas Smith on what is being done to stop the spread of the disease

When news broke that Australia will buy only secondhand nuclear submarines from the US, it signalled a major shift in the Aukus deal. It's made Emma Shortis, the director of international and security affairs at the Australia Institute, ask: what's a few secondhand subs between friends?

The Albanese government's announcement that Australia will now receive three used US Virginia-class submarines, rather than two used and one new, has put the spotlight back on the Aukus commitment. One of the strongest advocates for the $368bn agreement is defence industry minister Pat Conroy and he hits back at its critics – including the Labor MP Ed Husic. Speaking with political editor Tom McIlroy, the minister for Pacific Island affairs also discusses this week's visit by new Solomon Islands prime minister Matthew Wale and responds to speculation that Tony Abbott could run as the Liberal candidate in Conroy's seat of Shortland at the next election

Josephine Tovey speaks with Gabrielle Jackson, Patrick Keneally and Jonathan Barrett about why Labor is damned if they do and damned if they don't when it comes to the diabolical political conundrum of trying to solve the housing affordability crisis without bringing down house prices

When Australia's high court ruled indefinite immigration detention unlawful in 2023, Sara's* father returned home to Australia's east coast after years in onshore immigration detention. He is just one of the more than 350 people who make up what's known as the NZYQ cohort, which includes individuals who have had their visas cancelled on character grounds but cannot be deported to their country of origin. Last year the Australian government signed a secretive deal to deport members of the group to Nauru on 30-year visas, and Sara fears her father could be next. She speaks to Nour Haydar *Not her real name • Sara fears her father will be deported from Australia to Nauru – a place of ‘final and lifelong punishment'

Former environment minister Peter Garrett will lead an independent inquiry into the Aukus defence pact, launched by a group of Labor veterans and public figures concerned proper scrutiny has never been applied to the $368bn defence plan. The group argues there has never been a more critical time to examine the cost and potential risk associated with our increasingly close ties with the United States military. Peter Garrett joins Nour Haydar to discuss whether Aukus will make us safer – or turn us into a nuclear target

Former prime minister Tony Abbott didn't exactly disappear from the limelight after he lost his seat in the ‘teal' wave of 2019, but his new role as Liberal president has many asking: why is the party bringing him back now? Chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Nour Haydar about how Abbott's appointment could change the party – and shape conservative politics in Australia

There has been a whirlwind of speculation about whether the ‘teal' independents could come together to form a new political party. According to independent MP Zali Steggall, the time is ripe for a strong push from the progressive side of politics, as new polling predicts One Nation could overtake the Coalition as the leading opposition party. Independent senator David Pocock says he is open to the idea but that it is not without risks. He speaks to Reged Ahmad

Nour Haydar speaks with Christopher Knaus about the BHP files – the cache of internal documents leaked to the Guardian and the ABC's Four Corners – which show that the world's biggest miner has war-gamed ways to massively delay decarbonisation

After the death of the Warlpiri girl Kumanjayi Little Baby, the Northern Territory government announced a sweeping review of its child protection system. The terms of the inquiry, however, have been heavily criticised by First Nations and justice organisations. Prof Marcia Langton reads a piece she co-authored with Prof Fiona Stanley in which they argue that authorities are repeating mistakes of the past and failing Aboriginal children Warning: This episode contains references to Indigenous Australians who have died

In his biggest address so far, shadow treasurer Tim Wilson described the federal budget as an ‘economic earthquake' at the National Press Club this week. He speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy about Paul Keating's criticism of the Coalition's response to Labor's tax reforms, and defends Angus Taylor's controversial migration policy – which links housing completion and restricts access to welfare support

In this special recording of the Barries in front of a live audience of 600 at the Sydney Writers' festival, Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry discuss why budget criticism is hurting Labor more than many anticipated. They also examine the Coalition's many leadership changes and ask who could take the reins next Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee Salisbury, Shane from Auckland, and Nick from Brisbane dive headfirst into one of the biggest challenges facing pool professionals everywhere: time management. From subscription fatigue to overloaded schedules, the crew discusses how pool service companies can streamline operations, eliminate wasted effort, and create smarter workflows without adding more stress—or more monthly software fees. Nick shares how he has transformed Buffer Zone into a centralized operational hub for his business, using it for everything from technician scheduling and supplier management to equipment manuals, staff notes, training resources, and client communication. The conversation explores how keeping everything inside one ecosystem reduces missed jobs, forgotten tasks, duplicated subscriptions, and operational chaos. The episode also explores creative “workarounds” within software systems—showing listeners how to use scheduling tools for personal appointments, admin blocks, vehicle servicing reminders, supplier pickups, and inventory management. Shane discusses his previous use of the Timely calendar system and how similar functionality can be recreated directly inside Buffer Zone to simplify operations and reduce reliance on external apps. Lee takes the conversation further into productivity systems, sharing how tools like Google Workspace, Google Calendar, Google Tasks, Google Forms, Google Drive, and automation integrations can dramatically improve efficiency for pool service companies. The discussion highlights real-world examples of live technician reporting, automated spreadsheets, winter repair prospecting, quote generation, inventory forecasting, and field-to-office communication systems that save hours every week. The team also discusses password management, shared staff access, cloud-based documentation, technician accountability, and how centralizing information can protect businesses when employees leave or systems fail. Most importantly, this episode focuses on the philosophy of continuous improvement—making small operational changes that create massive long-term gains. Whether you're a solo operator or managing multiple technicians, the crew emphasizes that investing time into better systems today can save enormous amounts of time, stress, and money tomorrow.  Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Australian retailers are on notice after the federal court handed down a landmark judgment against the nation's second-largest supermarket chain. Coles was found to have misled shoppers by promoting discounts that were not real after the Australian consumer watchdog launched legal action in 2024. Business editor Jonathan Barrett tells Nour Haydar why the court found Coles misled consumers, what the ruling means for the retailer's reputation and whether it will mean cheaper prices at the checkout

One Nation's historic win in Farrer has drawn conservative politicians into yet another harmful debate about immigration. Author Sisonke Msimang says blaming migrants won't ease the pain disillusioned voters are feeling

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry deliver their verdict on the federal budget – including opposition leader Angus Taylor's targeting of migrants in an effort to solve the housing crisis. They also discuss Pauline Hanson's soon-to-be released energy policy and why dissatisfaction with Labor isn't translating into more votes for the Greens

In a big gamble, Labor broke a big promise. In this week's budget, the government announced changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is suggesting it's the broken promise we had to have, in order to tackle intergenerational inequality and make the tax system fairer. Reged Ahmad speaks with Mike Ticher, Patrick Keneally and Sarah Martin about when broken promises matter in politics

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that, according to the World Health Organization, affects 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of those who have it don't know that they do. The name of the condition has – in part – been blamed for the poor treatment many patients experience. Women's health experts say the name is misleading and outdated. It is now officially being changed. Assistant science editor Donna Lu speaks to Nour Haydar about why polycystic ovarian syndrome has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome – or PMOS – in the hope it will reduce confusion and lead to better care

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down what he calls the most important budget in decades. As Donald Trump's war on Iran continues to cause chaos around the world, and support for One Nation surges in Australia, the treasurer insists this is a budget that will ease economic pressures. But does the bold rhetoric stack up? And will this budget be enough to stem the rise of the populist right? Nour Haydar speaks with Tom Mcllroy and Patrick Commins, who break down a budget that comes with big reforms and big questions

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O' Henderson may have left the airwaves but the former radio duo have now taken the show's drama into the courtroom as they do battle in separate cases over the terminations of their $100m contracts. Media correspondent Amanda Meade speaks to Reged Ahmad about what it's like inside the courtroom and whether this case could herald the end of the big-name radio star's career

On Saturday, the right wing party won a lower house seat for the first time as voters registered their fury in the New South Wales Farrer byelection. And while newly elected MP David Farley may have been on the ticket, many are saying this is very much Pauline Hanson's victory. Senior correspondent Sarah Martin and political reporter Sarah Basford Canales speak to Reged Ahmad from Albury the morning after the seismic result.

A cruise ship, a rare virus, and three dead passengers. It is the headline that has put us all on edge, but how worried should we be about hantavirus? In this episode of The Quicky, we speak with CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Professor Glenn Marsh to find out how this rodent-borne illness spreads, why a specific South American strain has experts concerned and whether Australia is prepared for a potential outbreak.

Amid fuel insecurity due to the US-Israel war on Iran, Guardian Australia columnist Paul Daley takes his first holiday driving an electric vehicle. Staring down the uncertainty of a long drive and battery-charging breaks – he learns something beautiful along the way

The criticisms of Tuesday's federal budget have already started. Labor is facing allegations of broken promises over changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. And there is frustration in the electorate about the government's $50bn increase in defence spending over the next decade, while also significantly reducing the growth in NDIS spending. Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to finance minister Katy Gallagher who, along with treasurer Jim Chalmers, is leading the decision making on a budget that claims to address intergenerational fairness – while also being responsible and resilient in an uncertain global environment

This Saturday's byelection in Sussan Ley's former seat of Farrer is expected to be a tight two-horse race between a community independent and a One Nation candidate – with none of the major parties in serious contention. The independent candidate, Michelle Milthorpe, speaks to the political editor, Tom McIlroy, on the Australian Politics podcast about her second time vying for the regional seat, why she resists being labelled as a ‘teal' and her position on climate and environmental policies in her electorate

This week marked the start of Anthony Albanese's fifth year in power. His time in office so far has often been described as ‘cautious' and risk averse, and it's left some posing the question: what is Labor's vision for the nation? Why is it so centrist? Chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Nour Haydar about the the evolution of Labor's left

The first Monday in May has arrived, and with it, the most exclusive red carpet in the world. This year, the Met Gala’s Costume Art theme pushed the world’s biggest stars to move beyond pretty gowns and turn themselves into literal living sculptures. While some celebrities like Emma Chamberlain and Heidi Klum fully embraced the assignment, others found themselves under the watchful, discerning eye of Anna Wintour. Mamamia's Head of Entertainment Laura Brodnik joins us to break down all the looks, drama and the celebrity story you might've missed yesterday. For more on The Met Gala make sure you check out the full run through on Mamamia's entertainment podcast The Spill here

When Annastacia Palaszczuk led a Labor opposition to win government in the 2015 Queensland election, she was labelled an ‘accidental premier'. She later became a three-term premier who ended on her own terms. In conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, she speaks about how her resilience was formed by profound personal loss through miscarriage and IVF treatments – which she describes in her new memoir. Palaszczuk also discusses how ‘heartbreaking' it is to watch David Crisafulli's government reverse her renewable energy policies and attributes Pauline Hanson's long political career to being ‘relatable'. Note: This interview was recorded before police charged Palaszczuk's partner, Vahid Reza Adib, with rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty. Adib was granted police bail and will face court at a later date. He made no comment outside the police station on Friday afternoon

Jefferson Lewis has been charged with murder over the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs. The Warlpiri girl went missing on Saturday 25 April from a town camp and was found dead five days later. Indigenous affairs reporter Douglas Smith speaks to Nour Haydar about the charges facing Lewis and how the community is grieving

The interim report of the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion has handed down its first 14 recommendations. It says there is no gap in current laws that could have prevented the shooting. But the 155-page report calls for better policing of Jewish festivals after a ‘high' terror risk was flagged for the Hanukkah event where 15 people were killed. Reged Ahmad and Ben Doherty discuss why the inquiry's first findings raise more questions than answers

The Farrer byelection is just days away and the former prime minister has stern words for his party: ‘Echo the hateful policies of One Nation and risk becoming a recruiting agent for extremist groups' Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

There were ugly scenes at Anzac Day dawn services when a small handful of people booed during the welcome to country in several cities. Most politicians condemned the behaviour, including opposition leader Angus Taylor, but he nevertheless said the next day that he thought the ceremonies were ‘overused' and that he understood Australians' frustration with them. In the same interview, he also said in relation to immigration there was a higher risk ‘that some bad people' come from ‘bad countries'. Jo Tovey sits down with Mike Ticher, Patrick Keneally and Krishani Dhanji to discuss the risks of chasing One Nation to the right

The AFL has again found itself embroiled in allegations of on-field homophobia. St Kilda's Lance Collard was handed a nine-week suspension for using a homophobic slur. His penalty was reduced on appeal but the reasoning given by the appeals board has angered many. Former West Coast AFL footballer Mitch Brown, who last year became the first player to come out as bisexual, says the decision is both disappointing and dangerous. He speaks to Nour Haydar

Tony Barry and Barrie Cassidy examine health minister Mark Butler's announcement this week that Labor will move thousands of people off the NDIS to save costs. The Barries also discuss the economy, taxing gas giants and Donald Trump

Nearly 15 years after Julia Gillard introduced the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS), the Albanese government announced the most significant reforms to the scheme on Wednesday. It's expected the billions of budget savings will mean at least 160,000 participants will no longer be able to access the scheme within the next four years. The minister for disability, health and ageing, Mark Butler, speaks to Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy about how the cost of the NDIS became ‘not sustainable' and the material impact of the reforms on participants. Butler's announcements have already been widely criticised – and he responds to the government's decision to announce sweeping cuts while also increasing defence spending considerably last week

After about a decade of work, voting has closed for Victoria's First Nations treaty body, and next month those elected will form a new-look First Peoples' Assembly called Gellung Warl. But a state election in November could undo it all, as the Victorian Liberal party promises to dismantle the process. Indigenous affairs reporter Douglas Smith speaks to Reged Ahmad about this pivotal moment in the pathway to treaty, and if national truth-telling will come along with it

This week the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, warned that Australians could face tougher times ahead as the economy is held ‘hostage' by the US-Israel war on Iran. Political editor Tom McIlroy and business editor Jonathan Barrett join Nour Haydar to discuss how hard Australians are being hit by the cost of living and if help is on the way

Nour Haydar speaks with investigations reporter Ariel Bogle about how a ‘bad' law means children charged with possessing extremist material may not always understand they have committed a crime

What's the line in the sand for Albanese to rethink the multibillion-dollar Aukus agreement? Why won't the government implement sanctions on the US and Israel – similar to those imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine? And should the Senate expand to better represent the needs of a growing population, such as in the ACT? Tom McIlroy, Dan Jervis-Bardy, Krishani Dhanji and Josh Butler from Guardian Australia's politics team in Canberra answer questions from listeners and readers

Tony Barry and Barrie Cassidy discuss the opposition leader, Angus Taylor's, new immigration policy and why Tony sees it as a strategy to come second. They also look at Donald Trump's stoush with the pope, Anthony Albanese's cautiousness when it comes to taking on gambling advertising and why this years budget will be one of the toughest ever delivered

In this bonus episode of the Walkley-nominated series about Australia's richest person, Guardian Australia senior correspondent Sarah Martin and producer Joe Koning examine Wednesday's landmark court ruling that ends a 15-year-court battle between Gina Rinehart and rival heirs

Liberal leader, Angus Taylor, has announced his new immigration policy including a crackdown on immigration and an emphasis on ‘Australian values' in determining who is allowed to come to the country. Guardian Australia political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Reged Ahmad about why the Liberal leader is borrowing from One Nation's playbook and how the policy could backfire on the Coalition

Journalist, author and farmer Gabrielle Chan speaks to Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy about the experiences of rural and regional Australians whose work and everyday life have been upended by supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Iran. The former political reporter also talks about the rise in Pauline Hanson's popularity ahead of the Farrer byelection, which is expected to be a strong contest between a One Nation and independent candidate

Released just hours before Australians began their Easter long weekend, the Albanese government's long-awaited reforms to gambling advertisements have been described as ‘timid'.Jo Tovey speaks to Patrick Keneally, Mike Ticher and Tom McIlroy about whether a partial ban is better than nothing.

Australia's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested at Sydney airport in relation to alleged war crimes. He was subsequently charged, and was due to appear in bail court on Wednesday. He was to spend Tuesday night in a cell. He has denied any wrongdoing. Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty speaks to Nour Haydar about the charges facing the Victoria Cross recipient, what we know about the arrest and what could happen next

The minister for energy and climate change, Chris Bowen, tells Guardian Australia's political editor, Tom McIlroy, that despite shortages at petrol stations around Australia, there have so far been no disruptions to the country's fuel supply. Bowen responds to criticisms about the Albanese government's communication to the public, as the second month of the US-Israel war on Iran continues to send shockwaves around the world. The minister also argues that rationing fuel is not necessary for now, and that having a staged plan with the states is good government at work